Latest news with #ElrighLouw
The South African
5 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Five players unavailable to Springboks: When will they be back?
In selecting his first Springbok training squad of the year, Rassie Erasmus cast his net far and wide, naming 54 players, nine of whom are uncapped. Five players, meanwhile, were not considered for selection due to injuries: Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie and Trevor Nyakane. Frans Malherbe Issue: Niggling back injury Expected return: There is a chance he could be rested for the July internationals, but the big prop should certainly be readily available for the Rugby Championship. Elrigh Louw Issue: Serious leg injury Expected return: Early next year. Ben-Jason Dixon Issue: Wrist injury Expected return: He will miss the July internationals, but could be back in contention during the Rugby Championship. Deon Fourie Issue: Serious ankle injury. Expected return: He should be back in training before the Rugby Championship. Trevor Nyakane Issue: Ruptured Achilles tendon Expected return: Towards the end of 2025 ULL SPRINGBOK SQUAD: Forwards: Cameron Hanekom, Wilco Louw, Ruan Nortje, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls), Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Neethling Fouche, Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Renzo du Plessis, Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams (Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie (Bulls), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse (Stormers), Quan Horn, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe (Lions), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT). 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)
The South African
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Springboks: Injury list, recovery timelines
As the Springboks' 2025 season draws ever closer, a group of 54 players will take part in a variety of upcoming preparation sessions as the national team gears up for the international season, which kicks off on 28 June against the Barbarians. Five players were not considered for the alignment camp due to injuries, though, namely Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie, and Trevor Nyakane. Frans Malherbe: The World Cup winner has been battling with a niggling back injury since late March, and he is likely to miss the remainder of the Stormers' season. There is a chance he could be rested for the July internationals, but should certainly be readily available for the Rugby Championship. Elrigh Louw: The youngster is recovering from a serious leg injury, and will unfortunately be out of action for the whole year. Ben-Jason Dixon: The versatile forward is currently sidelined with a wrist injury, and indications are he will remain unavailable for the rest of the domestic season. He will miss the July internationals, but could be back in contention during the Rugby Championship. Deon Fourie: The Springbok stalwart is out for at least three months due to a serious ankle injury. He should be back in training before the Rugby Championship, but considering he turns 39 in September, it does seem likely that the national coaches will now be looking at younger, long-term player investments. Trevor Nyakane: Another veteran who unfortunately may have his Springbok days behind him. Currently recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, it seems unlikely that the 36-year-old will be available this year. 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)
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
The South African
23-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Springbok injury crisis? Forget about it!
As the Springboks head towards the 2025 season, the news of long-term injuries to Jasper Wiese and Elrigh Louw would have certainly raised some concerns around the No 8 position. However, the Springbok coaches may also view it as an opportunity to expand their depth at the back of the scrum, and it may well lead to an extended run for someone like up-and-coming youngster Cameron Hanekom. Hanekom earned his first Test cap at the end of last year, and has continued to impress for the Bulls with regularity, while another talented youngster Ruan Venter – who also debuted for the Springboks last year – could also come into the mix. And besides other options such as asking veterans Kwagga Smith or Siya Kolisi to do a job at No 8, there is suddenly a serious resurgence in form from Stormers star Evan Roos. After bursting onto the scene a couple of years ago with standout performances, there has more recently been some concerns that perhaps Roos was never going to reach his full potential, A serious injury last year also didn't help his cause, but the 25-year-old has been back to his best in recent weeks, and suddenly the Springboks should feel increasingly confident of handing him some more Test caps. 'I was gone long enough that I think people forgot about me, so they're not marking me like they used to!' the Stormers No 8 said this week. 'But it's been a smooth run back with no complications. I think the six months off (due to injury) did me good. I really came back motivated, rejuvenated and energised to play again. 'One of the reasons why I'm doing better than usual is because I'm really enjoying being in the moment, staying in the present, and trying to do my best for the Stormers. I'm not too worried about things in the future. I just control what I can control. The rest is not in my hands, it's in someone else's hands. 'Bottom line, I'm just really enjoying playing rugby again. I was gone for half a year and it does put things into perspective. I'm really blessed to be back.' 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.
