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The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Willie Le Roux shares message to young players after 100th cap
Springbok Willie Le Roux has shared an emotional message after making his 100th test match appearance. Images via Instagram: @wjjleroux Willie Le Roux has encouraged up-and-coming rugby players not to give up on their dreams after he made his 100th test appearance for the Springboks over the weekend. The 35-year-old made his debut for the South African national rugby team in 2013. He has played in three Rugby World Cups, the last two of which the Boks have won. WILLIE LE ROUX SHARES EMOTIONAL MESSAGE AFTER 100TH CAP In an emotional Instagram post, Willie Le Roux thanked the public for their well-wishes on his 100th test match. The cap took place on Saturday, 12 July, in South Africa's game against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Gqeberha. ADVERTISEMENT SA won the game 45-0. Sharing a collage of pictures for the special occasion, Willie posted: 'Playing my 100th test match for the Springboks is something I've wanted since I was a child. It's a moment that feels so surreal and incredibly humbling. 'The journey to get to here was never easy…there were definitely some tough times – injuries, doubts, setbacks – moments where the road ahead felt way too steep. But I held onto belief and kept pushing. Because when you love something this deeply, you find a way to keep going. Willie le Roux used his own experience to encourage other aspiring rugby players. He continued: 'Believe in your dreams. No matter where you come from, no matter how far away your goals may seem – it is possible. It does, however, take a lot of hard work, discipline, sacrifice, and heart'. WHO IS THE HIGHEST CAPPED SPRINGBOK? The highest-capped Springbok is currently Eben Etzebeth, who has made 132 appearances in green and gold. Last October, the 33-year-old surpassed Victor Matfield's previous record of 127 caps. Apart from the duo, only six more Springboks have surpassed 100 test caps: Bryan Habana, Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit, Jean de Villiers, Percy Montgomery, and now Willie le Roux. In an Instagram post, Eben congratulated Willie on his achievement. He posted: 'What a privilege to know you and share a rugby field with you for the last few years. You are a legend, my brother and an incredible person'. He added: 'WLR100 sounds just about right!'. HOW MANY CAPS DO YOU THINK WILLIE LE ROUX WILL MAKE IN HIS CAREER? 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.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
I had a target on my back: Larkham on 2001 Lions series
Stephen Larkham played in three Rugby World Cups and multiple Bledisloe Cup encounters among his 102 Tests but the Wallabies great rates the 2001 British and Irish Lions series as the most brutal he's been involved in. The peerless Australian flyhalf was integral to the Wallabies' 2-1 series win, but it came at a cost with Larkham the primary target for the Lions' fierce defence. Now Brumbies coach and then their Super Rugby playmaker, Larkham's series came to an end in game two in Melbourne, where Australia levelled the series. After helping steer the Wallabies into the lead early in the second half by firing the pass that put Joe Roff through for his second try, the Lions ramped up the pressure on the No.10. His head was almost taken off by Lions skipper Martin Johnson before he was ironed out by centre Rob Henderson with a high shot that left him clutching his shoulder. Larkham soldiered on before he was flattened by another shoulder charge from bullocking Welsh No.8 Scott Quinnell, which ended his night in the 75th minute. One newspaper story at the time described it as "Bodyline tactics", referencing the England cricket team's aggressive bowling attack on their 1932-33 Ashes tour. The shoulder injury meant he was unable to play in the deciding Test in Sydney, with Elton Flatley taking over at 10 as Australia triumphed 29-23. "I certainly had a target on my back, they certainly ran down my channel," Larkham told AAP. "It was probably a plan to get into that channel, whether it was to get at me or not. "The second Test, that's where I busted my shoulder, and the first Test there was a few line breaks through that channel as well so they were definitely coming through there." The Wallabies entered that 2001 series as world champions but the Lions bared their teeth in the first Test in Brisbane in a commanding 29-13 win. Larkham said his team were shocked by the "ferocity and intensity" of the tourists through the series, rating it as more physical than his three World Cup campaigns. "Just like finals footy or Test match footy, where you've got your best players, and teams are evenly matched, it is extremely physical," he said. "That was certainly part of the series in 2001, no doubt about that, more so than the Bledisloes and the Rugby Championship or the World Cup. "When you look at the World Cup, you kind of get some easy opposition, whereas this is a three Test series against one of the best Test teams in the world. "The physicality was certainly something that was evident in those 2001 games for sure." Trailing 6-11 at halftime, Roff's two tries in Melbourne swung momentum in the home side's favour before they ground out a thrilling win in the last Test in Sydney. With a "golden army" of fans embracing the Wallabies, Larkham said the series was very special to be a part of. "That's sort of a golden period for Australian rugby as we were winning everything but we had to fight for that one," the now 51-year-old said. "We were behind the eight-ball after that first game, and we worked really hard at training, and sort of things started to click and certainly, by the third Test, the team was going really well. "You come out of that series and realised that it was very special to be part of it."
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Willie le Roux 100: From 'rugby leper' to Springboks stalwart . . .
