Latest news with #Loftus
The Citizen
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Bulls sign Bok lock
The 32-year-old previously spent time at Loftus between 2014 and 2016 before stints with the Lions, Stormers and Ospreys. DOMONT, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 19: Marvin Orie of South Africa during the South Africa men's national rugby team training session at Stade des Fauvettes on September 19, 2023 in Domont, France. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images) The Vodacom Bulls have reportedly secured the services of a Springbok world champion and URC title-winning lock. According to Rapport, the Bulls are poised to bring lock Marvin Orie back to Pretoria as part of a sweeping recruitment drive ahead of the 2025 Currie Cup. Orie, who last played for the Boks at the 2023 World Cup, is set to join from French club Perpignan. The 32-year-old previously spent time at Loftus between 2014 and 2016 before stints with the Lions, Stormers and Ospreys. He is one of several names linked to the Bulls' squad revamp. Loose forward Jeandre Rudolph is also tipped to return to Loftus, having decided to leave the Cheetahs following their SA Cup campaign. Former Junior Bok, Western Province and Zebre lock Dylan de Leeuw (23) is reportedly another recruit who has been training with the Bulls for the past two months while recovering from injury. These additions reinforce a Bulls intake that reportedly includes the arrival of Handre Pollard, Jan Serfontein, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg and Paul de Wet in July. This story was first published on It is republished here with permission.
The Herald
a day ago
- General
- The Herald
Ice-cool Davids kicks Sharks into URC semifinal
The Sharks dug deep, some forceful play from the pack, allowed for some slick handling by the backs with Aphelele Fassi touching down next to the posts. By that stage the Sharks were well in the ascendancy, their bench making a greater impact and it was one of those, front-rower Fez Mbatha, who burst through to give the Sharks the lead. Munster, who won three playoff matches on the road when they claimed the title two years ago, showed great resolve, with veteran Conor Murray coming off the bench to land a 45m penalty to tie the scores. Extra time matched the dire first half in terms of quality, with the match eventually reaching its unusual conclusion and ensuring the Sharks have to make a trip north to Loftus next week to take on the Bulls. Scorers Sharks 24 (0): Tries — Ethan Hooker, Aphelele Fassi, Fez Mbatha. Conversions — Jaden Hendrickse (3). Penalty — Jaden Hendrickse Munster 24 (7): Tries — Calvin Nash, Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Kilgallen. Conversions — Jack Crowley (3). Penalty — Conor Murray * Sharks won kicking contest 6-4
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Van Der Merwe out as Ritchie starts for Edinburgh in quarter-final
Duhan van der Merwe misses out on Edinburgh's URC quarter-final against Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday as head coach Sean Everitt makes just one Van Der Merwe, who has been sidelined since March with ankle ligament damage, has resumed training and is with the squad in South Everitt said: "He's probably still a few days away from being ready to return to full match action. We're managing his return carefully to ensure he's fully prepared when he does step back onto the field."Jamie Ritchie, who will join Perpignan this summer, starts at blindside flanker as Ben Muncaster drops to the bench from the team that beat Ulster to clinch a play-off spot."We know the Bulls are always a massive physical threat, especially here at Loftus," added Everitt."To compete, and to win, we will need to be at our absolute very best. That means bringing passion and intensity, but crucially, it also demands composure and clinical discipline for the full 80 minutes."Edinburgh XV to face Bulls: Goosen, Graham, Currie, Lang, Paterson, Thompson, Price, Schoeman, Ashman, Rae, Sykes, Skinner, Ritchie, Watson, BradburyReplacements: Harrison, Venter, Sebastian, McConnell, Muncaster, McAlpine, Healy, Bennett.
The Herald
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Sundowns, undisputed kings of Premiership, lift trophy in style again
With a Champions League final first leg less than a week away, Mamelodi Sundowns could not go on all cylinders, but put on an exhibition match for their home supporters seeing off Magesi FC 2-0 in their final, trophy-lifting 2024-25 Betway Premiership clash. Downs play the first leg of the Caf Champions League final against Pyramids FC at Loftus on Saturday (the second leg is in Cairo on June 1), so could not, as per tradition, end the Premiership season along with all the other sides in the coming Saturday's final round. They had wrapped up their remarkable, record-extending eighth successive title in midweek at any rate, so Sunday's last league clash at Loftus predominantly served as celebration purposes and for the new Betway sponsorship era trophy to be presented. Lucas Ribeiro's brace in the fourth and 22nd minutes gave Downs a comfortable early lead that provided them the luxury of controlling the remainder of the clash with relative ease — exactly how the Pretoria side would have liked things, with the continental final on their minds.
