Latest news with #NeethlingFouche
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
How could uncapped players fit into Springbok squad?
The first Springbok training squad of the season, which was confirmed on Thursday by SA Rugby, includes 31 Rugby World Cup players and nine uncapped players in a group of 54. Those nine players in the group are Marnus van der Merwe, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese, Renzo du Plessis, Vincent Tshituka, Juarno Augustus, Ethan Hooker and Ntokozo Makhaza. Although this squad will be trimmed closer to the start of the Test season, it is worth considering how these uncapped players could fit into the Springbok team, and what has brought them into the national picture. Ethan Hooker: The versatile Sharks back, who can play at wing or centre, has been loudly knocking on the Springbok door this season. He is surely set for a Test debut sooner rather than later, likely to be on the right wing as someone who can afford Cheslin Kolbe some rest when needed. Juarno Augustus: A standout player for the Northampton Saints this past season, Augustus now has experience on his side, and could provide a very good option at No 8 considering the injuries to other players in this position. Vincent Tshituka: The Congolese-born Tshituka will add some much-needed depth at blindside flank, and it would not be a surprise at all to see him make his debut against Italy or Georgia in July. Ntokozo Makhaza: The Varsity Cup superstar was a bit of a bolter in the squad selection, and it will be interesting to see whether the talented wing has shown enough to tempt the Springbok coaches into offering him an international cap this July. Renzo du Plessis: Another rising star in South African rugby, the dynamic loose forward is in the mould of Kwagga Smith. A debut against Georgia would certainly seem feasible. Neethling Fouche: The Stormers powerhouse prop will add important back up at tighthead, and considering Frans Malherbe is still sidelined with injury, Fouche is due for his first Test cap. Asenathi Ntlabakanye: A 145kg giant, his physical dimensions set him apart from the pack, and perhaps the one-off games against the Barbarians and Georgia will present an opportunity for the big tighthead prop to get a Springbok game under the belt. Marnus van der Merwe: Another position where the Springboks need to build depth is at hooker, and Van der Merwe is deserving of consideration after impressing for Welsh club Scarlets. When Malcolm Marx or Bongi Mbonambi are in need of a rest, the baton should be passed to Van der Merwe Cobus Wiese: With the ability to play at lock and loose forward, the 27-year-old boasts all the physical attributes to make an impact for the Springboks in some of the Tests this season when experimental selection is likely to come into consideration. 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. Meanwhile, here is an important reminder on ticket sales for the Springbok men's game against Argentina in the Rugby Championship at Twickenham in October. Ticket sales Tickets are on sale via and England Rugby, starting from just £55* for adults and £28* for Under-16s. (*booking fees apply)
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Rassie Erasmus picks Varsity Cup star among Bok rookies
Winger Ntokozo Makhaza is one of nine uncapped players in a 54-man Springbok squad named by Rassie Erasmus for the start of the world champions' 2025 season. The Boks face the Barbarians at Cape Town Stadium on June 28, followed by three Tests – against Italy (in Pretoria and Gqeberha on July 5 and 12) and Georgia (in Mbombela, July 9). The squad, which was confirmed today, includes 31 world cup winners and consists of 30 forwards and 24 backs. Makhaza, who helped the UCT Ikeys win the 2025 Varsity Cup in April, is in line to represent the Boks for the first time with Marnus van der Merwe, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese, Renzo du Plessis, Vincent Tshituka, Juarno Augustus and Ethan Hooker. While Fouche and Hooker were members of the Springbok training squad last season, Tshituka and Augustus had a taste of the senior international structures after being included in the Springbok Showdown Green and Gold squads in 2020. With the Vodacom Bulls, Sharks and Leinster still in the race for the URC final, along with their teammates from Bath, Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks, who will contest the Premiership semi-finals this week, a staggered approach will be adopted to those players joining the camp. MORE: Baa Baas get 170-cap boost for Bok clash The available players, which include the full Japan-based contingent following the conclusion of their season, will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday and begin their on-field preparations on Monday. The rest of the players will join the squad as they complete their club commitments. Five players, meanwhile, were not considered for selection due to injuries: Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie and Trevor Nyakane. 'We used a total of 50 players last season to balance the load on them, while at the same time building towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, and with a few more talented youngsters in this group, we hope that they will learn valuable lessons and stake a strong claim for places in what will be a challenging, yet exciting season,' said Erasmus. The squad will train from Monday to Friday, before returning home for the weekend to spend time with their families, and will reassemble on Sunday, 15 June for the second week of training, before travelling to Cape Town for the Barbarians match. Full Springbok Squad: Forwards: Cameron Hanekom, Wilco Louw, Ruan Nortje, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls), Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Neethling Fouche, Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Renzo du Plessis, Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams (Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie (Bulls), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse (Stormers), Quan Horn, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe (Lions), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT). This article first appeared 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
