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IOL News
29-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Etzebeth wants Sharks to have a go against Munster in URC quarter-final, Jordan Hendrikse recovers at flyhalf
Jordan Hendrikse Fit-again Jordan Hendrikse is set to start at flyhalf for the Sharks against Munster. Photo: STEVE HAAG SPORTS Image: STEVE HAAG SPORTS After the Sharks' dour 12-3 defeat of the Scarlets a fortnight ago, there was a chance they might have had to call veteran Lionel Cronje out of semi-retirement for Saturday's United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Munster – but the flyhalf injury crisis has lifted. Jordan Hendrikse has been running in the position at training this week, and while Siya Masuku is still struggling with the hamstring problem picked up against the Welsh team, one fit flyhalf is better than none. Unfortunately, it does not appear that Grant Williams will make the Munster party as he continues to nurse a neck injury. This is a pity, because he is the catalyst the Sharks have been missing to get their attack going. They need someone to push the detonator on the ample firepower they have at the back, but, so far, nobody has taken on that role. If it can't be Williams on Saturday, another of their Boks has to take the responsibility. While the Sharks are short on flyhalf cover, Aphelele Fassi has shown he can do a job in the position, and it might be a good idea to bring the exciting Springbok fullback closer to the ball. The Sharks have been grinding out important wins – they are on a four-match roll – but captain Eben Etzebeth echoed André Esterhuizen's words of earlier this week when he said: 'We are not aiming for it to be tight against Munster... we want to play. 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 ✕ 'Last season, we lost the tight matches and finished 14th on the log,' he added. 'This season we've won them, and that's the difference. A couple of points, and you have a home quarter-final. 'We're used to playing those tight games, but hopefully we don't have to make it too tight any more. 'We are feeling confident,' Etzebeth continued. 'This is the highest the Sharks have ever finished in the URC, with only Leinster and the Bulls above us. 'We have a home quarter-final, and we know if we win it, we will stay in South Africa for a semi-final, whether it's at the Shark Tank (against Edinburgh) or at the Bulls. 'Munster are a quality side, though, and it's probably going to come down to discipline on the day or who's got the better goal-kicker.' The Springbok legend said that the Sharks' big defeat of Munster last October in Durban, which effectively ended Graham Rountree's tenure as coach, is irrelevant. 'That game feels like it was a long time ago,' Etzebeth said of the 41-24 result. 'A week is a long time in rugby, and that game was over half a year ago, so it will be a completely new game. 'The knockouts are the most important part of the season. When they arrive, what happens before that doesn't matter. 'Right until the last week of the URC, we didn't know who we'd be playing. 'For a long time, we thought we'd be playing the Stormers. However, Glasgow lost a few games, and so we are now playing Munster. 'We know they are a quality side, and we know they have a history of playing well in knockout games. 'We are very aware of that; they are at their best in knockout games, even away from home. 'But we are not looking too much into past results.'
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
We've always wanted to be a big band, but we stay the right side of the fine line between cool and sad, says Sports Team
One song's topic turns to the rise in platform OnlyFans GOOD SPORTS We've always wanted to be a big band, but we stay the right side of the fine line between cool and sad, says Sports Team Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THERE is always a political angle to Sports Team's songs but it is delivered with energy and humour. With their third album Boys These Days, the six-piece set out to make something that was all that — and more — delivering a satirical take on everything from social media to our obsession with nostalgia. 3 There is always a political angle to Sports Team's songs Credit: © Julianna D'Intino 2025 3 With their third album Boys These Days, the six-piece are delivering a satirical take on everything from social media to our obsession with nostalgia Credit: © Julianna D'Intino 2025 Sometimes it's a critique, at other times it feels more like an endorsement. 'It's not Modern Life Is Rubbish, it's more like modern life is OK,' says rhythm guitarist and vocalist Rob Knaggs, name-checking Blur's 1993 album. Singer Alex Rice adds: 'Three albums in, we're finally at a point where we have the confidence to make the record we want to make. It's maximalist and hedonistic — a big sound that's in your face. We've been inspired by people like Bryan Ferry, Prefab Sprout and Joe Jackson.' It's a busy morning when I meet Rice and Knaggs at their North London HQ — a hybrid of their management company and record label. Libertines frontman Carl Barat pops in for a meeting, promo plans are being thrown around for upcoming releases, and in the middle of it all Rice is proudly showing off photos of his newborn daughter, just a few weeks old. 'It's organised chaos and that's how we like it,' says Rice, settling into the sofa, ready to chat. Out of control 'We actually had more time with this album,' explains Knaggs, after the first two records by the band — which also comprises lead guitarist Henry Young, bassist Oli Dewdney, drummer Al Greenwood and keyboardist Ben Mack — were made amid non-stop touring. Knaggs jokes: 'We could have hit that old, bloated, egotistical stage and thought, 'Do you know what? Maybe I'll make Tubular Bells now'. 