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The Herald
16 hours ago
- General
- The Herald
Junior Boks put Gqeberha heartache behind them
After the disappointment of ending third at the four-team U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha in May, the Junior Boks are ramping up preparations for the World Rugby Championship, which kicks off in Italy on June 29. Two training sessions against a visiting senior Kenyan side have been included in a three-week training camp which starts in Stellenbosch on Monday. The meetings with Kenya will be match simulation exercises, with the first set for June 9 and the second five days later on June 14, in Stellenbosch. Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote has included three new players in a training squad. He has welcomed back several familiar faces who are back from injury and United Rugby Championship duty in addition to three newcomers in Rambo Kubheka (loosehead prop), Shaun Schürman (hooker) and Ian van der Merwe (flyhalf). Returning to the squad are locks Jaco Grobbelaar and Arno van der Merwe, No 8 Stephanus Linde, and outside backs Jaco Williams and Alzeadon Felix. ' Rambo, who played for the SA U18s last year, has been doing very well for Hollywoodbets Sharks in the SA Rugby U21 Cup, while Shaun and Ian, a very good game driver and left-footed kicker, have also been in good form for the Vodacom Bulls U21s,' Foote said. 'Jaco Grobbelaar, who played for the Junior Boks last year, is back from his Vodacom URC duty with the Vodacom Bulls and will join us in week two, and Stephanus, who toured with us to Georgia earlier this year, returns after he picked up a knee injury in the FNB Varsity Cup. 'It's also good to welcome back from injury Jaco Williams, who has been training with the Sharks' URC team, Alzeadon Felix, who had a good Varsity Cup campaign, and Arno van der Merwe.' Foote said HB Odendaal (hooker), Neil Hansen (lock), Divan Fuller (flanker), and Matt Romao (flanker) have been ruled out due to injury, while JC Mars (fullback) would join the squad as soon as he had shrugged off a hamstring niggle. 'We're a very settled team now, with some guys coming back from injury and unfortunately some players being injured while on duty for their provinces in the SA Rugby U21 Cup,' Foote . 'We've kept the core of the squad together for a long time now; they're a great team off the field and have a good connection, which we think is very important for us going into the World Championship, also understanding how we want to play and our game model. 'There has been a lot of work done over the last few camps, including the tour to Georgia and the U20 Rugby Championship. 'Though we didn't get the results against Australia and New Zealand in Gqeberha, we've taken a lot of good learning from those experiences, and we feel we are very close to where we want to be.' Junior Springbok training squad: Props: Simphiwe Ngobese (Sharks), Ranon Fouché (Bulls), Oliver Reid (Western Province), Kubheka (Sharks), Jean Erasmus (Bulls), Tebogo Nkosi (Cheetahs), Herman Lubbe (Western Province). Hookers: Juandré Schoeman (Bulls), Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Shaun Schürmann (Bulls). Locks: Jaco Grobbelaar (Bulls), Riley Norton (Western Province), Arno van der Merwe (Cheetahs), Morné Venter (Lions), JJ Theron (Bulls), Zuko Phoswa (Western Province). Loose forwards: Xola Nyali (Western Province), Thando Biyela (Lions), Batho Hlekani (Sharks), Stephanus Linde (Cheetahs), Wandile Mlaba (Western Province). Scrumhalves: Haashim Pead (Lions), Ceano Everson (Sharks), Erich Visser (Cheetahs). Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Ian van der Merwe (Bulls). Centres: Albie Bester (Sharks), Demitre Erasmus (Bulls), Gino Cupido (Western Province). Outside backs: Jaco Williams (Sharks), Siya Ndlozi (Western Province), Cheswill Jooste (Bulls), Gilermo Mentoe (Lions), Alzeadon Felix (Lions), Scott Nel (Sharks). Utility back: Dominic Malgas (Western Province). The Herald
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Rugby must tackle its coaching respect issue after Milton Haig quits
This focus on high-performance coaching set-ups is a result of the surprise announcement on Wednesday that New Zealand Under-20 head coach Milton Haig, having steered the team to a Rugby Championship title a few weeks ago, has stepped down just days before the team is due to depart for the Junior World Championships in Italy. Haig, an experienced coach who has strong provincial experience in New Zealand, was at the helm of Georgia at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups and has spent time with the Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath, said there were differences in opinion between him and his assistants about the team's style of rugby. He obviously felt those different views were irreconcilable and that, if he didn't have the support of his fellow coaches (Jarrad Hoeata, Alex Robertson and Craig Dunlea), it would be best for the team – specifically the players – if he fell on his sword. It was the honourable thing to do – a selfless act that demonstrated a recognition that ego and personal ambition can never be put ahead of the interests of the team. But can the same be said of his assistants, who, based on the facts as they have been presented, didn't seem to recognise that they were there to support and facilitate Haig's strategic vision and not impose their own? Milton Haig, when working with the US women's team. Photo / Getty Images Haig's actions may have been honourable, but the longer-term ramifications of a head coach sacrificing himself to appease his assistants are potentially significant and dangerous for the elite game. Whatever happened to sucking it up? To not liking something but doing it anyway because that's your job? There are workplaces across the country where people won't agree with the strategy being pursued by the boss, or don't particularly like their management style, but they get on with doing what is required and requested because this is part and parcel of being an adult and beholden to uphold professional standards. Rugby, to its credit, has tried to build collaborative coaching environments where assistants and specialists are encouraged to own their field, but perhaps there needs to be a re-evaluation in the wake of Haig's departure about how far down the track they want to go in this shift away from authoritarian regimes. There's room for assistants to be