Latest news with #EdwillvanderMerwe
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Four rookie Boks who could be surprise picks against the Wallabies
A few inexperienced Springboks will be hoping for a chance against the Wallabies to push their claim for a spot in the team to face the All Blacks. Springbok utility forward Cobus Wiese could get a run against the Wallabies after making two appearances in the mid-year Tests against Italy and Georgia. Picture: Johann Meintjes/Gallo Images The Springbok squad for the first two games of the Rugby Championship at home against Australia was announced earlier this week, with very few surprises for the start of their title defence. A number of inexperienced players have, however, retained their places in the group and could be given a run against the Wallabies to strengthen their chances of being involved in the two Tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand. Here are four inexperienced Boks that could get a chance to impress at the start of the Rugby Champs: Edwill van der Merwe Unfortunately for the former Lions, and now Sharks flyer, he finds himself behind two of the best wings in world rugby, in Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse. Despite that he has been absolutely incredible with the chances he has been given. His debut against Wales last year ended with him being named man of the match, but an injury then scuppered any chance of him featuring for the Boks over the rest of 2024. Having recovered and put in another top season for the Lions, Van der Merwe was given another go, and his second appearance in the green and gold ended with another man of the match award, after he scored two tries in the second Italian Test against Italy in Gqeberha. His third cap didn't see a hattrick of man of the match awards, but he did add another two tries to his tally against Georgia in Mbombela. Due to Arendse playing the most minutes for the Boks in the incoming series, the door could open for Van der Merwe to feature against Australia. Edwill van der Merwe has made a huge impression at Test level. Picture: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images Cobus Wiese The Bulls utility forward has a golden opportunity to get a run during the Boks' opening two Rugby Champs games against the Wallabies, considering his older brother, Jasper, is out with a suspension, and his being preferred in the group to Salmaan Moerat and Even Roos. The Boks don't have a first choice number eight in the squad, especially since Kwagga Smith's impact off the bench is so highly valued. That means Wiese could get another shot at eight, despite an average first outing in the position against Georgia, or he could play off the bench due to him covering four positions. Where he could find some stiff opposition is in Jean-Luc du Preez who holds a similar utility value, however he is more of a loose forward that can cover lock. Du Preez has more experience in terms of the overall Bok setup, but only has 14 caps since making his debut in 2016. So it could be a shootout between the two to see who could feature in the match 23 as the utility cover. Morne van den Berg The Lions scrumhalf can now consider himself as one of the Boks; top number nines, after he was picked in the squad at the expense of the experienced Faf de Klerk. Coach Rassie Erasmus hasn't been afraid to pick a host of scrumhalves in his squads of late, with even five picked at a stage, while four have been backed in most of the groups recently. However, for the two Aussie Tests he has gone with just three in Van den Berg, Grant Williams and Cobus Reinach. Reinach at 35 is heading into the twilight of his career, and his experience is highly valued, but it seems that Van den Berg and Williams will be the two battling it out to become the Boks' first choice scrumhalf. De Klerk, who turns 34 in October, could force his way back into the mix though, and Sharks scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse is also on the fringes and could fight his way back if he improves his form. But it will be interesting to see who gets the nod to start in the two Aussie Tests. Morne van den Berg is now one of the Boks' preferred number nines. Picture: Gallo Images Boan Venter The Edinburgh-based loosehead prop has a stunning opportunity to establish himself in the Springbok squad, thanks to a surprising recent turn of events. Venter looked destined to become a Scottish international, after impressing for his franchise over the past four years, and with him set to be given residency in 2026, which would have made him eligible. However, an injury crisis in the Bok setup led to him being a late call-up to the squad for their first four games of the year. With Steven Kitshoff having been forced into an early retirement, and Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu ruled out through injury, Venter was parachuted in to the squad and made his debut against Georgia over the past weekend. Thomas du Toit, who can play tighthead and loosehead, has been left out of the squad due to resting protocols, which means Venter and another inexperienced player in Jan-Hendrik Wessels are likely the two players who will be battling it out for the second loosehead spot behind Ox Nche.
