Latest news with #CameronHanekom
IOL News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Jake White celebrates Bulls' comeback URC quarter-final victory and valuable lessons learned against Edinburgh
Bulls No 8 Cameron Hanekom scores the first try against Edinburgh after slicing through a gap in the defence during their quarter-final clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Image: BackpagePix Bulls director of rugby Jake White praised his team's fighting spirit after their comeback win over Edinburgh in Pretoria on Saturday to secure a home semi-final in the United Rugby Championship (URC). Having trailed their Scottish visitors 21-8 at a stage after an early yellow card, the Bulls mounted a superb fightback before and after halftime that blew the opposition out of the water to secure the victory at Loftus Versfeld. They scored six brilliant tries and the interplay between the backs and forwards was outstanding for most of them. Although they leaked five tries, of which at least two were questionable, their defensive effort in the final 20 minutes will give them plenty of confidence heading into the next match. The Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby charged home in the Quarter-Final 😤 Can they keep the momentum up in their home Semi-Final next weekend? #BKTURC #URC | #BULvEDI — BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) May 31, 2025 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 However, the experienced coach feels they didn't play as well as they could have. He lamented their yellow cards especially, although he believes they might have been a bit harsh. 'We learned our lessons from the last time we played them in Edinburgh,' White said. 'We were 24-7 down and today 21-8 down. Not many teams would come back in a quarter-final when you are down by that much and win it as convincingly as we did at the end. One lesson we can't ignore is that we can't play with 14 men and give them two tries while down and think you can always come back and win. 'I am just very happy that there was the fight and resilience and learning. I always talk about being in this competition and learning from what happened previously. We were down but got a (winning) result. Whereas the last time we played them, we didn't.' According to White, people think the team placed seventh should automatically lose to the team that finishes second. He made reference to Leinster losing to Scarlets and his side during the round-robin season and being pushed by the same Scarlets in their quarter-final on Saturday evening. The Bulls mentor added that some choice words went down from the coaching booth to the field when they were so far behind. 'A couple of choice words were said. I can't say that on national TV,' he laughingly said. 'But what are you going to do? You can't shout and scream and behave like a lunatic up there. I just had confidence that it was an 80-minute game and although they had a fast start, going from 21-8 to 21-18 in that space must've given the guys belief that we learned from last time.' Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt said they knew the first 20 minutes were going to be vital and he was happy with how they reacted from the first whistle.
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
URC Result: Bulls arm-wrestle into semi-finals through 11-try thriller against Edinburgh
The Bulls recovered during the second half of their quarter-final, scoring six tries against Edinburgh's five. Bulls No 8 Cameron Hanekom scores a try against Ediburgh during their quarter-final at Loftus. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images The Bulls recovered from an error-strewn first half to hold onto their perfect record against Edinburgh at Loftus (three out of three) and knock them out of the United Rugby Championship in the quarter-finals. The Bulls won 42–33 on Saturday to progress into the semi-finals next weekend thanks to six tries to Edinburgh's five. Edinburgh scored three of their tries in the first half, capitalising on a Sebastian de Klerk yellow card and missed opportunities from the Pretoria side. But they could not follow their 21–18 lead at the break, as the Bulls scored three unanswered tries early in the second half to arm-wrestle momentum back. This means the Bulls will play against either the Sharks or Munster next weekend, while the Bulls and Edinburgh are tied 3–3 head-to-head with each side taking the honours at home. Bulls director of rugby Jake White will feel especially happy with the win against his former understudy, Sean Everitt, after the Bulls narrowly lost their Challenge Cup quarter-final against Edinburgh last month. During the URC quarter-final, Bulls winger Canan Moodie wore the number 24 jersey instead of 14, in honour of the late Cornal Hendricks. Edinburgh get an early start Edinburgh snatched momentum early on after Bulls winger Sebastian de Klerk received a yellow card in the second minute for tackling a player off the ball. It allowed Edinburgh an easy 22 entry and an overlap try from South African-born Wes Goosen two minutes later. The Bulls put their first points on the board after a tricky penalty kick (taken by Keagan Johannes) after Edinburgh took a man out in the lineout. But Edinburgh came back immediately afterwards with a try from their own flyhalf, Ross Thompson. The Bulls responded, bringing the crowd back to life just before the end of the first quarter