Latest news with #DamianWillemse
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
URC quarter-finals: South African teams aim for glory in thrilling showdown
Tighthead Wilco Louw and the Bulls pack will look to stamp their authority in the scrums early on against Edinburgh in their URC quarter-final on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld. Image: BackpagePix A lot is at stake for the three South African United Rugby Championship (URC) sides in this weekend's quarter-finals. After taking a backseat during the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup to focus on the URC, they must now deliver in the first round of knockouts to justify their decision to put their resources into winning this tournament. 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 ✕ For the Stormers, it's a repeat of last year's quarters at the Scotstoun Stadium (8.35 pm start) where they'll face defending champions, the Glasgow Warriors, for a place in the semi-final. They've been in Scotland for a full week of training and apart from the suspended Damian Willemse, the Stormers will have a full-strength side to compete. It will be important for the Cape side not to go into their shells, but continue playing their brand of rugby even if they are not at home. They've been training in some cold weather, but fair weather is expected by kick-off. Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be a key player, but how the backline goes depends on what the forwards do on the day. The Bulls and Sharks' home playoffs will enhance their chances of booking their spots in the final four when they take on Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld and Munster at Kings Park, respectively. It's an early start in Pretoria (1.30 pm kick-off) and could benefit the hosts against their less-fancied Scottish visitors. Their scrum, with Wilco Louw at the forefront, should be too much for Edinburgh, but if the Bulls get into a running game against their opponents, the Scotsmen will fancy their chances.
The South African
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
How wild will the Springboks' first selection of 2025 be?
The Springboks are set to head into a season-opening fixture against the Barbarians on 28 June, and it will be fascinating to see what sort of team Rassie Erasmus envisages for such a clash. Considering this is a warm-up fixture of sorts, it's unlikely that Erasmus would select a first-choice team, but he probably would want to mix and match with selection in order to at least build some momentum before the first Tests of the year against Italy and Georgia in July. It's likely that he will include some newcomers alongside a few stalwarts, and here is how we think the first Springbok selection of the year could look. 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. This sort of team would enable the Springbok coaches to take a look at some key players in all-important positions such as No 8, hooker and loosehead prop, while perhaps even giving a relatively low-pressure opportunity to Varsity Cup star Ntokozo Makhaza. Leading players who have recently worked their way back from injury such as Damian Willemse and Lood de Jager could also get an opportunity to return to Springbok action. Recently, the Barbarians revealed three Test centurions – Sam Cane, Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray – with a combined tally of 352 caps as the first players for their squad to take on the Springboks in Cape Town next month, and so the Springboks also won't want to take the game too lightly. 'We have no doubt they will name several more top-class players in the coming weeks, so this match will set the tone for us to switch into full-out competitive mode from the outset,' said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus. 'I've worked with Peter and Conor before, and we know Sam very well – they are quality players with a lot of experience, which will serve as a great test at the start of a big season. 'We are very excited about the season ahead, and as a team, we are blessed to enjoy such passionate support from our fans throughout the country. We are busy putting the building blocks in place for the season, which starts in a little over a month against the Barbarians.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. Meanwhile, here is an important reminder on ticket sales for the Springbok men's game against Argentina in the Rugby Championship at Twickenham in October. Ticket sales Tickets are on sale via and England Rugby, starting from just £55* for adults and £28* for Under-16s. (*booking fees apply)
IOL News
28-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Inconsistent red card sanctions in rugby: A call for uniformity
