Latest news with #CobusWiese
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Rassie: Boks ‘far from perfect' but in a good place after 4-game experiments
Rassie Erasmus said he was 'fairly happy' after his early-season experiments revealed depth, adaptability and promise. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus discusses what he thought of Cobus Wiese's performance at No 8, as well as that of the three debutants. Picture: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said the overall picture was far from perfect, but the experiments and tricks conducted in the squads and on the field during the first four matches of the season highlighted much potential. The Springboks featured close to 50 players, including seven Test debutants, in these opening games. Within 22 days, the Springboks beat the Barbarians 54–7 in a non-Test, Italy 42–24 and 45–0 in two Tests, and then Georgia 55–10 in the latest Test match in Mbombela on Saturday. Tricks and experiments galore Fans did not wait long to see Erasmus continue his trademark innovation, as traditional centre André Esterhuizen packed down at flank in the opening game against the Barbarians. A 'hybrid player', Esterhuizen played flank in attack and dropped to centre in defence. Then, in the second Test against Italy, the Boks played a short kick-off to induce a scrum, and the midfield 'fake lineout' maul from open play. The latter yielded greater results, after World Rugby deemed the former an intentional infringement. The Springboks employed no tricks in the Georgia Test but named three uncapped players in the front row – an extreme rarity in its own right – and played Cobus Wiese at No 8 though he (just his second Test) had never played there in all his professional career. Erasmus said after the 40-point thrashing that he was 'fairly happy' with how the season had gone so far, building up to the Rugby Championship next month. 'The laws are the same for everybody. We want to adapt the quickest, faster than any other country. That's what Jaco Peyper teaches us. If there's a new law, we adapt to it,' Erasmus said, snapping his fingers. Where Cobus Wiese fits into the Springboks The Bok coach said they had blooded players to be three-deep in each position and tested them in various roles for cover. 'But if we chop and change teams we are building squad depth but lose rhythm. I am glad the guys could, in the last 25 minutes, get some rhythm into the game,' he said after the Georgia win. 'Cobus Wiese … we just want to make sure that if we have a guy like him on the bench he can cover seven and eight for us. 'We learned a lot from Cobus today. And I think he learned a lot from Test match rugby. He's definitely not Jasper yet. I think there are definitely areas where a guy like Evan [Roos] still tops him. But it's his first Test match that he starts at eight and I thought he was pretty solid.' How the three Springbok debutants did against Georgia On the three debutants (props Boan Venter and Neethling Fouché, and hooker Marnus van der Merwe), Erasmus said they had gained momentum in the scrums as the game went on, but made tactical errors in gameplay that were common to new players. These would be ironed out. 'They did well in the scrums but they had some errors in attack, being in the right places, cleanouts, ball carries and so on. We've given them 45, 46 minutes and we've seen enough. The scrums were solid enough and we can fix the general play stuff with them.' Erasmus said it was a positive that the Boks won three games convincingly, tested combinations and tricks, and stayed cohesive on defence despite the new faces.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Springboks crush Georgia 55–10 as debutants shine 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 European 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, by The Citizen. 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 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?
The Citizen
2 days ago
- 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.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
World Rugby rules on deliberate Springbok infringement in kick-off against Italy
BAMBOOZLING MOVE: Boks' Cobus Wiese WORLD Rugby has found the Springboks guilty of deliberate rule infringement fron their second Test against Italy. | BackpagePix It has taken World Rugby a week, but the governing body has predictably ruled against the Springboks for their controversial start to the second Test against Italy, when a premeditated kick-off ploy resulted in a scrum. The Boks wanted to impose themselves in the set scrums from the kick-off after Italy had employed dubious tactics in the first Test to avoid going toe-to-toe with the powerful South African scrum. Flyhalf Manie Libbok kicked the ball less than 10 metres with centre André Esterhuizen catching it three metres in front of him and in an offside position. As it turned out, an early shove from the Boks in the resulting scrum resulted in referee Andrew Brace awarding Italy a free kick. Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada was annoyed at the tactic, and a letter was sent to World Rugby by the Italian Rugby Federation. They protested the action and requested clarification on what had happened. The Italians highlighted Law 9.7(a), which states: 'A player must not intentionally infringe any law of the game.' World Rugby have now ruled that a penalty should have been awarded to Italy for a deliberate infringement by the Springboks. The governing body said: 'The actions seen in this example show an intentional violation of the kick-off and restart laws. 'Laws 12.5 and 12.6 set out the sanctions where the ball unintentionally fails to go 10m or a player overruns their teammate at the kick-off/restart. However, if match officials believe this is done deliberately, then Law 9.7(a) should be applied.' World Rugby have not announced any censure against the Springboks. No doubt, also under scrutiny by World Rugby is the Springboks' open play 'lineout' mauls, where scrumhalf Grant Williams passed high to a forward who, upon landing, had players packed around him to form a maul. The Boks scored tries on the two occasions they employed this tactic. The Boks have former referee Jaco Peyper as part of their coaching staff, and no law was broken by these innovative mauls.
The Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
First Bok cap whets Cobus' appetite for more
Winning a coveted first Springbok Test cap against Italy in Gqeberha has whetted his appetite to fight for many more appearances in the green and gold jersey, forward Cobus Wiese says. Wiese had to endure several setbacks before he was able to run onto the field as a substitute in front of 46,000 fans at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. Ambitious Wiese will earn his second cap when he starts at No 8, in the place of his suspended brother Jasper, when the Boks face Georgia in Mbombela on Saturday (kickoff 5.10pm). Though he was called into a wider Springbok squad back in 2018, a serious neck injury delayed his much-awaited SA debut. 'I have always said I want one Test, and after that I want one more,' Wiese said. 'So I think I will stick to that principle. Every week, I will work hard, like it's my first one, just to get one more. 'But the hard work starts now, to stay here and solidify my place. 'I don't want to say the injuries make the wait more special, because obviously it's a massive privilege. 'But to have that many operations and long-term injuries, the biggest one was in 2018, when I broke my neck. 'And now, seven years later, I'm getting that cap, it's amazing. 'It was worth the wait. It's that old cliché of don't give up and keep on going, and it's true. 'It would have been a massive honour to play for Boks back then, and even now it's an incredible honour.' Wiese had been set to play alongside his older brother Jasper in Gqeberha, but that special moment was dashed when Jasper was red-carded for a headbutt on an opposition player. 'I don't think you can really put it into words how special it is. 'We are the 37 th pair of brothers in the history of Springbok rugby. 'So it's an overwhelming sense of pride. 'When your brother is on the field or in the same team as you, it's easy to get yourself up for it,' Wiese said. 'Jasper started and went and cancelled himself for 60 minutes in Gqeberha. 'If he had stayed on the pitch, we probably would have played together for four or five minutes before he would have been substituted.' Meanwhile, Bok assistant coach Deon Davids and lock Ruan Nortje are expecting a physical battle against Georgia in Mbombela. 'Every Test is important for us, and we never underestimate any team,' Davids said. 'We know what their DNA is. We played against them in 2021, so they will certainly bring their traditional physicality and give everything out there. 'We've heard they want to play in the Six Nations, and they will see this match as a step in trying to achieve that. 'That said, we have our own standards, and we know where we want to be going into the Rugby Championship later in the season, so this is a massive game for us to try to improve and build on what we have achieved so far.' Nortje said he cherished every moment of being back in the Springbok squad and looked forward to facing Georgia at the Mbombela Stadium. 'The Mbombela Stadium is one of my favourite places to play,' he said. 'I was fortunate to face Argentina here last year, and I'll never forget the atmosphere and the support for the team. 'The people here really get behind the Boks, so I'll be very excited if I get an opportunity to play this weekend.' Speaking about what makes the Springbok environment so special, the physical lock said: 'This is a fantastic environment to be part of, and every player is privileged to be here, so when you get the opportunity, you have to grab it with both hands. 'Personally, I try to learn as much as I can whenever I'm in the team, especially if one looks at the locks we have, such as Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman and a couple of others, who are among the best in the world.' The Herald