with a try from No 8 Cameron Hanekom, running around defenders after a 5m lineout. Edinburgh extended their lead to 13 points with another converted try from Thompson in the 28th minute. But Kriel reduced that lead, finishing the move after a beautiful line break by Willie le Roux, before Harold Vorster cut it down even further with a try next to the touchline in the 34th minute. David Kriel, given postal duties after Johannes failed to slot the first two conversions, missed the conversion as well. 21–18 at half-time. Bulls turn the game on its head The Bulls had a perfect start to the second half, Canan Moodie scoring on the sideline to give the Pretoria side the lead for the first time. This was followed by tries from Johannes and Ruan Nortje. These were all converted by Johannes to make it 39–21 and turn the game on its head by the 52nd minute. The Scottish side responded with a converted try from hooker Ewan Ashman while JF van Heerden received a yellow card. A Johannes penalty a minute helped the Bulls, but Edinburgh reduced their deficit with try from Goosen. 42–33 to the Bulls going into the final 15 minutes. A Thompson yellow card made it difficult for Edinburgh to find momentum again and they could not win possesssion at the end. Scorers Bulls: Tries– Cameron Hanekom, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Canan Moodie, Keagan Johannes, Ruan Nortje. Conversions – Keagan Johannes 3/5, David Kriel 0/1. Penalties – Johannes 2/2. Drop-goals – . Edinburgh: Tries – Wes Goosen (2), Ross Thompson (2), Ewan Ashman. Conversions – Ross Thompson 4/4, Mark Bennett 0/1. Penalties – . Drop-goals – .
The Citizen
2 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.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
URC Next-Gen Player of the Season award: Six South African rugby players nominated
Thanks to his breakthrough season at the Bulls, star No 8 Cameron Hanekom received a second United Rugby Championship award nomination this past week. He is up for the Next-Gen Player of the Season accolade, that recognises young talent in the competition, after also being shortlisted for SA URC Player of the Season. Image: BackpagePix Six South African rugby players have been nominated for the coveted Next-Gen Player of the Season award in the United Rugby Championship (URC). They hail from three local franchises: the Bulls, Stormers, and Lions, each fielding two contenders looking to claim this prestigious title for breakthrough talents. Among those vying for the award is promising talent from the Bulls Cameron Hanekom, who with the Stormers' Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and teammate Wilco Louw, earned the honour of being nominated as the SA URC Player of the Season this past week as well. Hanekom has had an outstanding season with the Bulls that saw him make his Springboks debut, and despite some niggles that interrupted parts of his season, the versatile No 8 has continued his upward trajectory. The 23-year-old will play a key role in the Bulls' search for that elusive URC title as they prepare for the play-offs. His local competition for the Next-Gen Player prize includes Loftus Versfeld teammate, prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels, standout Stormers duo André-Hugo Venter (hooker) and Suleiman Hartzenberg (utility back), as well as the Lions' rising backline stars, centre Henco van Wyk and fullback Quan Horn. The Next-Gen Player of the Season award shines a spotlight on emerging players who demonstrate exceptional promise on the field during the season. Eligibility criteria dictate that nominees must be aged 23 or under at the commencement of the tournament and must have earned no more than five international caps before the kick-off. Furthermore, contenders are required to have made at least nine appearances in the URC during the current season, making the competition more rigorous. This year's shortlist features an impressive 16 nominees from various teams. In addition to the six players from South Africa, the list includes six nominees from Wales, two from Scotland, and one each from Ireland and Italy.
News24
5 days ago
- Sport
- News24
Stormers star, Bulls duo nominated for SA URC Player of the Season award
Stormers star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Bulls stalwarts, Cameron Hanekom and Wilco Louw, have grabbed the three nominations for South Africa's United Rugby Championship Player of the Season accolade. Voting for the nominations closed last Friday, with coaching members of the Springboks and the four SA URC teams, as well as members of the media allowed to vote. READ | 'A man of faith, courage, integrity': Cornal Hendricks laid to rest after emotional farewell In total, 17 players from the four SA franchises received votes but the above-mentioned trio were the most popular. Flyhalf Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been a shining light for the Stormers this season and currently sits joint-fifth on the most points scored in the URC. Louw has been destroyer-in-chief in a dominant Bulls scrum, with many pundits rating him as the best tighthead prop in the world at present. No 8 Hanekom has been impressive with ball in hand and on defence - he's beaten more defenders, won more turnovers and made more tackles than any of his team-mates. He is also fifth on the overall URC list for offloads. The winner will be announced on Thursday, 5 June, as part of the annual URC Awards.
