Latest news with #LeightonKoopman
IOL News
24-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Cheslin Kolbe excited for first taste of rugby against Barbarians in Cape Town
Winger Cheslin Kolbe during the Springbok pre-season training camp in Johannesburg last week ahead of facing the Barbarians on Saturday. Image: BackpagePix Having not played against the Barbarians before, Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe is excited about the prospect of facing them this Saturday in Cape Town. There is no doubt that the flyer and his skillset would fit a Baabaas team like a glove should he play for them, but he will oppose the invitational side, known for their flair game, as part of the world champions at the DHL Stadium in the Mother City (5.10pm kick-off). Conditions might not suit a running affair in the Cape winter, but the Boks believe they can adapt to what is asked of them to start the 2025 international season with a victory over their 'unknown' opponents. #Springboks winger Cheslin Kolbe on their pre-season camp in Johannesburg and being taken to a 'dark place' by the Bok management as their prepare for the international season — Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) June 23, 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 ✕ 'I haven't played against the Baabaas before, but just watching them, they are a team that chucks the ball around on the field,' Kolbe said on Monday. "But they have quite a lot of experienced heads in their squad. "I'm sure it's for a reason, to keep a bit of calmness amongst the chaos. By nature, we are competitive no matter the team we play for. I am sure it will be a good week for them. We must just stay focused and in our environment to prepare as well as we can for what is to come this weekend.' #Springboks attack coach Tony Brown and Cheslin Kolbe discussing the intricacies of preparing for a team like the Barbarians ahead of Saturday's clash. — Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) June 23, 2025 According to Kolbe, the Boks vs Babaas clash looks like an exciting spectacle after he watched the two sides face each other in 2016, but he is not too bummed that they will treat it as a Test match. It means there will be little room for them to deviate from their game plan, as the Boks will look to set an early-season benchmark with their World Cup-winning blueprint. He added that they were properly put through their paces by head coach Rassie Erasmus and the returning Felix Jones during their pre-season camp in Johannesburg over the last two weeks. Kolbe, however, said it will aid the team looking at what awaits them for the rest of the year. 'It's great to be back in camp. We hadn't seen each other in six or seven months, so it was exciting to get together again. Being in Cape Town is a home away from home for me, so it's always great playing in the Mother City.' He's had some matches in the Japanese League One competition against his fellow Boks but added that the domestic season primed him for what is waiting on the international scene. The winger played against the likes of Kurt-Lee Arende, Kwagga Smith, Franco Mostert, Malcolm Marx, Damian de Allende, Lood de Jager, and Franco Mostert. Arendse's Dynaboars, Marx's Kubota Spears, and the trio of De Allende, De Jager and Mostert playing for the Wild Knights got the better of Kolbe's Suntory Sungoliath, the last match being a thrilling playoff game.
IOL News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Springboks prepare for Test-like clash against Barbarians in Cape Town
Springbok assistant coach Tony Brown says they will treat the clash against the Barbarians on Saturday in Cape Town as if it is a Test match. Image: BackpagePix The Springboks are treating the mid-year matches as four Tests, not a warm-up match and three Tests, as they start their international season against the Barbarians on Saturday in Cape Town. While the duel with the invitational side holds no status, Bok assistant coach Tony Brown says they won't fall into an unstructured game and are focused on staying within their game plan to start the year on a good footing. That means the Baabaas can expect a forwards-centred clash against the world champions and looking at the predicted wet weather, the conditions might favour the hosts at the DHL Stadium (5.10 pm kick-off). #Springboks attack coach Tony Brown says they are well aware of what's coming from the Barbarians this Saturday. "They have a style to uphold." — Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) June 23, 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 ✕ Brown, who was at the helm of the Boks' evolution on the attack last season, is hopeful the forwards can lay the platform to allow backs like Cheslin Kolbe to show their flair. However, they won't chuck the ball around blindly from the first whistle. For the South Africans, it's important to start this crucial season by laying a solid foundation in their first match of 2025. 