'With the first records, we were constantly playing live. Nobody knew who we were, and we had to win over cold crowds. 'But with this third one, it's different, we're not the 22-year-old kids we were when we started. Iconic 70s rock band announces lineup change as frontman quits and replacement is revealed 'Our lives have changed, our music taste has changed, and you don't want to end up a parody of yourself. You want to make music you genuinely love. Otherwise, what's the point of doing this? 'We've always said we want to be a really big band, and it's a fine line between very cool and very sad, and you want to pull the right side of that.' The album is a journey through all the events, all these other things that come into your life Rice With that in mind, Knaggs says: 'At the start, because of our band name, we'd be asked to do silly sports-theme ideas. 'Hey, we've got a photoshoot idea. We are going to dress you as pins from ten-pin bowling, and we will bowl a ball at you down the lane.' No thanks!' Rice adds: 'The album is a journey through all the events, all these other things that come into your life.' Boys These Days kicks off with the catchy sexy sax song I'm In Love (Subaru). Knaggs says: 'It was fun to do songs with an '80s palette, with really corny saxophones — so yes there is a saxophone on there. 'And Subaru was the most '80s song we'd written. It was us consciously trying to write a Prefab Sprout song. And then it spiralled out of control from that point.' "Humour is a key ingredient in Sports Team's songs, and the title track Boys These Days is no exception. That one is meant to be taken ambiguously,' explains Rice. 'It's about how the generation before you always think you've lost your way. 'I've always been fascinated by nostalgia culture. There's a Facebook group called Who Remembers Proper Binmen that really got us thinking about this idea.' 'It's like boomer memes. Or nostalgic phrases like Who remembers chippy teas? Who remembers playing on bombsites? And everyone nods that they remember,' says Knaggs with a laugh. Rice adds: 'Boys These Days is a phrase that whatever the side of the political spectrum you're on with gender, you take it in a different way.' There's a line in Boys These Days about 'now it's all vaping and porn' and the topic turns to the rise in the number of students using the platform OnlyFans to fund university costs. There's a weird divide between older people who expect you to do certain things because you're in a band, like have groupies. It's weird Rice Knaggs says: 'We were actually approached by OnlyFans in the early days of the band — I think they were trying to get artists on board to give them a good image. 'I guess Kate Nash did it pretty well when she was doing bum pics to sell her tour. 'And Lily Allen makes money selling photos of her feet. I'd do hands and feet stuff on OnlyFans, if my feet weren't so grotesque!' Rice says: 'There's a weird divide between older people who expect you to do certain things because you're in a band, like have groupies. It's weird. 'We're a mixed band where there's five guys. Music is still going through that transition but music for us has always been a positive masculine space. 'Small venues are where you find a lot of community. It was for us when we were young and we are trying to create that as well.' The band — who formed while at Cambridge University — believe their privileged academic background has often been a double-edged sword. Knaggs points out other acts, including Clean Bandit and singer Rina Sawayama, went to Cambridge. He adds 'Although I was always a bit annoyed, because we'd get branded as posh, whereas Rina Sawayama would be called an academic queen.' Smiling, Rice says: 'I've always liked these fun little narratives, these beefs. Like when Liam Gallagher called Pete Doherty and Keane's Tom Chaplin 'posh lightweights' and when Kasabian joked that Tom was 'addicted to port'.' Boys These Days was made in Bergen, Norway, where Rice and Knaggs say they made the most of the different environment. Rice says: 'We loved it and worked Scandi hours, like 10am till 4pm which we'd never done before. And it was the end of January so had the heaviest of snow which was so beautiful. 'Me and Rob visited the Cold War bunkers there and walked a lot. We swam most days too. It was a great place to work.' Knaggs says: 'But the Norwegians know how to live. We saw A-ha playing at a festival. Morten Harket is still a dish. 'We were backstage and he came straight off stage, got a ski jumper on and drove straight into the mountains. He's living very well that man.' Rice says: 'We worked with [CMAT and Girl In Red] producer Matias Tellez who was experimental with the band and our way of working. 'He's so comfortable in the studio. There are no preconceptions about how music should be made. In the past we've thought everything needed to be played live, or it's not credible. After robbery ordeal, song felt very personal Sports Team 'Matias's methods were very freeing, the way he worked on the vocals and made us try things again and again. He made it spontaneous. He has a very sunny vibe and is incredibly energetic.' Knaggs adds: 'Also he doesn't come from that guitar world. We love guitar rock and are super nerds in that sense. With that comes a weird set of rules to how you record guitars, drums and bass. 