Latest news with #Moerat
The South African
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
He is not good enough to captain the Springboks
The Springboks have many leaders in the current elite crop of players. The Springboks have a multitude of natural-born leaders. The likes of Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Handre Pollard, Bongi Mbonambi, Pieter-Steph Du Toit and even Ruan Nortje all have leadership experience and traits of a captain. Namely, to lead from the front with consistant performances on the pitch. However, I feel that Salmaan Moerat is not at the same calibre as these men in terms of form and Springboks experience. Playing in the green and gold, in itself, is an honour. Therefore, to captain the Springboks is an even greater honour. An honour that deserves a man who puts in consistantly impactful performances that are head-and0-shoulders above his teammates. He must be a leader on and off the pitch. Now, take nothing away from Moerat as a rugby player but he is simply not at the same calibre as the other leaders in the Bok squad. Firstly, he has put in below-par performances for the Springboks when handed the captains armband. He was below-par against Italy in the second test and average last year against Portugal in Bloemfontein. Furthermore, the Springboks have world-class locks in Etzebeth, RG Snyman, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert and Ruan Nortje fit, ready and raring to go. So, Moerat will struggle to get into the 2027 Rugby World Cup squad. Finally, he does not have the same leadership experience at national level or at club level as the likes of Kolisi, Etzebeth, Mbonambi, Du Toit or Pollard. Moerat has 11 national caps. Meanwhile, the above players all have over 50 international caps and they are closing in on being centurians. 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
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Moerat hails Nortjé, Le Roux after Italy thrashing
The Springboks kept Italy off the scoreboard despite being a player down, winning 45–0 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Playing just his fourth match as Springbok captain, lock Salmaan Moerat praised the leaders in his side for helping keep it together when things could have gone very wrong in their second Test against Italy in Gqeberha on Saturday. Coming from a 'frustrating' 42–24 win against the Azzurri at Loftus the week before, the Springboks changed 11 players in their starting XV but looked much better in the opening stages of the game at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. They were 10–0 up with two tries before they reached a crucial point after 20 minutes. No 8 Jasper Wiese was red-carded for head-butting an opponent, leaving the South Africans to play with 14 men for the final hour. Moerat praises Bok defence While the Italians were still often a threat at the breakdown, the South Africans did exceedingly well to match them, and in fact outplay them, in most departments on the day. Moerat hailed Bulls captain Ruan Nortjé who called the lineouts — including an innovative lineout maul from open play which led to a try — and fullback Willie le Roux who maintained structure in his 100th Test match, for stepping up when he needed support. 'In terms of the defensive effort, I am really pleased to see the character the team showed,' Moerat said. 'We knew we needed to galvanise and pull together and it wasn't going to be easy against an Italian outfit that's quality. That's really one positive that we could take from this game, that we could keep them out.' Springboks keep Italy out with 14 men Even with the extra player, and even for a few minutes when Wilco Louw had a yellow card and Italy had two more players than the Springboks, they could not turn opportunities into points. In the end, the Springboks won 45–0. 'It really shows maturity and character. We needed to make plans on the run, and the leaders really pulled through. 'A guy like Ruan Nortjé, who runs the lineout, had exceptional plans. Willie really took charge and kept us calm. It was only my fourth Test as captain, so I really needed them. They really pulled through. It just shows that whatever comes, these guys can make plans, and that's a real positive.'
The Citizen
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
No underestimating Italy this week, says Boks skipper Moerat
The Springboks are ready to get down and dirty in a massive breakdown battle with Italy in their clash in Gqeberha. Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat says the team is ready for a massive battle at the breakdown against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. Picture: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat says the team is fired up and ready to go toe to toe with Italy at the breakdown when the sides collide in their second Test of the incoming series at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday (kick-off 5:10pm). The Boks clinched a comfortable 42-24 win in the first Test at Loftus a week previously, but were unhappy with a number of facets of their game, one of them being the breakdown, which was dominated by the Italians. Despite a much changed Bok side being named for the second match, with just four survivors in the starting 15 from last week, Moerat claimed that the players coming in had seen enough and done enough prep in the week to be completely ready for the challenge. 'Their play at the breakdown definitely shocked us a bit and it was why we just couldn't get going, particularly when we were in their 22,' explained Moerat. 'It does help if you played them the previous week. But even as non-players we still get a bit of a feel of what they did and what their plans are. That can change this weekend. All teams have an identity. 'They pride themselves on their physicality, and their breakdown is really good. They disrupted us there, and that is one area we worked hard on this week. We're looking to counter that. We won't be underestimating them.' Heavy favourites Despite the Boks being heavy favourites, against a team that is weakened due to a number of their star and experienced players being left at home, Moerat echoed many of his fellow players and coaches when he urged caution against them. 'They are a quality makeup, and feature players from Zebre and Benetton who know each other well. So they are in sync with each other, they have quality players and several game-breakers,' said Moerat. 'Their set pieces and kicking game are big aspects of their approach. Their kicking game is really good, but we have an experienced back three playing for us.' Another poor aspect of the Boks game last week was at the lineout, and lock Moerat admitted that they were eager to improve drastically in that facet. 'The lineouts we lost were mainly down to our own standards. We are not going to change much, we just weren't happy with our standards last week and have worked on lifting that. It is one area that we have really looked at as it is something the Bok pack pride ourselves on,' said Moerat. Moerat also got a taste of what it is like to play in front of a passionate Gqeberha crowd when he featured for the Stormers in the URC in the city a few years ago and is looking forward to another great experience. 'We played against the Dragons here and it was amazing. You could see then that there are not many rugby matches played in Gqeberha and the people get really excited about and are very fond of rugby. There was a great vibe in that game and I am sure there will be again on Saturday,' he added.
