
Boks' ‘V8' that helped power Boan Venter and other debutants against Georgia
Springbok debutant Boan Venter said his impressive first appearance in the green and gold was thanks to the power and experience of the other forwards in the pack. Venter made his debut on Saturday in the Boks' 55-10 win over Georgia in Mbombela.
It was a completely uncapped front row that started the match, with Venter playing alongside hooker Marnus van der Merwe and tighthead prop Neethling Fouche.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus explained during the build up to the match that they had named a number of experienced players in the pack and on the bench, to balance out their decision to start three uncapped players, and Venter said that made things easier.
'Since the team was announced we definitely felt that support from the whole group. We jokingly call the back five the V8, because you can feel that power coming through,' explained Venter after the match.
'We try to build each other up and be supportive, so it definitely played a massive role in giving us confidence leading into the game.'
'Buzzing to make debut'
It was a fantastic debut for Venter and Van der Merwe, as they both scored tries, with the prop crashing over from close range, while the hooker dotted down from two powerful mauls.
Venter also said that deciding to play for the Boks was an easy decision, as he also had heavy interest from Scotland, who he would have qualified for next year, having played for franchise side, Edinburgh, over the last four years. Scottish coach Gregor Townsend hailed him as one of the best players in the URC.
'On the performance side I was buzzing to make my debut, and getting a try in there as well (was special). We will obviously reflect on the performance with the review. There is always stuff you can improve on … but just really happy to have gotten on the pitch,' said Venter.
'I think from being a young boy playing rugby, I think it is every South African's dream to play for the Springboks. So when I got that call it was pretty much a no brainer for me.'
Playing rugby in Scotland
Being picked for the national side for the first time while playing franchise rugby in Scotland made things interesting for Venter, as he had only attended a virtual alignment session, before arriving in the country and going straight into the Bok system.
But he was able to fit in well due to a welcoming atmosphere, and admitted that international rugby is certainly a step up from the franchise game.
'It was quite tricky. It was something that we had to navigate. But at the end of the day what counts is that we are here. It was great to just slot into this group, everyone was just so welcoming and helped us hit the floor running. I am just so grateful to be here,' explained Venter.
'I think it's definitely a level up from club rugby. It isn't so different in terms of the processes and stuff like that, but it is a level up. I wouldn't say it surprised me, but it was just so nice to see how big rugby is in South Africa.
'It is quite inspirational to see a whole nation get behind a team, and I think they know how much that support means to the team.'

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


The South African
13 minutes ago
- The South African
Khune pleads with Kaizer Chiefs fans
Betway Premiership giants Kaizer Chiefs faced Asante Kotoko in Durban after a two-week pre-season camp in the Netherlands. While Kaizer Chiefs lost 3-2 on penalties after the game ended goalless in 90 minutes, the primary focus was on team conditioning and tactical alignment. Meanwhile, Itumeleng Khune has reviewed new players such as Ethan Chislett, Flavio Silva, Nkanyiso Shinga and Thabiso Monyane. FIFA ask Kaizer Chiefs to pay R3 million? Kaizer Chiefs' new signings Flavio Silva, Ethan Chislett and Nkanyisa Shinga. Image: kcofficial/X 'When you talk about Paseka Mako and when you talk about Thabiso Monyane, they are bringing that winning mentality from Orlando Pirates,' Khune said on SABC1 . Orlando Pirates star needs six more goals to make history 'And I was quite impressed with the like of Shinga, Chislett, and of course we need to give Silva a fair turn. 'We only just debate him in the first games that we've seen him play but he's definitely going to show us what he can bring to South African football,' Kaizer Chiefs' greatest ever goalkeeper concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.


The South African
43 minutes ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chief cut ties with R5-million midfielder
This Kaizer Chiefs player has officially become Amakhosi's latest player departure. Kaizer Chiefs have just confirmed their SEVENTH exit of the current transfer window. He is the latest player heading out of Naturena. Chiefs have just parted ways with Tebogo Potsane. So, the midfielder becomes the SEVENTH player released by Amakhosi. 'Potsane Leaves Amakhosi As Kaizer Chiefs continue to prepare for the upcoming season, the Club and midfielder Tebogo Potsane have parted ways amicably. We thank him for his contributions and wish him all the best in the future. #ThankYouPotsane #AmakhosiLife,' Chiefs released this statement. Furthermore, he joins the likes of Ranga Chivaviro, Sabelo Radebe, Njabulo Blom, Edmilson Dove, Mduduzi Mdantsane and Yusuf Maart out the Naturena door. Potsane's valued at over R5 million, according to Transfermarkt . Meaning, Chiefs could have even more buying power with some big names linked. Seven have left and more will be leaving. So, more Amakhosi players are linked with departures. Goalkeeper, Fiacre Ntwari, Bongani Sam (defender), midfielder Edson Castillo and George Matlou are all facing likely exits out of Naturena. Chiefs have been spotted with 10 new players in training. Meanwhile, Nasreddine Nabi has identified the positions that Amakhosi are in the market for. Names such as Zakhele Lepasa, Fiston Mayele, Percy Tau, Asenele Velebayi, Etiosa Ighodaro, Luke Baartmen and Stanley Nwabali have all been linked with the Soweto giants. However, these players will not be joining Chiefs. Whilst, these players have reportedly already agreed to join Amakhosi. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

