Latest news with #Snyman
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Bok bruiser Snyman named URC Players' Player of Season
RG Snyman has been rewarded for a wonderful campaign with Leinster by being named URC Players' Player of the Season. Springbok and Leinster bruiser RG Snyman was named the United Rugby Championship (URC) Players' Player of the Season, when the final two awards were announced on Friday. Snyman picked up the prestigious award, which is selected by his own peers, while the Coach of the Season award went to Zebre's Massimo Brunello. The awards came hot on the heels of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu being named SA URC Player of the Season, while Cameron Hanekom was named Next-Gen Player of the Season, seven South Africans were named in the tournament's Elite XV, and Ruben van Heerden won the Tackle Machine award. Snyman has been a revelation this season for the URC table toppers after arriving from Munster in the off season, and his 'x-factor' has been lauded as a key reason for him picking up the award. The towering lock has helped his side to top of the table in the regular season, with his offload game in particular being pivotal to the Irish province. Unique skillset One fellow player applauded his 'unique skillset' – branding him a 'very tough' opponent, saying: '(He is) a threat all over the park. Strong in the set-piece and has a unique skillset which makes him very tough to play against.' The Players' Player of the Season award was voted on by the captains and vice-captains of all 16 teams, with all nominees required to have made a minimum of nine appearances over the pool phase. Previous winners of this award include Munster's Jack Crowley last season, Leinster's Dan Sheehan back in 2022/23, and Stormers forward Evan Roos in the inaugural URC campaign. On the coaching front Brunello transformed Zebre Parma this season, leading them to superb victories over Munster, Ospreys and Dragons at home, as well as famous away wins against Ulster and Edinburgh. Their away win against Ulster ended a four-year wait for a victory on the road, and was backed up the following week with another win away against Edinburgh. The Coach of the Season is voted for by the league's head coaches, with Brunello receiving the recognition from his peers. Previous winners of this award include Graham Rowntree last season, and Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith back in 2022/23.
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
RG Snyman named URC Players' Player of the Year
Leinster's RG Snyman has been voted the BKT URC's Players' Player of the Season, capping off an impactful debut campaign at the province. The giant second row has been integral to Leinster's run to the semi-finals, playing 13 games and scoring two tries. A powerful ball-carrier at 6ft 9in, the lock's 40 offloads - second overall in the URC - highlights his ability as a dual threat in attack. The award, which is voted for by the captains and vice-captains of each team in the URC, has previously been won by Munster's Jack Crowley, Leinster's Dan Sheehan and Stormers' back row Evan Ross. Snyman, who has agreed a contract extension to remain at Leinster next season, joined the province last summer following four years at Munster, where a series of knee injuries, and a shoulder surgery after the World Cup in 2023, left him unable to make a significant impact at Thomond Park. The 30-year-old (below) has already played 20 games in all competitions for Leinster this season, matching his total from four years at Munster. Meanwhile, Zebre Parma's Massimo Brunello has been named Coach of the Season, with the award voted for by the league's head coaches. Brunello has transformed Zebre Parma this season, leading them to victories over Munster, Ospreys and Dragons at home, as well as famous away wins against Ulster and Edinburgh. Their away against Ulster ended a four-year wait for a victory on road, and was backed up the following week with another win away against Edinburgh. Previous winners of this award include Graham Rowntree last season, and Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith back in 2022/23.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Suspects fatally wounded during N1 shootout between Winnie Mandela Drive and Rivonia Road
