Latest news with #Boks
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
‘More mature' Bulls ready to take on challenges of United Rugby Championship knockouts
Leighton Koopman | Published 7 hours ago While playing a quarter-final at home offers a psychological advantage, the Bulls will know all too well that a victory over Edinburgh is not a fait accompli in the quarter-finals of the United Rugby Championship (URC). Despite finishing higher on the official URC log and boasting a formidable record at Loftus Versfeld, the hosts cannot afford to approach the knockout match on Saturday (1.30 pm kick-off) under the illusion that victory is guaranteed. While Edinburgh may have slipped into the playoffs through the back door, play-off rugby is a different beast, and the Scottish side has proven they can grind out results against more fancied opposition and will relish the chance to upset the Pretoria giants on their home turf. Complacency may be the real enemy for the home side and that is why director of rugby Jake White warned them not to take their opponents lightly. They will need to show urgency from the first whistle, maintain discipline on the attack and defence, and apply scoreboard pressure early to avoid giving Edinburgh any sniff of an upset. White selected his strongest available side for the clash, making strategic changes to fortify the side for the onslaught expected from the Scottish side. Scrumhalf Embrose Papier is back and resumes his budding halfback partnership with flyhalf Keagan Johannes. On their outside, Harold Vorster and David Kriel will man the midfield. The back-three of Willie le Roux and wingers Canan Moodie and Sebastian de Klerk complete an exciting backline. Up front, White largely stuck with the same forwards, making only three changes that see Marcell Coetzee back on the side of the scrum, and Boks Johan Grobbelaar and tighthead prop Wilco Louw completing the front row with loosehead Jan Hendrik Wessels. The scrum, with Louw and Wessels at the forefront, will be one of the biggest weapons the Bulls will look to use against their opposition. That and their ability to play for 80-plus minutes at altitude against teams not really acquainted with the thin Pretoria air. 'This quarter-final is very different compared to others,' White said of the playoff. 'This group of players has exceeded expectations early on. In the first year, to have played in the final when the average age was 23 years. And, to get to another final last year, and for whatever reason we didn't pull it through, it happens in sport. 'So, it's different because I feel we are maturing as a group. Yes, there have been additions to the group, like an experienced Willie (le Roux) coming in, but guys like Grobbies (Grobbelaar), the Ruan Nortjé's and Simphiwe Matanzimas have grown up as junior squad. 'I do feel things are different. The vibe is different, and the lessons they've learned are a lot more meaningful now because they have played together a lot more. But it is still knockout rugby and a nice time to play. You want to be available to play these massive games.' White said they won't concern themselves with who they might face next week because it's a quarter-final against a Scottish team full of international stars that mean business. He added that Edinburgh might be a lesser-known team, but they still possess players with international experience in almost every single position, even on the replacement bench. He added that they are a very competitive team, and they don't go away easily in a match. 'It's not just against us, but look at any games they've played, they stay in the fight. They are a big club with lots of money and internationals. People sometimes don't understand that. 'They also have lots of British and Irish Lions and Schoeman (Pierre) and (Duhan) Van der Merwe who were selected for this campaign. Hamish Watson is a British Lion. There is no doubt that having that international experience makes a player better at provincial level. 'This is still a big game, and I take it like that. I talk myself into the fact that we must never take it for granted that we made it into the knockout games.' The Bulls indicated that the No 14 jersey, once worn by former player Cornal Hendricks who passed away earlier this month, won't feature for the side again this season in the URC. Their winger will either wear jersey 23 or 24 depending on the size. Bulls Team 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Ruan Nortjé, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Devon Williams.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
On this day: Springbok dirt-trackers struggle against Romania, joy for Ivory Coast and Samoa knock out Pumas
Springbok wing James Small played against Romania on this day at the Rugby World Cup 1995. Photo: AFP Image: AFP Looking back at the Springboks' second match of the 1995 World Cup — their dogged 21–8 defeat of Romania — you gain a deep understanding that this was still very much the amateur era. Some 28 years later, the Boks would heavily experiment with their combinations against the same team at the France World Cup, winning 76–0 with their eyes almost closed. But in 1995, there was a clear division between the main team and the so-called dirt-trackers. Rugby World Cup 1995 | In retrospective Image: Independent Media 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading At Newlands on May 30, Bulls No 8 Adriaan Richter captained a Bok side that had amassed just 71 caps in total, with James Small contributing 20 of them and fly-half Hennie le Roux 12. Fringe players that day included centres Christiaan Scholtz and Brendan Venter, and fullback Gavin Johnson, while there were debuts for a youthful Krynauw Otto (lock), flank Robbie Brink, and tighthead prop Marius Hurter. Following the spectacle of the opening win over Australia, this was a dramatic comedown. The Newlands faithful did their best to inject life into the match, but they were flogging a dead horse. This untested and largely inexperienced Bok side made blunder after blunder, and the harder they tried, the worse they got. The crowd eventually gave up and entertained themselves with Mexican waves. Romanian rugby was strong in this era, largely because it was the sport of choice in their powerful army, and they were the better team at the breakdowns. The Eastern Europeans' set piece was rock solid. It was just 8–0 to the Boks at half-time, with Richter scoring a try and Johnson adding a penalty. After the break, Richter scored again, and the Boks' other points came from two more Johnson penalties and a conversion. For Romania, flank Andrei Guranescu scored a try, and fly-half Ilie Ivanciuc kicked a penalty. There was entertainment later in the day when World Cup newcomers Ivory Coast delighted spectators in Rustenburg by scoring 18 points against France. The French won comfortably enough, 54–18, but it was a joy to watch the Ivoriennes celebrate the points they scored against their mentors and heroes — France having introduced rugby to the West African country.