Latest news with #CastleLagerRugbyChampionship
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
The Herald
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Tickets available from May 16 for Boks-Italy Test in Gqeberha
Tickets for the Springboks' eagerly awaited match against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on July 12 will go on sale on Friday May 16, SA Rugby have announced. The Boks take on the Italians in a two-Test series in Pretoria and Gqeberha, before meeting Georgia in Mbombela in the Castle Lager Incoming Series as the Boks return to home soil in Test match action for the first time since September last year. Tickets will be available exclusively from Ticketmaster. Details of an additional home match against the world-famous Barbarians will also be announced shortly. Tickets for the Boks' home matches in their defence of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title will go on sale one month later, on Friday June 13. The start to the Bok season not only represents an opportunity to see the back-to-back World Champions in local action but also launches a year in which the Boks will be fighting to defend their No 1 world ranking to secure the most favourable draw for Rugby World Cup 2027. SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said: 'This is more than just the start of the season — it's a chance for South Africans to once again unite behind a team that brings pride to the nation in a critical year for World Cup preparation. ' We had an amazing 2024 and we're looking forward to seeing South Africans fill stadiums with passionate supporters, enjoying the experience as a memorable kickoff to a year filled with big challenges and even bigger opportunities.' Springbok home Tests 2025: Castle Lager Incoming Series 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) Castle Lager Rugby Championship August 16: SA vs Australia, Emirates Airline Park (Johannesburg) August 23: SA Australia, DHL Stadium (Cape Town) September 27: SA vs Argentina, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (Durban). — SA Rugby Communications The Herald
