Latest news with #Boks'
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Rassie Erasmus names exciting Springbok squad
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named the same 54 players — nine of whom are uncapped — that attended the second national alignment camp in Cape Town last month in a large training squad for the opening stages of the international season. The Boks' campaign kicks off on June 28 against the Barbarians, followed by the Incoming Series. The squad, which was confirmed on Thursday by SA Rugby, includes 31 players wo have done duty at the Rugby World Cup. The group consist of 30 forwards and 24 backs, while only nine players are yet to don the green and gold jersey on the international stage. The nine uncapped players in the group are Marnus van der Merwe, Neethling Fouché, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese, Renzo du Plessis, Vincent Tshituka, Juarno Augustus, Ethan Hooker and Ntokozo Makhaza. While Fouché and Hooker were members of the Springbok training squad last season, Tshituka and Augustus had a taste of the senior international structures after being included in the Springbok Showdown Green and Gold squads in 2020.
Daily Maverick
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Rugby's scrum explained: the chaotic clash where strategy meets sheer power
The Springboks last played in Gqeberha in 2021, and the city is buzzing again. Over the next six or so weeks leading up to the Boks' match against Italy, radio personality Daron Mann will break down rugby for any confused bystanders. Here's episode two. If rugby's a circus, then the scrum is its clown car pile-up. Picture eight players from each team — burly and sweaty — locking arms, crouching low, and smashing into each other like human bumper cars. Why? To fight for the ball, of course. Welcome to Rugby Skool, where we make sense of this magnificent madness. A scrum happens when the game pauses, usually after someone fumbles the ball ('knocks on') or the ref's had enough of everyone's shenanigans. The ball is fed into the 'tunnel' between the two packs by the scrumhalf (usually the smallest, cockiest player on the team) and each side then pushes like it's Black Friday at Makro. The hooker (not what you think, perv!) tries to snag the ball with their foot, passing it back to their team. Sounds simple? It's not. It's like trying to play chess while being sat on by a rhino. Scrums are rugby's ultimate power flex. How good your scrum is depends upon how good your props are. Props, the team's front-row tanks, are built like fridges and smell like diesel. Everyone else just grunts and prays their spine holds. South Africans love scrums because we're so good at them. Kiwi pundits hate scrums for the same reason. Newbies think it's a group hug gone rogue. Sometimes a scrum will collapse. If this happens, don't panic, it's just rugby's way of saying, 'Let's try that again.' It may be weird, but it's rugby's heart. Next week, we'll tackle rucks and mauls. DM
Associated Press
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Felix Jones back among Springboks staff to the Rugby World Cup after brief England spell
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Felix Jones is back in South Africa's coaching team to help the Springboks' quest for a third straight Rugby World Cup title. The defense coach's return to the Boks' set-up was announced on Thursday after a brief spell with England, where he moved to be closer to his family. Jones resigned last August after seven months with England, reportedly 'unhappy with the unstable working environment.' He didn't work with England again but his contract wasn't terminated until December. Now Jones is reunited with Boks coach Rassie Erasmus and has taken up the position of assistant coach for the team he helped to win the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. Jones will start his latest stint with South Africa on Saturday, with SA Rugby saying his appointment concludes after the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027. Erasmus said he wanted to see Jones 'pick up where he left off in 2023.' 'He was a vital cog in the coaching team from 2019 to 2023, and his experience, professionalism, and excellent work ethic will make him a great addition to the fantastic coaching team we built from the beginning of 2024,' Erasmus said. 'After spending some time in England,' Erasmus added, 'his experience of working in the U.K. and studying the opposition teams in the Six Nations and other international tournaments will add immense value in assisting us to adapt and improve as we cast an eye on a tough international season ahead.' ___
