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The South African
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Springboks: Major injury worry emerges
The Springboks will soon get their season under way with a 'warm-up' fixture of sorts against the Barbarians on 28 June, followed by the July Tests against Italy and Georgia. With Elrigh Louw injured and Jasper Wiese having missed much of the domestic season due to injury, there was already some debate over the depth and options at No 8. Young Bulls star Cameron Hanekom has been in top form, and it was thought that he could be a strong contender for more international game-time this season, but there were very worrying signs that he might have picked up a serious injury in the URC semi-final against the Sharks. The 21-year-old will definitely miss the URC final, and there are concerns that he could be set for an extended period on the sidelines after leaving the field with what appeared to be a serious hamstring injury on Saturday. 'He's being given a scan. Obviously, he's very upset which is natural,' Bulls coach Jake White commented after the game. 'I told his parents earlier in the changeroom they must remember he is 21 [years old]. People forget when I started coaching 21-year-old forwards weren't invited to Bulls training. 'If they were it was generally for the old men to bash them on a Monday night [at training]. 'He has obviously jumped the line because he is so talented and he feels a bit down now, but we must not forget that he's just 21 years old. 'There's still a lot of rugby that he's going to be involved in over the next couple of years.' If Hanekom is now ruled out for the Springboks, Wiese will have a big job to do at No 8, while the door could also open for Juarno Augustus. 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). SPRINGBOKS' FIXTURES 28 June: vs Barbarians, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:05. 5 July: vs Italy, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. Kick off: 17:10. 12 July: vs Italy, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha. Kick off: 17:10. 19 July: vs Georgia, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Kick off: 17:10. 16 August: vs Australia, Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Kick off: 17:10. 23 August: vs Australia, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:10. 6 September: vs New Zealand, Auckland. Kick off: 09:05. 13 September: vs New Zealand, Wellington. Kick off: 09:05. 27 September: vs Argentina, Kings Park, Durban. Kick off: 17:10. 4 October: vs Argentina, London. Kick off: 15:00. 8 November: vs France, Paris. Kick off: TBD. 15 November: vs Italy, Turin. Kick off: TBD. 22 November: vs Ireland, Dublin. Kick off: 19:40. 29 November: vs Wales, Cardiff. Kick off: 17:10. 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
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Top Springbok makes timely return from injury
The Springboks sing the anthem. Image: SA Rugby website Home » Top Springbok makes timely return from injury The Springboks sing the anthem. Image: SA Rugby website Quite recently it was thought that No 8 Jasper Wiese and versatile forward Deon Fourie could be sidelined for the rest of the year due to injuries, but both players could be available in the next three to four months. In more good news, superstar Pieter-Steph du Toit is back in Japan with his club Toyota Verblitz following an extended spell on the sidelines due to shoulder surgery. Du Toit is yet to be re-registered to play by Verblitz with just two rounds left in League One, though, and so it will be interesting to see how things transpire, particularly as there is no doubt the Springboks would hope he receives some game-time before the international season rolls around. The World Cup-winning star has not played since November, and is in a race to get back up to speed before South Africa's first Test of the year against Italy on 5 July. 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 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. 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
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Three Springbok youngsters set for lots of game-time in 2025
The Springboks' 2025 Test season is fast approaching, and there is no doubt that the national coaches have big plans to continue blooding the next generation of talent. It's with this in mind that there are three players in particular who can expect to feature a lot more prominently this season. Cameron Hanekom Although the Springboks have received some good news that Jasper Wiese might be back in time for the July internationals, it still remains to be seen if he will really be suitably match fit after undergoing a neck operation. Besides Wiese's injury setback, Elrigh Louw has been ruled out for the season, and so there is almost certainly set to be an opportunity for Hanekom to add to his solitary Test cap from last year. He has been in great form for the Bulls, and all the signs suggest this could really be his breakthrough year on the Test stage. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu The 23-year-old was SA Rugby's Young Player of the Year in 2024, and there is no doubt he would have already added to his eight Tests caps if not for an injury that ruled him out of the end-of-year tour. In recent weeks, though, Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been in simply sensational form for the Stormers after settling in at flyhalf, which certainly seems to be the position where he will specialise. Suddenly at the peak of his powers, you can expect him to feature at 10 regularly for the Springboks this season if he can stay fit and on form. Jan-Hendrik Wessels Another player who has produced some mesmerising play in recent times for the Bulls, with the 23-year-old truly coming of age this season. Following the retirement of loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff, Wessels' consistent rise could not come at a better time for the Springboks, and he certainly looks set to enjoy plenty of game-time this season. It also can't be forgotten that besides playing at prop, he can also offer back up at hooker, which only adds to his all-round value. 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.
The South African
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Springbok news: Two big injury updates
Although the Springboks' season-opening fixture has yet to be confirmed, it's expected that they will get things under way with a 'friendly' of sorts against the Barbarians in June, before facing off against Italy and Georgia in July. Quite recently it was thought that No 8 Jasper Wiese and versatile forward Deon Fourie would be joining Elrigh Louw and Trevor Nyakane on the long-term injury list, but there has recently been a change in those circumstances. In a huge update from Sunday newspaper Rapport , it's now believed that Wiese could be back before the July internationals if all remains on track with his recovery from a neck injury. 'Hopefully I'll be ready by mid-June if everything goes well,' the World Cup-winning commented in news that will be music to the ears of the Springbok coaches. Meanwhile, Fourie took to social media on Thursday to state that his surgery was 'done and dusted', and that he would aim to be back after three months. 'Big thumbs up from the recovery room,' he wrote. 'If everything goes well I'll be back in 12 weeks doing what I love. Grateful for the incredible support around me and everyone's messages.' Although it's not likely that Fourie will form a big part of the Springboks' planning this season, it does add more options to their back up ranks in the forward pack. 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.