'We see it as a Test match and we will play the game that way,' Brown said on Monday. #Springboks attack coach Tony Brown and Cheslin Kolbe discussing the intricacies of preparing for a team like the Barbarians ahead of Saturday's clash. — Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) June 23, 2025 'The Barbarians are a famous side worldwide. Everyone knows how they play, what they try to do and the style they must uphold as a Barbarians team. We are aware of what's coming. It is unpredictable rugby that you can't really prepare for. 'But if your awareness is high in what they are trying to do, we can prepare as well as we can. It is definitely a different challenge from what we normally would have (at the start of the season). They have always knocked over plenty of great sides over the years. 'The challenge is massive and that is exactly what we want for our first 'Test' of the year. It won't be Barbarians vs Barbarians; it will be Springboks vs Barbarians. Everything we do will be about how we play Test rugby and how we are going to win the game.' Tony Brown is under no illusions about Saturday's match against the @Barbarian_FC: 'For us, this is like a Test match' 💥#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold — Springboks (@Springboks) June 23, 2025
IOL News
22-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Junior Springboks face tough challenge in World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy
The Junior Springboks have unveiled a powerful 30-man squad for the 2025 World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Italy, with five returning players and several fresh faces ready to showcase South Africa's rugby depth on the world stage. Image: BackpagePix The Junior Springboks are aware of their pool of death for the World Rugby U20 Championship and that it will take a collective effort to reach the tournament's playoffs. Facing Australia, defending champions England and Scotland in Italy, they will have to win all their games to ensure that they make it out of the group stages to give them the best chance in the knockouts. However, they have experience from playing Australia, New Zealand and Argentina recently in the Rugby Championship on home soil and they feel they are way more prepared for the challenge after a strong build-up to the competition. The Junior Springboks will start the #WorldRugbyU20s campaign on Sunday vs Australia in Italy. Captain Riley Norton discusses expectations and dealing with pressure to bring a third title to SA after the #Springboks and Blitzboks' trophy wins — Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) June 22, 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 Next Stay Close ✕ South Africa's U20s are under some pressure to win the tournament for the first time since 2012, and after coming up short in two competitions hosted in the country, they are moving to Italy to try and turn their fortunes around. With South Africa holding the Rugby World Cup and World Rugby SVNS title, there could be additional pressure on the Junior Boks to perform and bring a third title to underscore SA's dominance on the international scene. According to captain Riley Norton, they don't view it as additional pressure to win but will take inspiration from the success of the senior South African sides when they start the tournament in Turin. Kevin Foote on the #JuniorBoks' preparations: 'The players have been in great spirits despite the hard push' - more here: ✅#JourneyToGreatness — SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) June 18, 2025 'We are going there to express ourselves, so I don't think the pressure is on us,' Norton said. 'The team is well prepared, and we are backing ourselves and the gameplan. We are in an unbelievable position to play rugby and to inspire the next generation. That pressure is not something we look at. "We know South Africans love winning and that will always be on your shoulders (if you represent the country), but we just want to go out there and do what we have trained and enjoy the moment. 'When we all enjoy it and love our rugby, that is when we play our best.'
