BaaBaas, with ‘great players in world rugby', a good test for Boks: Rassie
The Barbarians have some hugely experienced, quality campaigners and will provide a fitting opening test for the Springboks' 2025 season, coach Rassie Erasmus said.
The Boks face the BaaBaas on June 28 before lining up against Italy in back-to-back Tests in Pretoria (July 5) and Gqeberha (July 12), after which they wrap up the Incoming Series against Georgia in Mbombela (July 19).
The Boks are close to being a full contingent of players after the arrival of the Bulls players, Leinster lock RG Snyman and Leicester Tigers flyhalf Handré Pollard, following their involvement in the United Rugby Championship and Gallagher Premiership finals last weekend.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Gayton McKenzie says he's ‘gonna fight very hard' for at least one Bok game to be broadcast to everyone
The difficulty of watching the Boks is twofold: one, the ticket prices are expensive, and two, most South Africans don't have DStv Premium. Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks, are loved by South Africans; however, not all the country's citizens can see them play due to accessibility issues. The difficulty of watching the Boks is twofold: one, the ticket prices are expensive, and two, most South Africans don't have DStv Premium, which broadcasts Bok matches on the pay channel Supersport. 'One of them [Bok games] must be shown,' said Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, speaking at the launch of Boktown, the Castle Lager fan parks across the country where South Africans can watch the reigning world champions. The launch was in Johannesburg on Friday. ALSO READ: Chicken feet and champions: Kolisi, Mapimpi and Am enjoy Mzansi's fave dish Broadcasting rights Rugby matches are not shown on the state broadcaster, the SABC, because they don't have the rights. Last year, in collaboration with SA Rugby and McKenzie's department, SuperSport had a once-off agreement to give the SABC the rights to broadcast the Castle Lager Rugby Championship match between the Springboks and the All Blacks at Ellis Park. 'The guys at SARU [South African Rugby] have been helpful, I must say,' said McKenzie, adding that he is grateful to SA Rugby and Castle Lager for 'bringing rugby to the people'. 'But I can promise you I'm gonna fight very hard that at least one of the games should be shown for everybody to see,' promised the minister. 'We must also be honest that players and the sport benefit from having their rights; players get paid more – so we need to find that balance,' McKenzie said. 'We're not saying show all the games, but sooner or later government will have to make sure that the people see all the games by investing money in sport,' expressed McKenzie. ALSO READ: Bok Rugby Championship Test tickets on sale Friday: All the details Expensive tickets The Boks won the 2023 World Cup, and last year South Africans got to watch them live as champions after that opportunity was missed following their triumph in 2019, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year's Bok home games quickly sold out due to the high demand of seeing Siya Kolisi and the rest of the team in action live. In Cape Town alone, people paid as much as R4,000 for a standard ticket to the Boks' clash against New Zealand on the black market last year. According to SA Rugby, tickets for this year's match against the Wallabies in Johannesburg are priced from R525, but they were sold out swiftly. The remaining tickets range from R1750 to R3,500. For the Barbarians game next weekend in Cape Town, a person in the business lounge will cough up just under R6000 to watch the Boks. There are still some tickets available, but the cheapest is R950 in the lower tier level. ALSO READ: Team De Klerk is growing: Faf and Miné expecting baby number two [VIDEO] Fan parks Speaking to The Citizen, Springbok player Morné van den Berg said fan parks like the one launched on Friday are incredible for the vibe. 'I've been at a few fan parks and it's really an amazing experience. You get together with basically one home that the Springboks are gonna win and play some good rugby,' shared the scrumhalf. 'Boktown', which was launched on Friday, will see screenings across the country where those who don't have tickets or DStv Premium can watch the game. The Boks' 2025 tour opens on Saturday, 28 June, at Wanderers Oval, Johannesburg, where supporters will gather to watch the Springboks' first-ever clash with the Barbarians on South African soil. NOW READ: 'It's all about ubuntu': Fans celebrate with world champion Proteas [VIDEO]


The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
X-factor fullbacks each bring something different to Springboks
Aphelele Fassi says the Springboks' three choice fullbacks work together but contribute differently to the side. Aphelele Fassi (right) says he has learned much from veteran Springbok Willie le Roux. Picture: Shaun Roy/While some notable players are missing from the revised 45-man Springbok squad for the early season, all three choice fullbacks are on the list and raring to go. Only Quan Horn has been released due to injury. Aphelele Fassi told the media that he, Willie le Roux and Damian Willemse are working hard in training ahead of their Barbarians Test on 28 June, before three July Tests against Italy and Georgia. While there is healthy competition for the number 15 spot, he said there hasn't been any animosity between the trio. Springboks back each other 'I don't think it's a rivalry. From what the coaches have been telling us, it's being able to build the squad in the right direction, being able to help each other week in and week out,' Fassi said. 'Damian and I have been helping each other with different areas of our game, being able to improve. And with the experience that Willie brings between me and Damian, it's vital for us.' The Springbok fullback said the aim was not to 'bash each other up' but rather lift each other's game. To that end, the players each have various strengths and can contribute differently. 'I think everyone has a different way of playing and we all have X-factor that we want to bring into the game. All we do is help each other and be able to understand what the game plan is and how we want to play as the Springboks, and how your individual X-factor can filter into the team.' Fassi said Le Roux, who now sits on 98 Test caps at 35 years of age, has much wisdom to pass on. 'In situations I don't see or don't know what to do, I feed off him. He's been a massive with me.' Fassi said he sat with Le Roux after training this week and asked him for help. 'The answers that he gave me are something that I really needed and something that builds me going into the season.' Fullbacks encouraged to play with freedom Fassi said the Springbok coaches, and especially assistant coach Tony Brown, have encouraged the backline to play with freedom within the team's game plan. 'You are not boxed up, and that is what we like. We've got players that have got X-factor: Damian [de Allende], Jesse [Kriel], Gaza [Damian Willemse]. To be able to box up those puts them away. 'We are just happy to be able to play the rugby that one knows that they can play, but also that is within the structures.'

TimesLIVE
5 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
BaaBaas, with ‘great players in world rugby', a good test for Boks: Rassie
The Barbarians have some hugely experienced, quality campaigners and will provide a fitting opening test for the Springboks' 2025 season, coach Rassie Erasmus said. The Boks face the BaaBaas on June 28 before lining up against Italy in back-to-back Tests in Pretoria (July 5) and Gqeberha (July 12), after which they wrap up the Incoming Series against Georgia in Mbombela (July 19). The Boks are close to being a full contingent of players after the arrival of the Bulls players, Leinster lock RG Snyman and Leicester Tigers flyhalf Handré Pollard, following their involvement in the United Rugby Championship and Gallagher Premiership finals last weekend.