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Rassie Erasmus names exciting Springbok squad
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named the same 54 players – nine of whom are uncapped – that attended the second national alignment camp in Cape Town last month in a large training squad for the opening stages of the international season, which kicks off on 28 June against the Barbarians, followed by the Incoming Series. The squad, which was confirmed on Thursday by SA Rugby, includes 31 Rugby World Cup players. The group consist of 30 forwards and 24 backs, while only nine players are yet to don the green and gold jersey on the international stage. The nine uncapped players in the group are Marnus van der Merwe, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese, Renzo du Plessis, Vincent Tshituka, Juarno Augustus, Ethan Hooker, and Ntokozo Makhaza. While Fouche and Hooker were members of the Springbok training squad last season, Tshituka and Augustus had a taste of the senior international structures after being included in the Castle Lager Springbok Showdown Green and Gold squads in 2020. More to follow Springbok squad (in alphabetical order): Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Renzo du Plessis (Emirates Lions), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Emirates Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Emirates Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Emirates Lions), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
The Citizen
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Refreshed Fouche ready to fire for Stormers against Cardiff
Fouche has served a three game ban after picking up a red card in March and is fired up for his return to the field. Stormers prop Neethling Fouche during a training session this week ahead of his return to play in their URC match against Cardiff at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images A refreshed Neethling Fouche is fired up to get back on the park and put in a big effort for the Stormers when they take on Cardiff in their final United Rugby Championship (URC) pool match at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night. Fouche has frustratingly been out for the last six weeks, after he picked up a red card for head collision in a tackle against Ulster in March, which many local pundits and coaches believed was a rugby incident and undeserving of a suspension. However he was handed a four match, which was upheld despite the Stormers appealing the decision, and thus missed their last three URC matches, with him able to return this week thanks to completing tackle school. Speaking at a training session this week, Fouche chose to look at the positives, and was grateful for the opportunity to rest his body after a tough season so far. Silver lining 'I am a great believer that there is always some silver lining to every disappointment. It has been really disappointing sitting out these three games. When you are not playing you do feel more anxious,' explained Fouche. 'The last two that I was here to watch were OK because we won comfortably and there were no grey hairs but the first one against Connacht had me at home sitting with my pillow over my head, unable to look. 'Disappointment can quickly be turned around into a positive, and I got over the disappointment of being told I was suspended for three games by figuring out that it was a chance to get rid of a few niggles and to freshen up a bit. 'Fortunately there was no setback for the Stormers while I was out and we won all three games with bonus points, so looking back it has been good. The season started with the pre-season in early September and my minutes have been high. So I was able to say to myself, 'OK, listen, maybe your body does need a rest'.' Front row depth One of the positives for the Stormers during Fouche's time out has been the impressive performance from their back up brigade, who have massively stepped up after Frans Malherbe was also ruled out with injury, and Brok Harris retired after injuring his knee. 'The great thing for us at the Stormers is that there are always new guys coming through, and with Frans also out it offered an opportunity to Sazi (Sandi), and I thought he did really well. 'Vernon (Matogo) also showed us what I have always thought of him, which is that he is going to be a big name loosehead in the future. And then there's Ali Vermaak who has been playing for 43 years,' joked Fouche. 'I do have a soft spot for Vernon. This is the first season he has been training with us and you just know when you are a tighthead when you are going up against a loosehead that has got it. He puts me under so much pressure (in training). 'He's always asking for advice and listening, he is always willing to learn and he is just getting better and better. I really think he is a loosehead prop we should be really excited about.'
