Latest news with #RassieErasmus
The South African
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Four 'new' players Springboks still want to test out
The Springboks now have a three-week break before the opening Test in the Rugby Championship, and coach Rassie Erasmus has already indicated that selections would be more consistent for that flagship tournament. However, even as Erasmus has cast his selection net far and wide, he has acknowledged that four players need to be brought into the mix at some point. Jordan Hendrikse The Sharks flyhalf did form part of the Springboks' alignment camps earlier this year, but he was then released as Handre Pollard, Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu covered duties at flyhalf. With Hendrikse having featured in two Tests last year, it's no surprise that Erasmus would like to see more of the 24-year-old at international level to see if he is someone who can remain on the road to the 2027 World Cup. Quan Horn The talented fullback has only had one Springbok appearance, off the bench against Portugal last July, and so there is no doubt that he is due for another opportunity. It's unlikely he will come into the mix at the start of the Rugby Championship, but perhaps he could be considered for the games against Argentina. Renzo du Plessis The dynamic flanker is undoubtedly an exciting prospect for the Springboks, and as they go in search of the next 'Kwagga Smith', Du Plessis certainly looks to be someone who would fit that bill. The 23-year-old has yet to earn a Springbok Test cap, but he is on the coaches' radar, and that opportunity should come sooner rather than later. Jaden Hendrikse In some ways, the older Hendrikse brother has become a bit of a forgotten Springbok after dropping down the pecking order as someone like Morne van den Berg has put his hand up for the Springboks. Hendrikse already has 20 Test caps to his name, but he has yet to feature this season, and so it will be interesting to see when he might be reintegrated. The Springboks return to action on 16 August at Ellis Park when they meet Australia in the Rugby Championship. 'We'll name 36 guys on Tuesday for the Australia series and within that squad there'll be one or two guys that we experiment with, but the bulk of that squad will be experienced players who are suited to the way we want to play,' Rassie Erasmus said. 'The nice thing is that we've got a group of 48 players or so that we've used this year and there's quite a couple that we'd also like to give opportunities to like Jaden (Hendrikse), Jordan (Hendrikse), Quan Horn, Renzo (du Plessis). 'But this was a series where we wanted to experiment a little bit so getting the scorelines we did is pretty satisfying. But the Rugby Championship is definitely a step up.' 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
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Rassie opts for tried and tested in Springbok squad for Australia
Their experiments concluded, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said he did not want to take chances for the Rugby Championship. The Springbok squad to play in the first two games of the Rugby Championship will feature more 'experienced players who are suited to the way we want to play', coach Rassie Erasmus said. Following back-to-back wins against the Barbarians, Italy (twice) and Georgia, Erasmus is set to announce a 36-man squad to play against Australia in the tournament, first at Ellis Park on 16 August and then at Cape Town Stadium on 23 August. Tried and tested Springboks The Springboks blooded close to 50 players in their first four games of the season, including seven debutants. But with their experiments done, Erasmus said they are opting for the more tried and tested approach for the all-important tournament. 'We'll name 36 guys on Tuesday for the Australia series and within that squad there'll be one or two guys that we experiment with, but the bulk of that squad will be experienced players who are suited to the way we want to play,' Erasmus said after the Springboks beat Georgia 55–10 in Mbombela. 'The nice thing is that we've got a group of 48 players or so that we've used this year and there's quite a couple that we'd also like to give opportunities to like Jaden (Hendrikse), Jordan (Hendrikse), Quan Horn, Renzo (du Plessis). 'But this was a series where we wanted to experiment a little bit so getting the scorelines we did is pretty satisfying. But the Rugby Championship is definitely a step up.' The Springboks listed by Erasmus have sat out since the start of the season, while Vincent Tshituka, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese, Ethan Hooker, Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouché all earned their first Boks caps. Nine players will be back-up for injuries Furthermore, the Springbok coach said there would be nine players on standby outside of the squad in case of injuries. 'Then we will announce the squad for New Zealand, and a lot of them will overlap. There will be guys in most of the squads – all three squads, including the Argentina at the end.' He added that between all the players who have played Tests this year as well as last year, they all know what is expected of them. So the list of players, when it is announced, should not surprise anyone.
