Latest news with #Boks'
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Aseza Hele's brace not enough to foil Black Ferns XV as Bok Women fall short at Athlone
Springbok No 8 Aseza Hele was hugely impressive for the home team by scoring two tries against the Black Ferns XV at Athlone Stadium on Saturday. Picture: Henk Kruger Independent Media Image: Henk Kruger Independent Media SPRINGBOK Women No 8 Aseza Hele powered over for a brace of tries, but it was not enough to deny the Black Ferns XV a 36-24 victory in the historic clash at Athlone Stadium on Saturday. A strong home crowd came out in support of the Boks in the first-ever contest against their Antipodean rivals on South African soil. It was a clash of styles from the outset with the New Zealanders' trademark high-tempo attacking running game up against the forward-dominated Boks. The visitors ran in six tries to the Boks' four, with the opener coming after just two minutes through fullback Mererangi Paulto, to sound an ominous warning. But to the Boks' credit, they played with plenty of spirit and endeavour, with hard-running Hele hugely impressive. The dreadlocked blonde backrower made plenty of metres every time she had the ball under her arm, pulling in a host of Black Ferns XV defenders to bring her down each time. Black Ferns XV centre Hollyrae Mete-Renata dives for a try in her team's victory over the Springbok Women at Athlone Stadium on Saurday. Picture: 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 Next Stay Close ✕ The visitors failed to do so in the 20th minute, when after the Bok forwards had steamrolled the Black Ferns XV at scrum time to win a heal-against-the-head, the home side managed to set up a maul for Hele to power over for the first of her two tries. Unfortunately, the Boks' discipline let them down at crucial moments with lock Vainah Ubisi and centre Eloise Webb being sent to the bin for infringements. The Black Ferns utilised the numerical advantage to full effect with winger Jaymie Kolose intercepting a loose pass to run in for an easy five-pointer before hat-trick hero and Player of the Match Kelsey Teneti dotted down for her first try. Hele, though, struck back for the Boks after another strong maul with her second try to reduce the deficit to just three points. Webb's yellow card, though, saw the Boks' rush defence disorganised with the Black Ferns XV able to exploit the extra space out wide with Teneti scored her second try of the half to allow the visitors to take a 20-12 lead into the halftime break. The Boks would have hoped to rebound after the interval, but it was the Black Ferns XV that blitzed the home side with a double strike through centre pairing Hollyrae Mete-Renata and Teneti that put the visitors out of sight. To Swys de Bruin's team credit, they never rolled over with the Boks lifting their intensity after Nadine Roos moved to scrumhalf for the remainder of the match. Roos' livewire presence at the base of the scrum put the marauding Boks forwards on the front foot, as she popped up the ball for the front rankers to punch holes in the Black Ferns XV defence. The home side were rewarded for their efforts with captain Babala Letsha and Nombuyekezo Mdliki barging their way over - much to the delight of the rousing home support. The Boks and the Black Ferns XV will go head-to-head again next weekend at the same venue in the second and final match of the series. Scorers: Springbok Women 26 (12) – Tries: Aseza Hele (2), Babalwa Latsha, Nombuyekezo Mdliki. Conversions: Jakkie Cilliers (3). Black Ferns XV 34 (20) – Tries: Mererangi Paul, Kelsey Teneti (3), Jaymie Kolose, Hollyrae Mete Renata. Conversions: Hannah King (2).