'Brutal welcome' 'But Matias is happy to do whatever. He's about Scandi-Norwegian pop, which has separate rules to the UK or New York or LA music scene.' Other standout tracks on Boys These Days include Head To Space, a song about billionaires blasting off to the moon, and Moving Together, which includes a clever Coronation Street intro sample, (through copyright laws, the soap now own 20 per cent of that song). Bang Bang Bang tackles the issue of gun violence — eerily written before the band were robbed at gunpoint on the first day of their US tour in San Francisco last December. The boys had been enjoying breakfast when two masked men stormed their rental van at gunpoint, forcing tour manager Lauren Troutman to the ground and stealing thousands of pounds' worth of equipment and personal belongings. It left them shaken but determined to carry on with the tour, with Rice describing it as a 'brutal welcome to America'. He adds: 'We wrote the song months before and so the timing seemed strange. 'It went from being this song about how jarring it feels to go into bars in the US, where people would show you their guns, or gun holes in the wall, or in shops, weaponry would be next to other things, which felt odd. Then suddenly it felt a very personal song. 'What was weird though was having the media come out and to see the massively different angles on the gun argument. We were doing all these interviews and just describing what happened rather than the (pro-gun) political line that some people wanted out of us.' Shaking his head, Knaggs says: 'It happened in a petrol station, so if we had a gun, we could have had a little shootout in the petrol station. No problem.' The band began a record- store tour last night in Edinburgh before summer shows in London and Margate and festivals. Being in Sports Team is about having fun and creating a narrative about life — we've grown up a lot since we started — but it's just given us more things to write about Rice Rice says: 'We are playing Truck, Y Not, Kendall Calling and Leeds. There's a few more to be announced, and a big autumn tour. They have also been supporting Supergrass during their ongoing I Should Coco 30th anniversary tour — and will perform at their Mexico gig in September. 'We are excited. I love Supergrass. We've played with a lot of bands now and they are the people you want to be like that. They are fantastic live and the nicest people. 'I'm just looking at how touring will work now I'm a dad. Paul McCartney took his baby on tour — it's definitely doable. 'There will be a lot of time when I'm probably around way more than with a normal job. It's the balance you strike. And this year, we've taken it a bit easier than we would do normally and my partner has been great and is a great mum. 'Being in Sports Team is about having fun and creating a narrative about life — we've grown up a lot since we started — but it's just given us more things to write about.' Boys These Days is out today. SPORTS TEAM Boys These Days ★★★★☆
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Celebrity Traitors star lifts lid on ‘intense' and ‘brutal' series – and lets slip which celeb is the smartest
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SPORTS presenter Clare Balding says Celebrity Traitors saw the stars' friendships abandoned when they came together to take part in the BBC challenge show. She is one of 19 famous faces who've just finished filming the spin-off series at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highland for BBC One with Claudia Winkleman returning to host. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 7 Sports presenter Clare Balding says she was 'completely obsessed' with Celebrity Traitors because the show is 'so intense' Credit: PA And although many of the celebs had become quite pally over doing various shows and events together over the years, the long-standing loyalties counted for nothing. Talking at the Goodwoof event this week, Clare said: 'It is so intense, and you get completely obsessed with the game. "Obviously I knew quite a lot of them before I went in, but the friendships you had before go out the window! 'That, for me, is very challenging because I like to be friends with everybody! It's brutal, but I think I'm glad I did it. It will make good television and there are some really strong moments.' Clare was keeping quiet about whether she was a traitor or a faithful, and would only let slip one thing about one of her fellow competitors. She said: 'There are some people who are so clever. I mean, Nick Mohammed from Ted Lasso, he can solve problems and puzzles in like four and a half seconds. He's amazing. 'It was lovely to get more time to hang out with people like Stephen Fry, Celia Imrie, Charlotte Church who's an absolute superstar, and a really cool young singer called Cat Burns - I would not have met her and Ruth Cobb who's an actress in any other situation, and I loved that. 'Yeah it was great fun.' Clare also admitted that one of the main reasons she agreed to take part was because she was such a fan of The Traitors, which is currently filming its fourth 'civilian' series. She said: 'I wanted to do it because I wanted to experience the show, and I was really lucky they said yes to letting me. I think I was one of the first ones signed up actually, me and Stephen Fry.' Claudia Winkleman reveals BBC bosses have slapped her with a big rule ahead of first ever Celebrity Traitors Clare added: 'I wasn't even allowed to say I'd done Celebrity Traitors until they made the big announcement last week, and I certainly can't talk about any of the detail.' 