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IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
This week on The Last Word on Rugby podcast: Springboks vs Wallabies, Rassie's bold call
Flyhalf Manie Libbok could be the attacking weapon the Springboks need to put the Wallabies to the sword on Saturday at Ellis Park in the first Rugby Championship Test. The battle is set: Springboks vs Wallabies ... and Rassie Erasmus has named his squad. But what's the real story behind the team sheet? What's brewing in the Bok camp? And how are the Aussies shaping up? This week, The Last Word on Rugby Podcast dives deep into one of the most talked-about matchups of the season with no punches pulled. Hosted by top Independent Media rugby writer Leighton Koopman, alongside a rotating panel of SA's most seasoned rugby journalists, such as Mike Greenaway and John Goliath, The Last Word on Rugby is a weekly dose of insider information on the games. This is rugby storytelling from the inside. Imagine sitting around a braai with guys who eat, sleep and write rugby for a living. Real opinions. Real insight. Zero fluff. Each episode breaks down the big moments, the tactical shifts, the off-field politics and the player performances that matter - from the Springboks to the Bulls, Sharks, Stormers and Lions. And this week, the spotlight's on: Rassie's squad: Genius selections or gamble? Can the Wallabies pull off a surprise? What the Boks need to get right before facing the All Blacks Here is a snippet from this week's podcast where Mike Greenaway who has been writing about rugby for 30 years discusses the team selection.
South Wales Argus
06-08-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Children want more time to play and adults to be less grumpy about it
The survey coincided with Playday, an annual awareness day emphasising the importance and value of play in youngsters' lives, which takes place today (August 6). About 8,000 children and teenagers in Wales took part in the survey, which revealed 5,477 children and teenagers play outside at least a few days each week but 37 per cent of disabled children were more likely to never or hardly ever play out. Almost a quarter (24 per cent) of children and teenagers across Wales said they do not have enough time to play and would like more opportunities. More than 1,000 children and teenagers also said adults were grumpy about them playing out in their neighbourhoods. Mike Greenaway, director of Play Wales, said: 'Many of today's grandparents will have fond memories of growing up in a time when children played outside, in and around their neighbourhoods with friends. "This is what everyone did. When they were children the environment around their homes held a magic where they could play. Although there are more cars on the road now, that magic is still there if only children are allowed out to discover it. "Children living and playing in Wales tell us that having good spaces to play with friends near where they live is really important to them. "Their requests for more tolerance and time to play are reasonable asks and all adults should be looking at ways to make it easier for children to play – everyday, like their grandparents did."
South Wales Argus
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
International Day of Play: children across Wales celebrate
The global celebration on June 11, organised by the United Nations, highlights the importance of play in children's lives and recognises it as a fundamental right. This year's theme is Choose Play – Everyday. Play Wales has partnered with IPA Cymru Wales and IPA Japan to create a short film that captures children playing in both countries and sharing their thoughts on play. Marianne Mannello, branch secretary of IPA Cymru Wales, said: "2025 is the Welsh Government's Year of Wales and Japan, so it seemed right for IPA Cymru Wales to collaborate with the Japanese branch of International Play Association. "We wanted our collaboration to be as child-centred as possible, so we were delighted when IPA Japan agreed to partner with us to produce a child-led film. "The finished product, filmed by branch members across both countries, highlights the joy that playing brings to children." Mike Greenaway, director of Play Wales, said: "Most children will be at school today, so we are encouraging all schools to choose play by ensuring that every child has plenty of time to play during the school day, on International Day of Play, and every day."
The Star
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Bulls, Sharks to serve another epic at Loftus
A BULLS v Sharks knockout/playoff clash will always be one for the ages and the United Rugby Championship semi-final between the two at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday at 6.15pm, is sure serve another epic storyline. Judging by the quarter-final scorelines, Bulls beat Edinburgh 42-33 while Sharks had to be clinical in the penalty shootout to go past Munster after a 24-24 extra time draw, there is no denying the home side a favourite's tag. The good news for South African rugby is that Mzansi already has a team in the final. Independent Newspapers rugbby writers Mike Greenaway and Leighton Koopman look at which side will win and why. WHY THE BULLS WILL WIN Leighton Koopman As South Africa's form side in the United Rugby Championship, boosted by home advantage and team that peaked at the right time of the year, the Bulls are in the inside lane to win the semi-final against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday evening. Their dominating scrum and physical forwards will give them the edge over the Sharks who had a thing of late to only arrive in the second half. While the competition at scrum time will be the perfect test of strength versus strength, it's the Bulls' overpowering scrum that will drive the visitors into submission. While there is an all-Bok front row for the Sharks too, tighthead Wilco Louw has been a destroyer up front and Nche will have a hard time keeping him in check. And on the other side, the young Jan-Hendrik Wessels will stand strong against veteran Vincent Koch. Then, the superiority of the Bulls in the lineout will outshine their opponents. Captain Ruan Nortjé will lick his lips at poaching balls but also securing them longside JF van Heerden and Cobus Wiese. The Sharks losing Eben Etzebeth and Jason Jenkins will be music to the ears of the Bulls' lineout. It is a risk bringing Johan Goosen back from injury and dropping him straight into the starting side, but he can pull the strings to set the backline running. Along with fullback Willie le Roux, they can open the gaps to set the likes of Canan Moodie and Sebastian de Klerk away. De Klerk and Moodie's prowess under the high kicks, and there will be plenty up and unders coming from Goosen and scrumhalf Embrose