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The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Three things Springboks must achieve in Rugby Championship
The Springboks will soon kick off their Rugby Championship campaign when they meet the Wallabies in Johannesburg on Saturday 16 August, and again a week later in Cape Town on 23 August. From there they will face their arch-rivals at Eden Park in Auckland on 6 September, and the Sky Stadium in Wellington on 13 September respectively, before wrapping up their campaign against Argentina in Durban on Saturday 27 September, and in London on 4 October. There are a host of things that the Springboks will want to achieve in the tournament, but we believe these are three top priorities. Refine attacking evolution Since winning the 2023 World Cup, one of the clearest focal points for the Springboks has been their desire to improve their attacking game since adding former All Blacks playmaker Tony Brown to their coaching staff. There has been a big shift in the way the Springboks are attacking with numerous set plays, and nuances to player decoys and running lines, but at times it hasn't all come together perfectly. It simply remains a work-in-progress, but the Springboks will really want to ensure they take some more significant steps forward in this area of their game evolution. Balance winning and game evolution with the world rankings in mind The Springboks' lead at the top of the world rankings has shrunk to just 0.72 points after the All Blacks claimed a 3-0 win over the All Blacks in their July Tests. Normally, only passing attention is paid to the rankings by coaches and players, but there is some serious incentive this year to ensure the Springboks remain in prime position. The reason for this is that the draw for the expanded 24-team 2027 World Cup is set to take place in December, and so the rankings then will be used to determine the top seeds for the various. To try and avoid any potential 'group of death', and to hopefully secure the most favourable draw, the Springboks will be determined to remain at the top of the pile. Gain clarity on halfbacks There is no doubt that the Springboks boast some remarkable player depth, but particularly when it comes to the 9-10 combination there has so much chopping and changing with selection that it's still hard to know who is the unequivocal first choice. As it stands, Handre Pollard and Grant Williams are probably at the top of the pecking order at flyhalf and scrumhalf respectively, but the Springboks will need to settle on exactly where the likes of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok, Cobus Reinach and Morne van den Berg stand. Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers). 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.
The Guardian
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Wallabies score late to snatch win against surging Fiji as Lions await
The Wallabies have got their 2025 season off to a victorious start and struck a crucial blow in the quest to win the 2027 World Cup at home with a tense 21-18 triumph over Fiji in Newcastle. The 79th minute shading of their fierce south Pacific rivals ignites Australia's hopes ahead of the first British & Irish Lions Test in Brisbane on 19 July. The result was only decided by a late try by captain Harry Wilson but buries the demons left by the Flying Fijians' cataclysmic defeat of Australia at the 2023 World Cup. It also sends a warning shot to the world that Joe Schmidt's rebuilding side are again a force to be reckoned with. Dave Porecki, captain in that 19-23 defeat at Saint-Étienne, started the exorcism. The tough hooker was returning from a 643-day injury exile and he lit up McDonald Stadium by crashing over from a rolling maul in the fifth minute. It was just reward for an electric start by the Wallabies, as hard running by the forwards and fast hands by the backline sent early disarray into the Fijian defensive patterns. Inspired by the Waratahs' brave showing against the British & Irish Lions on Saturday night, the Wallabies brought physicality with finesse, stealing lineouts and scavenging ball on the ground. All the while they showed a willingness to kick long and short while chasing like greyhounds. This was the high speed, high risk, high reward style that shocked England at Twickenham on the Spring Tour last year. At times it was too frantic, a forward pass scratching a Harry Potter try in the 16th minute. But the tempo pinned the Fijians in their own territory for much of the first half. Still, with 80% of the ball, Australia's dominance didn't show on a scoreboard stalled at 7-0. Too often they kicked away possession and spilt fast passes, Pedantic refereeing by Frenchman Pierre Brousset also hampered the contest's flow. It took 38 minutes for Australia to make good on the glut of possession, fast hands by Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii spearing flanker Fraser McReight into the corner. However the two-try margin lasted just seconds. Fiji swooped on a loose ball and pin-balled it 60-metres for Salesi Rayasi to scramble over in the corner for 14-5. Having stifled the flair of Fiji's running game, the late lapse infuriated home fans. Yet it lit up the huge contingent of visiting vuvale (family) who had cheered the Cibi war dance after Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka, a former Test front-rower, presented the Vuvale Bowl up for grabs. Sure enough, the Fijians came out for the second half breathing fire. Only desperate defence by Australia's loose forwards and handling errors cruelled their comeback. The Wallabies too were guilty of over-playing their hand in counterattack, another needless forward pass scrubbing Max Jorgensen's diving try in the 48th minute. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion It was a costly show of hubris. Fiji's brand of rugby is based on rip and tear footy in broken space. Jiuta Wainiqolo proved it when he scooped up another loose pass and sprinted downfield before basketball passing to Lekima Tagitagivalu to score. With a conversion from the sideline, Fiji had snatched a 15-14 lead with 25 minutes to play. Another try from broken play made it 20-14 before the TMO spared the home side. But with crucial World Cup ranking points in play, Schmidt must've broken a cold sweat that turned even chillier when Noah Lolesio was tackled heavily and stretchered off. A penalty goal in the 68th minute extended Fiji's advantage to four points. But Wilson's late charge, with a minute in the clock, secured the win and furthered Australia's reputation as a never-say-die side. It also furthered the claims of fringe Test players Tate McDermott, superb at halfback, and winger Jorgensen, returning from a 14-week lay-off while gilding the reputation of Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaali as a threat to counter the Lions monster midfield.