Eblockwatch's Andre Snyman commended officials after he quickly went to an active crime scene that was reported on the N1 North, between Winnie Mandela Drive and Rivonia Road on June 5. Read more: Resident shot during protest He said the freeway was forced to be blocked off for law enforcement to attend the scene. This is after the officials apprehended a man who was allegedly driving a hijacked car on the highway, according to Snyman. Snyman took a video, which he shared with Fourways Review, in which a helicopter can be seen parked on the road, along with police and security officers from Fidelity. Also read: A goshawk gets treated by Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital after being shot Snyman said he was informed by one of his eBlockwatch members that cops were flying over the area, so he immediately drove to the scene. A man told him, in a voice note, which he shared with Fourways Review: 'I was driving on my way to a meeting when these cars overtook me, and then the next thing was a shootout. The man in the car, I think he was hijacked, went to hit my car, stopped in front of me, bailed out, and the cops came in and started shooting. I was the last car through, so they taped up the road.' Snyman said: 'What else can I tell you? It's another day in South Africa. You know, the saddest thing is it's right next to St Peter's Girls College. I mean, the shootout and the bullets flying around, you can just think of how dangerous it must have been. This is the way we're going to take on our criminals.' One of the security officers from Fidelity said to Snyman, in the video, that the car was occupied by people, but wasn't sure how many of them. It is not clear if there were fatalities or the extent of their injuries. Captain Mavela Masondo confirmed that three house robbery suspects were fatally wounded during a shootout with the police on the N1 North, between Winnie Mandela and Rivonia off-ramps. This is a developing story as we await comments from police, Fidelity, as well as the emergency services, to which we reached out for more information. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Pastor shot and killed during a robbery at a Diepsloot church At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
4 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Western Cape Blood Service reviews race-related questions on donor forms
The Western Cape Blood Service is reviewing the blood donor questionnaire and plans to add an 'other' option, and we are considering a 'prefer not to say' option after concerns were raised by the group People Against Race Classification calling for the blocks to be scrapped. Image: Independent Newspapers photographers The Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) is reviewing its donor questionnaire following pressure from People Against Race Classification (Parc) to change the requirement to state your race when donating blood. The service said they now plan to add an 'other' option, and is considering a 'prefer not to say' option. Parc had flagged their concerns with the WCBS through several letters, saying they took offence that the questionnaire to be completed by those who want to donate blood asked for racial information. 'I have been a blood donor in this country for many years. I am not a Coloured, Black, Indian or White person. Why don't you also add an option for a person not to complete his race data? Or why not add more ethnic identities like, Khoi-San, Zulu, Afrikaner, Pedi, etc. 'The arguments regarding the need for this data is commonly known but not accepted. The WCBS as part of the science and medical fraternity, has no obligation to report on which blood was donated by which race. The necessity to know a person's race has no medical implication on what patient could use whose blood. You have no legal leg to support this practice. The Population Registration Repeal Act of 1991 has repealed all uses of race criteria,' Parc founder Glen Snyman wrote. On March 13, Parc's action team visited the Western Cape Blood donation Service's Head Quarters in Cape Town where they held a demonstration with placards in hand calling for the race blocks on the donation forms to be removed. 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 ✕ Initially the organisation in a letter responding to Snyman's concerns on March 27, outlined the reasons why it collected the data and also noted that the matter was discussed at a board meeting and would be brought up again following consultation with an expert. On June 2, WCBS CEO, Greg Bellairs wrote another letter, stating that the board had explored whether there may be any ethical issues around asking the race of blood donors and had engaged with a 'respected bio-ethicist'. 'We have also fully considered your position, and decided the following: when next we revise the blood donor questionnaire's options regarding race, we will add a block called 'other', and we are considering adding another block called 'prefer/choose not to say'. We will add further information about why we ask for the race of blood donors, on the blood donor questionnaire, on the Service's Privacy Statement (which all blood donors sign), and on WCBS's website,' said Bellairs. On March 13, Parc's action team visited the Western Cape Blood donation Service's Head Quarters in Cape Town where they held a demonstration with placards in hand calling for the race blocks on the donation forms to be removed. Image: Supplied Approached for comment on Thursday, WCBS spokesperson Marike Carli said the organisation did collect race data but was open to continuous engagements. 'Race data is still collected. However, we are reviewing the blood donor questionnaire and plan to add an 'other' option, and we are considering a 'prefer not to say' option as well. Blood donors who wish to not disclose their race may freely donate blood. We do not discriminate based on race or gender. We welcome constructive dialogue and remain open to continuous engagements and improvements. 