Latest news with #DRC-born
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Pyramids crowned kings of Africa in CAF Champions League showdown After Sinking Mamelodi Sundowns
Aubrey Modiba of Mamelodi Sundowns is challenged by Ahmed Atef of Pyramids during the CAF Champions League final, second leg, on Sunday at 30 June Stadium in Cairo. Photo: BackpagePix PYRAMIDS (2) 2 Mayele 23', Samy 56' MAMELODI SUNDOWNS (0) 1 Rayners 75' Pyramids won 3-2 on aggregate It was a case of 'so close, yet so far' for Mamelodi Sundowns as they missed out on the CAF Champions League crown after losing 3–2 on aggregate to Pyramids in the final. Sundowns lost 2–1 in the second leg at 30 June Stadium on Sunday night, courtesy of goals from Fiston Mayele and Ahmed Samy, having drawn 1–1 in the first leg at home, Loftus Versfeld. The Brazilians were their own worst enemies in Cairo, conceding both goals through avoidable errors in each half. Mayele capitalised on a poor clearance by Grant Kekana in the first half, pouncing inside the box to unleash a low-driven strike past the goalkeeper. The DRC-born striker made no mistake with the opportunity. Samy ensured the match was all but sealed early in the second half when Mohamed Chibi delivered a delightful set-piece behind the defensive wall, which Samy headed home with precision. Iqraam Rayners pulled one back with 15 minutes to go, rifling home a deflected loose ball to offer a glimmer of hope for the visitors. In the end, it was a perfect night for the Pharaohs, who were crowned champions of the continent for the first time in their history. Sundowns will be hugely disappointed, having come within one match of returning to the summit of African football for the first time since 2016. A continental crown would have been a fitting reward for Sundowns, who have dominated domestic football over the past eight years, winning eight successive Premiership titles. They have also made significant strides on the continental stage and will represent Africa at the FIFA Club World Cup later this month.
The Citizen
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘Trokkie' barges down Bok door
Powerhouse No 8 Juarno Augustus earns a first call-up from Rassie Erasmus, as one of 54 local and overseas-based players to attend the second Springbok alignment camp of 2025. Augustus will join Sharks forward Vincent Tshituka and Varsity Cup-winning points machine Ntokozo Makhaza at their first national team indaba at the end of the month. The camps will take place in person in Cape Town for local players, and virtually for players based outside South Africa, next Thursday and Friday respectively. Thirty-six players will attend the in-person camp, with 18 players currently plying their trade abroad in Japan and the northern hemisphere joining virtually, training schedule permitting. Augustus, who was named the World Rugby U20 Player of the Year after a powerful performances for the Junior Boks in Georgia in 2017, has been a standout player for the Northampton Saints this season, while the DRC-born Tshituka recently received his South African ID, clearing him to represent South Africa. Winger Makhaza, meanwhile, will join the Cheetahs for the Currie Cup, after being named 2025 Varsity Cup Player of the Tournament, playing for the eventual champions, the UCT Ikeys. The group includes eight uncapped players – Augustus, Tshituka, Makhaza, Renzo du Plessis, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Marnus van der Merwe, and Cobus Wiese. Five players were not considered for the alignment camp due to injuries: Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie and Trevor Nyakane. The camp will include a series of boardroom sessions over the two days as the Boks gear up for the international season, which kicks off on June 28 with the first home game between South Africa and the Barbarians. This will be followed by the Incoming Series, The Rugby Championship and the traditional end-of-the-year tour in November. 'This is an exciting bunch of players who have all made their mark in their respective competitions this season, and we are thrilled to invite a few talented new players to the camp,' Erasmus said. 'They have all made a strong statement in big competitions under immense pressure at times, so we are looking forward to working with them. 'It's always difficult to reduce the size of the squad with the abundance of talent in South African rugby, but we were limited in the number of players we could select for the camp, and we are confident that we have sufficient cover in all positions within this group,' he added. 'The coaches and management staff have been working around the clock to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for what will be a challenging season, and all the operational and logistical aspects are in place for everything to run as smoothly as possible, so we are excited for the season ahead.' Players invited to Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town: Forwards: Renzo du Plessis (Lions), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (all Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe (both Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks). Players invited to virtual Springbok alignment camp: Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Dynaboars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier). The post Trokkie barges down Bok door appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The South African
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Big boost: Two new players available to Springboks
One area where the Springboks have always been blessed with plenty of selection options is at loose forward, where there is generally a consistent conveyor belt of talent. Heading towards the 2025 season, though, there have been some concerning long-term injuries to Elrigh Louw and Jasper Wiese, as well as the likes of Deon Fourie as well as Francke Horn. There are no shortage of options still available, though, and in fact there has been a timely boost with the news that talented brothers Vincent and Emmanuel Tshituka are now also eligible for selection. The two DRC-born loose forwards have been waiting for quite some time to finally receive their South African ID books to become available for the Springboks, and according to Rapport , this has now been successfully completed. Older brother Vincent is probably a bit higher up on the Springbok pecking order as the 26-year-old has both experience and leadership qualities on his side, and could add some valuable depth at blindside flank. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Emmanuel seems to be a real talent for the future, and the Springboks may well fast-track him into their future planning and 'road maps'. TBC: vs Barbarians, TBC, TBC5 July: vs Italy, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria12 July: vs Italy, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha19 July: vs Georgia, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit16 August: vs Australia, Ellis Park, Johannesburg23 August: vs Australia, DHL Stadium, Cape Town6 September: vs New Zealand, Auckland13 September: vs New Zealand, Wellington27 September: vs Argentina, Kings Park, Durban4 October: vs Argentina, London1 November: vs Wales, Cardiff8 November: vs France, Paris15 November: vs Italy, Turin22 November: vs Ireland, Dublin *SA Rugby are working on adding two more Tests for the Springboks, likely to be against Japan and Portugal