TimesLIVE
7 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Boks must fix sloppy breakdown play, says de Jean de Villiers
Fixing sloppy play at the breakdowns is an aspect of their game the Springboks must resolve if they want to make an impact in the Rugby Championship, former Bok star Jean de Villiers says. Though the Boks breezed past the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia, De Villiers said hard work is needed in training ahead of a showdown against the Wallabies at Ellis Park on August 16. 'If you look at the past three Test matches, there are elements of their game that the Boks need to work on,' he said. 'There were things they tried out to see if they could evolve their game even more. 'I think the one element that will concern them a little bit is the breakdown because it was sloppy at times. But that comes with the fact that they were trying to play a more expansive game and you don't have as many numbers playing to the ball. Five tries in three starts 🇿🇦🔥 Has Edwill van der Merwe locked in his spot in The Rugby Championship squad? 🤔💭 #SSRugby — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 22, 2025 'There were also handling errors in the Test against Georgia. I think that it is a combination of the atmosphere, the opposition and the pressure you are being put under and also the way you want to play. 'At the end of the day, if each guy in the team makes one silly error, then suddenly that is 23 errors in the game. It is also 23 times that you give the ball away to the opposition. 'But if you win the game by 45 points and you still have those errors, then it is not a bad performance. 'We know the quality of this team and the high standards they have, and that won't be good enough for them.' De Villiers said competition for places in the starting line-up was driving the Boks forward in their efforts to become an even better team. Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouché receive their Springbok blazers and caps after making their official debuts against Georgia this weekend 🇿🇦👏 #SSRugby — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 21, 2025 'You want healthy competition within your squad and we certainly have that when it comes to the wing position. We have several world-class wings and probably a couple more who are also knocking on the door as well. It is a fortunate position for South Africa to be in. 'For someone like Edwill van der Merwe, however, it is an unfortunate position to be in. Probably, if we select our best team tomorrow, he does not make the starting 15. But you must keep on pushing and every time you get that opportunity, you must perform and do that week in and week out. 'It is lovely to see how he is putting in the effort and work rate, and hoping for the best. I enjoy players like that and it is an example for youngsters on how they should go about approaching a challenge. 'If you are not getting selected, you work hard and make sure you use any opportunity you get.' Coach Rassie Erasmus said he was satisfied with how the Boks had fared in their opening four matches. 'Overall, to play a team like Georgia that's very physical and disruptive is difficult,' he said. 'But that's not an excuse for us to make so many errors. 'We also have to understand that if we chop and change teams like that, we'll be building squad depth, but we'll be losing rhythm. I'm glad the guys over the last 25 minutes could get some rhythm into the game. We're fairly happy. 'We could always do better, but it was definitely a team that came out to disrupt the flow of the game.' The Herald
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
48 hours in pictures, 20 July 2025
48 hours in pictures, 20 July 2025 Through the lens: The Citizen's Picture Editors select the best news photographs from South Africa and around the world. A destroyed CU convenience store outlet operated by BGF Retail Co. is inundated following heavy rain in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, 20 July 2025. Picture: EPA/YONHAP South Africa's wing Edwill van der Merwe (R) celebrates with South Africa's wing Kurt-Lee Arendse (L) after scoring a try during the international rugby union Test match between South Africa and Georgia at Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela on July 19, 2025. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP) Swimmers brave the mid-winter waters of Vanryn Dam during the WannaDo Events 'Polar Bear Swim', 20 July 2025, at Ebotse Golf and Country Estate in Benoni. About 50 swimmers jumped into the lake to swim either a 1km, 500m or 250m route around the lake on a cold winter's morning. Swimmers were given a medal and hot soup after their icy escapades. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen South Africa competes in the preliminary round of the team free artistic swimming event during the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on July 19, 2025. (Photo by François-Xavier MARIT / AFP) Spectators watch as a high diver takes flight from a 25 meter high bridge into the Moraca River, during a competition in Podgorica on July 19, 2025. The high dive competition in the Montenegro capital resumed after 15 years of pause. (Photo by SAVO PRELEVIC / AFP) South Africans at the Mandela Day Walk And Run at Wanderers Stadium on July 19, 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The annual race celebrates Nelson Mandela's legacy of unity, service and compassion and promotes community service and inspires positive change within communities. (Photo by Gallo Images/OJ Koloti) Lions Cricket Pride players packing food parcels on Mandela Day at Wanderers Stadium on July 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. In a powerful initiative driven by Lions Cricket Pride and powerful partners Ashraful Aid, over 5,000 food hampers are set to be packed and distributed, bringing nourishment to more than 20,000 people across Gauteng. (Photo by Gallo Images/Luba Lesolle) A BMX rider dives into the water after riding his bike over a ramp that was set up by the sea, during a heatwave at Kavouri beach, near Athens, Greece, 19 July 2025. Picture: EPA/GEORGE VITSARAS A vintage classic Citroen 2 CV car with a flag of South Africa drives at the Place Vauban during the 'Traversee de Paris' vintage vehicles parade in Paris on July 20, 2025. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP) A tug of war between the Soho firefighters and police officers takes place at St Anne's Gardens during the Soho Village Fete event in London, Britain, 20 July 2025. The Soho Village Fete celebrates the 50th anniversary of the festival with various activities, contests, and live music to entertain visitors of the West End district of London. Picture: EPA/TOLGA AKMEN People participate in the 'Very, Very Far Away' festival at the Park of Cultures and Mother Earth in La Paz, Bolivia, 19 July 2025. Dozens of people engages in activities inspired by the Middle Ages in a festival held for the first time in La Paz that brought together fantasy aspects of series, movies and books with realistic customs and practices of that European period. Picture: EPA/GABRIEL MARQUEZ Protestors during a march against the euthanasia of baboons from Simon's Town Train Station to the police station on July 19, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. The march is a response to recent incidents involving baboon injuries and euthanasia, particularly after dog attacks, and aims to raise awareness and encourage solutions that prioritize the well-being of the baboons. (Photo by Gallo Images/Brenton Geach) PICTURES: Swimmers brave winter cold for polar dip at Ebotse
IOL News
20-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Erasmus faces selection puzzle ahead of Rugby Championship squad announcement
Edwill van der Merwe scored a brace aganst Georgia on Saturday and has surely staked a claim in the Rugby Championship squad. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Rassie Erasmus will name his 36-man squad on Tuesday for the upcoming Rugby Championship matches against Australia — and the big question is who will miss out, given the Springboks' current embarrassment of riches. The head coach has used 48 players over the past four weeks, with few letting themselves down and several newcomers delivering notable performances. At the weekend, Erasmus' bold gamble on an entirely uncapped front row — Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouché — paid off handsomely. Cobus Wiese, ironically filling in for his suspended brother Jasper at No 8, impressed in a position that's not his natural home. 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 Edwill van der Merwe once again underlined his growing reputation, staking a real claim alongside the likes of Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe, while Canan Moodie continued his smooth transition into a capable deputy for Jesse Kriel at outside centre. One clear conclusion Erasmus can draw from this block of matches is that Grant Williams is currently his top-performing scrumhalf. Yet, it was also encouraging to see Faf de Klerk fight his way back into contention, with a feisty and skilful second-half cameo. Kwagga Smith and Pieter-Steph du Toit continue to be tireless warriors, while Ruan Nortjé's recent displays suggest he has matured into a genuine international-class lock — a development that will please Erasmus and his selectors. 'We are fairly happy, it could've been better,' Erasmus said with typical understatement, after Georgia were brushed aside 55-10. 'What we expected from them was physicality and disruption, and we certainly got that. But I don't think it was a performance over the full 80 minutes from us. "There were a lot of guys who made a lot of errors today because of how Georgia played — and I don't mean that in a negative way. They disrupt very well.' Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu had a mixed outing at flyhalf, but Erasmus expressed no concern over the young playmaker's form. Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix 'Sacha is not necessarily our first-choice 10. We've got Manie (Libbok), who is pretty much on song, and when Handré (Pollard) came on, he was pretty solid,' the coach explained. 'If you just look at Sacha's goal kicking — he missed four — but I think he ended well. In the warm-up, he picked up a hip pointer injury, but he still wanted to play. 'I don't know if that was an excuse for how he kicked at poles, but he definitely ran it out. 'We like flyhalves who try things on the field, not just play safely in their little box. And he certainly wasn't one of the guys who made the most errors today. Georgia thrive on spoiling and disrupting, and a lot of guys struggled with that. 'I'm not frustrated with Sacha — it's only his second start for us this year. He's still young compared to our other flyhalves.' Erasmus confirmed that his Rugby Championship squad will have a more settled look, with experimentation largely shelved for now. 'The Rugby Championship is a step up from Tier Two nations, the Barbarians and the Italy matches,' he said. The coach added that nine additional players will be placed on standby as injury cover.
