Latest news with #RassieErasmus
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
One young star set for breakthrough year with Springboks
As the Springboks' 2025 season draws ever closer, Rassie Erasmus has made it clear that this will be another year in which he expands the depth available to the national team by balancing game-time between seniors and newcomers. There are a number of youngsters knocking on the door, but someone who is undoubtedly kicking that door down is none other than Sharks star Ethan Hooker. The 22-year-old is just at the start of a promising career, but the Junior Springbok has already enjoyed a meteoric rise for the Sharks, establishing himself as a key member of a star-studded starting line-up in Durban. On his route to the senior set up, Hooker won the SA Rugby U20 Cup and also formed part of the SA U20 squad that claimed a bronze medal at the World Rugby U20 Championship. Boasting raw pace and power, the 1.94m and 100kg newcomer has since enjoyed a breakthrough season for the Sharks in the URC, boasting the ability to play on the wing or in the midfield. It's unlikely that the Springbok coaches will consider him at centre just yet, but there is every reason to believe his integration into Test rugby could come via the wing, where he has been in top form this past season. The Springboks are blessed with depth on the left wing, but it's on the right wing where the national coaches will be keen to explore some back up options to Cheslin Kolbe in order to manage his game time effectively. This is where Hooker could certainly come into the picture, with his work rate, physicality, size and speed ticking all the boxes that would surely appeal to Rassie Erasmus and his team. Take this to the bank, a breakthrough year beckons on the horizon for Ethan Hooker. Remember the name! 28 June: vs Barbarians, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:05. 5 July: vs Italy, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. Kick off: 17:10. 12 July: vs Italy, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha. Kick off: 17:10. 19 July: vs Georgia, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Kick off: 17:10. 16 August: vs Australia, Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Kick off: 17:10. 23 August: vs Australia, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:10. 6 September: vs New Zealand, Auckland. Kick off: 09:05. 13 September: vs New Zealand, Wellington. Kick off: 09:05. 27 September: vs Argentina, Kings Park, Durban. Kick off: 17:10. 4 October: vs Argentina, London. Kick off: 15:00. 8 November: vs France, Paris. Kick off: TBD. 15 November: vs Italy, Turin. Kick off: TBD. 22 November: vs Ireland, Dublin. Kick off: 19:40. 29 November: vs Wales, Cardiff. Kick off: 17:10. *SA Rugby are working on adding one more Test for the Springboks, likely to be against Japan . 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)
News24
a day ago
- Business
- News24
The Lead: Selling sweets to pay for matric ball and May's best good news stories
From a viral Grade 12 pupil selling sweets every morning at a local taxi rank to attend his matric dance to a young Ikeys rugby star who got a shock call-up from Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, by the end of Tuesday's discussion with Good News editor Paul Herman in The Lead, we hope to leave you feeling extra inspired and proud to be a South African. Later in the show, host Graeme Raubenheimer discusses controversial Gauteng tenderpreneur Vusimusi 'Cat' Matlala, who abandoned his bid for bail in connection with an alleged failed hit. Finally, we look at how the economy barely budged in this year's first quarter. Listen on YouTube: Listen on Apple Podcasts:
2 days ago
- Sport
Rassie weighs in on Springbok's controversial ‘Winkgate' saga
Rassie Erasmus has reacted to the 'Winkgate' incident, defending Springbok Jaden Hendrikse and emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship and respect. In extremely unusual circumstances on Saturday, the Sharks progressed to the URC semi-final after a goal-kicking 'shootout' that featured Springbok duo Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse and rookie Bradley Davids. After both regulation and extra time, the scores remained level between the Sharks and Munster at Kings Park, meaning the game had to be decided by three kickers from each side. In the end, the Sharks nailed all six of their shots at goal from various positions around the field, while just the solitary miss from Munster sent them out of the competition. However, there was a controversial moment midway through the 'shootout' when Springbok Jaden Hendrikse went down with what seemed to be cramp, but as he lay on the floor receiving treatment, the camera showed him giving a cheeky wink to opposing kicker Jack Crowley. It led to a furious response from Crowley amid some allegations online that Hendrikse had 'faked' the cramps and attempted to put off his opponent with gamesmanship. In its report, the UK Telegraph called it 'shameless gamesmanship' from the Sharks and said the quarter-final would always be 'remembered for actions of Sharks' Jaden Hendrikse'. In response to the backlash, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and several others came to the defence of Hendrikse, suggesting it was a comical moment that showed character. Erasmus, in trademark style, shared a zoomed-in image of the Springbok's cramping calf, paired with a puzzled emoji; suggesting that he believes the player did indeed suffer from cramp and was not faking an injury to rattle the Munster kickers. 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.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Rassie Erasmus and Shukri Conrad: Powerhouses shaping South African rugby and cricket
GREAT MINDS Rassie Erasmus (left) and Shukri Conrad, the national coaches of South Africa's rugby and cricket teams, explored potential collaborations and shared insights during a braai, highlighting the mental and cultural parallels between their sports. Picture: BackpagePix The Springboks and the Proteas may just have more in common than first meets the eye, and that was the consensus reached by Rassie Erasmus and Shukri Conrad over good old-fashioned braai in Cape Town earlier this year. The respective national cricket and rugby coaches had a chat during the second Test between the Proteas and Pakistan earlier this year, when the topic of how the two different sporting codes could work together came up. The Springboks are currently in their second alignment camp ahead of a busy international season, while the Proteas are about to jet off to England to take on Australia in the final of the World Test Championship at Lord's in London starting on June 11. What began as an informal chat quickly turned into a brainstorming session, the Proteas coach Conrad revealed.