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Six Springbok hopefuls who need to blow the lights out in URC knockouts
A number of players on the fringes of the Springboks will be eager to impress for their franchises in the URC playoffs this weekend. Bulls eighthman Cameron Hanekom and Stormers eighthman Evan Roos will both be looking to impress in the URC playoffs ahead of the coming international season where they will both hope to be in the Springbok mix. Picture: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images The United Rugby Championship (URC) knockouts are set and ready to go, with the quarterfinals to be battled out over the next three days, with South African hopes resting with the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers. All three teams will be eager to progress as far as possible, while several players will be aiming to show their worth, first to try help their side get through to the semi-finals and final and then lift the title, and second to prove that they belong at the highest level, playing on the international stage for the Springboks. With a match against invitational team, the Barbarians, at the end of June, and the Incoming Series against Italy and Georgia in July, a number of fringe players and youngsters could get a chance to break into the Bok fold and make a claim to become a regular member of the team. Here are six players, two from each franchise, that will be aiming to blow the lights out during the URC playoffs over the next few weeks. Bulls Cameron Hanekom It has been a second straight scintillating season for the Bulls loose forward, and he must certainly have his hat firmly in the ring to get a run for the Boks this season, to add to the one cap picked up on last year's end of year tour. Eighthman has had a slight question mark on it since the retirement of Duane Vermeulen after the last World Cup, with Jasper Wiese the current incumbent, while Siya Kolisi has shown for the Sharks this season that he can also assist there when needed, so Hanekom will want to prove there is no need for anyone else. Johan Grobbelaar Hooker has been a problem position for the Boks over the past few years, with them struggling to find a regular third choice option behind Malcom Marx and Bongi Mbonambi. With Mbonambi getting on in years — he is currently 34 — it is vitally important that the Boks find another option for the No 2 jersey. Grobbelaar has been on the Bok fringes and played a few games, but has been unable to take his chance as of yet, and he will be desperate to impress, especially with his teammate, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, who can cover both prop and hooker, showing some top recent form which will give him a leg up. Sharks Vincent Tshituka There have been rumblings about Tshituka representing the Springboks ever since his time at the Lions, but the Congo-born, Johannesburg-bred loose forward has been caught up in a nightmare of bureaucratic red tape around his citizenship for the past few years. Finally at the end of last year both Vincent and his brother Manu (Emmanuel) were given their SA citizenship and passports, but they were still unable to represent the Boks without an SA ID, which they received last month. Vincent was immediately brought into the Boks' recent alignment camp and he will now want to back that up in the playoffs and force his way into the playing squad. Brothers Emmanuel and Vincent Tshituka have Bok colours in their sights. Picture: Gallo Images Ethan Hooker The rising young utility back talent has backed up a breakout previous season with another solid campaign, and he will be eyeing a Springbok debut over the coming international season. The 22-year-old Hooker impressed so much in his debut senior campaign last season that he was brought into the Bok fold. He attended alignment camps and was in the extended squad ahead of the opening Test against Wales last year, but didn't make his debut. He will thus be aiming to put in some monster performances in the URC playoffs, and force his way into the reckoning to make the next step up. Stormers Evan Roos A lot of noise was made after the Stormers eighthman was left out of the second Bok alignment camp, despite having enjoyed another top season for his franchise. Despite his fantastic form for the Stormers, he has yet to fully take the few Bok opportunities he has received over the past few years and impress. His terrific franchise form should, however, see him get another crack in the green and gold this season, but a strong showing in the playoffs could just make that a certainty. With huge competition emerging for the Bok No 8 jersey, it is imperative for Roos to make a statement, and back that up if he gets another shot for the national side. Suleiman Hartzenberg Like Hooker, Hartzenberg is another young exciting rising utility back talent that looks ready to make the step up. The 22-year-old's trajectory is eerily similar to the Sharks talent, with them both playing together for the Junior Boks. But Hartzenberg has made an earlier and bigger mark at franchise level, recently making his 50th appearance for the Stormers. He has also been a part of the Bok alignment camps, but hasn't made it into the squad yet, and he will want to back up his brilliant recent form, since returning from injury, in the playoffs and make sure he is considered come the start of the international season.
