Latest news with #Boks
IOL News
7 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Springbok Women aim for winning send-off against Black Ferns XV
Loose-forwards Aseza Hele of South Africa powers through the defence of the Black Ferns last week. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix The Springboks Women's sole focus for the past month has all been on preparation for next month's Women's Rugby World Cup. Match-day squads have been rotated to give everyone a fair run whilst several players have returned from injury, and positional switches have been a regular occurrence. But with only Saturday's clash against the Black Ferns XV at Athlone Stadium remaining before the Boks leave for England, assistant coach Franzel September has changed the mindset with the emphasis placed on getting the 'W'. 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 'We need to get onto the plane knowing that we have all our ducks in a row and our plans tried and tested,' said September. 'To be fair, most of those are going really well and the progress in our last three matches is well documented, but what we did not get was a win. And that will be a very important boost for us.' September and fellow assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt put the Boks through their paces at UCT on Tuesday, reinforcing the need for a solid set piece, while prioritising efficient cleaning out at the breakdown. The home team were excellent at both scrum time and in the line-outs in last Saturday's first clash, which allowed the famed Bok forwards to get the rolling maul rumbling along, resulting in powerful No Aseza Hele dotting down for two tries. Attacking the wider channels will be key as the #BokWomen look to finish their #RugbyWorldCup preparation on a high - more here: 🙌#MakeItCount #PlusOne — SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) July 29, 2025 Johannes-Haupt was adamant that the Boks would continue 'playing to our strengths' in regards to utilising their powerful forward pack, but September would like to see a more varied approach on Saturday. 'It is good to know that our set piece functions well, but we want to also try alternatives,' he said. 'We all know that our pack is a force in the game, but on Saturday we also want to include our backs in the gameplan, especially our wings, who are proven finishers. We are not going away from our traditional strengths, but will rather look to expand our attacking options as well. Nadine Roos: 'We created so many chances, but sadly our finishing let us down on the day' - more here: 💪#MakeItCount #PlusOne — SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) July 28, 2025 'After the two Canada Tests, the Black Ferns XV showed us good pictures and we are happy with our progress and preparation for the World Cup, but now we need to close this out with a win.' 'Yes, it's leka to be back at Athlone. The players also enjoy it,' September said. 'So, the players have one more opportunity, at home, to show why they deserve support and encouragement come England next month. The crowd last week was great and to have another opportunity to have a go at the Black Ferns and to play in front of true fans is an opportunity we cannot let slip.'
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Rugby Championship 2025: Breakdown of current Bok squad and all the fixtures
Here is everything you need to know about the current Springbok training squad, ahead of the start of the 2025 Rugby Championship. While Australia wrap up their three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions this weekend, South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina are all already busy with their preparations for the upcoming Rugby Championship, which kicks off on 16 August. Rassie Erasmus' Boks are the defending champions and will hope to go back-to-back for the very first time in the competition. The reigning world champions have only won the Rugby Championship (and before that the Tri-Nations) five times — 2024, 2019, 2009, 2004 and 1998. New Zealand have won 20 titles, Australia four and Argentina are yet to win a title. The Boks are currently training in Joburg ahead of their first match — against Australia in Johannesburg on 16 August. Here is everything you need to know about the current squad: The squad consists of 37 players, 24 of whom are World Cup winners, while five players only made their debuts this season — they are Ethan Hooker (utility back), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Boan Venter (both props), Marnus van der Merwe (hooker), and Cobus Wiese (utility forward). Three recent World Rugby U20 Championship winners from the Junior Springboks team, namely Bathobele Hlekani, Cheswill Jooste, and Haashim Pead, have been invited to train with the senior Boks over the next two weeks. Bath prop Thomas du Toit has been granted a compulsory two-week rest as agreed with the Premiership, although he is eligible to be called up at any stage should the need arise, while No 8 Jasper Wiese is currently serving a four-week suspension, ruling him out of this squad. A number of players have been put on standby should they be needed by the Boks. They are Lukhanyo Am (centre), who missed the July Tests due to a knee niggle, Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf), Makazole Mapimpi (wing), Salmaan Moerat (lock), Evan Roos (No 8), Neethling Fouche (prop), and Vincent Tshituka (flanker). The Boks have so far this season beaten the Barbarians in a friendly match, Italy in two Tests and Georgia in a one-off Test. Full Springbok squad for Australia Tests: Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Bulls). