Junior Springboks return home after win against New Zealand
It is the Junior Boks' first title win since the 2012 edition, ending a 13-year drought.
Junior Boks coach Kevin Foote says the U20 Rugby Championship earlier this year laid the foundation for the team's stunning improvement.
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The South African
9 hours ago
- The South African
'Third floor': Ox Nche celebrates his 30th birthday in style
Springbok Ox Nche celebrated his 30th birthday in style in his hometown of Bloemfontein this weekend. The popular player is known for his love of cake and for being one of rugby's best loosehead props in the world. Over the weekend, Ox Nche posted pictures of his 30th birthday celebration, which took place in Bloemfontein. The back-and-white party was attended by family and friends, and naturally included a big, beautiful cake!. He captioned the clip: 'The 3rd floor…Thank God for the wonderful life. Thank you for all the birthday wishes. Thank you to all the friends and family in my life. I love you guys'. While Ox Nche celebrated his 30th birthday, he has made 40 test match appearances for the Springboks. The Bok veteran is enjoying mingling with the squad's newbies, whom he has taken under his wing. He said of his mentorship: 'It makes you want to better yourself. You know the standards that have been set. It just makes you want to take them and try to elevate them to the next level.' He added: 'When we give each other advice, we are actually pulling each other up. We don't doubt the information we're giving each other'. 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 Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Ackermann talks up star quality of Junior Bok players included in Rassie's training group
Junior Springbok loose forward Bathobele Hlekani, winger Cheswill Jooste, and scrumhalf Haashim Pead will join the senior side for a two-week training camp. Johan Ackermann has sung the praises of three U20 players who have been included in the upcoming Springbok training group. Loose forward Bathobele Hlekani, winger Cheswill Jooste, and scrumhalf Haashim Pead join 37 Test-capped Springboks for the two-week camp in Johannesburg starting on Sunday. It follows the side's triumphant World Rugby U20 Championship campaign, where Pead (six tries) and Jooste were two of the most dangerous backline players in the tournament. Hlekani was also solid in his carries to help lift the trophy. Ackermann served as a consultant for the Junior Springboks from January to July, finishing his stint on a high with their title win. Now appointed head coach of the Bulls, he leaves with fond memories from his time with the Junior Boks. 'I hope the future will have the same' 'It was a privilege working with them,' Ackermann said. 'The outstanding thing was the hunger they had. Even the players who didn't make the 30 [championship squad], the players we had to release, they were so hungry to do well. They were so eager to learn. I hope the future will have the same.' He said there was not one argument or incident of grumbling among the group, adding that coach Kevin Foote, assistant coach Melusi Mthethwa and captain Riley Norton were special in how they turned a talented group into one that could achieve greatness. Ackermann discussed the strengths of each player included in the Bok group at length. He said Jooste had 'tremendous feet'. 'He's extremely fast, and he's tough. If he needs to run through a guy, he will do it. Even if he doesn't have the size, he will take him on. He is not afraid in defence. If you give him space, he's gone.' The coach commended Pead, who broke France star Antoine Dupont's U20 record for running metres by a scrumhalf in the pool stages of the tournament. Pead ran 232 metres from 15 carries, surpassing Dupont's 227 set in 2016. Ackermann described Pead as an outstanding nine and one of the team's leaders. 'He brings a lot of calmness. He doesn't get fazed. His demeanour is relaxed and he takes that over to the game.' He said the youngster could see space like few could, and was good in his box kicking. Ackermann sees potential in powerhouse Hlekani 'Batho is a big man, strong. Good ball carrier, physical. I used him a lot for the mauls and we got him jumping, because when I got there he wasn't jumping in the lineouts. 'In a one-on-one tackle he can hit you. Probably his biggest work-on is that he sometimes tends to think he can keep everybody up because he is so strong, and then he loses metres.' He said the big man also needed to ensure his work rate didn't drop during the course of a full match, like it did in the semi-final against Argentina. 'So if he can keep his work rate up, he's got all the physical attributes to be a very good flanker.'
The South African
3 days ago
- The South African
Springboks: How much key players have made in 2025
The Springboks are stacking up the wins while the players stack up some well-earned money. The Springboks have maintained their spot as the number one ranked team in the latest world rankings following an undefeated start to the 2025 season. The Boks have won all four of their opening fixtures to date. Firstly, they kick-started their 2025 season with a resounding 54-7 victory over the Barbarians. Thereafter, the Springboks won all three of their opening Test matches defeating Italy 42-24 and 45-0 before demolishing Georgia 55-10 in Mbombela. So, let's take a look at some of the key players match-earnings to date. This article takes a look at Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Ox Nche. Please note: These figures are based off the Springboks Test matches and match-day earnings. They do and do not include their match-earnings from their opening fixture against the Barbarians due to these figures not being disclosed. Furthermore, this does not include salaries – it is strictly match-day earnings. As reported on The South African, the PONI (Players of National Interest) figures have been disclosed by SA Rugby. Each player is paid R118 197. 93 per Springboks Test match. So, this is how much each of these Bok players have made so far in 2025: Cheslin Kolbe – R118, 197. 93 (one Test) Kolbe started against Italy in the first Test at Loftus. However, he was rested in the second Test in PE and in the Georgian game. Eben Etzebeth – R236, 395. 86 (two Tests) Etzebeth did not play the first Test match at Loftus. The lanky powerful lock returned to action for the Springboks in the second Test and was selected again to take on the Georgians. Ox Nche – R236,395.86 (two Tests) Ox has played two Test matches for the Springboks so far in 2025. He started against Italy at Loftus and he was utilised off of the bench in the second Test. He was rested against Georgia. Pieter-Steph du Toit – R236, 395.86 (two Tests) The World Rugby Player of the year missed the first Test match against Italy due to injury. Thereafter, he returned to action for the Springboks in back-to-back Test matches against the Azzuri (in P.E) and against Georgia at the Mbombela Stadium. Damien de Allende – R236, 395. 86 (two Tests) De Allende started against Italy at Loftus and was replaced by Andre Esterhuizen in the second Test against Italy. He returned to the side named by Rassie Erasmus to take on Georgia. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