The Citizen
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Rassie Erasmus plays it very safe with first Springbok Rugby Champs squad
There are no surprises in the Boks' squad for the two matches against Australia. The Springboks will next be in action against Australia when the Rugby Championship gets underway in a few weeks' time. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus sprung a bit of a surprise by playing it very safe with his first squad of probably three for their defence of their Rugby Championship title, with the competition kicking off next month. Erasmus has been known for his unpredictability over the past few years, but didn't make any big changes from the group that took part in the mid-year Tests, essentially just reducing his squad for the Rugby Champs. The big omissions from the squad are experienced scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and wing Makazole Mapimpi, with upcoming stars Morne van den Berg and Edwill van der Merwe backed with a strong look to the future. Morne van den Berg appears to now be a regular in the Bok set-up. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images Omissions As usual a premium has also been placed on utility value as Salmaan Moerat, who has captained the Boks a number of times over the last few years, has been left out along with Evan Roos, a specialist No 8. Cobus Wiese, who is primarily a four lock, but was backed at eighthman against Georgia and can cover seven and six, gets Erasmus' backing for the Rugby Champs. The only other players to drop out of the squad that was picked for the invitational Barbarians game and incoming series against Italy and Georgia, are Jasper Wiese, due to suspension, Thomas du Toit, due to resting protocols, Jean Kleyn, due to injury, and Neethling Fouche and Vincent Tshituka, who made their respective Bok debuts in the last month. Moerat, Roos, Fouche and Tshituka have all been released to their franchises and are available for the Currie Cup, though they have been included on the standby list along with De Klerk and Lukhanyo Am, who missed the mid-year Tests with a knee injury, and all can be called up at short notice if needed. Lukhanyo Am is on standby, after failing to get into the Bok squad this season. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images Junior Bok stars Where Erasmus has continued to think outside the box is bringing in young and inexperienced players who have recently shone, to give them a taste of Springbok rugby, and this time has included three Junior Bok stars Bathobele Hlekani, Cheswill Jooste and Haashim Pead in the training squad. All three were immense in the Junior Boks' World Rugby U20 Championship winning campaign, with scrumhalf Pead electrifying in scoring six tries, outside back Jooste brilliant in all round play, and utility forward Hlekani an absolute battering ram. All three will train with the Boks' senior squad for a week or two, before being released back to their franchises, and being available to play in the Currie Cup. Due to the injury absence of men such as props Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu, Erasmus has retained rookie Boan Venter after a solid debut against Georgia and could be given a run at some stage against the Wallabies. The Boks are off this week, but return to training from Sunday. The Boks' first match in the Rugby Championship, against Australia, is on 16 August.
Daily Maverick
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Faf and Mapimpi among the casualties of Rassie's Bok squad cull for Wallaby Tests
Several big names have been omitted from the 37-man Springbok squad for the Rugby Championship while three victorious world-champion Junior Boks have been invited to train with the senior team. Coach Rassie Erasmus culled his large group of players used in the recent Tests against Italy and Georgia to streamline the squad for the Rugby Championship. He wants a smaller party to allow for 'maximum outputs' at training. Despite cutting many quality players, Erasmus was able to name a strong squad for the first two Rugby Championship clashes against Australia at Ellis Park on 16 August and at Cape Town Stadium a week later. Five of the seven players who made their Test debuts against either Italy or Georgia – Ethan Hooker (utility back), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Boan Venter (both props), Marnus van der Merwe (hooker) and Cobus Wiese (utility forward) – have been retained. Only flank Vincent Tshituka and tighthead Neethling Fouche, of the newly capped players in 2025, have missed out – for now. No 8 Jasper Wiese's name is obviously not there because he still has a three-match suspension to serve after receiving a four-match ban for a headbutt during the Boks' 42-24 first Test win over Italy. Bath prop Thomas du Toit, who was used as loosehead in the second Test against Italy and against Georgia, is also absent from the group. Officially, the reason for his omission is given as an 'agreed' two-week rest period with his English club Bath. Du Toit struggled at loosehead in those two Tests, having spent the entire English domestic season at tighthead for Bath. Du Toit remains on standby, but 'has been granted a compulsory two-week rest as agreed with the Gallagher Premiership, although he is eligible to be called up at any stage should the need arise'. His rest period will be over before the first Wallaby Test though. Expect to see Du Toit in the squad at some stage against Australia. Goodbye? Others who featured in June and July and who have been released include scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and wing Makazole Mapimpi. De Klerk gave a wonderful cameo from the bench against Georgia, but it appears Erasmus is looking to the future, with Morne van den Berg retained and Junior Bok star Haashim Pead invited to train with the squad. Pead was superb during the recent World Rugby U20 Championships in Italy where he scored six tries in five matches and was the axis on which the team's dynamic attack turned. De Klerk, though, reminded people what made him such a good player for five years with some fine work against Georgia during the Boks' 55-10 win in Nelspruit. Yet it seems that Erasmus is looking to the future at halfback. Grant Williams's