TimesLIVE
17-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Bulls to do it for Cornal Hendricks in URC clash against Dragons
Loftus will be tinged with sadness during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship clash against Dragons on Saturday as they mourn the death of former Bok winger Cornal Hendricks. Hendricks, who died at the age of 37 on Wednesday in his hometown of Wellington, concluded his contract with the Bulls at the end of the 2024 after six years in the capital city. 'Saturday is going to be an emotional encounter for sure because many of our players knew Cornal. Others like Willie (Le Roux), were with him from the start of their careers to their international days,' said Bulls coach Jake White. 'Whether we talk about it or try not to, I am confident that the emotions will be high tomorrow because he was a player that was well-liked. This is a game where we want to do well. 'It would be naive of us to think it will be an easy game, and we must make sure we play as well as we can, looking at the coming weeks. These types of opponents, sometimes, are the most dangerous because they play knowing they do not need to leave anything in the tank.' Forever in our hearts 💙 Rest in peace 🪽 — Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) May 15, 2025 White added they still have to be professional and try to win a rugby match. 'This is one of those games that if you arrive thinking you are going to win, that mindset can come back to bite you.' Later in the day (5.15pm), Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen will rely on Lubabalo Dobela to spearhead his attack when they take on Welsh side Ospreys at Ellis Park. The nifty flyhalf, formerly with the Griquas, will relish the opportunity to start this weekend after making a few cameos in recent matches. Elsewhere, Ruan Venter continues his role in the number four jumper while Saturday also sees the return of loose-head prop Juan Schoeman. Speedster Edwill van der Merwe and centre Marius Louw (off the bench) will make their final appearances in Lions colours on Saturday after immense contributions in seasons past. Centre Henco van Wyk returns at outside centre after being a last-minute omission last week due to illness. Speaking ahead of this weekend's clash, tight-head prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye said it is important to end the season on a positive note especially for teammates Van der Merwe and Louw. 'This weekend is an opportunity for us to send off some guys on a positive note and play high-quality rugby,' said Ntlabakanye. 'For Edwill and Marius who are leaving, we must send them off well. They have been great servants to the Lions. We need to put on a spectacle for them and end the season off on a high note,' he concluded. The Sharks will round off this weekend's action when they host the Scarlets at Kings Park Stadium at 7.30pm. There is strong motivation for this game as they chase a winning performance because if Leinster defeat Glasgow Warriors, it will guarantee them third place on the log that comes with a home quarterfinal. Coach John Plumtree has freshened up his pack with four changes, but retained his backs, opting for continuity and growth of a dangerous and exciting backline. Bulls v Dragons: 1. Jan-hendrik Wessels, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Mornay Smith, 4. Cobus Wiese, 5. JF van Heerden, 6. Kuyenzeka Nama Xaba, 7. Ruan Nortje (c), 8. Cameron Hanekom, 9. Zak Burger, 10. Keagan Johannes, 11. Sergeal Petersen, 12. David Kriel, 13. Canan Moodie, 14. Sebastian de Klerk, 15. Willie le Roux Substitutes: 16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Jannes Kirsten, 20. Marcell Coetzee, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Stedman Gans, 23. Devon Williams Lions v Ospreys: 1. Juan Schoeman, 2. Jaco Visagie (c), 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 4. Ruan Venter, 5. Ruan Delport, 6. JC Pretorius, 7. Renzo du Plessis, 8. Jarod Cairns, 9. Nico Steyn, 10. Lubabalo Dobela, 11. Edwill van der Merwe, 12. Bronson Mills, 13. Henco van Wyk, 14. Richard Kriel, 15. Quan Horn Substitutes: 16. Morne Brandon, 17. SJ Kotze, 18. RF Schoeman, 19. Izan Esterhuizen, 20. WJ Steenkamp, 21. Layton Horn, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Kelly Mpeku Sharks v Scarlets: 1. Ox Nche, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 3. Vincent Koch, 4. Eben Etzebeth (C), 5. Emile van Heerden, 6. Tino Mavesere, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 10. Siya Masuku, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 12. André Esterhuizen, 13. Jurenzo Julius, 14. Ethan Hooker, 15. Aphelele Fassi Substitutes: 16. Fez Mbatha, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Jason Jenkins, 20. Nick Hatton, 21. Bradley Davids, 22. Francois Venter. 23. Yaw Penxe
