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The South African
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Springboks welcome back Kolisi, trio picked for Test debut
The Springboks named an exciting squad for their final Incoming Test against Georgia in Nelspruit, with double World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi returning from injury to lead the side, while three uncapped forward players earn Springbok call-ups. Boan Venter starts at prop, while Marnus van der Merwe (hooker) and Neethling Fouche (prop) round out a revamped front row. All three featured in the team's recent 54–7 win against the Barbarians, with Venter joining the squad in June as injury cover. Their inclusion brings the season's newly capped players to seven, alongside Vincent Tshituka, Cobus Wiese, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, and Ethan Hooker – who debuted against Italy. Rassie Erasmus voiced confidence in the new players: 'Boan, Marnus, and Neethling have been training hard and deserve their chance.' He added that Van der Merwe and Fouche have taste of international rugby, while Venter has impressed at club level. 'Building squad depth has been one of our pillars since 2018, and they are all undoubtedly ready to make the step‑up.' Kolisi returns to captain the side and joins a loose trio featuring Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cobus Wiese. The Bok captain missed the last three matches while recovering from niggles. Erasmus praised Kolisi's fitness, stating, 'we wanted to make sure that Siya is 100% fit before selecting him.' His return also adds experience – 15 World Cup winners feature in the match-day squad. Only five starters return from last week's 45–0 win over Italy. The back three features Edwill van der Merwe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Aphelele Fassi, with former scoring wing van der Merwe promoted from the bench. Canan Moodie and Damian de Allende form the midfield partnership, while Grant Williams and Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu pair up at halfback. Eben Etzebeth partners Ruan Nortje in the second row. Erasmus selected a forward-heavy replacements bench (five forwards to three backs). The forwards include Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi, RG Snyman, and Kwagga Smith. In the backline, Faf de Klerk begins the bench alongside Handré Pollard and Damian Willemse—offering strong tactical cover late in the game. SPRINGBOKS – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Cobus Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Boan Venter. Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Damian Willemse. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS SPRINGBOKS LINEUP? 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 South African
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Tshituka to make Test debut for Springboks against Italy
Vincent Tshituka will make his Test debut in an experienced match-23 named by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus for Saturday's Incoming Test Series opener against Italy in Pretoria. Erasmus named a squad that feature 13 players who defeated the Barbarians 54-7 in Cape Town, and with regular Springbok captain Siya Kolisi out after picking up a niggle last week, Jesse Kriel retains the captaincy, making him the 67th Springbok captain. Eben Etzebeth, who is back from injury, will serve as vice-captain in the clash. The Test will mark a significant occasion for Damian Willemse, who returns to the Bok fold for the first time since the Rugby World Cup final after a series of injuries curtailed his 2024 season, while a suspension for a dangerous tackle saw him miss the outing against the Barbarians. To Erasmus' delight, Faf de Klerk, who last wore the green and gold jersey against Ireland in 2024 before his season was cut short by injury, will also return to the field along with Jasper Wiese. Erasmus opted for largely the same backline that played against the Barbarians, with the only new players being Rugby World Cup winners Willemse at fullback and Handre Pollard at flyhalf, where the latter will pair up with exciting scrumhalf Morne van den Berg. Willemse, meanwhile, will form an exciting back three with wingers Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse, while Damian de Allende and Kriel retain their places in the midfield. There are three personnel changes in the forward pack, with Wiese replacing Jean-Luc du Preez, whose wife is expecting a child, while Etzebeth takes over from the injured Jean Kleyn in the engine room, and Wilco Louw will start at tighthead prop in a front row with Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx. Erasmus opted for a split of six forwards and two backs on the replacements bench, where experienced hooker Bongi Mbonambi will provide front row cover with props Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Vincent Koch, along with lock RG Snyman and utility forwards Franco Mostert and Kwagga Smith. The two backline players on the bench are De Klerk and Willie le Roux, who will earn his 99th Test cap if he takes the field, taking him one Test closer to joining the exclusive club of Springbok centurions. By: SA Rugby SPRINGBOKS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel (c), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche. Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Franco Mostert, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Willie le Roux. WHICH SIDE – BETWEEN THE SPRINGBOKS AND ITALY – WILL WIN ON SATURDAY? 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 South African
04-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
Springboks (EXITS) - Full list: Boks heading out!
The Springboks Rugby World Cup winners are heading out of SA. Springboks players are hot property when it comes to prospective clubs seeking to bolster their squads. Therefore, it comes as no suprise that these Boks have all attracted interest abroad. BIG BOK READ – SPRINGBOKS SIGNING: PLETHORA OF TOP BOKS SIGN FOR SA-BASED CLUBS! Springboks Manie Libbok, Joseph Dweba and Hershal Jantjies are all heading out of SA. Libbok is linked with a possible and likely sabbatical to Japan. Meanwhile, capped Boks, Dweba and Jantjies are both going to be leaving the Stormers. 'Scrumhalves Herschel Jantjies and Paul de Wet are heading to Bayonne in France and the Bulls respectively, while hooker Joseph Dweba departs for English Premiership side Exeter Chiefs, ' the insider stated on The Citizen. Meanwhile, Bok pivot Libbok has been linked with a loan move to Japan. 'Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok, with Director of Rugby John Dobson confirming after the Glasgow loss that he was on his way out with the others, but with no confirmation on what sort of deal,' he added. Meaning, all three capped Springboks are linked with big moves. All three players are Rugby World Cup winners. Dweba and Jantjies were a part of the 2019 Rugby World Cup winning squad. Meanwhile, Libbok woon the 2023 Rugby World Cup with the Boks in France. 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.