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (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 (Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Handre Pollard (Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Morné van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers). Rugby Championship fixtures: 16 August: South Africa v Australia (Joburg), Argentina v New Zealand (Cordoba) 23 August: South Africa v Australia (Cape Town), Argentina v New Zealand (Buenos Aires) 6 September: Australia v Argentina (Townsville), New Zealand v South Africa (Auckland) 13 September: Australia v Argentina (Sydney), New Zealand v South Africa (Wellington) 27 September: New Zealand v Australia (Auckland), South Africa v Argentina (Durban) 4 October: Australia v New Zealand (Perth), Argentina v South Africa (London)
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Springboks turn attention to Rugby Champs: Wallabies will be no whipping boys
The Springboks are back in training after a week's break following their last Test, against Georgia in Gqeberha, and if they didn't know it already, they know now they're in for one big challenge if they're going to defend the Rugby Championship title they won last year. The competition kicks off in just over two weeks' time, with the Boks first up in South Africa against Australia. They'll face each other in two matches on home soil before the Boks turn their attention to the All Blacks and later on, Argentina. But while the reigning world champions will back themselves to win against the Wallabies in Joburg and Cape Town on August 16 and 23 respectively, coach Rassie Erasmus is sure to point out just what a challenge Joe Schmidt's Wallabies will be. The Australians may have lost their ongoing series against the British and Irish Lions, with one game to go, but Schmidt's men have shown enough in their 27-19 and 29-26 defeats in Brisbane and Melbourne respectively to be confident of pushing Erasmus' men all the way on tour. 'Completely different kettle of fish' The Wallabies showed a combative side not seen in years in the second Test last Saturday, while there was also a confidence in their play to give them enough belief they'll be challengers for the 2025 Rugby Championship title. They were one controversial refereeing decision away from winning the Melbourne Test, against a far more experienced side in the Lions, and levelling the series, ahead of this weekend's match in Sydney. Erasmus knows his players are in for a far bigger challenge than anything they faced against the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia, who were not the ideal sides to play against in warming up for the Rugby Championship. 'Australia, New Zealand and Argentina are all ranked in the top seven in the world, and if one considers that we won the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019 last year, it is clear that this will be a completely different kettle of fish,' Erasmus said recently. 'All three teams have beaten us in the last few years and they play a different style of rugby to the other opposition we have faced thus far. But, we are pleased with the foundation we laid in the last few weeks and we know exactly what areas of our game we need to work on going into the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.' Erasmus and Co will certainly be working hard in the next two weeks to get the Boks up to speed for what lies ahead – a not to be sniffed at Wallabies team which looks pretty powerful up front with the likes of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini in the mix. And, there's also plenty of attacking power at the back to ensure the Boks will be fully focused on Schmidt's side in the coming days. Rugby Championship fixtures August 16: South Africa v Australia, Argentina v New Zealand August 23: South Africa v Australia, Argentina v New Zealand September 6: Australia v Argentina, New Zealand v South Africa September 13: Australia v Argentina, New Zealand v South Africa September 27: New Zealand v Australia, South Africa v Argentina October 4: Australia v New Zealand, Argentina v South Africa This article first appeared in The Citizen. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The Citizen
18 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Boks turn focus to Rugby Champs: Wallabies will be no whipping boys
