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IOL News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Predicting Springbok XV to face Barbarians in Cape Town is all experimental
Asenathi Ntlabakanye Tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been outstanding for the Lions this season. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix The Springboks strike up their second alignment camp on Thursday, with Rassie Erasmus inviting 54 players to attend the Cape Town session as they build towards a 15-match schedule this year. The Bok mentor has an interesting mix of talent to work with over the next few days – both familiar and experimental. With that in mind, and using the alignment squad as a framework, we look at who we believe Erasmus should select for the Boks' first clash of the season – a tour match against the Barbarians in Cape Town at the end of June... Front row Neethling Fouché, Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nché, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Gerhard Steenekamp, Jan-Hendrik Wessels; Virtually invited: Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Marnus van der Merwe Ntlabakanye has had a couple of solid seasons for the Lions; the burly tighthead prop developing a bit of a cult following at Ellis Park. Earlier this year, former Bok Steven Kitshoff said of the 24-year-old: 'He is probably one of the most dangerous front-rowers and, defensively, one of the biggest hitters in the game… Scrummaging-wise, he has come a long way.' Getting Ntlabakanye into green and gold could do wonders for his confidence after a tough year for his franchise. He should pack down with Steenekamp at loosehead. Although Wessels can slot in at hooker, his utility will be invaluable later this season. Instead, Scarlets No 2 Van der Merwe, in a trial run, should start against the Baabaas. Second row Eben Etzebeth, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Nortjé, Cobus Wiese; Virtually: Lood de Jager, Jean Kleyn, Franco Mostert, RG Snyman Frankly, Etzebeth should not feature in the Incoming Tour matches against the Barbarians, Italy, and Georgia. He should even be rested during the Rugby Championship and miss the year-end tour entirely. The most-capped Bok has endured significant wear and tear, and managing his longevity is more important than any individual fixture this year. Lock is arguably one area where the Boks are a bit thin. The squad will need to rely on the versatility of their pack – Wiese, Vincent Tshituka, Jean-Luc du Preez and World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit – to cover No 4 and No 5. For the Baabaas, we would select Moerat as captain, alongside Du Preez. Loose trio Renzo du Plessis, Cameron Hanekom, Siya Kolisi, Vincent Tshituka, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese; Virtually: Juarno Augustus, Jean-Luc du Preez, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kwagga Smith Earlier this year, the Tshituka brothers – Vincent and Emmanuel – became South African citizens, and it is no surprise that Erasmus has moved swiftly to include the elder sibling. Tshituka is a versatile player who can cover lock, flank and No 8. For the Baabaas, the 26-year-old should slot in at his preferred blindside flank. Currie Cup Player of the Year Du Plessis should start at openside, with Augustus packing down at eighthman. Like the lock pairing, it's an untested combination – but it could prove exciting. Halfbacks Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Manie Libbok, Morné van den Berg, Grant Williams; Virtually: Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach, Handré Pollard Injury concerns may rule out Van den Berg at scrumhalf and Jordan Hendrikse at flyhalf – but if fit, this should be the combination for the Baabaas game. If not, Erasmus may be forced to risk first-choice players unnecessarily – something he'll want to avoid in a tour match. If the Krappies-Jordan combo isn't available, then perhaps Reinach-Libbok is the next-best option. Centres Lukhanyo Am, André Esterhuizen, Ethan Hooker, Canan Moodie; Virtually: Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel Utility will be the watchword in the midfield and outside backs this season, so expect plenty of mixing and matching. Henco van Wyk should also remain in contention, despite a torrid season with injuries. Instead, we'll look to Hooker at inside centre, with Am, Esterhuizen, or Moodie outside him. Hooker has shown flashes of powerful ball-carrying and defensive maturity at the Sharks, and pairing him with the abrasive Esterhuizen could offer midfield muscle and creative upside. Wings Makazole Mapimpi, Ntokozo Makhaza, Edwill van der Merwe; Virtually: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe The wildcard is 23-year-old Makhaza, and there may be no better opportunity to test his composure in green and gold than against the Baabaas. The Varsity Cup star is quick-footed, has a strong kicking game, and can cover fullback. On the other wing, Van der Merwe deserves another opportunity. He