‘Proud day for rugby in SA': world champ Junior Boks welcomed back
The Junior Boks last won the title in 2012 with a home victory over the same opponents in Cape Town but had had a long wait for a repeat success, having not appeared in another final since 2014.
This time the team showed great composure in cruising to the final with commanding victories over Australia (73-12), England (32-22) and Scotland (73-14) in the pool stages, and Argentina (48-24) in the semifinals.
They led in the final from the third minute and tries by Xola Nyali and Gilermo Mentoe and 13 points from the boot of Vusi Moyo secured a famous victory.
Moyo finished the tournament as the top points' scorer with 63, while scrumhalf Haashim Pead scored six tries, placing him second for the most five-pointers behind Georgia's Mikheili Shioshvili (seven).
SA Rugby media
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
11 hours ago
- The Herald
Seven inspiring athletes from KZN to compete at World Transplant Games in Germany
When seven KwaZulu-Natal athletes participate in the World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany, next month, they'll be competing in honour of the donors who gave them a second chance at life, and encouraging others to consider becoming organ donors. Deven Naidu, Sean Samujh, Mark Nortjie, Nora Simpson, Billy Macleod, Anil Balmakund and Vivek Reddy received their Protea blazers at a ceremony hosted by Lenmed eThekwini Hospital and Heart Centre at Mount Edgecombe on Saturday. 'These incredible individuals are not only competing at the highest level of transplant sports but are also living proof of the power and affect of organ donation. Each of them has overcome serious health challenges and now stands as a symbol of resilience, purpose and gratitude. 'This is more than sport — it's about second chances,' said KwaZulu-Natal Transplant Sports Association (KZNTSA) chairperson and team member Deven Naidu. Naidu was the first kidney transplant patient at Lenmed eThekwini Hospital and Heart Centre 13 years ago. His wife, Raveena Singh-Naidu was his donor. 'Wearing the green Protea blazer, the athletes will proudly represent the nation and the thousands of transplant recipients who rely on the generosity of organ donors. We hope our stories inspire South Africans to register as organ donors and help give others the gift of life. 'They will form part of a more than 60-member South African Transplant team, travelling from across the country to participate on the global stage. Representing South Africa in disciplines ranging from athletics to squash, cycling, tennis, golf, swimming, petanque and more,' said Naidu. Naidu said at the event in Australia in 2023, KwaZulu-Natal was represented by three athletes.
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
Remembering Schalk Liebenberg: A legacy in KwaZulu-Natal rugby
Tributes pour in for Schalk Liebenberg, whose dedication to rugby left an indelible mark on the sport. Image: @Springboks/ X Tributes continue to pour in for former SA Rugby Exco member and former KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union (KZNRU) president, Schalk Liebenberg, 67, who died on Friday. Liebenberg played club rugby in KZN and other provinces, and also served the game as an administrator. In 2018, he became President of the KZNRU, having previously held positions as Junior Vice-President, Senior Vice-President, and Deputy President. Liebenberg also distinguished himself with two years of service on SA Rugby's Exco. Leading the tributes, SA Rugby President Mark Alexander said: 'From his early days as a club player, he built a career defined by loyalty and leadership. His insight and advocacy enriched national discussions and deepened SA Rugby's understanding of grassroots needs. 'Marked by steadfast commitment, integrity and an unwavering passion for the sport, Schalk shaped the vision of the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union with conviction and compassion. 'He championed the development of club rugby, mentored countless emerging leaders and remained a fierce advocate for growing the game from the ground up. His legacy is woven into the fabric of rugby in this province and far beyond,' Alexander continued. 'We honour his memory not only for the positions he held, but for the purpose with which he served. His contribution will be remembered with gratitude, and his presence (will be) deeply missed. 'To Donnas and the Liebenberg family, their loved ones and friends, as well as the KZNRU, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. May the love and pride Schalk inspired bring you comfort in the days ahead.' In a joint statement, the KZNRU and The Sharks extended their heartfelt condolences to Donnas, the Liebenberg family, friends, and the wider rugby community on Liebenberg's passing. The KZNRU and The Sharks said Liebenberg bravely battled cancer with courage, and the news of his passing deeply saddened those who knew and worked with him. A respected figure in KZN rugby, Schalk was a passionate servant of the game who made an indelible impact on the development of rugby in KZN. KZNRU President Graham MacKenzie said: 'We are deeply saddened by the passing of Schalk Liebenberg. Schalk was a true rugby man, committed and always driven by his love for the game. 'His contributions to the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union and the greater South African rugby community will be remembered with great respect and admiration. He was passionate about growing the game at all levels. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this very difficult time.' On Facebook, Varsity College Rugby Club described Liebenberg as 'a passionate rugby man whose decades of service helped shape the game in our province. As President of KZRU, he championed development, inclusivity, and excellence — values that continue to inspire us at Varsity College. 'Many of our players, coaches, and staff benefited from Schalk's leadership and vision. His dedication to growing rugby at all levels, from grassroots to high performance, has left a lasting legacy that we will continue to honour both on and off the field.' College Rovers Rugby Club said Liebenberg was a 'true club legend and a pillar in the rugby community.' Amanzimtoti Rugby Club said Liebenberg's voice for rugby will always be remembered. [email protected]
Daily Maverick
14 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Kaizer Chiefs defender Rushwin Dortley beating injury blues as he eyes strong comeback