The Herald
7 days ago
- General
- The Herald
Erasmus, Conrad forge new culture of unity in SA sport
In the heart of Stellenbosch's rugby country, where scrums thump like thunder and lineouts rise like prayers, a new kind of Springbok playbook was being written — one that included googlies, yorkers and a few cricket bats. Last week Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus opened the doors of his second alignment camp to Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad and Cricket SA's high performance management team, planting a flag for cross-sport collaboration the likes of which South African fans have rarely seen. The Proteas, preparing for the colossal ICC World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's next month, didn't just stop by for coffee and a handshake. They rolled up their sleeves, shadowed Springbok strategists and soaked up the culture that's powered two Rugby World Cup wins in a row. The day was as much about tactics as it was about tribal connection-building one sporting nation under the green and gold. 'They may bowl with leather and we drive with muscle,' Erasmus said with a grin, 'but when you strip it down, we're both trying to win for the same flag. Whether it's a tryline or a third man boundary, it's the same heartbeat.' The seeds of this unlikely union were sowed not in a boardroom but over a braai. Earlier this year, during the Proteas' second Test against Pakistan at Newlands, Erasmus and Conrad met for the first time under smoky skies, where meat sizzled and ideas simmered. 'There's nothing quite like a good braai to break the ice,' Conrad chuckled. 'Rassie and I started talking about culture, pressure, leadership, and before the boerewors was done, we both realised we were playing the same mental game, just on different pitches.' It wasn't long before the idea was born — why not bridge the two disciplines, not in theory, but in practice? On Thursday that dream came to life. The camp began with the usual focus of values, systems and structures for the coming season, with Erasmus and his coaching team setting the tone for a crucial year ahead. But it was the presence of the cricketing minds that gave the day an extra dimension. Alongside Conrad were CSA's high performance managers, who observed how the Boks manage detail, pressure and player identity. The Springbok assistant coaches each presented their areas of expertise, from breakdown tactics to backline structure, while engaging with their cricketing guests about what translates across the codes. 'It was fascinating. The language might be different — rucks versus reverse swing — but the messages are identical — play for the badge, trust your process, execute under pressure,' Conrad told . 'We're a week out from flying to London for our biggest final ever. 'Being in that room with Rassie and his coaches gave us a mental sharpening. You see what makes champions tick, and it rubs off on you.' This wasn't a one-way masterclass. Erasmus made it clear the Boks had just as much to learn from the Proteas, especially in the psychological realm of endurance sport. 'A Test match lasts five days. That's five days of being scrutinised, second-guessed, sledged and still needing to stay mentally sharp,' Erasmus said. 'That's not just skill, that's spiritual stamina. 'There's a lot for us to gain from how they manage that pressure cooker.' The respect was mutual, and it highlighted a growing vision across SA sport — sharing excellence. 'Vincent Tshituka, Ntokozo Makhaza and Juarno Augustus were new faces in our environment,' Erasmus said. 'And just like them, the cricket guys walked in as guests and left as teammates.' In an era where silos often dominate national sports systems, Thursday's session was a rare act of unity. Both Conrad and Erasmus signalled their intention to turn this into more than a one-off. 'We've got more in common than not,' Erasmus said. 'The more we lean into each other, the more chance we have of both standing tall on the world stage.' For the Proteas, the road leads to London. For the Springboks, it's the Barbarians clash on 28 June, followed by a stacked season. But for SA's sports lovers, the hope is that this bond continues to grow, where tactics are shared over tackle bags and insights traded like match-winning partnerships. Because in the end, whether it's a ruck or a run chase, the goal remains the same — to write victory stories that make the nation sing. — SportsBoom
