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IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Eloise Webb says Springbok women not just going to Rugby World Cup to make up the numbers
Eloise Webb, the Springbok women's flyhalf, is meticulously prepared for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, aiming to leverage her attacking prowess and newfound confidence to lead South Africa to success against top teams like Brazil, Italy, and France. Picture: Oscar J Barroso / Spain DPPI / DPPI via AFP Image: Oscar J Barroso / Spain DPPI / DPPI via AFP Despite her role as flyhalf being relatively new for the Springbok women, Eloise Webb has been meticulous in her preparation for the upcoming Rugby World Cup (RWC), which begins in England next week. South Africa kick off their Group D campaign on August 24 against Brazil in Northampton. Their next matches are against Italy in York on August 31 and France in Northampton on September 7. The match against Brazil could be pivotal for the Bok women, as it will be their only clash as favourites. Bok coach Swys de Bruin, who has played most of her career at centre, has seen Webb as a great attacking threat. Therefore, she decided to move her up to flyhalf to get her closer to the action and allow her to make a bigger true to her natural instincts as an attacking player will be crucial for Webb. 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 Webb's Preparation Strategy for the Rugby World Cup 'I prepare myself physically by knowing our attack plays and defence structure to the best of my ability,' Webb told in an exclusive interview. 'That is when I can play with confidence and trust my instinct. Mentally I just need to stay in the moment and not get ahead of myself. The Rugby World Cup is a huge tournament, but sometimes we as players make it bigger than it is. Whether it's a Test match or a World Cup final, your job doesn't change.' The 29-year-old began her sporting journey excelling in cricket and javelin, earning her junior national colours in both disciplines. The switch to rugby, though, proved to be the life-changer for Webb as she first made a name for herself with the Springbok women's Sevens side, before moving up to the XVs. The Springbok women, ranked 12th in the world, have had a good build-up to the RWC, hosting world number two Canada in July. Though Canada were comprehensive victors with scorelines of 50-20 and 33-5 in their favour, it was still a good showing for the SA outfit. The Bok women then lost narrowly (34-26) to the New Zealand Black Ferns in their International Friendly in Cape Town on July 26 before winning the second clash (41-24) a week later, also in the Mother City.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
'Obsessed' Benjamin Sesko will star for Manchester United, says Ruben Amorim
Glory days returning? Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is confident that new signing Benjamin Sesko will torment Premier League defenders this season. Photo: Conor Molloy/ProSportsImages/DPPI via AFP Image: Conor Molloy/ProSportsImages/DPPI via AFP Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ "He can play different types of football," Amorim told reporters on Friday. "He is going to learn but he has a great potential and I can see Ben being a striker for Manchester United for a lot of years. "That's why we paid so much money to have a striker that will have his history in our club." Asked if Sesko could start against Arsenal, the United boss said: "We didn't have a lot of time but he's ready. "Physically, he's ready. That is a big component in our league. Then, he's really smart. Every detail that he asks, he's a guy that is always thinking. "He spends all afternoon here working on his fitness, so he's ready to play. We will see if he's going to start." Sesko scored 21 goals for German side Leipzig last term and has made a good first impression on Amorim at United's new-look Carrington training complex. "He's one guy who stays here, has lunch, and goes to the medical department, does the stretching," he said. "He is always thinking about football. He's really obsessed about that and that is a good thing because you don't have to think about that aspect with that young guy. "I don't need to tell Ben, 'Ben, this is Manchester United, a lot of pressure, you have to perform, you need to be ready for the physicality, we need to be ready, every game is like do or die'. Sesko's arrival in Manchester has raised fresh questions over the future of United striker Rasmus Hojlund. The 22-year-old Denmark international has been strongly linked with an exit, just two years on from joining from Atalanta. Hojlund said on United's pre-season tour that he wants to stay at United, but reports of a potential move to AC Milan persist. "He is one more option," Amorim said. "We will see. We are focused on this game and Rasmus is still our player." AFP Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
04-07-2025
- IOL News
Former Arsenal star Thomas Partey charged with five counts of rape
Partey facing five counts of rape Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five country of rape, police from the UK say. Photo: Andrew Cowie/Colorsport/DPPI via AFP Police in the United Kingdom say former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape. Ghana international Partey is currently without a club after leaving the Gunners following the expiration of his contract at the end of June. 'The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the Metropolitan Police Service to charge a man after a file of evidence was submitted by detectives,' read a police statement posted on Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano's Instagram page. 'The Met has issued a charge and requisition to Thomas Partey, 32, of Hertfordshire, in connection with the following offences: Five counts of rape, One count of sexual assault.' According to the statement, the offences are alleged to have taken place between 2021 and 2022. It remains to be seen if the allegations have an impact on the player's search for a new club. Interest in Partey's services were thought to be high after his departure from North London, with Spanish giants Barcelona though to be one of the clubs who were keen on bringing him on board. Atletico Madrid were also said to be keeping tabs. According to reports, there was also interest from Italy and Turkey. More to follow IOL Sport
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Italy's Joburg-born Ross Vintcent won't back down against the Springboks
Italy's Johannesburg-born loose forward Ross Vintcent is eager to face the top-ranked Springboks in Pretoria, drawing on past experiences against South African teams to prepare for the challenging match. Picture: Matthieu Mirville / DPPI via AFP Facing the Springboks at the moment is a daunting task for any rugby player, but it's one that Johannesburg-born Italy loose forward Ross Vintcent will be relishing when the sides clash at Loftus Versfeld, in Pretoria, on Saturday. Having won the last two Rugby World Cups and already building towards the 2027 edition, the Springboks are a formidable force. South Africa are also ranked first in the world, with Italy down in 10th. It means that Italy will be heavy underdogs for the clash, but it's not too much of a venture into the unknown as Vintcent explains.