was desperately unlucky last season to be injured shortly after his stand-out debut against Wales. But for that setback, he would likely have several more caps by now. Fullbacks Aphelele Fassi, Quan Horn, Willie le Roux, Damian Willemse Veteran Le Roux is expected to feature heavily against Italy in July and could earn his 100th Bok cap in the second Test in Gqeberha. What his role in the squad looks like beyond that remains uncertain. Willemse and Fassi should have limited game-time during this period, leaving Horn to start against the Baabaas and contribute against Italy and Georgia thereafter. Our Springboks v Barbarians Starting XV: 15 Quan Horn 14 Edwill van der Merwe 13 André Esterhuizen 12 Ethan Hooker 11 Ntokozo Makhaza 10 Jordan Hendrikse 9 Morné van den Berg 8 Juarno Augustus 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 Renzo du Plessis 5 Jean-Luc du Preez 4 Cobus Wiese 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye 2 Marnus van der Merwe 1 Gerhard Steenekamp
IOL News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Lions happy to finally win one of the ‘tight ones' against bogey side the Ospreys
Asenathi Ntlabakanye of the Lions takes on the defence of Steffan Thomas and James Ratti of Ospreys during their URC clash on Saturday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen was happy to put one over bogey team the Ospreys with a nail-biting 29-28 win at home on Saturday in their final match of a disappointing United Rugby Championship season. Van Rooyen was thrilled to finally get the monkey of the past few seasons off his back, even though bot teams were only playing for pride. The victory was secured thanks to a try after the hooter by flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela, who had an outstanding game in his first start for the Joburg side. Henco van Wyk scored against the Ospreys on Saturday. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix 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 ✕ Winger Edwill van der Merwe also got on the scoresheet in his farewell match that was also the last for stalwart centre Marius Louw in a Lions jersey. "To win one of the tight ones is nice," Van Rooyen said in his post-match media conference. "I think at stages we played really good rugby, we just didn't manage to finish in the last 20m. "The one try they scored seemed to be forward, and they put us under pressure and made it a lot tighter than the flow of the game went. But to finish at the end is really cool, to send off Marius and Edwill." While the match may have been a 'dead rubber' for both teams in terms of the race for the URC playoffs, the coach stressed its importance as a platform for next season. "We played on character to show what it means to us and as a group to leave us at a place where we can restart next season, so really happy with the win," Van Rooyen said. The Joburg side's mentor admitted that the Ospreys had been tricky opponents for the Lions in recent seasons. "I think Ospreys' defence is really good. They've showed it throughout the season. They're a really tough team, their breakdown work is really good. "We've been struggling against them the last two or three seasons. Just happy this time we managed to convert it right at the death," he said. "Because they don't go away – they are really tough defensively, they've got a good kicking game, their set piece is deceptive – for some reason we just seem to be on the wrong end of it against them the last two seasons. A little too tight for me but really happy with the win." Edwill van der Merwe gave Lions fans the perfect parting gift with the opening try in Saturday's match against the Ospreys Image: Backpagepix Van Rooyen reserved glowing praise for Van der Merwe, who is heading to the coast to join the Sharks, and Louw, who is joining the Sale Sharks in England. "It was really an honour and a privilege to have them in our system. They are great team guys, ultimate professionals on and off the field, so to have them in our system was awesome. To lose them obviously is then the opposite," he said. "You never want to lose two of your most senior players, experience wise, performance wise. So we wanted to get a win for them as well. Their contribution this season and in previous seasons was immense. "Sad to see them go. Good luck to Maro in England, and we'll see Edwill soon." He said the Lions would rest for the next few weeks before beginning pre-season preparations for the Currie Cup and next season's URC. "It's important for us to heal the bodies and get re-energised so then we can start building again." But the post-mortem on a season that started promisingly before it all fell apart for the team from the highveld will probably go on for a while. The Lions eventually finished in eleventh place. "We need to get the guys probably physically 1% better to maintain contribution in collision. Rugby IQ probably still needs to improve and that will be a massive focus in pre-season, and just our decision-making under pressure and skill execution," Van Rooyen concluded.