The Guardian
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Emma Hayes' USWNT revolution gathers pace in dominant summer window
The US women's national team have just wrapped up another successful window in an experimental year. After beating Ireland 4–0 in back-to-back friendlies, they defeated an experienced Canada side 3–0 in Washington, bringing their 2025 record to 8-0-2 while continuing to field youthful lineups full of emerging talent. Emma Hayes' return to Audi Field came nearly one year to the day since they drew 0–0 with Costa Rica in their final tune-up before going on to win Olympic gold in Paris. Since then, the four-time world champions have turned their focus to the 2027 World Cup. Hayes has worked diligently to build the depth and cohesion needed to challenge for the title. As of this window, Hayes has capped 24 new players during her tenure and started 36 different players in 2025 alone. With European-based players rested (with the exception of Naomi Girma), and key Olympic contributors absent due to pregnancy or injury, Hayes continued to hand out valuable experience. Here are the biggest winners and losers from this summer's international window. Sam Coffey Coffey made her 38th appearance against Canada and, while she's no newcomer, few players have cemented their importance to the team quite like her. After the win, Hayes noted Coffey was 'in the form of her life' and praised her drive to improve. Speaking to the media, Coffey said she would have preferred at least one more goal to 'really seal it'. Hayes on her mentality: 'She is always, always wanting to improve her game. It never ends. It's never enough. She'd sit and watch film permanently if she could.' After scoring in Wednesday's victory, the Portland Thorns defensive midfielder now has three goals in five matches – level with Cat Macario and just behind forwards Lynn Biyendolo and Ally Sentnor among the team's top scorers. Claire Hutton Speaking of defensive midfielders scoring goals: Hutton rose to head home Rose Lavelle's perfectly placed corner in the 36th minute, notching her first goal for the US in just her sixth appearance. The 19-year-old has shown clear progress, translating her strong form with the first-place Kansas City Current to the international stage. Slotting in near-seamlessly alongside Coffey, Hutton has offered glimpses of a dynamic midfield partnership for the future. Rose Lavelle Lavelle returned to the USWNT for the first time in 2025 during this window and wasted no time reminding everyone of her quality. Starting the first and third matches, she was as deft and creative as ever in midfield. Lavelle scored and assisted against Ireland in her first game back, nearly scored off the bench in the second and was arguably the best player on the pitch against Canada. Hayes said: 'She's unique in the world game. There aren't many players like Rose Lavelle, and I genuinely think there is another level for her to reach with our team.' Avery Patterson and Lilly Reale Beyond Arsenal's Emily Fox, the full-back spots remain among the most contested in Hayes' squad. Twenty-one-year-old Gotham left-back Lilly Reale and 23-year-old Houston Dash right-back Avery Patterson – both converted full-backs with versatility – each earned two starts this window and made a strong case for long-term inclusion. Reale, making just her second senior appearance against Canada, limited the influence of veterans such as Janine Beckie while combining well with Alyssa Thompson down the flank. Hayes on Reale: 'I think Lilly Reale is showing steady progression. It's great to have a left-footer as an option on that side. She's strong defensively, tough to get behind.' Patterson, in her sixth cap, helped contain players like Ashley Lawrence and also provided a threat going forward, scoring in her first start of the window and providing an assist against Canada. Hayes said of the pair: 'I think they're at a similar level. Avery's better going forward; Lilly's better going backwards naturally. But they're both fast learners, and they're both adaptable.' Alyssa Thompson A word here for Thompson, whose pace and skill on the left wing made an impact in every match she played. The 20-year-old Angel City winger showed moments of individual brilliance, scoring her second international goal against Ireland in Colorado and adding a third in the next match off the bench. Though she didn't score against Canada, she remained a constant threat – her positioning and energy keeping her firmly in the mix amid a crowded field of elite forwards. Jane Campbell and Casey Murphy Another unsettled position in Hayes' squad is goalkeeper, which has been vacant since Alyssa Naeher's retirement. Manchester United's Phallon Tullis-Joyce has emerged as a likely No 1, following a clean-sheet debut