IOL News
28-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Novak Djokovic 'got a good feeling' after dominating in French Open opener
Novak Djokovic made a good start to his 2025 French Open quest. Image: Jean Catuffe / DPPI via AFP Novak Djokovic made a clinical start to his latest pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title at the French Open on Tuesday, while women's contenders Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva successfully got their campaigns under way at a windy Roland Garros. The 38-year-old Djokovic had little trouble in seeing off 98th-ranked American Mackenzie McDonald 6-3, 6-3, 6-3, three days after becoming only the third man to win 100 ATP titles with his victory in Geneva. "Well, the emotions were really nice," said Djokovic, seeded sixth and playing in Paris for the first time since winning Olympic gold last August. "But, you know, it was quite challenging conditions I think at the beginning of the match with the wind and rain and everything that was happening." The three-time French Open champion lost his opening matches in both Monte Carlo and Madrid earlier in the clay-court season, but was dominant against McDonald, despite failing to serve out the second set in the eighth game. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ "I think it was good move to go to Geneva, to be honest, because I was also struggling a little bit with confidence level, doubting my game a bit," said Djokovic. "So it was good that I got four matches under my belt, won a title. Coming into Roland Garros, it feels different than I had comparing to the feeling I had three weeks ago. Let's see how far I can go here, but I have a good feeling for now." The Serb, who withdrew injured before the quarter-finals in 2024, will next meet 73rd-ranked Frenchman Corentin Moutet. Djokovic is on the same half of the draw as world number one Jannik Sinner and last year's runner-up Alexander Zverev, who saw off American teenager Learner Tien 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. World number three Zverev is hoping to go a step further than 12 months ago when he lost the final to Carlos Alcaraz, his third defeat in as many Grand Slam finals. Zverev, who has reached at least the semi-finals in each of the last four French Opens, will next face Dutchman Jesper de Jong. Former US Open champion and five-time Grand Slam runner-up Daniil Medvedev was dumped out in the first round for the sixth time in Paris, losing a dramatic clash with Cameron Norrie 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 1-6, 7-5. Grigor Dimitrov retired injured for a fourth consecutive Grand Slam tournament, calling it quits due to a leg injury when leading American Ethan Quinn by two sets to one. British fifth seed Jack Draper won his first match at the French Open, rallying past Italy's 68th-ranked Mattia Bellucci 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the second round on his third attempt. Ninth seed Alex de Minaur, a quarter-finalist at each of the past four majors, started well with an accomplished 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) win over Serbia's Laslo Djere. Miami champion Jakub Mensik came through an entertaining match against Frenchman Alexandre Muller, 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 6-3 victory. Gauff, Andreeva impress In the women's draw, 2022 runner-up Gauff brushed aside Australia's Olivia Gadecki 6-2, 6-2. Gauff, the 2023 US Open winner, has not won a tournament since last year's WTA Finals but reached the finals at both Madrid and Rome this month. The 21-year-old American has reached the quarter-finals or better in each of her past four visits to Roland Garros. "I knew it wasn't going to be a clean match with how windy it was," said the second seed, who initially forgot her racquets which had to be collected by a ball boy. "Honestly, it was two different matches depending on which side of the court you were on." Rising Russian star Andreeva is eyeing her maiden Grand Slam crown after WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells and recovered well after falling 3-0 down to Spaniard Cristina Bucsa in the first set.