The young player has had a tough journey to recovery but is ready to fulfil his aspirations. One moment Rushwin Dortley was living a fairy tale-like life, playing for one of the biggest clubs in Africa – Kaizer Chiefs. He had also managed to establish himself as a vital cog in Hugo Broos's Bafana Bafana team just months after joining Chiefs. The Belgian is not an easy person to impress, but Dortley quickly convinced Broos to make him part of his plans. By all accounts, the Cape Town-born defender was on top of the world. Then, in March, his fairy tale was shattered by a serious knee injury during a league match against Mamelodi Sundowns. It required surgery and sidelined him for the rest of the 2024/25 season. Injuries are part of sport, especially one as physical as soccer. Nevertheless, it was a disappointing development after the player's stocks had risen drastically during the first half of last season, thanks to his commanding performances in the backline. Uncharted territory Dortley (23) had never had such a serious injury, and at the time it happened he was one of the few shining lights in a struggling Chiefs team. As a result, he had to watch from the sidelines as Amakhosi toiled in the Premiership, eventually finishing ninth. He featured in just one match during Amakhosi's successful Nedbank Cup campaign last season – the 3-0 win over Chippa United in the round of 16. In the end, Amakhosi didn't need Dortley, as they ended a 10-year trophy drought by beating Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates 2-1 in the final of the Cup. Chiefs' long-awaited silverware success brought mixed feelings for Dortley. On the one hand, he was elated to be part of this Chiefs group that had finally ended the side's barren trophy run. But he was disappointed not to have played a major part in their success. 'It's been tough being on the sidelines watching the team, especially with the Nedbank Cup… the team winning it and me not being able to participate. But the team winning it gives me a sense of happiness – hope that we can keep going for the upcoming season,' Dortley told Daily Maverick. 'At the moment, I'm at a good stage with my recovery. I'm pushing my rehab because I want to be back before the league starts. I'm looking forward to playing again, to helping the team,' he said. When he arrived at Chiefs a year ago, after joining from the relegated Cape Town Spurs, Dortley quickly adapted to his new surroundings to become one of the first players Amakhosi coach Nasreddine Nabi selected when crafting his starting line-up. Dortley says the key to his quick adaptation at Naturena Village (Chiefs' headquarters) was his positive mentality and hunger to succeed, as well as everyone at the club welcoming him warmly. The side landed his signature from Spurs amid major interest from other Premiership clubs after Dortley had impressed in his debut top-flight season with Spurs. It was a major coup for Chiefs, who have struggled to attract quality players in recent seasons because of their on-field woes. 'It's your hard work and your talent on the training pitch that will put you in the starting 11… I always try to remember why Chiefs brought me to the club, what they saw. 'And that's just what I continue doing, to play my game and to help the club,' Dortley said. A rare breed What exactly did Amakhosi see? For one, Dortley is a rare breed since there are not many left-footed centre backs in soccer. In addition, he is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet and thus able to initiate attacks from defence. During his rapid rise to prominence in South African football, Dortley has endeared himself to the country as a whole, not just to the Amakhosi faithful, but because of his performances for Broos's Bafana Bafana. He made the starting 11 in what was his first official call-up to South Africa's senior men's soccer team. Bafana Bafana drew 2-2 with Uganda during Dortley's debut game in September 2024, in an Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier, but the defender did enough to convince the technical team that he is an asset. Subsequently, he played every single minute of South Africa's successful Afcon qualification campaign for the 2025 tournament, which will take place in Morocco from 21 December. The prospect of representing his country at the tournament has been a major driving force in Dortley's recovery efforts. 'Playing for Bafana and wearing that jersey is an honour. Again, for me it's just about playing my game, doing what I've been doing at Chiefs, which is the reason the coach called me. And just to do my best and help the country to qualify for major tournaments,' Dortley said about his goals with Bafana. 'On the Afcon, it's a dream to be part of the national team to go to the tournament… So, it's just for me to get back to playing, help the club, play my game and for the national team coach to hopefully include me in his plans,' he added. Cape Town woes Dortley is one of the latest products of Cape Town's soccer conveyor belt, which has produced players such as Benni McCarthy. Naturally, he saw it as a major blow for South African soccer that his former team, Spurs, was recently relegated to the third tier a season after falling out of the top flight. Not long after Spurs dropped down to the third tier, Cape Town City also tumbled out of the Premiership to the second tier after losing to Orbit College in the promotion-relegation playoffs. Dortley says it is unfortunate that there will be no Cape Town team in the South African top flight next season, but he's hopeful that both teams can bounce back. 'There was hope when Cape Town Spurs got relegated that Cape Town City would still represent Cape Town in the Premiership. But they will come back, both teams,' he said. 'I'm sure the owners [of Spurs] will do what they have to do for Cape Town football, for the youth, because Cape Town Spurs are huge for the youth. They just produce, it's just another level of an academy. The owners know the importance of the club in Cape Town and they will do their best. 'The same with Cape Town City. I'm sure they will do their best to win promotion back into the Premiership. 'It's football and these things happen. Hopefully they will come back stronger.' Dortley, too, will be hoping to return stronger than he was before his injury setback. His comeback can only be positive for a Chiefs team hoping to be a force in South African soccer once more. DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
