Strong Junior Bok squad named for U-20 world champs in Italy
Prop Phiwayinkosi Kubheka and flyhalf Ian van der Merwe have not played for the South Africa U-20s, while lock Jaco Grobbelaar, No 8 Stephanus Linde and outside back Jaco Williams are back in the squad after missing last month's U-20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha.
Kubheka played for the SA U-18s last year and Van der Merwe in 2023, while Linde toured with the Junior Boks in Georgia earlier this year before he picked up an injury that ruled him out of the Rugby Championship. Grobbelaar and Williams were involved with the United Rugby Championship squads for the Bulls and Sharks.
Grobbelaar is one of the five players returning for a second World Rugby Championship stint, with utility forward Bathobele Hlekani, prop Herman Lubbe, loose forward Wandile Mlaba and scrumhalf Haashim Pead.
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
Fearless Wallabies stun weary Lions to win third Test 22-12
A fearless Australia stunned the British and Irish Lions 22-12 in a chaotic third Test interrupted by lightning Saturday to... A fearless Australia stunned the British and Irish Lions 22-12 in a chaotic third Test interrupted by lightning Saturday to deny the touring side a 3-0 series whitewash. In bouts of torrential rain at Sydney's Stadium Australia, the hosts went to the break with an 8-0 lead after an eighth-minute try before showing steely nerve to finish the job. Dylan Pietsch and Max Jorgensen both dotted down to put them 15-0 clear. The Wallabies had thrown away an 18-point advantage to lose the second Test in heartbreaking fashion last week, but learned their lesson. They largely controlled the contest in front of 80,312 fans, swift at the breakdown and with plenty of attacking flair despite atrocious conditions. 'It was a disappointing week after such a tough loss,' Wallabies captain Harry Wilson said. 'To bounce back the way we did, I'm so proud of everyone. To get the win was so special.' There was a lot of collateral damage, with Lions skipper Maro Itoje and Australia's Tom Lynagh both failing concussion tests and Lions lock James Ryan stretchered off after being knocked out making a tackle. The teams were forced from the field two minutes into the second half because of a lightning warning, with play suspended for 35 minutes. 'We spoke about that before the game, that it could happen,' Wilson said. 'We had a few plans in place. We just wanted this game so badly, whatever we had to do we were going to do.' Victory ensured the Lions' six-week visit ended in disappointment after winning all eight previous tour games. 'Our goal before the series was to try to win 3-0,' said Dan Sheehan, who was the Lions acting captain after Itoje went off concussed. 'We gave it everything under harsh circumstances. The Wallabies have been in every Test and I thought they deserved the win. 'It was a bit disappointing on our end to finish with this.' The Lions won the first Test comfortably 27-19 in Brisbane before clinching a controversial 29-26 series-winning victory in the last minute last week in Melbourne. That loss was gut-wrenching for Joe Scmhidt's Australia, the head coach rallied his injury-hit troops to bank the biggest win of his tenure. Lightning break In doing so, they denied the Lions a first unbeaten series since 1974 and gained some much-needed confidence heading into the Rugby Championship this month. Lions coach Andy Farrell resisted resting any of his big guns despite the Test being, on paper at least, a dead rubber. In contrast, Australia made five changes, four of them because of injuries to Rob Valetini, Allan Alaalatoa, David Porecki and Harry Potter. Australia were playing for pride and as the rain belted down they were full of intent, crossing for an early try and an important psychological boost. Following a period of pressure on the Lions line, they went wide on a penalty advantage with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii flicking a pass to wing Pietsch who dived over in the corner. With the packs slipping and sliding in the grim conditions, the Lions were frustrated, unable to launch any sustained attacks with Australia winning a host of turnovers to keep the pressure on. Scrum-half Nic White, in his final Test before retiring, was everywhere, leading the line as Australia pressed for another try. After failing to breach the Lions defence, they finally opted for three points with Lynagh nailing a simple penalty kick. Australia picked up where they left off after the lightning break, with Jorgensen gathering and streaking clear when Bundee Aki fumbled the ball on 54 minutes. Ben Donaldson converted to stretch their lead to 15-0, but the Lions woke up and Welshman Jac Morgan crashed over for a converted try to pile the pressure back on. A yellow card to Ronan Kelleher with 12 minutes deflated the Lions and the Wallabies pounced again with Tate McDermott crossing to seal the win before Will Stuart's late consolation for the visitors.