against Brazil in April. With Tullis-Joyce resting alongside other European-based players, Hayes rotated her depth options this window and found promise in Seattle Reign's Claudia Dickey and Utah Royals' Mandy McGlynn. Dickey started the first and third matches and made several solid stops against Canada, including a late save. McGlynn featured in the second game and held her own, though Ireland didn't offer many tests. Meanwhile, Campbell and Murphy may now need exceptional league performances to claw their way back into the conversation. The doubters Hayes has been measured in her assessments, methodical in her team-building, and realistic about the road ahead. After beating Canada 3–0, she stressed that the team 'hasn't done anything yet'. That's true, but over the past year, confidence and experience have spread across a broader pool of talent. There's still work to be done, but Wednesday's dominant performance was a compelling reminder that this is a team quietly assembling the tools required to contend for the World Cup.
The Guardian
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Emma Hayes' USWNT revolution gathers pace in dominant summer window
The US women's national team have just wrapped up another successful window in an experimental year. After beating Ireland 4–0 in back-to-back friendlies, they defeated an experienced Canada side 3–0 in Washington, bringing their 2025 record to 8-0-2 while continuing to field youthful lineups full of emerging talent. Emma Hayes' return to Audi Field came nearly one year to the day since they drew 0–0 with Costa Rica in their final tune-up before going on to win Olympic gold in Paris. Since then, the four-time world champions have turned their focus to the 2027 World Cup. Hayes has worked diligently to build the depth and cohesion needed to challenge for the title. As of this window, Hayes has capped 24 new players during her tenure and started 36 different players in 2025 alone. With European-based players rested (with the exception of Naomi Girma), and key Olympic contributors absent due to pregnancy or injury, Hayes continued to hand out valuable experience. Here are the biggest winners and losers from this summer's international window. Sam Coffey Coffey made her 38th appearance against Canada and, while she's no newcomer, few players have cemented their importance to the team quite like her. After the win, Hayes noted Coffey was 'in the form of her life' and praised her drive to improve. Speaking to the media, Coffey said she would have preferred at least one more goal to 'really seal it'. Hayes on her mentality: 'She is always, always wanting to improve her game. It never ends. It's never enough. She'd sit and watch film permanently if she could.' After scoring in Wednesday's victory, the Portland Thorns defensive midfielder now has three goals in five matches – level with Cat Macario and just behind forwards Lynn Biyendolo and Ally Sentnor among the team's top scorers. Claire Hutton Speaking of defensive midfielders scoring goals: Hutton rose to head home Rose Lavelle's perfectly placed corner in the 36th minute, notching her first goal for the US in just her sixth appearance. The 19-year-old has shown clear progress, translating her strong form with the first-place Kansas City Current to the international stage. Slotting in near-seamlessly alongside Coffey, Hutton has offered glimpses of a dynamic midfield partnership for the future. Rose Lavelle Lavelle returned to the USWNT for the first time in 2025 during this window and wasted no time reminding everyone of her quality. Starting the first and third matches, she was as deft and creative as ever in midfield. Lavelle scored and assisted against Ireland in her first game back, nearly scored off the bench in the second and was arguably the best player on the pitch against Canada. Hayes said: 'She's unique in the world game. There aren't many players like Rose Lavelle, and I genuinely think there is another level for her to reach with our team.' Avery Patterson and Lilly Reale Beyond Arsenal's Emily Fox, the full-back spots remain among the most contested in Hayes' squad. Twenty-one-year-old Gotham left-back Lilly Reale and 23-year-old Houston Dash right-back Avery Patterson – both converted full-backs with versatility – each earned two starts this window and made a strong case for long-term inclusion. Reale, making just her second senior appearance against Canada, limited the influence of veterans such as Janine Beckie while combining well with Alyssa Thompson down the flank. Hayes on Reale: 'I think Lilly Reale is showing steady progression. It's great to have a left-footer as an option on that side. She's strong defensively, tough to get behind.' Patterson, in her sixth cap, helped contain players like Ashley Lawrence and also