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Lions look for comeuppance against 'bogey' team Ospreys
Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been included in the Springboks' second alignment camp later this month. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix When the Lions look back at their 2024/25 season, they will note with exasperation a number of matches that torpedoed their United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign. Flying high at the start of the tournament with victories over Ulster, Edinburgh, Dragons and Zebre, there was a sense that something special was brewing at the Joburg-based outfit. Losses were expected, everyone agreed, but they would be quickly forgotten – the team now having enough experience and wherewithal to bounce back and mount a successful push for the Top 8. That charisma was certainly on display when they dispatched a Springbok-laden Sharks team at the beginning of March this year, winning 38–14; the match was proof positive of what this Lions team is capable of. It's unfortunate the URC saw so little of that version of the Lions. On the other side of the coin, damaging losses to Munster (17–10), the Bulls twice (35–22 and 31–19), Cardiff (20–17), Benetton (42–31) and Scarlets (32–19) will no doubt haunt the team when they reflect on their URC campaign. One could also include a December defeat to the Ospreys in the opening round of the EPCR Challenge Cup. The Lions were flat-footed and disjointed in that clash, with signs that their bubble had already burst after away defeats to Leinster and Munster on the preceding weekends. The latter was particularly disappointing – the Red Army were battling coaching upheaval and injuries, and were there for the taking, but the Lions failed to capitalise. They fielded a second-string side a week later against the Ospreys and, while they started with confidence, they were nonetheless outplayed 30–14. Although squad rotation was necessary and forgivable, the performance did little to instil confidence in the fringe players. Truth be told, the Welsh outfit have been something of a nemesis for the Lions in recent seasons. They were denied a Top 8 finish last season after the Ospreys narrowly beat Cardiff in the final round to snatch eighth place away from them. Both teams ended the regular season on 50 points, but the Ospreys had one more win. Moreover, the Lions have not beaten the Ospreys in their last three encounters, including a 38–28 loss at Ellis Park two seasons ago. Although the upcoming fixture is a low-stakes encounter, the Lions will be desperate to defeat the visitors for a measure of comeuppance, while also ending the season on a positive note as they look to the upcoming Currie Cup for redemption. 'The Ospreys have been like a bogey team for us,' Lions assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys admitted earlier this week. 'It will be a little bit of a consolation to do well this weekend. 'They are a good team,' he added. 'If you watched the game against the Sharks this past weekend – even though the scoreline doesn't reflect it – they are really tough at the breakdown. 'They are a physical team and they have a good kicking game. That's where we felt we fell short against them previously. We have those past experiences and will look to correct them this weekend.' The Lions will be further buoyed – and relieved – ahead of their final URC clash by the inclusion of several players in Rassie Erasmus' second Springbok alignment camp later this month. That list includes Renzo du Plessis, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Quan Horn, Morne van den Berg and Edwill van der Merwe. Kick-off for the match against the Ospreys on Saturday is 5.15pm.
The Herald
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Lions beat Connacht at Ellis Park to maintain faint URC quarterfinal hopes
This match was as drab as the autumn cloak that clung to Ellis Park like a needy octopus. There was no escaping the collective dread that things were not going to get better in this United Rugby Championship clash and though the hosts, clearly the better of the two teams, created scoring opportunities in the second half they were hamstrung by their hamfistedness. At final whistle, 26-7 up under leaden skies, the Lions held on to what they perceive to be a silver lining in their effectively doomed quest for a top eight spot. The Lions came into the game on the cusp of elimination and though they secured victory they remain very long shots for a quarterfinal spot. They will be energised by some workmanlike performances, especially from their pack. Props Morgan Naude and Asenathi Ntlabakanye hustled and bustled until they were replaced, while flank Renzo du Plessis proved a bundle of energy in a man of the match performance. At the back, Morne van den Berg directed operations with aplomb from behind the pack, while left wing Edwill van der Merwe brought his familiar verve and vigour.
SowetanLIVE
26-04-2025
- Sport
- SowetanLIVE
Lions beat Connacht at Ellis Park to maintain faint URC quarterfinal hopes
This match was as drab as the autumn cloak that clung to Ellis Park like a needy octopus. There was no escaping the collective dread that things were not going to get better in this United Rugby Championship clash and though the hosts, clearly the better of the two teams, created scoring opportunities in the second half they were hamstrung by their hamfistedness. At final whistle, 26-7 up under leaden skies, the Lions held on to what they perceive to be a silver lining in their effectively doomed quest for a top eight spot. The Lions came into the game on the cusp of elimination and though they secured victory they remain very long shots for a quarterfinal spot. They will be energised by some workmanlike performances, especially from their pack. Props Morgan Naude and Asenathi Ntlabakanye hustled and bustled until they were replaced, while flank Renzo du Plessis proved a bundle of energy in a man of the match performance. At the back, Morne van den Berg directed operations with aplomb from behind the pack, while left wing Edwill van der Merwe brought his familiar verve and vigour.
