Latest news with #RassieErasmus'
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Kids hurt in jumping castle accident
Here's your daily news update for Thursday, 5 June 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. News today includes two young children sustained serious injuries last weekend when a jumping castle was swept into the air during a school festival in Krugersdorp. Meanwhile, South Africa's largest beef producer, Karan Beef, has reassured consumers that its meat remains safe despite an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) at its Heidelberg feedlot in Gauteng. Furthermore, Varsity Cup player Ntokozo Makhaza is one of nine uncapped players selected for Rassie Erasmus' Springbok training squad for the opening stages of the international season, which kicks off on 28 June against the Barbarians, followed by the Castle Lager Incoming Series. Weather tomorrow: 6 June 2025 Saws has warned of very cold, wet and windy conditions in the three Capes, as well as possible snowfall in parts of the Western Cape. Damaging winds are also expected to affect some small Western Cape harbours and ports. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. WATCH: Children fall from airborne jumping castle Two young children sustained serious injuries last weekend when a jumping castle was swept into the air during a school festival in Krugersdorp. The inflatable structure, allegedly unsecured, was lifted by a gust of wind while two junior jumpers were still inside. Both children fell from the airborne castle as it tumbled above the school grounds. Airborne jumping castles can be lethal. Picture: Supplied. The incident occurred at Protearif Laerskool's Protea Fees (festival), an event hosted on the school premises. CONTINUE READING: WATCH: Children fall from airborne jumping castle These are Gauteng's hotspots for murder, rape, kidnapping, carjacking and house robbery Between January 2025 and March 2025, Gauteng recorded an increase in kidnappings, said Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni on Thursday. Through the National Anti–Kidnapping Unit, the province arrested 88 suspects linked to 62 cases of kidnapping and rescued 77 victims of kidnapping during the period under review. Picture: iStock 'We are working together with our stakeholders to combat the kidnapping syndicates operating in this province. We are thankful to Business Against Crime South Africa for our partnership through the Eyes and Ears Initiative and are able to deploy their technological resources and utilise security officers as force multipliers when conducting take-down operations,' said Mthombeni. CONTINUE READING: These are Gauteng's hotspots for murder, rape, kidnapping, carjacking and house robbery Will SA run out of beef and chicken? Animal disease hits SA's top producer — what it means for consumers South Africa's largest beef producer, Karan Beef, has reassured consumers that its meat remains safe despite an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) at its Heidelberg feedlot in Gauteng. The beef producer confirmed the news of the outbreak earlier this week. Gauteng is one of the provinces in the country with the FMD cases. The others include Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. For illustrative purposes. Picture: iStock The outbreak comes at a time when the poultry industry is divided over the ban on chicken imports from Brazil. Most chicken consumed in the country is imported from Brazil. Some say the ban will cause a shortage in the country, while others argue that South Africa can produce enough chicken. CONTINUE READING: Will SA run out of beef and chicken? Animal disease hits SA's top producer — what it means for consumers Cape Town is on the up, here's why Cape Town's global appeal as a film destination is driving a significant economic upswing in the city's hospitality industry. However, in May, US President Donald Trump proposed imposing a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced content. Cape Town's global appeal as a film destination is driving a major economic upswing in the city's hospitality industry. Picture:If enacted, this tariff could affect locally made films, including productions filmed in Cape Town, and series sold to the US market. CONTINUE READING: Cape Town is on the up, here's why Surprises in Rassie's first Bok squad of 2025, nine uncapped players included Varsity Cup player Ntokozo Makhaza is one of nine uncapped players selected for Rassie Erasmus' Springbok training squad for the opening stages of the international season, which kicks off on 28 June against the Barbarians, followed by the Castle Lager Incoming Series. The Springbok boss named the same 54 players who attended the squad's second national alignment camp in Cape Town, including 31 Rugby World Cup players. Thirty forwards and 24 backs are in the mix. Bok boss Rassie Erasmus. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images The nine uncapped players are Marnus van der Merwe, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese, Renzo du Plessis, Vincent Tshituka, Juarno Augustus, Ethan Hooker, and Makhaza. CONTINUE READING: Surprises in Rassie's first Bok squad of 2025, nine uncapped players included Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Counterfeit alcohol in SA | Icasa seizes Starlink equipment | Malema on Shivambu
Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
New Ulster signing receives first Springboks call-up ahead of summer Test series
The rampaging number eight, who will move to Ravenhill over the summer from Northampton Saints, is one of nine uncapped players called up to Rassie Erasmus' 54-man extended panel. South Africa begin their summer schedule with a game against the Barbarians in Cape Town on June 28, followed by Tests against Italy in Pretoria and Gqeberha on July 5 and 12 respectively and finishing off against Georgia in Nelspruit on July 19. It seems unlikely that 27-year-old Augustus will see any game time as six of the eight back rowers from the Springboks' last squad have been retained, including reigning and two-time World Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit and captain Siya Kolisi. However, it says much about the Alexander Bay native that he has been included in the squad after being part of last month's national alignment camp, with Erasmus clearly a fan of the Ulster-bound back row. Augustus has been in red-hot form for Northampton this season and only missed out on their Champions Cup Final against Bordeaux due to injury, helping them reach their first decider since 2011 with a bulldozing performance against Leinster in the Semi-Finals. His call-up, however, could prove to be an issue for Ulster, who were anticipating the former Stormers man being available for the start of the United Rugby Championship campaign on September 26 but may now be without him should he see any action for his country. Even more concerning would be if he impresses sufficiently to be called up to the Springboks squad for firstly the Rugby Championship, which extends into the first weekend of October, and then the Autumn Internationals, when Erasmus' men face France, Italy, Ireland and Wales in November. While Ulster would never prevent a player from representing their country, the intention was for Augustus to be a fulcrum at the centre of their forward pack in their bid to return to the URC Play-Offs next season, and being without one of their marquee players for a significant period – Ulster have six League games before the end of November – would be less than ideal for head coach Richie Murphy. The province are well-stocked in the back row, with James McNabney emerging last season alongside Ireland flanker Nick Timoney and David McCann, and Ireland lock Cormac Izuchukwu also able to step in at blindside flanker, but Augustus was set to provide a new dimension to the loose forward trio.
