Latest news with #SpringbokSevens
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Brok Harris optimistic about Western Province's growth despite tough Currie Cup start
ASSISTANT COACH: Brok Harris Western Province assistant coach Brok Harris is confident they can turn their season around. Image: Backpagepix Western Province forwards coach Brok Harris is confident that their young and inexperienced team will continue to improve after two heavy defeats to start their Currie Cup campaign. The Province team is a melting pot of many different players, with some coming in from the club structures, familiar faces from the Springbok Sevens team, and a few of the Stormers' fringe players. Soon, you can also add some Junior Springboks to that list. But Province haven't made a great start to the campaign and are already on the back foot in the competition. After defeats against the Bulls and the Lions, and with only one round of fixtures completed, they already look like they might finish outside the semi-final spots. Harris told the media on Tuesday that time constraints before the campaign kicked off didn't allow them enough opportunities to work with the team and build cohesion. The players are essentially getting to know each other on the field. WP are currently without their big-name Stormers players, who are enjoying their mandatory break after a gruelling United Rugby Championship campaign, while others are with the Springboks. So, the Cape side had to dig quite deep to put a team together. 'Obviously, time is always an issue in rugby, and we only had a certain amount of time to prepare, as guys needed to rest during the MyPlayers rest periods,' said Harris. 'Cohesion takes time, unfortunately. It's something we didn't have. We've tried to simulate some matches for the guys during the week to help them get to know each other and bond — the Sevens and club players. 'But unfortunately, time wasn't on our side, and it's not going to come overnight. However, we are seeing improvement week to week, and that is the key thing for us.'
IOL News
25-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Strong Blitzboks flavour for Western Province as Zain Davids leads Cape side against Bulls
Zain Davids will captain Western Province in his Currie Cup debut for the Cape side against the Bulls. Western Province will have a strong Blitzboks flavour when they take on the Bulls in their opening Currie Cup match in Cape Town on Saturday. Springbok Sevens star Zain Davids will captain Western Province. He is one of seven players in the starting line-up making their senior debut for the Currie Cup side, with Springbok Sevens teammate and fullback Shilton van Wyk, wing Quewin Nortje, scrumhalf Asad Moos, No 8 De Wet Marais, lock Alex Groves and tighthead prop Cabous Eloff also running out in the blue-and-white hoops for the very first time Van Wyk and Nortje are joined by Springbok Courtnall Skosan in a pacy back three, with Luke Burger and Damian Markus in midfield. Moos will partner Kyle Smith at halfback, while Davids will have Marais and Louw Nel beside him in the loose trio.
IOL News
21-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Springbok Sevens ‘A' side ends Rugby Africa Sevens pool stage on high after slow start
Ricardo Duarttee brought loads of experience and his trademark trickery to the Springbok Sevens 'A' side in Mauritius at the weekend. Image: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix The Springbok Sevens 'A' side slowly warmed to their task in the pool stage of the Rugby Africa Sevens at the Labourdonnais Sports Club in Mauritius on Saturday, with victories over Nigeria, Zambia and Burkina Faso. The South Africans began the tournament with a 17-5 victory over Nigeria's Black Stallions in a scrappy, error-strewn opening match where they struggled to find their rhythm or assert themselves on their opponents. It took one moment of brilliance – a dummy pass from the energetic Ricardo Duarttee, or 'Tricky Ricky' – to send Joel Leotlela over in the right-hand corner for the only score of the first half. Flyer Sebastiaan Jobb had an almost immediate impact off the bench in the second stanza, his converted try after 11 minutes stretching SA's lead to 12-0. Personal goals and team objectives will need to combine if South Africa want positive results at the Rugby Africa Sevens in Mauritius this weekend - more here: 👊#PoweredByUnity #Blitzboks — Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) June 20, 2025 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 The Nigerians hit back two minutes later to reduce the lead to 12-5. It was no more than their endeavour deserved, even if they were guilty of schoolboy handling errors at times. Masande Mtshali had the final say for the Springbok Sevens 'A' side. He dotted down in the right-hand corner after some good inter-passing as the favourites seemed to have finally woken from their slumber. There would be no further additions to the scoreline but Philip Snyman's charges will have been left with plenty to ponder going into the second match of the tournament. The South Africans started the second pool match against Zambia far better than the first, a foot in touch denying Grant de Jager the early score. But a few minutes later, they made the most of turnover ball on the Zambian tryline for Joubert Schoeman to score. The Zambians levelled the score at 7-7. But their joy was short-lived, after Schoeman rose high and collected the ball off the kick-off to canter over the whitewash. The game seemed headed for a thrilling second half after Zambia fought back to draw level again before half-time (14-14). However, the class of the South Africans finally told. Mfundo Ndhlovu showed great strength, shrugging off tackles and powering over the line as the Springbok Sevens 'A' side eventually ran out 33-14 winners. Mfundo Ndhlovu showed off all his skills for the Springbok Sevens 'A' side on the opening day of the Rugby Africa Sevens in Mauritius. Image: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