provided a threat going forward, scoring in her first start of the window and providing an assist against Canada. Hayes said of the pair: 'I think they're at a similar level. Avery's better going forward; Lilly's better going backwards naturally. But they're both fast learners, and they're both adaptable.' Alyssa Thompson A word here for Thompson, whose pace and skill on the left wing made an impact in every match she played. The 20-year-old Angel City winger showed moments of individual brilliance, scoring her second international goal against Ireland in Colorado and adding a third in the next match off the bench. Though she didn't score against Canada, she remained a constant threat – her positioning and energy keeping her firmly in the mix amid a crowded field of elite forwards. Jane Campbell and Casey Murphy Another unsettled position in Hayes' squad is goalkeeper, which has been vacant since Alyssa Naeher's retirement. Manchester United's Phallon Tullis-Joyce has emerged as a likely No 1, following a clean-sheet debut against Brazil in April. With Tullis-Joyce resting alongside other European-based players, Hayes rotated her depth options this window and found promise in Seattle Reign's Claudia Dickey and Utah Royals' Mandy McGlynn. Dickey started the first and third matches and made several solid stops against Canada, including a late save. McGlynn featured in the second game and held her own, though Ireland didn't offer many tests. Meanwhile, Campbell and Murphy may now need exceptional league performances to claw their way back into the conversation. The doubters Hayes has been measured in her assessments, methodical in her team-building, and realistic about the road ahead. After beating Canada 3–0, she stressed that the team 'hasn't done anything yet'. That's true, but over the past year, confidence and experience have spread across a broader pool of talent. There's still work to be done, but Wednesday's dominant performance was a compelling reminder that this is a team quietly assembling the tools required to contend for the World Cup.
New York Times
17-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Emma Hayes giving USWNT a break. Plus: Angel City's immigration demonstration
Full Time Newsletter ⚽| This is The Athletic's weekly women's soccer newsletter. Sign up here to receive Full Time directly in your inbox. Get your popcorn ready for this one.🍿 Emily Olsen here with Meg Linehan, Asli Pelit and Tamerra Griffin — welcome to Full Time! Hayes gives players 'much-needed' rest Just months into the job, head coach Emma Hayes pushed the U.S. women's national team nearly to the brink at the Olympics — she even referenced the ultramarathon ideology of the 'pain cave.' But like any good leader, Hayes understands balance. This year she's giving key players a 'much-needed break.' Advertisement Roughly 10 days out from the next USWNT camp, we are still waiting for the roster. But Hayes revealed in an interview with ESPN that she plans to give the Europe-based players the next summer window off. This includes two games against Ireland in Denver and Cincinnati next week and one versus Canada in Washington, D.C., on July 2. With the 2027 World Cup in Brazil two years away and her core group starting to take shape, Hayes said that 'player welfare' and 'rest and recovery' are important, especially considering number of games played, the length of seasons and the frequency of games since the 2023 World Cup. The camp will help key players returning from injury, too. 📺 Hayes has handed out nearly two dozen first-time call-ups already. Watch former USWNT midfielder Sam Mewis share who she thinks should be next. A tale of 2 teams I won't reference the U.S. men often in this newsletter, but I think there is too stark of a juxtaposition between the teams right now not to. (And with Midge Purce pointing out the drama, it only felt right.) For those who don't know, here's what the men have been up to: The situations aren't identical, and we won't know if Hayes' approach will pay off until 2027, but it does appear she's getting ahead of any future tension by considering her players' workload before competitive matches pick back up. 📧 For all the USMNT drama and more, subscribe to the daily TAFC newsletter. Phil Hay is a must-read. US Women's million-dollar goal scorer Evelyn Shores was still jetlagged from her trip to Germany when she scored the goal worth $1 million for the US Women at The Soccer Tournament last week. The 20-year-old Atlanta native had a breakout year after consecutive injuries sidelined her during her senior year of high school and freshman season at UNC — the school she'd dreamed of attending since eighth grade. A post shared by TST (@tst7v7) Unfortunately for Shores, NCAA rules prohibit student-athletes from accepting prize money. However, she wasn't in it for that. 