'Every decision we make, including the information we request from blood donors, is… grounded in both medical science and ethical responsibility. We ask blood donors to self-identify their race so that we can select donations for extended testing for additional blood group systems (other than the ABO and Rh systems). This enables us to provide blood-group compatible blood products to multi-transfused patients such as those with thalassaemia, and sickle cell disease – as well as to identify donations of rare blood types, which are reserved in a national repository for patients with rare blood types,' said Carli. Snyman said this was still not enough. 'This is a small 'victory' for PARC. The WC Blood Service agreed to amend their blood donation questionnaire form by adding to the race options the 'other' box, and also an option for people to 'not disclose their race'. However, we will continue our fight to have all the race blocks removed from all forms,' he said. Stellenbosch University, Emeritus Professor in Health Systems and Public Health, Usuf Chikte said there is no 'credible genetic or biological foundation for these categories'. 'Racial classification, particularly in South Africa, is a social and political construct, not a scientific one. It emerged from a brutal system of segregation and inequality, not from any meaningful understanding of human biology. To continue relying on these categories in medicine, especially in something as sensitive and vital as blood donation, is to perpetuate a deeply harmful legacy devoid of any scientific basis. 'Proponents argue that such data may help match rare blood types. But even where this is medically relevant, ancestry-based screening, not racial identity, is the appropriate approach. 'Race' is simply too crude, inaccurate, and politically loaded to serve as a stand-in for complex biological or genetic markers. More importantly, the use of race on medical forms undermines patient trust. Most people filling out these forms have no idea why the information is being collected or how it will be used. In a country still grappling with the trauma of institutionalised racism, this is not a trivial issue. Medical institutions must be held to the highest standards of ethical transparency and scientific validity.'
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Stormers see Dragons clash as another step towards top form
'We know how it is to go out every game and almost fight for your life. We are working on stuff behind the scenes and it's looking to get going now.' High-flying Stormers say that while they will not underestimate Dragons, they will use their match at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday to further find their rhythm as they target a strong run in the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs. The Stormers have surged from 12th to sixth on the URC log since March, winning four of their last five games and collecting four bonus points – a run that has all but secured them a play-off spot. But instead of becoming complacent as they prepare to host last-placed Dragons with the kick-off at 6.15pm, the Western Province side are focusing on ironing out any improvements they need to and finding top form. Stormers 'in a good space' 'This time of the season is about momentum and really finding your groove as a group,' Stormers backline and attack coach Dawie Snyman said. 'Last week we gave the guys a bit of time off, which is also important. You have to measure up how hard you are going to train and how much better you are going to get, or in terms of medical freshness and [helping the guys] get rid of one or two niggles, and just get them mentally right. 'I think we are in a good space. We are really excited for the last two games.' As the Stormers backline find themselves in the rare position of having all their top-choice backline players fit and available together, with flyhalf Manie Libbok returning from injury last, Snyman said they would focus on maintaining the cohesion that has brought them success. 'We have to make sure we can keep our rhythm as a unit and as a team. And also just make sure the next in line is ready. 'We've been a bit off the radar in terms of prepping and always being a little bit under pressure in the start of our season, which is a good thing. Going into a play-off game and you haven't had a lot of pressure on you, it's not always great for the squad. Stormers know what it means to 'fight for your life' 'We know how it is to go out every game and almost fight for your life. We are working on stuff behind the scenes and it's looking to get going now.' Still, Snyman said they could not 'take anything lightly' in terms of the season the Dragons have had, just winning one game out of 16. 'They are actually a good side,' the coach said, adding they had been in it during a few games but come away with 'unlucky' results.