SA Rugby pays tribute to Cornal Hendricks, a remarkable athlete
FILE - Cornal Hendricks is one of a few players who played for both the Springboks and the Springbok Sevens teams. Image: Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix SA Rugby president Mark Alexander paid tribute to 'remarkable athlete' Cornal Hendricks following his passing at the age of 37. Hendricks suffered a heart attack and died and on Wednesday while still in the service of the Boland Cavaliers, who over the weekend qualified for the Currie Cup Premier Division after beating Eastern Province. In 2015 Hendricks was diagnosed with a rare heart condition, a year after making his debut for the Springboks. In 2019 he returned to rugby for the Bulls, earning 115 caps and scoring 34 tries across all competitions. The Wellington-born Hendricks moved back home to Boland in 2024 where he featured in the SA Cup for the union 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 Apart from playing in 12 Tests for the Springboks in 2014 and 2015 and scoring five tries, Hendricks also represented the Springboks Seven team between 2011 and 2014, with whom he won a Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow in 2014. He was also a member of the Rugby World Cup Sevens squad in Moscow in 2013. Hendricks, who was named Springbok Sevens Player of the Year for 2013, made his senior debut in the colours of Boland 2008, before moving to the Cheetahs in 2012. In total, Hendricks played 233 first-class matches in a career spanning 17 years. 'We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Cornal Hendricks, a remarkable athlete who represented his country in sevens and fifteen-man rugby with distinction,' said Mr Alexander. 'Cornal was one of those players who loved the game and he worked extremely hard, but he always did so with a smile on his face, treating all people with respect. His energy and love of life, on and off the field, lifted his teammates and those around him. 'His contributions to the sport and his unwavering dedication will always be remembered. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Stephaney and their children, his family, friends, and teammates during this difficult time. May his legacy continue to inspire future generations.' Weekend Argus
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
SA Rugby mourns the loss of Cornal Hendricks, a 'remarkable athlete'
FILE - Cornal Hendricks is one of a few players who played for both the Springboks and the Springbok Sevens teams. Image: Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix SA Rugby president Mark Alexander paid tribute to 'remarkable athlete' Cornal Hendricks following his passing at the age of 37. Hendricks suffered a heart attack and died and on Wednesday while still in the service of the Boland Cavaliers, who over the weekend qualified for the Currie Cup Premier Division after beating Eastern Province. In 2015 Hendricks was diagnosed with a rare heart condition, a year after making his debut for the Springboks. In 2019 he returned to rugby for the Bulls, earning 115 caps and scoring 34 tries across all competitions. The Wellington-born Hendricks moved back home to Boland in 2024 where he featured in the SA Cup for the union Apart from playing in 12 Tests for the Springboks in 2014 and 2015 and scoring five tries, Hendricks also represented the Springboks Seven team between 2011 and 2014, with whom he won a Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow in 2014. He was also a member of the Rugby World Cup Sevens squad in Moscow in 2013. Hendricks, who was named Springbok Sevens Player of the Year for 2013, made his senior debut in the colours of Boland 2008, before moving to the Cheetahs in 2012. In total, Hendricks played 233 first-class matches in a career spanning 17 years. 'We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Cornal Hendricks, a remarkable athlete who represented his country in sevens and fifteen-man rugby with distinction,' said Mr Alexander. 'Cornal was one of those players who loved the game and he worked extremely hard, but he always did so with a smile on his face, treating all people with respect. His energy and love of life, on and off the field, lifted his teammates and those around him. 'His contributions to the sport and his unwavering dedication will always be remembered. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Stephaney and their children, his family, friends, and teammates during this difficult time. May his legacy continue to inspire future generations.' @JohnGoliath82