The Citizen
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Springbok player ratings from 55-10 win against Georgia
A number of players in the Bok team stood tall, among them Edwill van der Merwe, Ruan Nortje and the debutants Marnus van der Merwe and Boan Venter. The Springboks beat Georgia 55-10 in a one-off Test in Mbombela on Saturday. The reigning world champions scored nine tries to the one by the visitors. The Boks are next in action in the Rugby Championship, which starts next month. Here are The Citizen's player ratings from the match in Mbombela, out of 10. Aphelele Fassi 7: The attacking fullback got few chances with ball in hand, but he played his part in Canan Moodie's try. He contested well in the air, but also made a few basic errors. Off in the 55th minute. Edwill van der Merwe 9: He scored two tries, both well-taken, and had a hand in Canan Moodie's try. Tackled well, contested strongly in the air, and chased kicks. Another excellent Bok performance. Canan Moodie 8: He had a few good runs, kicked and chased well on two occasions, tackled strongly and showed strength and power to score one of the Boks' tries. Definitely a 13 option going forward. Damian de Allende 8: Another all-action performance from the inside centre; he carried strongly, he cleaned rucks, he tackled hard and he kicked for position. He also charged down a clearance kick. Kurt-Lee Arendse 7: By no fault of his own, he had a fairly quiet game, but the action never really went his way. He chased kicks and tackled well, and also scored a try after some good play by RG Snyman and Grant Williams. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 6: He looked dangerous with ball in hand, kicked and collected well on one occasion, but a little all over the place. He missed several kicks at goal and also didn't kick well out of hand. Off in the 55th. Grant Williams 8: His first clearance kick was poor and resulted in Georgia's only try. But he broke the line brilliantly, which led to Moodie's try, and also made the long over-the-top pass for Edwill van der Merwe's one try, and played part in Arendse's try. Grant Williams enjoyed a very satisfying outing in Mbombela. Picture: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images Cobus Wiese 6: The regular lock was asked to play out of position at eighthman and he did an okay job. He carried strongly on occasion and made a few tackles and cleans, but he knocked on badly on one occasion. Off in 44th. Pieter-Steph du Toit 8: He was back to his unbelievable best, working tirelessly throughout the match, making tackles and carrying hard, and cleaning rucks. He was literally everywhere on the field. Siya Kolisi 6: Took a blow to the head in the second minute and left the action, which might have influenced his game. Returned by making tackles and carrying on occasion, and got better and busier as the game went on. Ruan Nortje 9: He is yet to play poorly in a Bok jersey. He was, like Du Toit, involved in everything and was everywhere. He was the lineout banker, he assisted in Moodie's try, he tackled and cleaned and took kick offs. Brilliant in all respects. Eben Etzebeth 6: He was busy in the tight-loose play, he tackled well and carried and cleaned, and charged down a kick, but he wasn't the imposing figure he normally is. Left the action shortly after half-time. Neethling Fouche 7: He scrummed well on debut, forcing a number of penalties, he tackled on occasion and cleaned rucks. Left the action in the 44th minute; he would have hoped for a bit more game time. Marnus van der Merwe 9: The debutant hooker had a dream match and could be the next big thing at No 2. What a performance. His lineout throwing was spot on, he scored two tries and was busy all over the field. Marnus van der Merwe scores a try on debut. Picture: Johan Orton/Gallo Images Boan Venter 8: He was all-powerful at scrum time, winning a few penalties and getting his team on the front foot. He was busy in the tight-loose and also scored a good try. He will be a happy and satisfied man. Bench 8: The front row of Bongi Mbonambi, Thomas du Toit and Vincent Koch did their bit to keep the Bok scrum dominant, while RG Snyman's power runs and off-loading game came to the fore as the game opened up. Kwagga Smith was as busy as ever, he was excellent receiving kicks and carried and cleaned rucks regularly. Faf de Klerk added energy to the performance late on and chipped the ball into space for Edwill van der Merwe's second try, while Handre Pollard played a part in Damian Willemse's try, he kicked and collected a kick, and he scored himself in a calming, strong cameo late on. Willemse made a few errors, but he tackled nicely and will be pleased with his try.