'Playing one-v-one in practice with Carli Lloyd the day after flying in from Germany? That was insane,' she told Asli. 'They made us feel like equals. That was the craziest part.' Could she be the next U.S. player called into the senior team? The less said about Angel City's last-gasp loss at home to the North Carolina Courage the better for Angel City fans. However, the events happening off the pitch at BMO Stadium went beyond soccer this weekend and took center stage in the NWSL, following a week of immigration raids and resulting protests in Los Angeles. Advertisement The club distributed 10,000 T-shirts reading 'Immigrant City Football Club' and 'Los Angeles is for everyone / Los Ángeles es para todos' to players, staff, supporters and fans. They are also available in their online shop, with net proceeds going to a local legal service for immigrants. 'The fabric of this city is made of immigrants. Football does not exist without immigrants. This club does not exist without immigrants,' Angel City wrote on a message card handed out on Saturday night. Founding investor and recording artist Becky G also read it out before the match. It was an affirmative, if not outright earnest, reply from Angel City as a club and as a part of the Los Angeles community to the fear and uncertainty stemming from the week's events. The NWSLPA also released a joint statement with the WNBA players association, and Chicago Stars FC pointed to local resources in a brief statement. The league itself has yet to address the topic, however, even if it was clear how the NWSL community as a whole appreciated Angel City's willingness to step up and meet the moment. Lyonnes in talks with USWNT teen star Lily the Lyonne might have to become a thing. Ajax and USWNT midfielder Lily Yohannes, who recently celebrated her 18th birthday, may soon be the latest signing of OL Lyonnes, joining French striker Marie Antoinette Katoto and incoming head coach Jonathan Giráldez, making the eight-time Champions League title holders look even more ferocious next season. Last week, Tamerra reported that Ajax, where Yohannes signed her first professional contract, and the French powerhouse were in talks over a potential summer transfer, introducing a bit of a plot twist to the recent reports that the Springfield, Va., native might be headed to Chelsea. A source said Ajax's talks are currently focused on OL Lyonnes, though nothing has been signed yet. Trust and believe Chelsea fans will be processing this as a loss if the deal goes through. World Cup 2031 check-in With all this talk about the men's World Cup next year, we asked Asli to get the lowdown on the women's tournament the U.S. is hosting alongside Mexico in 2031. U.S. Soccer kicked off its city selection process last month. Twenty-nine cities, including 11 cities that will host the 2026 men's World Cup, received the information packets. The list is not exclusive, meaning if another city wants to throw its hat in the ring, it can. But time is running short. The deadline to submit detailed proposals is September, and formal bids must be submitted to FIFA at the end of November, according to sources. The timing is notable: 2026 host cities haven't even had a chance to evaluate the full impact of hosting the men's tournament before committing to 2031. That's a big risk given that economic, logistical and reputational risks can be significant. They'll need to secure additional funding and make sure FIFA's infrastructure demands have been taken care of. Inaugural champions: The other Division I league in the U.S., the USL Super League, wrapped its first season Saturday with a 1-0 championship victory for the Tampa Bay Sun over Fort Lauderdale United. Captain Jordyn Listro joined 'Full Time' to talk about the special win. Scary situation: I was horrified to read about Seattle Reign forward Jordyn Huitema's experience with a high-profile home invasion and moved by the trust and care with which Susie Rantz told her story: 'She had broken her back the year before, and as she sat behind the door, she made peace with the idea that if she had to break it again to keep the door shut, she would.' Advertisement Championship by the Bay: How does Thanksgiving in the Bay Area sound? The 2025 NWSL final is heading to San Jose's 18,000-seat PayPal Park, the home stadium of Bay FC and MLS' San Jose Earthquakes, on Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. ET. Before we go … check out who joined Meg at the Vermont Green women's exhibition games last week. (Spoiler: It's fellow Vermonter, Ilona Maher, Olympic bronze medalist in Rugby Sevens.) 📫 Love Full Time? These stories can also be found on Yahoo's women's sports hub, in partnership with The Athletic. Also, check out our other newsletters.