The Star
20-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
How Rassie Erasmus plans to blend experience and youth for Springboks for 2027 Rugby World Cup
Leighton Koopman | Published 6 hours ago Should his plans fall in place, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus wants to use at least seven of the 14 rugby matches this year to keep his older guard fit and ready to continue playing at the highest level. With the other seven, he will be able to give the younger players more experience at the highest level ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, helping them achieve a target of at least 14 or 15 Test caps ahead of the tournament. The Boks are set to play 13 Tests this year, and will start the season with a friendly match against the Barbarians, next Saturday in Cape Town. An additional Test for later this year must still be confirmed by SA Rugby. Erasmus has said keeping his experienced guys fit and getting caps into the next generation as the goals for the next two seasons. He believes this approach will prepare them well for their title defence in Australia . However, he acknowledges the need to win and secure a top-three finish in the international rankings for a better World Cup draw. 'The main thing this year is to win, and to hopefully be in a good position for that draw at the end of the year,' Erasmus said this past week. 'We have 14 confirmed games. 'That means if we can get the older guys playing in six or seven of them, and then give the medium to younger guys also six or seven and do the same next year, we should have enough depth for the World Cup.' The Springboks finished their second week of training in Johannesburg before the season-opener against the Barbarians at the Cape Town Stadium. They will move to the Mother City this weekend and start their final preparation for the Baabaas on Monday. The world champions will also face Italy in double Tests (July 5 and 12 in Pretoria and Gqeberha) and Georgia a week later in Mbombela. Asked if the Barbarians, Italians and Georgians will provide the strongest test before defending their Rugby Championship crown later this year, Erasmus said they were looking forward to measuring themselves especially at scrum-time against the European sides. Both are known for their powerful set-pieces, and it will be a perfect opportunity for the Boks to blend some experienced forwards with younger players. Defensively, the Baabaas with their traditional flair, will be a stern test to the Boks' defensive structures, and coach Robbie Deans has already confirmed former All Black captain Sam Cane and Irish legends Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray will make the trip to SA. 'A lot of people will assume that they will be easy teams, but it will be a slap in the face of those guys,' Erasmus said about underestimating them. 'We know the Barbarians from 2018, and the names I am seeing, it will really be a great test to get some guys in. 'It will be tough enough and it's in Cape Town, so there is no altitude. They will have more endurance. 'Italy and what we have analysed, they stayed in the fight in some of their games during the Six Nations. Their defence was really good. 'We drive our own standards, but we know if you are a little bit off (against them)... And I can remember when Italy beat South Africa. That feeling I can remember. 'We will be worried not to fall into that trap.'
The Star
20-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Handré Pollard's return: Can the Bulls finally claim URC glory?
Leighton Koopman | Published 8 hours ago Comment by Leighton Koopman The Bulls' 32-7 defeat in the final of the United Rugby Championship against Leinster was a bitter pill to swallow for supporters, but making it to a third final in four seasons shows that they are not that far off from a title-winning campaign. With a core of experienced Springboks in their midst, the return of Handré Pollard in the flyhalf position, Jan Serfontein coming back as a vastly experienced centre and some exciting young players, the Pretoria outfit will be able to call on more experienced stars than ever before next year. While there is no shame in losing to a better team, and Leinster were streets ahead of the Loftus side, there will be questions around the Bulls if they can't claim silverware next season, especially with director of rugby Jake White looking to make some key adjustments in the off-season. Firstly, squad depth remains a concern for White, and he stated it again in his post-match press conference following the final last Saturday at Croke Park in Dublin. But he was the most successful South African coach when it came to rotating his team. He ensured he had players fit to take up positions when needed. But injuries to key players had a big influence towards the end of their tournament. Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw were out for the final and the latter stages of the competition respectively, and the dynamic duo were vital cogs in a physical, yet mobile loose trio of the Bulls. Hanekom's loss in the final was massive, as was the absence of Kurt-Lee Arendse as well. They need to have like-for-like replacements for their important players. Secondly, the Bulls must tighten up their discipline and defensive structures. Leinster found it too easy at times to circumvent their tacklers, and the space they left at the back allowed their opponents' attack to thrive. Three tries in just 23 minutes effectively sealed the game for the home side, and there was no coming back from that 19-0 deficit. Too many penalties due to ill-discipline and missed tackles cost them, and if they can eliminate some of those unforced errors, it will help them keep their footing in crunch games. With the addition of Pollard and Serfontein, their backline will also see some calmer heads. The Bulls' game management in pressure situations, especially in that final, was poor and cost them. Pollard's ability to control the tempo and territory under pressure will be critical. He kicks consistently well and brings additional leadership on the field. He will be that calming influence they dearly need. With strategic acquisitions to the squad, improved discipline on defence and better game management, the Bulls will be able to finally shed their dreaded URC bridesmaid tag in 2026. The missing puzzle pieces are almost in place for White's side. It's now only for them to seize the opportunity to make it their year when the new season starts in September.