Out of the URC knockouts. Many would deem the red card Damian Willemse received against Cardiff as harsh punishment after seeing the tackle of Sam Underhill of Bath against Lyon in the Challenge Cup final this past weekend. Image: BackpagePix The game of rugby, revered for its principles of respect and discipline, is currently grappling with an issue that threatens to undermine its core values: the inconsistent application of red card sanctions for head contact throughout the sport. This lack of uniformity not only generates confusion amongst players and fans but also risks eroding the credibility of the sport's laws regarding foul play. Recently, two incidents involving Stormers players Damian Willemse and Neethling Fouché have highlighted the urgent need for a more consistent approach to sanctions surrounding head contact. In contrast, Bath's Sam Underhill received a seemingly lenient in-game sanction during the Challenge Cup final, amplifying calls for uniformity in enforcing these critical laws. Sam Underhill a été cité à comparaitre en commission de discipline pour cette action sur Davit Niniashvili. La commission aura lieu demain. Jefferson Poirot est également cité à comparaitre. Commission ce jeudi. Explications de la raison en bas ⬇️ — Gauthier Baudin (@GauthierBaudin) May 26, 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 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 ✕ Rugby's introduction of stricter laws to address head contact was both necessary and commendable, reflecting a growing awareness of the long-term consequences associated with head injuries. Yet, for these regulations to carry weight, their enforcement must be uniform. Without it, messages around player safety become obscured and the repercussions - particularly on the field - lose their deterrent effectiveness. The differences in sanctions have come sharply into focus in the wake of a couple of high-profile matches. The Stormers faced severe penalties for head contact incidents that, while falling within the regulatory threshold, were arguably less severe than similar infractions seen elsewhere. Consistency, that's all. Drill it into your refs @WorldRugby & stop with the constant law changes. Damian Willemse got a red card + a 3 match ban for something 10 times less dangerous. Underhill most probably gets a ban but what about the 4 referees who agreed this was a yellow? — Clyde (@Clyde_K_H) May 23, 2025 Many observers deemed the sanctions disproportionate, particularly the one imposed on Fouché during a critical juncture in their United Rugby Championship campaign, leading to rising doubts about the standards being applied. Willemse, caught in a chaotic moment during a tackle, was involved in an incident seen as minimal in force. As he stood firm during a tackle by teammate Leolin Zas, he inadvertently struck Cardiff's winger on the cheek. The repercussions, however, were significant. Here's why Neethling Fouché received his red card in Belfast last night 🎥🔴#VURC — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) March 29, 2025 Conversely, Underhill's tackle - which was seen by many as a clear-cut case for a red card - resulted only in a yellow card. Referee Holly Davidson and her assistants judged Underhill's clumsy engagement worthy of a mere sin-bin, despite the apparent severity of the incident. The decision allowed him to return to the pitch, leaving many feeling short-changed, as it seemed he escaped more stringent punishment. This disparity raises an unsettling question: How can rugby's governing bodies enforce such uneven standards? A tackle that seemed a straightforward red card resulted in drastically different consequences compared to others that appeared to occupy a more ambiguous space. Referees for this weekend's @URCOfficial Quarter-Finals: Glasgow v Stormers - Andrew Brace Bulls v Edinburgh - Adam Jones Leinster v Scarlets - Hollie Davidson Sharks v Munster - Mike Adamson Surprised Davidson is getting another big game so soon after the Sam Underhill… — Conductor Bets 🏉 (@BrendonWessels) May 27, 2025
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
No excuses for Stormers as they look to end URC losing streak in Glasgow in quarter-finals
Playmaker Warrick Gelant should slot back in at fullback for the Stormers after the suspension of Damian Willemse ahead of the URC quarter-finals against the Glasgow Warriors. Image: BackpagePix The Stormers will have no excuses to put their best foot forward on Friday evening in Scotland, where they will look to thwart the Glasgow Warriors in the quarter-finals of the United Rugby Championship (URC). They travelled in the comfort of business class to the Scottish port city, they will have a full week of training and despite the disruption of the suspended Damian Willemse in the midfield, they should have a full complement of players available to put up a fight at the Scotstoun Stadium. 