The South African
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Springbok Bolters: Top four uncapped players turning heads this season
These emerging talents in are making significant strides in their respective positions and are poised to make an impact at Test level for the Springbok in the near future. The Springboks are blessed a wealth of quality among its core group of players. But when Rassie Erasmus decides to cast his net wider, there won't be a lack of riches in the talent-pool at his disposal because South Africa is blessed when it comes to the next generation of professional players. With that in mind, we bring you the top four best rookies on Rassie Erasmus' radar for potential Springbok selection in the near future. Position: Centre/Wing Age: 21 Hartzenberg has been a standout performer for the Stormers, showcasing his versatility by excelling both on the wing and at outside centre. His impressive speed and agility have made him a key figure in the team's backline. A standout player who reach 50 caps for the Stormers this season, Hartzenberg now has experience on his side, and could serve as very good utility back for Rassie Erasmus' Springboks. Position: Loosehead prop Age: 23 Ntlabakanye has been a dominant force in the scrums for the Lions, earning recognition as one of the top loosehead props in the country. His powerful performances have made him a standout in the URC and he is widely regarded as one of the best in his position. A 145kg giant, his physical dimensions set him apart from the pack, and it would be interesting to see whether the Springbok conditioning coaches could see an opportunity to mould the youngster into an even more formidable weapon in the front row. Position: Wing/Fullback Age: 23 Makhaza has been a revelation in the 2025 Varsity Cup, earning both Player of the Year and Backline Player of the Year honors. His remarkable performance in the final, scoring 32 points, was instrumental in the Ikey Tigers' victory. His move to the Cheetahs for the Currie Cup season marks a significant step in his professional career. The Varsity Cup superstar was a bit of a bolter in the squad selection, but he fully deserves his Springbok call-up, and will add another exciting option on the wing. Position: Loose forward Age: 22 Another rising star in South African rugby, the dynamic loose forward is in the mould of Kwagga Smith, and it stands to reason that the Springboks will be keen to have a closer look at him. Du Plessis had a breakout season in the 2024 Currie Cup, earning the Premier Division Player of the Year award. His dynamic performances caught the attention of national selectors, leading to his inclusion in a Springbok alignment camp. Despite limited minutes for the Lions the URC this season, his domestic form has positioned him as a strong candidate for future national duties. 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)
IOL News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Are Springboks' ticket prices too high? 'Big Mac Index' reveals the alarming truth
FILE - The DHL Stadium in Cape Town will host the Springboks and the Barbarians in June. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Media South Africans are up in arms about the ticket prices for the Springboks' upcoming matches in June and July and it's starting to show in the slow sales. In 2024, South Africans packed out stadiums around the country to get a glimpse of Rassie Erasmus' all-conquering world champions. All six home Test matches were fully sold out, as South Africans flocked to the stadiums to watch their beloved Boks continue where they left off in France at the 2023 Rugby World Cup the year before. The international season featured blockbuster two-Test series against Ireland and the All Blacks, while the Springboks also clinched the Rugby Championship in emphatic fashion in Mbombela. There were a few complaints about the prices of the tickets, especially in Cape Town, where some people paid R4,000 to watch the Springboks take on the All Blacks. @xolizondo ‼️Have Springbok tickets become too expensive for the average South African…R1250 v R60 to watch Boks v Bafana teams?‼️ ♬ original sound - Xoli Zondo 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 ✕ However, over the last week, more South Africans have turned to social media to vent their frustrations about the ticket prices, with many hesitant to spend their hard-earned money watching the Springboks. The 2025 incoming Test schedule is a lot less glamorous, with the Springboks playing the Barbarians in Cape Town, Italy in Pretoria and Gqeberha and Georgia in Mbombela. Tickets for the Barbarians game on June 28 were made available to the general public on May 9, with prices ranging from R250 to R3,000. The R250 to R350 tickets were snapped up quickly, and when IOL went to check the availability of the next best priced ticket, there was only one R500 ticket still available. The rest of the tickets were priced at between R850 and R3000 per ticket. The same goes for the rest of the country. Normally tickets for Springboks Test matches sell out fast, but it seems the opposition and the price of the tickets are making people think twice, because there are still thousands of tickets available for all four matches. Comparing