The South African
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Springboks to cut squad as plans change
Over the first three Tests of the year – and the warm-up game against the Barbarians – Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has mixed and matched with selections, while using around 45 players. In fact, in the three matches since the opener against the invitational team in Cape Town, the Springbok coaches made 10, 15 and 16 personnel changes in successive weeks. Last week, some players who weren't used against Georgia were already given some time 'off', and there will be a bit of a break for most players before the Springboks begin preparations for their Rugby Championship opener on 16 August at Ellis Park when they meet Australia. This week, though, Rassie Erasmus is set to confirmed a more settled 36-man squad. 'We'll name 36 guys on Tuesday for the Australia series and within that squad there'll be one or two guys that we experiment with, but the bulk of that squad will be experienced players who are suited to the way we want to play,' he said. 'The nice thing is that we've got a group of 48 players or so that we've used this year and there's quite a couple that we'd also like to give opportunities to like Jaden (Hendrikse), Jordan (Hendrikse), Quan Horn, Renzo (du Plessis). 'But this was a series where we wanted to experiment a little bit so getting the scorelines we did is pretty satisfying. But the Rugby Championship is definitely a step up.' The Springboks now have a three-week break before the opening Test in the Rugby Championship, with Erasmus indicating selection would be more consistent. 'We're fairly happy if you look over the four games (to start the season),' said Erasmus. 'We scored close to 50 points in each match and apart from the first Italy test defended pretty well. 'Georgia were physical and disruptive but that's not an excuse for us making so many errors, but I guess we must understand that if we chop and change teams like we have as we're building squad depth, you'll lose rhythm. 'We found that again in the last 20 minutes and we can be fairly happy with the scoreline although one can always do better.' 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.
eNCA
a day ago
- Sport
- eNCA
Erasmus calls time on mass Springbok experiments
MBOMBELA - South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus says mass Springbok experiments will end when he names a 36-man squad on Tuesday for two Rugby Championship Tests against Australia during August. "The bulk of that squad will be experienced players who are suited to the way we want to play while there will be room for one or two guys we want to experiment with," he told reporters. "We wanted to experiment against the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia in build-up matches, and the scorelines we achieved were pretty satisfying. "We used 46 players and gave first caps to a number of players. There are others we want to give opportunities to like Jaden and Jordan (Hendrikse), Quan (Horn) and Renzo (du Plessis). "But the Rugby Championship is definitely a step up, starting with the Wallabies in Johannesburg and Cape Town on successive Saturdays next month." South Africa are defending the Rugby Championship title and after Australia, play in New Zealand twice, then Argentina home and away, with the latter match switched from South America to London. In November, the record four-time Rugby World Cup winners face a daunting tour of Europe, including France in Paris and Ireland in Dublin. Erasmus, a key figure in different coaching roles in the 2019 and 2023 World Cup triumphs, also reflected on the build-up matches for the southern hemisphere championship. "We are fairly happy if you look over the four games," he said, recalling victories over the Barbarians (54-7), Italy (42-24 and 45-0) and, this weekend, Georgia (55-10). Each Test was preceded by many personnel changes to the matchday 23 -- 10 and 15 for the internationals against Italy and 16 for Georgia. "Georgia were physical and disruptive, but that is not an excuse for making so many errors. If we chop and change while building squad depth, you will have lost rhythm. "We found rhythm in the final 20 minutes and, while the scoreline was impressive, we can always do better." The coach said fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who missed four of five conversion attempts, injured his hip warming up for the match. "Sacha wanted to play, but that is no excuse for the way he kicked at the poles. However, he is certainly not one of the guys who made the most errors."
The Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Springboks end mass experiments as Rugby Championship looms
SOUTH Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has announced an end to mass squad experiments as the Springboks prepare for the Rugby Championship. A 36-man squad will be named on Tuesday for two Tests against Australia in August, marking a shift toward experienced players. 'The bulk of that squad will be experienced players who are suited to the way we want to play while there will be room for one or two guys we want to experiment with,' Erasmus told reporters. He acknowledged the value of recent warm-up matches, where 46 players were tested, including debutants. South Africa dominated their pre-tournament fixtures, defeating the Barbarians (54-7), Italy (42-24 and 45-0), and Georgia (55-10). Despite the victories, Erasmus noted inconsistencies due to frequent lineup changes. 'If we chop and change while building squad depth, you will have lost rhythm,' he said. The Rugby Championship presents tougher challenges, starting with back-to-back Tests against Australia in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The Springboks will then face New Zealand twice before home-and-away clashes with Argentina, including a relocated fixture in London. Erasmus also addressed fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's struggles against Georgia, where he missed four conversions. 'Sacha wanted to play, but that is no excuse for the way he kicked at the poles,' the coach said. Replacement Handre Pollard, however, delivered a flawless performance with four successful kicks and a try. With a demanding European tour in November, including matches against France and Ireland, the Springboks are prioritizing cohesion ahead of further challenges. - AFP