7 Clare is one of 19 famous faces who've finished filming the spin-off series at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highland with Claudia Winkleman Credit: BBC GARETH IN TIGHT SQUEEZE 7 Gareth Malone squeezed into this tight outfit for The Horne Section TV Show Credit: Channel 4 GARETH MALONE will have no trouble hitting the high notes in the dangerously tight outfit he squeezes into for The Horne Section TV Show. The choirmaster makes a cameo appearance in the new series of the sitcom, which kicks off tonight on Channel 4. He stars alongside Taskmaster's Alex Horne, who plays himself as a host of his own late-night chat show alongside his band, The Horne Section. Alex says the series involves 'six men who are nearly 50 years old, who should know better, but have been given a TV show, so we're mucking around, trying to make each other laugh'. Also taking part in the chaos are Ghosts star Kiell Smith- Bynoe and impressionist Ronni Ancona. Alex adds: 'It's really childish, it's very silly. We're just going to have a laugh.' Gareth's clearly on board with that mantra, too. GAVIN & Stacey star Rob Brydon plays divorcee Bill Beam, who staves off financial ruin by renting his spare rooms to students in a new show – Bill's Included. It's one of several new comedies announced by the Beeb which include Reluctant Vampire starring Bafta winner Lenny Rush. NAGA: I'M TROLLS' TARGET 7 BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty says trolls love to have a pop at her appearance Credit: BBC BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty has revealed that trolls love to have a pop at her appearance. She said: 'The number of times I've had comments like, 'You shouldn't be wearing that dress, you've got a bit of a belly'. 'People are quite happy to comment on social media. 'I'm very happy with my body. I'm fit, I'm strong, but women have bellies.' She added to Gabby Logan on her The Mid-Point podcast: 'You get a lot of nice comments, but women are expected to portray a certain aesthetic. 'And when you dress for news you have to be mindful that what you wear cannot be distracting. 'Women are more highly criticised and noticed.' GLAM LIZ IS A DEAD ZINGER 7 Liz Hurley, with Rob Rinder, has just been announced as the leading lady on Channel 4 show The Inheritance Credit: Channel 4 WHAT better way to exhume your career than in a coffin. That seems to be the motto of Liz Hurley who has just been announced as the leading lady on new Channel 4 show The Inheritance. The Austin Powers actress is being joined by Rob Rinder on the upcoming reality series, which sees 13 strangers summoned to a grand stately home. They have to compete for a chunk of the fortune left in the will of The Deceased, a rather glamorous woman, played, naturally, by our Liz. Rob plays her executor and legal counsel – which is understandable given he is a trained barrister and erstwhile Judge Rinder. He said: 'As The Executor I enforce the rules, keep the chaos in check – more or less – and make sure our players are deserving of every glittering penny left by our dearly departed deceased.' The show will air this autumn. TANYA'S BUNCH HUNCH 7 Tanya Bardsley says there could be a second series of The Bardsley Bunch, above with husband Phil Credit: Getty THERE could well be a second series of The Bardsley Bunch – if Tanya Bardsley gets her way. The former Real Housewives Of Cheshire star reckons fans are chomping at the bit for a sequel to the reality show that focuses on her, hubby Phil, a former footballer, and their children. The mum of four said: 'It resonates with people because there's no filter with us. I've not had one bad comment. 'Kids can be little t****rs no matter how much you dress them up, but all the mums out there understand that. 'We're having talks about series two with ITV soon. No one else would employ me, so what else am I going to do? 'I got sacked when I was a cleaner, so this will be it!' SURANNE SHOW IS SPELLBINDING 7 Suranne Jones is set to star in a TV drama about witchcraft having becoming obsessed with the subject Credit: Rex SURANNE JONES is to star in a TV drama about witchcraft – having becoming obsessed with the subject after making a documentary about the phenomenon. The Gentleman Jack actress has paired up with the production team behind Disney historical thriller series A Thousand Blows and Bafta-winning Sky comedy Mr Bigstuff. Suranne and her husband, producer Laurence Akers, are both fascinated by the supernatural and were spurred on to make the show after co-creating last summer's Channel 4 documentary, Investigating Witch Trials. The drama is in its early stages but is expected to go into production within months. Though they have yet to attach it to a channel, the creators say the biggest hurdle is financing it. Tom Miller, of production firm Water and Power, told the British Television Society: 'We're currently developing a TV drama with Suranne and Laurence about witchcraft. 'Increasingly, as we build a reputation, we get sent books and scripts, though developing them can be expensive. 'We don't have backers — we're completely independent — so we have to bear development costs.' Two-parter Investigating Witch Trials saw Suranne exploring the stories behind the infamous 17th century prosecutions for witchcraft. She delved into the myths surrounding sorcery while exploring the historic witch trials and the super-natural in England, America and beyond. And she also exposed how age-old prejudices still affect women today. She said: 'For as long as I can remember, I've been intrigued by the idea of witches. I would love to be cast as a witch. 'When I was younger I didn't gravitate towards princesses, I loved fairy tales and folklore. 'But I loved witches and the wild women who got their hands dirty.' I'd roll your sleeves up now, Suranne — you'll have channels and streamers banging on your door for this drama.