return to Test rugby in July was a triumph. He was magnificent against Italy and Georgia, where he used his searing pace to open up defences on top of his dynamic and lightning-quick service. When Williams plays the Boks' attack looks sharper because his zip gives everyone outside him an extra metre or so to work in. Van den Berg is emerging as Erasmus's second-in-command for the No 9 jersey. In some ways he's similar to Williams, with good pace and quick service, although he can be prone to the odd error. Cobus Reinach provides the experienced cover at scrumhalf. As for Mapimpi, it does feel like this is the end of the road for a player who embodies the best of South Africa through his rise from such humble beginnings to the pinnacle of the sport. Mapimpi turns 35 on 26 July and with the arrival of Edwill van der Merwe, Hooker and Canan Moodie who also play wing, his Test future looks to be nearing the end. With the next World Cup 26 months away, Erasmus must look to the future in all positions and, unfortunately, it's hard to see Mapimpi in line for selection in 2027. Erasmus, though, does have some sentimentality, and he might like to get Mapimpi to 50 Test caps over the next 12 months. The great wing currently sits on 47 appearances with 33 tries. The other three players who have been cut from the squad but remain on standby (the Boks never use the word 'dropped') are Lukhanyo Am (centre), who missed the July Tests due to a knee niggle, Salmaan Moerat (lock) and Evan Roos (No 8). 'It's always challenging to reduce the squad, especially given how the expanded group of players put up their hands during the incoming series (against Italy and Georgia), but we always said we would select a smaller, more manageable squad during the Rugby Championship,' said Erasmus. 'This group includes several experienced players and a few younger guys, who grabbed their chances in the last few Tests, so we are pleased with this squad for the first two matches. 'We have also informed the players on standby what our plans are and what we expect from them, so that all of them are ready to step up if needed.' Depth Erasmus elaborated on the composition of the squad, saying: 'We probably have three players who can cover each position, which is important in this competition, so it was a thorough process to narrow down the group to 36 players. 'One of our key pillars as a team is to build squad depth, and there is no better way to see what some of the younger players are capable of than to expose them to some of the top teams in the world.' Of the Junior Boks invited to train with the squad for the next two weeks, which includes wing Cheswill Jooste and flank Bathobele Hlekani, Erasmus said: 'We are tremendously proud of the Junior Springboks for winning the World Rugby U20 Championship and we were thrilled to see the talent coming through the junior ranks. 'We opted to invite three of them to join us to expose them to our structures and the standards required at top international level. 'We believe this camp will benefit them significantly, and we are excited to see how they slot in and train with us. 'Unfortunately, we had to limit the size of the squad to ensure maximum outputs and more individual attention at our training sessions, so although more players could have been invited, we could only select three.' DM Springbok squad: 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).
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
'It's something you dream of as a kid,' says new Bok Marnus van der Merwe
Marnus van der Merwe scored two tries against Georgia on his official Springbok debut in his home town, Mbombela, on Saturday night. Springbok debutant Marnus van der Merwe said facing up to powerful and intimidating teammates Ox Nche and Wilco Louw helped sufficiently prepare him for the physicality brought by Georgia during the Boks' 55-10 win over the eastern Europeans at the Mbombela Stadium over the weekend. Van der Merwe, who received his first official Springbok cap, after he first wore the green and gold in the non-Test against the visiting Barbarians in Cape Town a few weeks ago, said that the debutants were well prepared thanks to the tough training they went through in the build up to the Test. It was also a dream start for the hooker, as he scored twice off the back of dominant rolling mauls, during his 44 minutes on the field before he was replaced early in the second half. 'The Georgians are definitely physical. But we train against guys like Ox (Nche), Wilco (Louw) and others like that, so we know what is physical. We make training as hard as we can to make sure we implement (what we want) in the game,' explained Van der Merwe. 'So it was definitely a physical match. But I think we trained hard enough during the week that we were well prepared for that. But we will properly reflect on the game next week.' Special game It was also an extra special game for the new Bok hooker as it was in his home town, with Van der Merwe having been born in Mbombela and attending Hoërskool Nelspruit. He represented the Pumas during his school career, before moving on to the Cheetahs and then Scarlets last year. 'It's something that's still sinking in and something that you look at and say wow it's actually happening. It's something you dream of as a kid. I was just taking it (the occasion) all in and letting it sink in,' said Van der Merwe about a home debut and the atmosphere. 'I think tomorrow morning (Sunday) I will actually stand up and tell my wife, 'listen, I am actually a Springbok'. So I am still processing it.' With him having played in Wales over the past franchise rugby season, Van der Merwe was asked how different it was training with the Boks, compared to what he experienced with Scarlets. 'The Springboks are number one, because of how hard we train and prepare. I don't think any club can come close to Test rugby (level) training. So it is definitely different (to what I experience in Wales with Scarlets),' he said. 'But I think that the intensity (training) is one of the things that surprises you when you get onto the field. And then how hard you actually work at scrums and mauls and that sort of stuff to get you ready for a game. You work harder at training to be better when it comes to the match.'