TimesLIVE
12-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Springbok captain Moerat and assistant coach Stick not underestimating Italy
Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick say they will need to 'fight fire with fire' in the second Incoming Series Test against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday. Boks coach Rassie Erasmus was not entirely happy with the 42-24 win last weekend at Loftus Versfeld where they took their feet off the pedal after they comfortably led 28-3 at halftime. 'They are a very physical team, so it's going to be a massive game,' said Moerat. 'We are certainly not underestimating them. They are a passionate side that are mainly formed from two clubs. So, they have been playing together for a while, and they pride themselves on their set pieces. 'They also have quality backs with a good kicking game and they showed real fight at the breakdowns last week, so we have to fight fire with fire.' Stick shared Moerat's sentiments. 'Last week we started with good intensity, but they bounced back strongly in the second half. It's clear how much they have grown since the Six Nations, where they also delivered a few quality performances.
IOL News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Salmaan Moerat: Springboks will fight fire with fire in second Test against Italy
SPRINGBOK lock Salmaan Moerat, right, with legend RG Snyman will get another go at showcasing his leadership qualities against Italy. | BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat says they are ready to front up physically against Italy in the second Test on Saturday in Gqeberha. Image: BackpagePix The Springboks have a clearer picture of what to expect from Italy on Saturday, and there has been a strong focus on their breakdown and rolling mauls ahead of the second Test. After their struggles in the second half against the Azzurri, the world champions want to deliver an improved performance in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (5.10 pm kick-off) to seal the series victory. While the physicality and kicking game of the Italians might have caught them a bit unawares in the six-try 42-24 victory at Loftus Versfeld, Bok captain Salmaan Moerat is confident that they've prepared adequately for what awaits them. 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 ✕ They realise the magnitude of the task ahead and Moerat has emphasised that they must front up if they want to complete a second victory. He's also highlighted the strong kicking game of Italy that could pose a threat. With a much-changed side, the Springboks won't come into the game with a lot of continuity, but they possess some special players who will look to set the stadium alight with their electric plays. Having faced their opponents, the South Africans also know a little more about the new Italian players. 'It does help that we've played them the previous week, you get a bit of a feel of what they do and what their plans are,' Moerat said about the Italians and what they could bring. #Springboks skipper Salmaan Moerat speaks on what they worked on and what they expect from Italy on Saturday in the second Test in Gqeberha #RSAvITA — Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) July 11, 2025 'They shocked us a bit at the breakdown, but all teams have an identity, and they pride themselves on their physicality. Their breakdown play was good, and they disrupted us there. That is one area we worked on hard (this week), and we will look to counter it. They also have an excellent kicking game. I am fairly confident that our back-three can match that. 'I would not say we underestimated them. They are a quality side if you look at the makeup of the team. It is a majority of Zebre and Benetton players. That means they are in sync, and they know each other well. There are quality game-breakers, powerful forwards and we are expecting more of the same in this game. 'We must match fire with fire.' 'Every player knows what our focus is and what needs to be done, so hopefully we can go out there and do the job on Saturday' 🗣#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold — Springboks (@Springboks) July 11, 2025 Fullback Willie le Roux will be playing in his 100th Test for the Springboks, while newcomers prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, centre Ethan Hooker and utility forward Cobus Wiese are all in line to make their debut off the bench. Le Roux is in an exciting back-three with another veteran, Makazole Mapimpi and Edwill van der Merwe, who is making his home debut for the Boks. All eyes will be on the halfback pairing of Grant Williams and flyhalf Manie Libbok, though. They will be tasked to spark the attack to give the back-three and centres André Esterhuizen and Canan Moodie space with the ball in hand. Should the forwards generate that dominance up front, it could become a long day in Gqeberha for the visitors. The #Springboks want to sharpen up their breakdown play ahead of the second #RSAvITA match. "It's one area they shocked us in a bit." - captain Salmaan Moerat on the Italian physicality at the ruck — Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) July 11, 2025 The Springboks will look to start off the match in the same fashion as last weekend, where they generated a 28-3 lead, before taking their foot off the accelerator. According to Moerat, they do not want to fall into that same trap again. The South Africans also want to set the record straight in the lineouts. 'Those we lost came down to our standards,' Moerat said about the set piece. 'We won't change much, but we weren't happy with our standards when it came to our throwing and lifting. We looked hard at what we can improve on. 'As a Springbok pack, we pride ourselves on the lineouts, scrums and rolling mauls. It was tough for us to see, but we will look to rectify it. It is tough for any team to concede a maul try, but tougher as a Springbok. The outside opinion, when looking at mauls, is that you expect the side to be dominant in attacking or stopping them. That was hard on us as a pack of forwards.'