Fullback Willie le Roux will become to eighth Springbok to play 100 Test matches for South Africa. Image: Backpagepix After being ignored by the Springboks in 2013 after some top performances for the Griquas and Cheetahs, a disappointed Willie le Roux told a journalist that he 'just wants to jol …' At the time many South African coaches viewed Willie le Roux as a 'rugby leper' because of his maverick style of play. A guy who played what was in front of him and chanced his arm by trying the spectacular. But he is also an emotional character who sometimes had the odd outburst on the field. Even the great Rassie Erasmus, during his time at the Stormers, didn't want anything to do with him, because he wasn't seen as the typical South African player, while Erasmus felt he couldn't keep his emotions in check on the big stage. But he soon changed his mind after a phone call to one of his former coaches. On Saturday, against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, Le Roux will play his 100th Test match for the Springboks 12 years after eventually making his debut, winning two Rugby World Cups in 2019 and 2023 with Erasmus in that time. 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 "You don't just play 100 Test matches for your country,' Erasmus remarked. 'I'm not sure what his win percentage is in those Test matches, but there are only seven players who have done it. 'Willie is an interesting character, and I understand that people don't know him personally that well; in the beginning, I didn't know him well at the Stormers, but I basically said he couldn't make the Stormers squad when he was in there because of his emotional involvement in the game. 'He is a guy who shows what he feels and I remember talking once to a coach [Wasps coach Dai Young] overseas where he played and I said 'I don't understand why Willie is doing these actions', and said something that really stuck with me. He said: 'It's because he cares so much, he doesn't hide his emotions'. 'If you talk to anyone in the team, the way Willie looks sometimes, when he's a little bit down or not happy, it's definitely not a reflection of how he feels for the rest of the team. It's just how much he cares.' Le Roux eventually got his opportunity to 'jol' for the Springboks, and 99 Springboks Tests later he went from an unpredictable, emotional maverick to a Bok stalwart. But he remains a polarising player in the eyes of the South African public, as he has brought South Africans joy and frustration in equal measure. It's because of his willingness to try things that others won't to produce the odd moment of magic. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't ... Willie le Roux, the ultimate enigma. 'You go out there and you want to express yourself. You have a certain skill set ... it's just for the love of the game,' Le Roux told Independent Media in 2024. 'You have the same love for the game watching the Springboks growing up. I still have that same feeling inside of me.' And being the ultimate enigma comes with social media attention, especially the trolls when Le Roux has a bad game. 'Social media is hectic ... it's hard on you. When you play a good game, you want to go on social media to see the nice things people say about you,' said Le Roux. 'Then when you don't play a good game, you don't want to go on there! So I rather stay away - on good days and bad days. 'I just stick to the people close to you ... they know your worth. At the end it's what the coaching staff thinks of you, your parents and your wife ... people who have been there during the tough times.' But with age and experience, Le Roux has become more than just the Springboks' maverick. He is a stalwart. It's not just about the flash anymore, it's also the cool head and the leadership qualities.
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘It's very special' – Kriel on becoming Springbok captain No 67
Jesse Kriel becomes the 67th official Springbok captain against Italy on Saturday, and will be backed by Eben Etzebeth and Handre Pollard who have both led the Boks. Jesse Kriel is set to become the 67th official captain of the Springboks when he leads the team out against Italy at Loftus on Saturday. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images Springbok stalwart Jesse Kriel is incredibly proud to add his name to the history books when he leads the team out as the 67th official captain of the Springboks for their match against Italy at Loftus on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 5:10pm). Kriel, who led the team in the non-Test against the Barbarians in Cape Town last week after the late withdrawal of regular captain Siya Kolisi, was earlier this week confirmed to lead again with Kolisi still missing out with another injury niggle. Despite the return to the starting side of Eben Etzebeth, who has captained the team on 12 occasions, and Handre Pollard, who has led once, Kriel was still given the full backing of the coaching staff to add his name to the list of official captains. The 31-year-old Kriel is grateful for the opportunity and lists the achievement right up there, among his two Rugby World Cups, British and Irish Lions series and Rugby Championship winners' medals. 'It's obviously very special. All of those other achievements are in the past, and we have a Test match to focus on tomorrow (Saturday). I am just really excited and I am in such a fortunate position that I have such strong leaders around me,' said Kriel at Friday's pre-match press conference. 'Siya (Kolisi) has been incredible. Guys like Eben, Handre, you can go through the whole team. There's just so much experience and the guys are just so willing to help, give advice and just be there when you need to ask a question. 'So I am extremely lucky in that sense and I am very proud to lead a team in which I can honestly call a lot of the guys my best friends. It's just a really special occasion and something I am very proud of.' Soft spoken Kriel Kriel is not an outspoken person, and doesn't talk much on the field, but admits that suits him as his leadership qualities are by doing and not saying, which he will continue to embrace going forward. 'I think I have always tried to be a leader that leads by action. When you play in a team like this not much has to be said. I have had great examples from guys like Siya, and our coaching staff also lead by example in how hard they work,' explained Kriel. 'Guys like Duane (Vermeulen) when he was captain, look at Lood (de Jager), I could name everyone in the team. The guys lead by action, they work hard and they get the job done. I suppose that's the blueprint in the way that I want to lead and the way I want to go about doing things.' Kriel will be assisted in the match by Etzebeth, who has been named as vice-captain, while he also has plenty of experience around him to call upon if needed.
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Italy's Joburg-born Ross Vintcent won't back down against the Springboks
Italy's Johannesburg-born loose forward Ross Vintcent is eager to face the top-ranked Springboks in Pretoria, drawing on past experiences against South African teams to prepare for the challenging match. Picture: Matthieu Mirville / DPPI via AFP Facing the Springboks at the moment is a daunting task for any rugby player, but it's one that Johannesburg-born Italy loose forward Ross Vintcent will be relishing when the sides clash at Loftus Versfeld, in Pretoria, on Saturday. Having won the last two Rugby World Cups and already building towards the 2027 edition, the Springboks are a formidable force. South Africa are also ranked first in the world, with Italy down in 10th. It means that Italy will be heavy underdogs for the clash, but it's not too much of a venture into the unknown as Vintcent explains.