The Citizen
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Springboks thrash Georgia: Four talking points
The Springboks ran in nine tries to one, beating Georgia 55–10 in Mbombela. The Springboks made it three out of three, both in their head-to-head record against Georgia and in their first three Test matches of the season, when they beat the eastern Eruopean side 55–10 at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday. It wasn't a perfect display, but the South Africans never gave Georgia enough momentum to give them hope of a favourable result. Despite three debutants and a player in his second Test playing in a brand new position, the experience of the South Africans showed. Here are a few talking points from the game. Debutants rise to the occasion Props Boan Venter and Neethling Fouché, and hooker Marnus van der Merwe were all selected in their maiden Test match. During the week, coach Rassie Erasmus said he was happy to back the trio due to the experience of the rest of the pack as well as those on the bench. Captain Siya Kolisi echoed these thoughts, saying the three forwards had 'nothing to fear' because of the support behind them. The forwards rewarded the faith shown in them. Venter and Van der Merwe both crashed over the line for the Boks' first three tries (two for Van der Merwe). The trio also found momentum in the scrums as the game went on. By the time they all came off in the 44th mintute, they had showed glimpses of of how they could become a working unit. They each need more game time to tell for sure. Different combinations will also be important. Cobus Wiese playing at eight Playing in just his second Test match, Cobus Wiese, who normally features at lock or flank, started for the first time in his professional rugby career at No 8. This came about due to a positional shortage left by the injured Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw and Jean-Luc du Preez, and suspended Jasper Wiese (Cobus' brother). However, the decision was unexpected because specialist eighthman Evan Roos missed out on selection, and Kolisi, who plays No 8 for the Sharks, also wasn't considered. In the end, Wiese didn't have enough opportunities with ball in hand to make a good assement. Again, he will need more game time in the position to see if it is suited for him. But one wonders if Roos or Kolisi might have done more to make an impact with the few opportunities they had. Backline on fire Grant Williams, Canan Moodie and Edwill van der Merwe shone in a game where fast running rugby dominated the kicking. Their gap-taking was exceptional on the night and it was hard to say any one player was better than the others. Van der Merwe (two tries against Georgia following two against Italy last week) was sublime. Strange as it sounds, Cheslin Kolbe was almost not missed these past two games. Williams was fantastic dancing through defenders, which led to tries for others, while Moodie both created and scored. Aphelele Fassi, Damian Willemse (one try) and Kurt-Lee Arendse (one try) were also good. Questions around goal-kicking? Last week, Manie Libbok missed his first two conversions against Italy but slotted the next five. This time, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu missed his first three conversions against Georgia but slotted his next one, and missed his last before being substituted for Handré Pollard. One kick from five leaves much to be desired for a player of his calibre though to be fair, most were tough kicks. Pollard, ever dependable, stepped in and nailed all four of his conversions. The Springbok flyhalf also scored a good try. Feinberg-Mngomezulu is normally consistant in front on poles, and Libbok might be getting there, but Pollard cannot be the only dependable option going forward. The two need to step up. Or perhaps is there a chance for Jordan Hendrikse.
