Latest news with #MalcolmMarx
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Malcolm Marx extends Japanese stay
Malcolm Marx has reportedly penned a new deal with the Kubota Spears, which will see the two-time Springbok world champion continue to power the Japanese club until June 2027. The 30-year-old, who missed out on winning a second title in Japan following Sunday's League One final defeat by Toshiba Brave Lupus, has made more than 30 appearances for the Spears since 2021. #BREAKING Malcolm Marx has extended his contract with Kubota Spears until June 2027#rugbyjp — (@rugbyjpcom) June 2, 2025 He linked up with the Frans Ludeke-coached outfit in 2020 from fellow Japanese outfit NTT Shining Arcs, who the hulking front-ranker joined after five years with the Lions in South Africa. SAFFAS ABROAD: Pollard powers Tigers to playoffs One of the original members of the Bomb Squad that helped South Africa win the 2019 world cup, Marx wrestled the Bok No 2 jumper away from Bongi Mbonambi in 2023 before a serious knee injury in a pool clash against Scotland ruled him out for the rest of the tournament. Marx is widely considered the best hooker on the planet, and is as good as any specialist fetcher over the ball as well as a threat on attack – the Germiston-born rake is the top try-scorer among forwards in Bok history (21 tries in 76 Tests). The post Marx extends Japanese stay appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The South African
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Wales-based rugby star: Springbok dream burns brightly
When looking at the Springboks' squad, the one position where they undoubtedly need to build some depth is at hooker. As we saw at the last World Cup when Malcolm Marx was injured, the Springboks had to turn to veteran utility forward Deon Fourie to serve as the back-up hooker to Bongi Mbonambi despite the fact he wasn't a specialist in this position. With this in mind, Marnus van der Merwe – who has made a massive impact since moving from the Cheetahs to Wales-based Scarlets – could be a bolter who comes into the picture. The Nelspruit-born forward was selected for the Springboks' wider alignment camp in February of last year, and the 28-year-old readily admits that playing international rugby remains a big ambition. 'I think as a child, any South African watching the game, with the Springboks doing well, everyone wants to play for that team, just like people in Wales who grew up watching their team,' he says. 'So everyone wants to play for their nation. It's definitely a thing I am going for, but I focus on the next thing which is helping the Scarlets where I can. 'Then, through that, I hope the Springbok coaches can see what I bring and see that I have the talent to be there. 'My goal is to get into international rugby. Everyone hopes for that. I just go out and play the best I can every single day. Hopefully that's enough.' 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 Citizen
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘Jan-Hendrik Wessels must be Springboks' next hooker'
He's big and physical, like Bismarck du Plessis and Malcolm Marx, said former national team scrum coach Matthew Proudfoot. Is Jan-Hendrik Wessels South African rugby's next great hooker? According to former Springbok scrum coach and Scotland prop Matt Proudfoot, the 23-year-old utility front-row man from the Bulls should be groomed to wear the Springbok No 2 jumper in future. Wessels has long been considered something of a rugby prodigy, mainly because of his size and speed, and the fact he can play prop and hooker, and Proudfoot says he's the man to take over from Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx when the two Springbok double World Cup winners eventually call it quits. Mbonambi is already 34 while Marx is 30. At the last World Cup in France, the Springboks backed flanker Deon Fourie as their third-choice hooker, with Marco van Staden, also a flanker, as a backup. Other players to have been given a go at hooker at international level in recent times include Johan Grobbelaar, Joseph Dweba and Andre-Hugo Venter. 'Big and physical' Wessels, too, won a first Springbok cap last season and while comfortable in the No 1 jersey, Proudfoot says the Bulls man's future is at hooker. 'I've been asked before, and I'd play him at hooker,' Proudfoot, who's worked with the Boks and England forwards in recent times, told SportsBoom. 'If you look at Bismarck du Plessis and Malcolm Marx, South Africa's always done well with big, physical hookers. 'With Bongi Mbonambi nearing retirement, no one is really putting up their hand yet. We have enough good props. I'd prepare Wessels as a hooker.' Also able to play loosehead prop The Bulls man delivered arguably the best performance of his senior career recently when he helped his team beat Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun in a URC match at the end of April. Afterwards teammates referred to him as a new Os du Randt, the former Springbok World Cup-winning loosehead prop from 1995 and 2007. Bulls boss Jake White also said: 'I don't want to single out any player but he epitomised for me how we can do back-to-back efforts because that is what he did today and his back-to-back efforts were outstanding.' The good news is Wessels is equally happy at loosehead prop and with Steven Kitshoff being forced into retirement because of injury, the Boks will be looking for new No 1s to back up the likes of Ox Nche and Gerhard Steenekamp. The Bulls are back in action in the URC this weekend, with Cardiff visiting Loftus on Saturday at 4pm.
IOL News
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Springbok's Malcolm Marx takes a break: family fun and cherry blossoms in Japan
Known for its stunning beaches and vibrant culture, Okinawa served as the perfect backdrop for the Marx family's holiday. In an Easter celebration filled with family and adventure, Springbok player Malcolm Marx gave fans a glimpse into his recent getaway to Okinawa, one of Southern Japan's most famed islands. Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Taking to Instagram, Marx shared a heartfelt post showcasing moments from their trip, captioning it, "Special time with the family in Okinawa📍." The images revealed the breathtaking scenery and the cherished time they spent together, showing the athlete's commitment to family alongside his rugby career. Wife Kirsten Marx shared a more detailed narrative of their vacation through her social media, inviting fans into their adventures. Among the highlights, the family experienced Japan's famous cherry blossom season, known as Sakura, at Tokyo's Ueno park which adorned the landscape with pink petals, a spectacle that delights both the young and old. Alongside their enchanting visits to the cherry blossoms, the family explored well-known locales such as Harajuku, a district celebrated for its eclectic fashion and vibrant youth culture as well as Odaiba, a futuristic man-made island in Tokyo Bay known for its entertainment and shopping attractions. Back in Okinawa, the family indulged in leisure as they swam in the crystal-clear blue waters and basked under the sun, creating memories that will undoubtedly last a lifetime.