Papier. The Bulls' overall gameplan, they vary their tactics way better than the Sharks, should see them be too strong for their visitors, and they will progress to another final. WHY THE SHARKS WILL WIN Mike Greenaway The Sharks are a team tailor-made for high-pressure knockout games. John Plumtree has created a culture where the team loves to triumph over adversity. The Sharks have won their last six games without reaching anywhere near their potential. They are a dogged side that enjoys pulling the contest down into the trenches for unarmed combat. It won't worry them in the slightest that they are not scoring tries. Any way to the winner's podium will do, and if that means leaving the cork in the champagne rugby approach, so be it. The Bulls have been scoring an average of five tries per game at Loftus as their impressive backs cash in on the sparkling possession coming their way, but semi-finals and finals are different beasts. The pressure cranks up; defences get tighter; the aerial game is preferred to adventurous attack. All of this suits the Sharks and their street-fighter approach. They will drag the Bulls into an arm wrestle. This is the way the Sharks have been playing all season. In a sense, they have been playing finals rugby for most of the URC. There is also the significant fact that they have seven double World Cup-winning Springboks in their team, including four in their pack. Even without Etzebeth and Jenkins, this is a Sharks pack that can stand up to the Bulls. Leading them is Siya Kolisi. The Springbok captain's experience of making good decisions in the heat of battle will stand the Sharks in good stead, while his inspired move from flank to No 8 allows for Plumtree to pick a genuine fetcher in James Venter and an exceptional blindside flank in Vincent Tshituka, who was recently called up to the Springbok squad. It means the Sharks have an underrated loose trio to go with a solid tight five, so the Sharks' backs will get their fair share of decent possession. There is also the nagging suspicion that the Sharks' backline could click when it matters most. There are too many superstars in that back division for cohesion to evade them much longer.
IOL News
07-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Bulls, Sharks to serve another epic at Loftus
THE Loftus crowd will add colour to the epic semi-final clash between the Bulls and the Sharks. | BACKPAGEPIX A BULLS v Sharks knockout/playoff clash will always be one for the ages and the United Rugby Championship semi-final between the two at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday at 6.15pm, is sure serve another epic storyline. Judging by the quarter-final scorelines, Bulls beat Edinburgh 42-33 while Sharks had to be clinical in the penalty shootout to go past Munster after a 24-24 extra time draw, there is no denying the home side a favourite's tag. The good news for South African rugby is that Mzansi already has a team in the final. Independent Newspapers rugbby writers Mike Greenaway and Leighton Koopman look at which side will win and why. WHY THE BULLS WILL WIN Leighton Koopman As South Africa's form side in the United Rugby Championship, boosted by home advantage and team that peaked at the right time of the year, the Bulls are in the inside lane to win the semi-final against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday evening. Their dominating scrum and physical forwards will give them the edge over the Sharks who had a thing of late to only arrive in the second half. While the competition at scrum time will be the perfect test of strength versus strength, it's the Bulls' overpowering scrum that will drive the visitors into submission. While there is an all-Bok front row for the Sharks too, tighthead Wilco Louw has been a destroyer up front and Nche will have a hard time keeping him in check. And on the other side, the young Jan-Hendrik Wessels will stand strong against veteran Vincent Koch. Then, the superiority of the Bulls in the lineout will outshine their opponents. Captain Ruan Nortjé will lick his lips at poaching balls but also securing them longside JF van Heerden and Cobus Wiese. The Sharks losing Eben Etzebeth and Jason Jenkins will be music to the ears of the Bulls' lineout. It is a risk bringing Johan Goosen back from injury and dropping him straight into the starting side, but he can pull the strings to set the backline running. Along with fullback Willie le Roux, they can open the gaps to set the likes of Canan Moodie and Sebastian de Klerk away. De Klerk and Moodie's prowess under the high kicks, and there will be plenty up and unders coming from Goosen and scrumhalf Embrose Papier. The Bulls' overall gameplan, they vary their tactics way better than the Sharks, should see them be too strong for their visitors, and they will progress to another final. WHY THE SHARKS WILL WIN Mike Greenaway The Sharks are a team tailor-made for high-pressure knockout games. John Plumtree has created a culture where the team loves to triumph over adversity. The Sharks have won their last six games without reaching anywhere near their potential. They are a dogged side that enjoys pulling the contest down into the trenches for unarmed combat. It won't worry them in the slightest that they are not scoring tries. Any way to the winner's podium will do, and if that means leaving the cork in the champagne rugby approach, so be it. The Bulls have been scoring an average of five tries per game at Loftus as their impressive backs cash in on the sparkling possession coming their way, but semi-finals and finals are different beasts. The pressure cranks up; defences get tighter; the aerial game is preferred to adventurous attack. All of this suits the Sharks and their street-fighter approach. They will drag the Bulls into an arm wrestle. This is the way the Sharks have been playing all season. In a sense, they have been playing finals rugby for most of the URC. There is also the significant fact that they have seven double World Cup-winning Springboks in their team, including four in their pack. Even without Etzebeth and Jenkins, this is a Sharks pack that can stand up to the Bulls. Leading them is Siya Kolisi. The Springbok captain's experience of making good decisions in the heat of battle will stand the Sharks in good stead, while his inspired move from flank to No 8 allows for Plumtree to pick a genuine fetcher in James Venter and an exceptional blindside flank in Vincent Tshituka, who was recently called up to the Springbok squad. It means the Sharks have an underrated loose trio to go with a solid tight five, so the Sharks' backs will get their fair share of decent possession. There is also the nagging suspicion that the Sharks' backline could click when it matters most. There are too many superstars in that back division for cohesion to evade them much longer.