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 ✕ It's a repeat of last year's quarters where the Cape side flew to Glasgow but came unstuck in the dying minutes of the match, after conceding two tries, for a 27-10 loss. They are on a four-match losing streak against their hosts, who are unbeaten at home, and it's something they must break to reach the semi-finals of the tournament. With the early travel and flying in more comfort than during the regular season, the Stormers have managed to ensure they are physically fresh for the challenge. Now, it's all about the mental side of things and how they approach the obstacle the defending champions pose. 'We do not feel rushed like last time,' Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani said. Friday night flair? Say less 😮💨 Get your tickets for an epic showdown at Scotstoun on Friday night 👉 #URC — Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) May 25, 2025 'We feel like we have enough time (thanks to their early arrival) to prepare for the game. "Obviously, flying business class is nice and comfortable, so the players are not nearly as tired when you get to your destination. This gives us a full training week like at home and that makes a massive difference.' Apart from the absence of Willemse, the only other injury concern is hooker JJ Kotze, who was injured during a warm-up ahead of a league game earlier in the season. So, the visitors will still field a strong team as they bid for a place in the final four. According to Hlungwani, they will continue to implement their Stormers template of running for the quarters while looking to improve it. They will also prepare well for what Glasgow will throw at them on Friday. He added that it's unfortunate to lose Willemse, but they will plan around it. 'Like I always say, when there is an injury or suspension, it's a nice opportunity for the next person to put their hand up and take their chance. We are quite fortunate to have guys who can cover 15 and 12.
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
No Damian, no problem as Stormers gear up for Glasgow
The Stormers are confident that they have the players to cover for star back Damian Willemse when they play Glasgow Warriors in their URC quarterfinal. Stormers star Damian Willemse will miss at least two URC playoff games if they progress that far, after picking up a red card in their last match against Cardiff. Picture: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images Despite suffering a heavy blow last week when it was confirmed that Stormers utility star Damian Willemse would miss most of the URC playoffs due to the red card he picked up in their final pool game against Cardiff, assistant coach Rito Hlungwani isn't worried. Willemse received the sanction after a high hit in their win over the Welsh side, which led to him being cited and initially banned for six weeks, reduced to three because of his good disciplinary record. That could further be reduced by another week if he attends World Rugby's infamous 'tackle school', which would make him available for the URC final should the Stormers make it that far. But first they have the massive task of upsetting the United Rugby Championship (URC) defending champions, Glasgow Warriors, on their home patch, the Scotstoun Stadium, in their knockout clash on Friday night. It is a repeat of last year's quarter-final, where the Stormers pushed Glasgow all the way, trailing by just three points going into the last seven minutes of the match, with the hosts scoring two late converted tries to secure a 27-10 win in the end. They now have to do the job without Willemse, although the blow has been softened by Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok's return from injury against Cardiff, that has bolstered the Stormers backline options. Quite fortunate 'We are quite fortunate that a guy like Manie's timing has been good in coming back from injury, and it's great to have him back,' explained Hlungwani. 'Obviously it's unfortunate to lose a player of Damian's quality, but like I always say, when there's an injury or a suspension it's a nice opportunity for the next person to put their hand up and take their chance. 'We're quite fortunate to have guys that can cover 15 and 12 (where Willemse would likely have played). We have Warrick (Gelant) at 15. Sacha (Feinberg-Mngomezulu) is very comfortable at 12. He's played 12 for us quite a number of times. 'We will probably look to have Sacha as an extra playmaker (in the backline) and then Dan Dup (Dan du Plessis) also covers 12 as well. As much as we're not happy that we've lost him (Willemse), we feel we've got enough cover.' Feinberg-Mngomezulu has recently been in top form at flyhalf for the Stormers, but played off the bench against Cardiff due to Libbok's return. He would probably have started at flyhalf against Glasgow if Willemse was available, but it seems like he will line up at inside centre instead, with Libbok at 10 and Gelant at fullback. Leolin Zas and Suleiman Hartzenberg could be on the wings, and Wandisile Simelane at outside centre, which would make for an incredibly formidable attacking backline, even without Willemse.
