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IOL News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Roos the big casualty as Springbok coach Erasmus makes tough calls for camp in the Cape
The Stormer's Evan Roos will not participate in the Springboks alignment camp this week. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The selection of Varsity Cup 'nobody' Ntokozo Makhaza and the omission of Stormers star Evan Roos from this week's Springbok alignment camp speaks volumes about how maverick coach Rassie Erasmus views the selection landscape. On one hand, Erasmus is signalling that he surveys all tiers of the game and that dreams can indeed come true swiftly. On the other, he reinforces that he is unafraid to make bold, unexpected decisions. It's a powerful message — one that tells players the South African rugby system is akin to the American Dream: full of opportunity, but ruthless when expectations aren't met. 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. 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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. Next Stay Close ✕ For Roos, the snub must come down to something beyond form, as his performances in the United Rugby Championship (URC) have been nothing short of excellent. One column headline bluntly asked: 'Has Roos fallen out with Rassie?' As Makhaza emerged as the surprise inclusion in the 54-man squad for the two-day camp starting on Thursday, Roos became the most high-profile omission — and no one seems to know why. Roos has been in superb form for the Stormers and has worked hard to correct earlier criticisms of his game, such as discipline and occasional recklessness. The 25-year-old must feel bitterly disappointed. Since making his debut under Erasmus in 2022 during a Test against Wales in Bloemfontein, Roos has only featured sporadically: two more matches that year, two in 2023, and just two in 2024. To say he's been underutilised is an understatement — even in a country blessed with loose-forward depth. Ntokozo Makhaza has been called up to the Springbok alignment camp. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix On the opposite end of the spectrum, winger Ntokozo Makhaza must still be pinching himself. Having gone straight from playing for UCT Ikey Tigers in the Varsity Cup to being called into the Springbok setup — without any senior professional experience — his rise is meteoric. The Cheetahs, who recently signed him for their Currie Cup campaign, must be delighted with their unexpected windfall. The alignment camp, scheduled for May 22 and 23 in Cape Town, includes 54 players, both locally-and overseas-based. Thirty-six will attend in person, while the remainder are expected to link in virtually, depending on availability. The camp will involve boardroom sessions as the reigning world champions begin preparations for the 2024 international season, which kicks off with a first-ever home clash against the Barbarians on Saturday, 28 June, in Cape Town. 'This is an exciting bunch of players who have all made their mark in their respective competitions this season, and we are thrilled to invite a few talented new players to the camp,' Erasmus said in a statement. 'They have made a strong statement in big competitions, often under immense pressure, and we're looking forward to working with them. It's always tough to trim down the squad given the wealth of talent in South African rugby, but we're confident this group offers the necessary balance and cover in all positions.' Beyond the Barbarians fixture, the Springboks will also face Georgia and Italy in incoming Test matches, before entering the Rugby Championship. 'The coaches and management staff have been working around the clock to ensure that we're as prepared as possible for what will be a challenging season. All operational and logistical elements are in place, and we're excited for what lies ahead.' Players invited to the Springbok alignment camp Forwards: Renzo du Plessis (Lions), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouché (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (all Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe (both Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks). Players invited to virtual Springbok camp Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (DynaBoars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier).
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scarlets' Macleod returns from injury for Stormers test
United Rugby Championship: Scarlets v StormersVenue: Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli Date: Saturday, 22 March Kick off: 15:00 GMTCoverage: Live in S4C & via BBC iPlayer. Updates on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app, followed by report and reaction Captain Josh Macleod returns from injury to start for Scarlets in their United Rugby Championship (URC) fixture against 28, was ruled out of his side's past two matches with a hamstring injury but will lead his side at Parc y Scarlets on internationals Ellis Mee, Eddie James, Taine Plumtree, Kemsley Mathias and Henry Thomas are all included in the matchday squad as head coach Dwayne Peel makes six changes from the side that took the field against will feature in a back three that includes Ioan Nicholas and Macs Page against the South African and Joe Roberts form the midfield as Ioan Lloyd and Gareth Davies continue at half-back. Marnus van der Merwe is recalled at hooker to pack down in the front row between Alec Hepburn and Sam Craig and Sam Lousi form the second row as Scarlets go for a new-look back row, with Macleod joined by Vaea Fifita and Taine Plumtree."You look at how tight the league is at the moment and it is clear it is going to go down to the wire in terms of the play-off race," said Peel. "Our form here in Llanelli has been excellent this season with the supporters really getting behind the boys. "We are going to need that again against a Stormers side who have come here with pretty much a full crew with a couple of Springboks back from injury."Ryan Elias, Mathias and Thomas provide back row cover on the bench - with former Stormer Jarrod Taylor and Dan Davis also among the forward replacements. Archie Hughes, Charlie Titcombe and Tomi Lewis cover the Murray and Johnny Williams are both ruled out due to calf injuries. Scarlets sit 10th in the URC table following defeats in Ulster and side boast a strong record on home soil though, winning their past six matches at Parc y are 12th in the league standings but are level with Scarlets on 28 narrow win at Bulls on 1 March ended a run of four successive defeats across all director of rugby John Dobson said: "Scarlets have been impressive this season and we know that it will have to be an 80-minute performance to get the result that we need from this one." Scarlets: Ioan Nicholas; Macs Page, Joe Roberts, Eddie James, Ellis Mee; Ioan Lloyd, Gareth Davies; Alec Hepburn, Marnus van der Merwe, Sam Wainwright, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (capt), Taine Ryan Elias, Kemsley Mathias, Henry Thomas, Jarrod Taylor, Dan Davis, Archie Hughes, Charlie Titcombe, Tomi Warrick Gelant; Ben Loader, Wandisile Simelane, Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Herschel Jantjies; Ali Vermaak, Joseph Dweba, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat (capt), Ruben van Heerden, Deon Fourie, Marcel Theunissen, Evan André-Hugo Venter, Brok Harris, Sazi Sandi, Gary Porter, Willie Engelbrecht, Dewaldt Duvenage, Jurie Matthee, Damian Eoghan Cross (IRFU)Assistant referees: Mike English (WRU), Tom Spurrier (WRU)TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