The Australians will come to South Africa fresh off a tough series against the British and Irish Lions. Coach Rassie Erasmus and his charges will next be up against the Australian Wallabies in the Rugby Championship. Picture: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images The Springboks are back in training after a week's break following their last Test, against Georgia in Gqeberha, and if they didn't know it already, they know now they're in for one big challenge if they're going to defend the Rugby Championship title they won last year. The competition kicks off in just over two weeks' time, with the Boks first up in South Africa against Australia. They'll face each other in two matches on home soil before the Boks turn their attention to the All Blacks and later on, Argentina. But while the reigning world champions will back themselves to win against the Wallabies in Joburg and Cape Town on 16 and 23 August respectively, coach Rassie Erasmus is sure to point out just what a challenge Joe Schmidt's Wallabies will be. The Australians may have lost their ongoing series against the British and Irish Lions, with one game to go, but Schmidt's men have shown enough in their 27-19 and 29-26 defeats in Brisbane and Melbourne respectively to be confident of pushing Erasmus' men all the way on tour. 'Completely different kettle of fish' The Wallabies showed a combative side not seen in years in the second Test last Saturday, while there was also a confidence in their play to give them enough belief they'll be challengers for the 2025 Rugby Championship title. They were one controversial refereeing decision away from winning the Melbourne Test, against a far more experienced side in the Lions, and levelling the series, ahead of this weekend's match in Sydney. Erasmus knows his players are in for a far bigger challenge than anything they faced against the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia, who were not the ideal sides to play against in warming up for the Rugby Championship. 'Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina are all ranked in the top seven in the world, and if one considers that we won the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019 last year, it is clear that this will be a completely different kettle of fish,' Erasmus said recently. 'All three teams have beaten us in the last few years and they play a different style of rugby to the other opposition we have faced thus far. But, we are pleased with the foundation we laid in the last few weeks and we know exactly what areas of our game we need to work on going into the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.' Erasmus and Co will certainly be working hard in the next two weeks to get the Boks up to speed for what lies ahead – a not to be sniffed at Wallabies team which looks pretty powerful up front with the likes of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini in the mix. And, there's also plenty of attacking power at the back to ensure the Boks will be fully focused on Schmidt's side in the coming days. Rugby Championship fixtures 16 August: South Africa v Australia, Argentina v New Zealand 23 August: South Africa v Australia, Argentina v New Zealand 6 September: Australia v Argentina, New Zealand v South Africa 13 September: Australia v Argentina, New Zealand v South Africa 27 September: New Zealand v Australia, South Africa v Argentina 4 October: Australia v New Zealand, Argentina v South Africa
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Time for long-range thinking on the sports betting front
Surprisingly, the Boks are not considered favourites for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Members of the Springbok team in a huddle during the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in Paris. Picture: Steve Haag/Gallo Images The sports bonanza of July 2025 is drawing to a close but that doesn't mean wagering opportunities are over – far from it. Many a life-changing coup has been landed at a humble August Vaal race meeting – or a canny long-range flutter on the footie has come to bountiful fruition. Remember Leicester City! Hopefully we've prospered from a brilliant horse racing season in KwaZulu-Natal, the Open Championship, the Tour de France, Grands Prix and MotoGPs, the Women's African Cup of Nations, the Women's Euros and even the World Darts Matchplay and have a tidy fund with which to tackle the rest of the year – and the next one. Speaking of long-range, it might be a tad surprising for Springbok fans to learn that their heroes are not favourites to win the 2027 Rugby World Cup. South Africa are 3.65 to complete a hat-trick of titles, with New Zealand preferred at 3.50. France are a 5.00 chance, ahead of Ireland 6.00, Australia 8.00, England 8.95 and Argentina 29.00. Much sooner, though, there's the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, starting in mid-August, and the Women's Rugby World Cup, starting a week later. Billions of sports bettor eyes around the world will turn to the English Premier League, which kicks off on 15 August. Defending champions Liverpool are 2.90 favourites to do it again, with Arsenal at 3.25, Manchester City at 3.95 and Chelsea at 9.50. Newly promoted Sunderland and Burnley are 1,000-1 chances – and 1.33 and 1.36 favourites for relegation. Those odds will change a lot in time and, to tie up the value of your hunch, this might be a good time to strike. In Italy's Serie A, Napoli are 2.80 for another win. In Spain's La Liga, Real Madrid (1.72) edge perennial fierce rivals Barcelona (2.20). It's not only the strongest country competitions that are open for a football bet. Punters can venture as far afield as leagues in Finland, Mexico, China, Slovenia and Ecuador. Horse racing On the horse racing front, locally it's a fairly quiet time as everyone catches their breath and starts preparing for the Highveld spring season. For the farsighted, Betway odds are available on next year's Cheltenham Festival in the UK. As if to mock the long-range forecasters, the favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup is a horse called Inothewayyourthinkin (4.50). These Betway odds are correct at time of publishing and subject to change.