the the Springboks' ticket prices to Bafana's ticket prices Recently, Bafana Bafana started to attract crowds again following their revival under coach Hugo Broos and after the South African Football Association (Safa) finally woke up and decided to take matches outside of Gauteng's borders. Their previous match in Cape Town got a full house at the DHL Stadium, as the team qualified for this year's Africa Cup of Nations in some style. The difference is, though, tickets for the match were priced at R60 for adults, making it accessible for people from all walks of life to come and enjoy a day out at the football with their family. For a family of four, a trip to a Springboks match could easily cost R3,000 if we work on a base ticket price of R500 per person. That R3,000 would include, conservatively speaking, petrol, food and drinks. At a Bafana match, you can even afford to go for seconds. Obviously, though, you can't compare a match against South Sudan with the Springboks playing the All Blacks at the Cape. But, compared to other Springbok matches happening elsewhere in the world this year, the price to watch the Boks remains quite steep. 'Big Mac Index' shows Springboks' ticket prices taking a bite out of consumers IOL Business contributor Nicola Mawson helped us to compare ticket prices for some of the Springboks' away matches this year, including the highly anticipated Rugby Championship match against the All Blacks at Auckland's Eden Park, using the 'Big Mac Index'. The price conversation was based on foreign exchange rates assuming that the value of each currency was as stated in the Economist's Big Mac Index, which seems to provide a more accurate reflection of the value of the rand and other currencies as it is based on the cost of a Big Mac across the world. For example, the price of a Big Mac in South Africa is R52, which is $2.89 at Wednesday's exchange rate of R17.99. However, the Big Mac Index shows that, as of this year, this burger should cost $2.85. IOL compared ticket prices for some of the Springboks' away matches this year using the 'Big Mac Index'. Image: Nicola Mawson According to the data, the most expensive ticket for the clash between the Boks and the All Blacks is - comparatively speaking after the calculations - R968 compared to the top-end R3,000 tickets for the South Africans' home matches. The most expensive tickets for the Springboks' matches against Argentina in London and Wales in Cardiff are also much cheaper, with the prices calculated at R1,469 and R1,017 respectively. SA Rugby is running a massive high-performance operation and they need to generate money from various avenues to sustain themselves. But they must be careful not to alienate a section of the South African rugby public because of their ticket prices, as the stats are rather damning. * IOL approached SA Rugby for comment, but they did not respond at the time of publishing. A follow up article will be done with their response. @JohnGoliath82
Time Out
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Time Out
Cape Town Stadium to host Springboks v Barbarians
Following the news earlier this year that the Springboks would take on the Wallabies at Cape Town Stadium (DHL Stadium) on 23 August, a second international clash has been announced for the Mother City. Rassie Erasmus' Boks will take on the Barbarians on Saturday, 28 June, with the match marking the start of the world champions' 2025 international calendar. This fixture will be the first ever meeting between the Boks and Barbarians on South African soil. The two sides have met eight times before, with the last encounter taking place in London at Wembley Stadium on 5 November 2016. The match ended 31-31. For those unfamiliar with the Barbarians - or BaaBaas for short, they are a British-based invitational rugby club founded in 1890 and which wear an iconic black and white kit. For 2025, the team will be made up of players from sides that ply their trade in the United Rugby Championship, Top 14, Premiership, Super Rugby and Japan Rugby League One. Think of the BaaBaas as something of a 'Dream Team' made up of players who aren't on international duty. Speaking after the announcement, Erasmus said: 'It's always exciting to face the BaaBaas, and this match will be particularly special as it marks the first time that we will face them in South Africa. For us this will be the perfect opportunity to get the players match-ready for the official international season, which starts a week later. 'We may have had a satisfying 2024 season, but this is a new year and a fresh challenge, and we'd like to start strong and build momentum as the season progresses. We have a tough year ahead, and the Barbarians, who are usually laden with seasoned internationals, will provide the perfect test before the Castle Lager Incoming Series.' Tickets for the clash are expected to go on sale in the near future. After the tussle with the BaaBaas, the Boks will play six matches on home soil in the second half of the year: Castle Lager Incoming Series 5 July: Boks v Italy – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 12 July: Boks v Italy – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha 19 July: Boks v Georgia – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