The Herald
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Boks must stay ahead of chasing pack, says Rassie
'The coaches have been working tirelessly to improve our structures to ensure that we can improve on our performances last season. 'It was great to see how the players responded to the adaptations and changes we have made to our structures. 'We have said time and time again that we have to continue to evolve to remain a force at the top level of the game. 'SA are under no illusions about the challenging season ahead, we are pleased with the progress we have been making off the field, and we are really looking forward to the season ahead.' Erasmus said it was exciting to have new players Vincent Tshituka, Ntokozo Makhaza and Juarno Augustus (who tuned in virtually from England) in the group. 'They are all very talented players, and it was evident how proud they were to have this opportunity to rub shoulders with this group of players, some of whom have been with us since 2018, and to learn from them and the coaches.' In 2025, the Boks will welcome Italy, Georgia, Australia and Argentina to SA. Italy will visit SA for the first time since 2013 when they face the Boks on July 5 and 12. A week later, the Boks will take on Georgia on home soil for the second time, in line with World Rugby's plans to expose emerging nations to top-tier opposition. The Lelos played one Test against SA in Pretoria in 2021 as a prelude to the Covid-impacted tour of the British & Irish Lions. The Boks will start the defence of their Castle Lager Rugby Championship crown against the Wallabies, who host the British & Irish Lions in July, on consecutive weekends in August. Sam Cane, the All Blacks' 2023 Rugby World Cup captain, will be joined by Ireland's Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray when the Barbarians and Boks lock horns in SA for the first time. It also be the first time the three players have represented the Barbarians and wear the famous black and white shirt. Springbok home fixtures in 2025: Non-Test: June 28: SA v Barbarian at the DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Tests: July 5: SA vs Italy — Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. July 12: SA vs Italy — Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha. July 19: SA vs Georgia — Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Rugby Championship: August 16: SA vs Australia — Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg. August 23: SA vs Australia — DHL Stadium, Cape Town. September 27: SA vs Argentina — Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban. The Herald
IOL News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will spread his selection net beyond players invited to alignment camps
Evan Roos Stormers No 8 Evan Roos may still play for the Springboks this year, despite missing out on the latest alignment camp. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has not closed the door on players who were not invited to the alignment camp held in Cape Town this week. Notable omissions from the 54-man camp included Stormers No 8 Evan Roos, Bulls hookers Johan Grobbelaar and Akker van der Merwe, Stormers hookers André-Hugo Venter and Joseph Dweba, and Sharks loose forward Phepsi Buthelezi. 'There are some guys we did not pick because we know them already. They know the way we want to play and what we are trying to do,' Erasmus said after the camp. 'There will be guys outside this group that will play for the Boks this year.' Those words will be a reprieve for the uninvited after Erasmus invited 84 players to the March camp before culling 30 for the latest camp. Erasmus added that some of the players who participated in the two-day event this week will not be selected. 'Not all newcomers will play for the Boks this year, and that was made very clear to them,' the coach said. 'There were some younger guys that we just wanted to have a look at. We wanted to get to know them. 'Overall, it went really well,' Erasmus continued. 'We had a solid group of 36 players in person, with the balance (of the 54 invited) overseas or guys that could not be here because they are being treated for injuries. 'All the coaches and departments shared our plan on how we are going to operate this year. 'In this camp, we looked specifically at how we are going to do things on the field. 'We are getting close to the actual rugby stuff.' Erasmus said that he cannot put the players on the training field until the United Rugby Championship is over. 'Obviously, there is still franchise rugby to be played, and we wish the players well for the URC playoffs. But overall, there is no player who can say they don't have all the information. 'We are looking forward to our next get-together, because that is when we will get on the field. 'We haven't done anything on the field since the last game of last year.' Erasmus said this camp had made the approaching season real. The Boks open their account for the year with a friendly against the Barbarians in Cape Town on June 28. 'The nice thing is that we have had two alignment camps, with a lot of it done virtually,' he said. 'There has been so much planning, and a lot of it has been around doing some stuff differently. 'In this regard, I think we are going to see the influence of (attack coach) Tony Brown and (defence coach) Jerry Flannery, as they are now into their second year. 'There is a lot of excitement, and now the challenge is to put it together on the field. 'We have done so much 'training' with our computer programme (Erasmus has pioneered a computer rugby game called Outfox). 'We have had walk-throughs, because we don't want to injure guys while the URC is still on. 'There is enthusiasm about the things we want to change, so we can't wait to get into camp after the URC and physically put the planning into practice.' Erasmus said he would always expect players to be excited about participating in camps. 'It goes without saying that the new guys were thrilled to be there, but you also want the older guys to get excited. 'If a guy is not excited to be here, then we made the wrong decision to invite him. 'There is a lot of motivation for us this year.