empowered, but not so much that they forget the subordinate nature of their roles. The best environments should operate with an element of professional friction, but not so much that the pushback undermines or disrespects the head coach's ultimate authority. Haig's unexpected decision to quit is not quite the isolated act it may seem. It marks the third time in as many years that a New Zealand national team has had some kind of dramatic and sudden shift in its internal coaching dynamics. In 2022, the Black Ferns were left scrambling to put a coaching team together only five months before the World Cup. Last year, All Blacks assistant Leon MacDonald quit after just five tests. MacDonald's departure was explained as a lack of compatibility between him and head coach Scott Robertson. Leaving aside the question of why this discovery wasn't made earlier, when they worked together at the Crusaders, it does suggest that there is a creeping problem of people thinking that their ambition to be a head coach should be catered for in any role they take. Something seems wrong with the wider culture – that there has been a failure to manage expectations, define boundaries and instil within all those entering the elite coaching ranks that teams need not only a clear hierarchy, but for that hierarchy to be recognised, respected and understood. New Zealand's great strength in previous eras was the ability of high-performance coaching teams to be able to disagree but commit. Between 2004 and 2011, when the three heavyweight figures of Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith coached the All Blacks, the latter two didn't always agree with what the former was trying to achieve or the way he wanted them to do it, but they knew and respected that what they felt was ultimately not important. It was Henry's vision they were there to implement, not their own. Maybe now that a generation of Millennials is starting to win high-performance roles, that same ingrained respect for the hierarchy isn't there. Someone needs to get on top of this and restore order before every national coaching team is undermined or disrupted by the chaos that unfolds when there is confusion about who is in charge.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Limited tickets remain for Springboks vs Argentina in London
As the international rugby season heats up with the highly anticipated British & Irish Lions tour of Australia on the horizon, fans have a golden opportunity to witness top-tier action up close. The 2025 Rugby Championship clash between South Africa and Argentina is set to take place in London at the Allianz Stadium at Twickenham on Saturday, 4 October 2025, with kick-off at 14:00. Only a few hundred tickets remain for the middle tier, with adult tickets priced at £55 and kids (Under 16) at £28 (*booking fees apply). These tickets offer fans a chance to see rugby superstars in action – at an affordable price. The showdown promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to finish their campaigns on a high and fans relishing the chance to see southern hemisphere giants clash in a northern hemisphere venue. Don't miss out on what promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the 2025 international rugby calendar. Secure your seats by visiting Get ready for world-class rugby, electrifying atmosphere, and a day out for the family. 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.
The South African
5 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
WATCH: Springboks' most brutal hits
The Springboks are set to kick off their 2025 season against the Barbarians on 28 June before heading into the July Tests against Italy and Georgia. This will be followed by the highly-anticipated Rugby Championship, where they will look to defend their title, before heading on their traditional end-of-year tour. As Springbok fans start to get increasingly excited for a six-month stretch where the world champions will feature in at least 14 fixtures, here are some clips that should whet your appetite. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rugby 4 Life (@rugby4life80) 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)
The South African
5 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
How wild will the Springboks' first selection of 2025 be?
The Springboks are set to head into a season-opening fixture against the Barbarians on 28 June, and it will be fascinating to see what sort of team Rassie Erasmus envisages for such a clash. Considering this is a warm-up fixture of sorts, it's unlikely that Erasmus would select a first-choice team, but he probably would want to mix and match with selection in order to at least build some momentum before the first Tests of the year against Italy and Georgia in July. It's likely that he will include some newcomers alongside a few stalwarts, and here is how we think the first Springbok selection of the year could look. 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. This sort of team would enable the Springbok coaches to take a look at some key players in all-important positions such as No 8, hooker and loosehead prop, while perhaps even giving a relatively low-pressure opportunity to Varsity Cup star Ntokozo Makhaza. Leading players who have recently worked their way back from injury such as Damian Willemse and Lood de Jager could also get an opportunity to return to Springbok action. Recently, the Barbarians revealed three Test centurions – Sam Cane, Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray – with a combined tally of 352 caps as the first players for their squad to take on the Springboks in Cape Town next month, and so the Springboks also won't want to take the game too lightly. 'We have no doubt they will name several more top-class players in the coming weeks, so this match will set the tone for us to switch into full-out competitive mode from the outset,' said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus. 'I've worked with Peter and Conor before, and we know Sam very well – they are quality players with a lot of experience, which will serve as a great test at the start of a big season. 'We are very excited about the season ahead, and as a team, we are blessed to enjoy such passionate support from our fans throughout the country. We are busy putting the building blocks in place for the season, which starts in a little over a month against the Barbarians.' 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)
