Latest news with #Pieter-StephduToit
The South African
4 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Springboks: How much key players have made in 2025
The Springboks are stacking up the wins while the players stack up some well-earned money. The Springboks have maintained their spot as the number one ranked team in the latest world rankings following an undefeated start to the 2025 season. The Boks have won all four of their opening fixtures to date. Firstly, they kick-started their 2025 season with a resounding 54-7 victory over the Barbarians. Thereafter, the Springboks won all three of their opening Test matches defeating Italy 42-24 and 45-0 before demolishing Georgia 55-10 in Mbombela. So, let's take a look at some of the key players match-earnings to date. This article takes a look at Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Ox Nche. Please note: These figures are based off the Springboks Test matches and match-day earnings. They do and do not include their match-earnings from their opening fixture against the Barbarians due to these figures not being disclosed. Furthermore, this does not include salaries – it is strictly match-day earnings. As reported on The South African, the PONI (Players of National Interest) figures have been disclosed by SA Rugby. Each player is paid R118 197. 93 per Springboks Test match. So, this is how much each of these Bok players have made so far in 2025: Cheslin Kolbe – R118, 197. 93 (one Test) Kolbe started against Italy in the first Test at Loftus. However, he was rested in the second Test in PE and in the Georgian game. Eben Etzebeth – R236, 395. 86 (two Tests) Etzebeth did not play the first Test match at Loftus. The lanky powerful lock returned to action for the Springboks in the second Test and was selected again to take on the Georgians. Ox Nche – R236,395.86 (two Tests) Ox has played two Test matches for the Springboks so far in 2025. He started against Italy at Loftus and he was utilised off of the bench in the second Test. He was rested against Georgia. Pieter-Steph du Toit – R236, 395.86 (two Tests) The World Rugby Player of the year missed the first Test match against Italy due to injury. Thereafter, he returned to action for the Springboks in back-to-back Test matches against the Azzuri (in P.E) and against Georgia at the Mbombela Stadium. Damien de Allende – R236, 395. 86 (two Tests) De Allende started against Italy at Loftus and was replaced by Andre Esterhuizen in the second Test against Italy. He returned to the side named by Rassie Erasmus to take on Georgia. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
5 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Rankings: Where Springboks stand before Rugby Championship
After the July internationals, the All Blacks have made up plenty of ground on the Springboks in the world rugby rankings, with just 0.72 points separating the arch-rivals. As the Springboks now head towards their Rugby Championship title, there will be a number of goals they will want to achieve, but the importance of maintaining prime position in the rankings should not be underestimated. Scheduled for December, the 2027 World Cup draw will be based on the World Rugby Men's Rankings at the end of the November international window, and so the Springboks will be desperately hoping to still be at the top by that stage. You can see exactly how the rankings are calculated by clicking here. As at 24 July 2025 Rank Country Points 1 South Africa 92.78 2 New Zealand 92.06 3 Ireland 89.83 4 France 87.82 5 England 87.64 6 Australia 82.08 7 Argentina 82.05 8 Scotland 81.57 9 Fiji 80.50 10 Italy 77.77 11 Georgia 74.69 12 Wales 74.05 13 Samoa 72.48 14 Japan 72.29 15 Spain 69.12 16 USA 68.45 17 Uruguay 67.52 18 Portugal 66.44 19 Tonga 65.46 20 Chile 63.83 Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers). 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
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Springboks want to stack up positives after Georgian win
The Springboks put in a a mixed performance but still had enough power to cruise to a 55-10 win over Georgia in Mbombela. Loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit and lock Ruan Nortje in action for the Springboks against Georgia in Mbombela on Saturday night. Picture: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said that his side weren't completely satisfied with their performance, despite picking up a big 55-10 win over Georgia in their one-off Test at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday. The Boks got off to a slow start, with the visitors scoring the first try, before the hosts battled back to lead 22-10 at halftime and then powered away with a further five tries in the second half to cruise over the 50 point mark. Speaking after the game Kolisi admitted that they weren't able put enough consecutive positive plays together, which stemmed their flow and led to a difficult first half effort, before improving after the break which allowed them to open up a bit more. 'It was a tough game, credit to the Georgians, they came hard in the first half. Physically they matched us most of the time, and we struggled at the breakdown, they were quite dominant there. So we were happy with the way we cleaned up in the second half,' said Kolisi. 'The problem was we weren't able to produce enough positives one after the other. We did something good and then we would make a mistake, so that slowed down our momentum. 'The game was also a bit slow, and was very stop-start. But hopefully we can fix our problems and make sure that we build on our positives going forward.' Competition for places It was a rookie front row that turned out for the Boks in the match, with props Boan Venter, Neethling Fouche and hooker Marnus van der Merwe all making their official debuts for the national team, and they produced a solid effort first up, impressing in the scrums, while also making a few mistakes in general play. Edwill van der Merwe (third cap), and Cobus Wiese (second cap) were also given valuable game time, and Kolisi said the competition in the squad is great and is keeping the more experienced players on their toes. 'I am happy for them (debutants). Congratulations to them and their families. The coach is building squad depth while we are winning, and you can see the amount of competition in the group. The guys (who played) last week set the standard,' explained Kolisi. 'I think in the first half here we didn't live up to that standard and had to pick it up in the second half. So competition is tight and everyone who gets an opportunity has got to take it. But that's what keeps the squad fresh and on their toes.' Lock Ruan Nortje is also growing game by game, with this his eighth appearance for the Boks, and he produced a fantastic effort against the Georgians, which saw him named man-of-the-match. 'It is always special to play in Mbombela, the supporters are amazing. Credit to Georgia for bringing it tonight. We knew they are a physical team and rising in the ranks, so it was an awesome challenge against them,' said Nortje.
Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Kolisi back for Springboks as trio to debut against Georgia
Captain Siya Kolisi will make his first appearance of the season for South Africa following a return from injury as the Springboks include three debutants for the one-off test against Georgia in Nelspruit on Saturday. Kolisi will play at flanker alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit and number eight Cobus Wiese, as the latter takes over from his brother Jasper, who was suspended for four matches following a red card in the 45-0 win over Italy last Saturday. Eben Etzebeth returns to the side with Ruan Nortje in the second row, while props Boan Venter and Neethling Fouche make their debuts for the four-time Rugby World Cup winners. Marnus van der Merwe is at hooker in an all-new front row. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is back at flyhalf along with scrumhalf Grant Williams, who was outstanding against the Italians. Damian de Allende and Canan Moodie are the centre pairing. Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe feature on the wing, with Aphelele Fassi returning to the side at fullback. Coach Rassie Erasmus has now used 46 players in three fixtures so far this season as he continues to build depth within the squad. "We wanted to make sure that Siya is 100% fit before selecting him, so it's great to have him back in the squad, while Boan, Marnus, and Neethling have been training hard and deserve their chance," Erasmus said. "Building squad depth has been one of our pillars as a squad since 2018, and they are all undoubtedly ready to make the step up." The Springboks have met Georgia twice before, the pool stages of the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia where they won 46-19 and in Pretoria in 2021 when they registered a 40-9 victory. South Africa team: 15–Aphelele Fassi, 14–Edwill van der Merwe, 13–Canan Moodie, 12–Damian de Allende, 11–Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10–Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9–Grant Williams, 8–Cobus Wiese, 7–Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6–Siya Kolisi (captain), 5–Ruan Nortje, 4–Eben Etzebeth, 3–Neethling Fouche, 2–Marnus van der Merwe, 1–Boan Venter Replacements:16–Bongi Mbonambi, 17–Thomas du Toit, 18–Vincent Koch, 19–RG Snyman, 20–Kwagga Smith, 21–Faf de Klerk, 22–Handre Pollard, 23–Damian Willemse. REUTERS
IOL News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Rassie Erasmus the bearer of good news as Springboks' injury infirmary starts clearing out
FILE - Springboks flank Pieter-Steph du Toit is set to pull on the Springboks jersey next week for the time since November. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers Despite losing Jean Kleyn to injury after the Barbarians clash, the Springboks' injury infirmary is starting to clear out, with a host of key players set to return over the next week. The Springboks have already welcomed back big lock Lood de Jager last week after a two-year absence, while fullback Damian Willemse, scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and second-row legend Eben Etzebeth is in the matchday squad for this Saturday's first Test against Italy in Pretoria. But next weekend will see the return of the great Pieter-Steph du Toit, who had been on the sidelines since the Springboks' 2024 November Tour match against England. Du Toit, who is contracted to Toyota Verblitz, missed the Japanese League One season after undergoing shoulder surgery. Coach Rassie Erasmus revealed that the current World Player of the Year is in line to be fit for the second Italy Test in Gqeberha. Quicksilver Sharks scrumhalf Grant Williams is also set to feature next weekend after missing the Durban side's United Rugby Championship playoff matches and the Boks' games against the Barbarians and this Saturday's first Test against Italy. 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 ✕ Ad loading The good news for Nelson Mandela Bay rugby fans is that their hometown hero Siya Kolisi also set to return to action in the second Test after a neck injury kept him out of the Barbarians game. The Bok captain was also not considered for this weekend because of an Achilles niggle. Erasmus, however, confirmed his captain should be ready to lead the team out next weekend. 'Siya had a stiff neck, but it's all cleared up. Now he has an Achilles issue. It's not a strain, but he is really stiff there. We just want to make sure he is okay,' Erasmus told a news conference in Pretoria ahead of the Loftus Versfeld clash. 'There isn't a player who will play more than eight or nine matches this year, so we just want to make sure his achilles is 100 percent ready. But it's nothing serious, he had some scans to confirm it. Siya should be back next week.' The only long-term injury concern is tighthead Frans Malherbe, who is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the year. But the Springboks have plenty of cover at tighthead in the big frames of Wilco Louw and Vincent Koch, who has been selected to take on Italy this weekend. Erasmus confirmed yesterday that Kleyn suffered a knee injury against the Barbarians and could be on the sidelines for the next six weeks. Jesse Kriel will continue to lead the Boks in Kolisi's absence, becoming the 67th player to lead the Boks in a Test match when he takes the field on his old stomping ground this weekend.