IOL News
43 minutes ago
- IOL News
Coetze's gamble pays off with stunning world title in Singapore
Pieter Coetzé celebrates winning gold in the 100m backstroke final at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on Tuesday. Photo: Supplied Image: SSA South Africa's young swim sensation Pieter Coetzé's impressive recent spell in the pool continued with a gold medal in the 100m backstroke final at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on Tuesday. The new world champion stormed to the win, dipping below 52 seconds for the second time in the past two weeks. It was a victory that the Tuks psychology student felt was coming at some stage, though he admitted he didn't expect it to happen so soon. The South African kicked with about 10m to go to take the title in 51.85 seconds, lowering his own South African and African record for the third time in quick succession. He narrowly missed out on the world record of 51.60. July 19th: World University Games 100m Backstroke Gold ✅ July 29th: World Aquatics Championships 100m Backstroke Gold ✅ July 29th In the span of ten days, Pieter Coetze wins both events and gets his first ever World Title! 🥇#AQUASingapore25 #Swimming — World Aquatics (@WorldAquatics) July 29, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Olympic champion and world record holder Thomas Ceccon of Italy took silver in 51.90, while Yohann Ndoye-Brouard of France claimed bronze in 51.95. The 21-year-old Coetzé had posted the world lead in the 100m backstroke earlier this year, when he swam an African and World Student Games record time of 51.99 seconds in Germany—becoming only the eighth swimmer in history to go under 52 seconds in the event. There was a risk that those exertions would have taken too much out of the rising star to remain competitive at the Singapore showpiece. Thankfully for Coetzé, it gave him the sharpness he needed to pull off the win in a closely contested final few metres. 'I always thought it would happen eventually. In my mind, it was just a matter of time. To do it this year is amazing and I can't say it was expected, especially because it was a gamble going to the World University Games right before this. But it's working pretty well,' Coetzé said, in his post-race television interview. Speaking again a little later, he added: 'It was awesome. The competition was very deep here, so there were eight guys who could have won it. 'The (World) University Games prepped me really well. The guys went fast there as well. But I'm over the moon. It was anyone's game. I knew that going into it, and to get away with the win is awesome.' He said of the time he swam: 'Every time I break (the African record`0, I'm really happy with it. "I can't explain, but it was more about the win tonight than the time, so if I won with a second slower time, it would still be as good. I think in a final you don't really think about the time at all.' "𝑺𝑶𝑼𝑻𝑯 𝑨𝑭𝑹𝑰𝑪𝑨 𝑪𝑳𝑨𝑰𝑴 𝑮𝑶𝑳𝑫 𝑨𝑻 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑾𝑶𝑹𝑳𝑫 𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑴𝑷𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑺𝑯𝑰𝑷𝑺!" 🔥 🇿🇦 Pieter Coetze wins gold in the Men's 100m Backstroke 🥇#AQUASingapore25 | #SSSwimming — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 29, 2025 Coetzé had qualified third-fastest for the final, behind Hungary's Hubert Kós (52.21) and Russia's Kliment Kolesnikov (51.26). With the leading swimmers deadlocked with 25m to go, Coetzé produced a devastating burst of pace to surge to the wall and claim victory. The top three all finished under 52 seconds. He will return to the pool on Thursday for the heats and semi-final of the 200m backstroke — an event in which he won bronze at last year's World Championships. On Saturday, he is also set to compete in the 50m backstroke heats and semi-final. Meanwhile, South Africa's Chris Smith secured his place in the 50m men's breaststroke final in Singapore with a second-place finish in Tuesday's semi-final in an impressive time of 26.77, behind Koen de Groot of the Netherlands. The final is scheduled for Wednesday. Wednesday's programme will also see Olivia Nel, fresh from her four medals at the World University Games, lining up in the heats of the 50m backstroke. Matt Sates will take on the 200m individual medley and the South Africans will also be in action in the mixed 4x100m medley relay.