Latest news with #EvardiBoshoff
Wales Online
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Wales duo go for glory and South African signs for Welsh region
Today's rugby news as Wales duo go for glory and South African signs for Welsh region The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond Evardi Boshoff has signed permanently for the Ospreys (Image: Charle Lombard/) Here are your rugby morning headlines for Saturday, June 14. Ospreys seal permanent deal for impressive South African The Ospreys have signed South African centre Evardi Boshoff on a permanent basis following two successful loan spells. The 26-year-old initially joined the Ospreys on loan for the second-half of the 23/24 campaign, before spending last season on loan with them as well. Having made 23 appearances for the club, his performances quickly made him a fan favourite. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. 'I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to re-join the Ospreys," said Boshoff. "I'm looking forward to having a full season with this group and reconnecting with the fans who have been great since I first came here. 'I've really enjoyed life in Wales, the people here are so welcoming and the boys in the team have always made myself and Dan (Kasende) feel at home. This is a special club and it's a privilege to be a part of.' Ospreys head coach Mark Jones added: 'Evardi is both a talented and dedicated player who has already proven his ability at this level, so we're really appreciative that the Toyota Cheetahs have allowed us to sign him on a permanent basis. Article continues below 'I was really impressed with how he stepped up to the plate for us last season. With the injury to Owen (Watkin), he had to play a lot of rugby and with that came increased responsibility. 'We've seen in the past how much he can contribute on and off the field, and his return not only brings a familiarity to our backline, but also some valuable experience amongst it as well.' England stars set for Twickenham farewell as Wales duo target silverware Leicester Tigers have named an unchanged 23-man squad for Saturday's Premiership final against Bath at the Allianz Stadium as two Welshmen go for silverware. England duo Dan Cole and Ben Youngs will both make their final career appearance off the bench, while departing Tigers Julian Montoya and Handre Pollard both start. In the pack, in-form former Ospreys back-row Olly Cracknell partners Wales international Tommy Reffell and Hanro Liebenberg at the back of the scrum, with Lions tourist Ollie Chessum lining up alongside Cameron Henderson in the second-row. In the front-row, Wales prop Nicky Smith starts on the loosehead, with Joe Heyes the other side of captain Montoya. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free In the backs, Michael Cheika - coaching his final game for the Tigers after just one year in charge - has the likes of Freddie Steward, Adam Radwan, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Jack van Poortvliet on hand to strengthen their bid for the Premiership title. Star fly-half Finn Russell has overcome his injury concern to start as Bath go in search of a first Premiership title since 1996. The British and Irish Lions tourist was a slight doubt for the final after limping off in last Friday's semi-final win over Bristol, but he has been deemed fully fit to feature in the number 10 jersey. Welsh back-row addresses Test future Welsh back-row Carwyn Tuipulotu has addressed his Test future after committing to stay in France with Section Paloise. The former Scarlets No. 8 left Llanelli midway through the season to join the Top 14 outfit, signing a new deal with the club on Thursday to stay for two more years. Following his decision to stay in France, he admitted he still harbours ambitions to play for Wales. 'Right now, I am uncapped, which leaves me qualified to play for other nations like Tonga or England," he told RugbyPass. "It has always been an ambition of mine to play for Wales, but at this stage of my career is vital that I play more games, something that I wasn't getting on the Scarlets setup. "I hope I can shape up to be the player that Wales needs, as they need ball carriers and people who can take the ball forward.' He added: 'I do miss home, but obviously it was the right time to leave. I had gone a bit complacent, and I needed a new challenge. I want to change the perception that some fans have of me, to show that I can be the player they expected me to be. 'I would advise players who are in the same position as I was to take the leap and come to France if they have the chance. It is a great environment and experience. For me, I left my comfort zone and was able to enjoy rugby again. It was the challenge I needed to come out of my shell. I can now become my own man and player. Thanks to Pau, I have matured and became a different player.' Dawson urges Lions to tour France British and Irish Lions great Matt Dawson says they would be 'insane' not to organise a full tour to France. The Lions are understood to be open to expansion, but so far, that would appear to mean a one-off fixture against France ahead of the next tour to New Zealand in 2029. But former England scrum-half Dawson - who toured with the Lions to all three of the southern hemisphere giants during his playing career - says a full-on tour of France should be explored. 'If that doesn't happen at some stage that is probably going to be one of the greatest sporting misses ever,' Dawson told The Times. 'It would be insane not to do a Lions tour of France and to put it on the roster. I know that upsets the apple cart and there is significant revenue every 12 years for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa at the moment. But this is about broadening the game. 'The Lions in France could catapult the game globally into a different stratosphere. I think it could be that important, and hopefully the southern hemisphere sides will understand. Do we do it every three years? I don't know, but that would be the magic step for me. Article continues below 'All of a sudden it opens up the Lions to millions of people that have got no chance of watching the Lions. I bet you a lot of French people would love to go on a Lions tour. And imagine how many people from Britain and Ireland love watching on television but never in their wildest dreams could they think that they are going to go down to the southern hemisphere. [Going to France] would be off the charts. What a tour.'
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Ospreys sign South African Boshoff on permanent deal
Centre Evardi Boshoff will rejoin Ospreys from Toyota Cheetahs on a permanent deal for the 2025-26 first joined the Ospreys on loan for the second half of the 2023-24 season and returned for a second loan spell the following 26-year-old South African has made a total of 23 appearances for Ospreys during his previous loan spells."I'm looking forward to having a full season with this group and reconnecting with the fans who have been great since I first came here," Boshoff said."I've really enjoyed life in Wales, the people here are so welcoming …. This is a special club and it's a privilege to be a part of."Ospreys head coach Mark Jones said: "Evardi is both a talented and dedicated player who has already proven his ability at this level."I was really impressed with how he stepped up to the plate for us last season."We've seen in the past how much he can contribute on and off the field, and his return not only brings a familiarity to our backline, but also some valuable experience amongst it as well."
