Latest news with #NeethlingFouche
The South African
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Green and gold gees: Springbok newbie weeps during national anthem
It was an emotional affair for Springbok newbie Neethling Fouche, who wept during the performance of the South African national anthem during his debut test match for the team. The Stormers star was selected for the squad that played Georgia in Mbombela on Saturday, 19 July. South Africa won 55-10 against the Eurasian country. As they do every match, the Springboks were joined by thousands of rugby fans in the stadium and across South Africa as they belted out the national anthem. Joining them for the first time in a test match were three newbies, Boan Venter, Neethling Fouche, and Marnus van der Merwe. Nkosi Sikel iAfrika was sung by Corlea Botha, who wore a stunning emerald green gown to match the national team. During her performance, tears streamed down Fouche's face. Take a look… Earlier this year, Neethling Fouche was one of several rugby stars called up to the Springbok alignment camp. 'It's the most incredible privilege'. Ahead of his Springbok test debut in Mbombela, Fouche shared a touching message on his Instagram Story. It read: 'Jesus, all that I can say is thank you. You never stopped writing my story. All honour to you'. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
News24
19-07-2025
- Sport
- News24
Bok fans in their thousands flock to Mbombela Stadium
Dark clouds gather over Mbombela Stadium, where the Springboks host Georgia in the final Test of the incoming series in Nelspruit on Saturday. Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images 7m ago Fans are seated as the teams are out for the warm-ups. (Athenkosi Tsotsi/News24) 13m ago 16m ago Fifty minutes to kick-off in Mbombela ⏰ #Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvGEO — Springboks (@Springboks) July 19, 2025 20m ago These two happy chappies have reason to smile. Test debutants Neethling Fouche, left, and Boan Venter. (Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images) 25m ago The Georgians take in the scene at Mbombela ahead of their Test against the world champion Springboks. Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images 46m ago Pre-match fun 😊 #Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvGEO — Springboks (@Springboks) July 19, 2025 48m ago Leaving nothing to chance, these Bok fans have marked their territory early inside Mbombela Stadium. (Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images) 1h ago The Boks have arrived at Mbombela Stadium 🏟️ #Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvGEO — Springboks (@Springboks) July 19, 2025 1h ago Fun day out for these folks at Mbombela Stadium on July 19, 2025 in Nelspruit, South Africa. (Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images) 1h ago The Mbombela Stadium pitch is ready for the Springbok and Georgia showdown. (Athenkosi Totsi/News24)
The Herald
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Springboks not taking Georgia for granted
Kolisi however has no such concerns. Equally he does not fret for the rookie front row of Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouche who are all on debut. In fact, the captain is bracing himself for another festival occasion inside the Mbombela Stadium. 'It is always good to come here. The vibe is next level in the stadium. Last week it was one of the best atmospheres I've experienced,' he said about the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. 'It showed the hunger of the people of the Eastern Cape. People came to me to thank me for the team coming to the Eastern Cape. People think they are forgotten in the Eastern Cape. People were excited. 'Here it is the same vibe. They started the brandy and Coke on Thursday already. By the time they get to the game ... ' Teams South Africa — Aphelele Fassi; Edwill van der Merwe, Canan Moodie, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Grant Williams; Cobus Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain); Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth, Neethling Fouche, Marnus van der Merwe, Boan Venter Substitutes: Bongi Mbonambi, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith; Faf de Klerk, Handré Pollard, Damian Willemse. Georgia — Davit Niniashvili; Akaki Tabutsadze, Demur Tapladze, Giorig Kveseladze, Alexander Todua; Luka Matkava, Vasil Lobzhandidze; Ilia Spanderashvili, Beka Saginadze, Luka Ivanishvili; Vladimer Chachanidze, Mikheil Babunashvili; Irakli Aptsiauri, Vano Karkadze, Giorgi Akhaladze Substitutes: Irakli Kvatadze, Giorgi Tetrashvili, Beka Gigashvili, Demur Epremeidze, Sando Mamamtavrishvili; Tornike Jalagonia, Tedo Abzhandadze, Tornike Kakhoidze Kickoff: 5.10pm Referee: Matthew Carley (England) Assistant referees: Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Adam Leal (England) TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)
The South African
05-06-2025
- 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
05-06-2025
- 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.