The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
Elton Jantjies goes hunting, posts pictures with dead animal
Former Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies has posted pictures from his first hunting trip on social media, risking ridicule from the public. Image: Instagram @eltonjantjies Former Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies has posted pictures from his first ever hunting trip on social media, risking more ridicule from the public. Jantjies, who turned 35 on Friday, 1 August, celebrated by hunting with 'some special people' – as per the caption on his post. Early comments were largely negative. Elton Jantjies was born on 1 August 1990 in Graaff-Reinert in the Eastern Cape. He is a South African rugby union player, best known for his role as a flyhalf for the Springboks, and for the Lions in Super Rugby. Springboks (National Team): Jantjies earned 46 Test caps for South Africa between 2012 and 2022, scoring 331 points during his international career (fifth most for the Springboks). He was part of the 2019 Rugby World Cup-winning squad . Jantjies earned for South Africa between 2012 and 2022, scoring during his international career (fifth most for the Springboks). He was part of the . Super Rugby (Lions): He was a key figure in the Golden Lions and Lions teams that reached three consecutive Super Rugby finals from 2016 to 2018. His attacking flair, kicking accuracy, and quick decision-making were central to the team's success during this period. He was a key figure in the and teams that reached from 2016 to 2018. His attacking flair, kicking accuracy, and quick decision-making were central to the team's success during this period. Playing style: Jantjies was known for his creative playmaking, precise goal-kicking, and calm control under pressure. At his peak, he was one of the most exciting and polarising talents in South African rugby. In 2023 , Jantjies tested positive for Clenbuterol , a banned performance-enhancing substance. , Jantjies tested , a banned performance-enhancing substance. As a result, he was handed a four-year suspension from rugby in January 2024 . in . He did not contest the ban, effectively bringing his professional playing career to a halt. This came after a rocky period that included: Alleged disciplinary issues while in the Springbok camp. An off-field scandal in 2022 involving misconduct on a flight and tabloid reports of an affair. After his suspension, Jantjies transitioned into coaching, joining a Johannesburg-based rugby academy as a kicking and attack coach. He has expressed a desire to use his experience to mentor young players and help them avoid the mistakes he made. You okay with Elton Jantjies posting pictures from his hunting trip? 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.
IOL News
11 hours ago
- IOL News
Carlos Spencer fears for All Blacks' unbeaten record at Eden Park as Springboks await
All Blacks flyhalf Carlos Spencer played touch rugby in Cape Town this week at a Real Madrid Foundation Educational Football Programme and Generation Schools charity event. It's been 31 years since the All Blacks last suffered defeat at their Eden Park fortress. The 23-20 loss to France on July 3, 1994, featured one of the most iconic tries in rugby history, known as 'the try from the end of the world.' That try, scored four minutes from the end of the Test, originated deep in France's own half. Legendary wing and captain Philippe Saint-André started a counterattack, running the ball from 80 metres out. The ball passed through nine pairs of hands in just 27 seconds before reaching fullback Jean-Luc Sadourny, who dotted down. It's still regarded as one of the most beautifully conceived tries in the history of the game. Since that iconic match against the French, the All Blacks have gone 50 matches without defeat at the Auckland venue, with 48 wins and two draws. Former maverick flyhalf Carlos Spencer played in many of those triumphant Tests for the All Blacks between 1994 and 2005, orchestrating some of the team's most remarkable attacking displays. However, Spencer fears that this record could be in jeopardy in 2025, when the world champion Springboks visit Eden Park for the Rugby Championship next month. The Springboks, who have beaten the All Blacks in their last four meetings, haven't played at Eden Park since 2013 and will be eager to make more history under Rassie Erasmus. The teams will meet at Eden Park on September 6, with the second match of that mini-tour to be played in Wellington a week later. While Eden Park isn't a hostile or intimidating venue, Spencer says the history that the All Blacks have built there is always in the back of visiting teams' minds. But he believes the all-conquering Boks could put that record to the test. 'I don't think it's intimidating — it's just the history of Eden Park, the All Blacks not losing a Test match there (since 1994). Teams think about that a lot,' Spencer said during a Generation Schools charity event in Cape Town. 'When you look at where South Africa is at the moment … if there's a team that can break that history, it's the Springboks. And it could happen this year. 'Fingers crossed it doesn't happen!' the former Auckland Blues playmaker added. The Springboks came from behind to beat the All Blacks twice last year at home, extending their winning streak over New Zealand to four matches, including their victory in the Rugby World Cup final in Paris. Meanwhile, the All Blacks started their season with a 3-0 series win over a spirited French side, despite France missing many of their key players.
