Latest news with #TestCap
The Herald
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
First Bok cap whets Cobus' appetite for more
Winning a coveted first Springbok Test cap against Italy in Gqeberha has whetted his appetite to fight for many more appearances in the green and gold jersey, forward Cobus Wiese says. Wiese had to endure several setbacks before he was able to run onto the field as a substitute in front of 46,000 fans at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. Ambitious Wiese will earn his second cap when he starts at No 8, in the place of his suspended brother Jasper, when the Boks face Georgia in Mbombela on Saturday (kickoff 5.10pm). Though he was called into a wider Springbok squad back in 2018, a serious neck injury delayed his much-awaited SA debut. 'I have always said I want one Test, and after that I want one more,' Wiese said. 'So I think I will stick to that principle. Every week, I will work hard, like it's my first one, just to get one more. 'But the hard work starts now, to stay here and solidify my place. 'I don't want to say the injuries make the wait more special, because obviously it's a massive privilege. 'But to have that many operations and long-term injuries, the biggest one was in 2018, when I broke my neck. 'And now, seven years later, I'm getting that cap, it's amazing. 'It was worth the wait. It's that old cliché of don't give up and keep on going, and it's true. 'It would have been a massive honour to play for Boks back then, and even now it's an incredible honour.' Wiese had been set to play alongside his older brother Jasper in Gqeberha, but that special moment was dashed when Jasper was red-carded for a headbutt on an opposition player. 'I don't think you can really put it into words how special it is. 'We are the 37 th pair of brothers in the history of Springbok rugby. 'So it's an overwhelming sense of pride. 'When your brother is on the field or in the same team as you, it's easy to get yourself up for it,' Wiese said. 'Jasper started and went and cancelled himself for 60 minutes in Gqeberha. 'If he had stayed on the pitch, we probably would have played together for four or five minutes before he would have been substituted.' Meanwhile, Bok assistant coach Deon Davids and lock Ruan Nortje are expecting a physical battle against Georgia in Mbombela. 'Every Test is important for us, and we never underestimate any team,' Davids said. 'We know what their DNA is. We played against them in 2021, so they will certainly bring their traditional physicality and give everything out there. 'We've heard they want to play in the Six Nations, and they will see this match as a step in trying to achieve that. 'That said, we have our own standards, and we know where we want to be going into the Rugby Championship later in the season, so this is a massive game for us to try to improve and build on what we have achieved so far.' Nortje said he cherished every moment of being back in the Springbok squad and looked forward to facing Georgia at the Mbombela Stadium. 'The Mbombela Stadium is one of my favourite places to play,' he said. 'I was fortunate to face Argentina here last year, and I'll never forget the atmosphere and the support for the team. 'The people here really get behind the Boks, so I'll be very excited if I get an opportunity to play this weekend.' Speaking about what makes the Springbok environment so special, the physical lock said: 'This is a fantastic environment to be part of, and every player is privileged to be here, so when you get the opportunity, you have to grab it with both hands. 'Personally, I try to learn as much as I can whenever I'm in the team, especially if one looks at the locks we have, such as Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman and a couple of others, who are among the best in the world.' The Herald
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Snooker legend's grandson gets England cricket call-up and receives first cap from icon Graeme Swann
CRICKET icon Graeme Swann handed a debut England Test cap to young cricketer Ralphie Albert on Sunday - the grandson of Snooker legend Jimmy White. White took to X to celebrate the moment with an image of the cap's exchange taking place. 5 5 He was delighted for his grandson, who received the cap following his appearance for England U19s on Sunday. The six-time world championship runner-up captioned the post: "Proud day as my grandson Ralphie gets his first England cap for the under 21's from Graeme Swann." Albert took 3/95 on the first day of his squad's first Test against India U19s in Beckenham. Just 17 years old, Albert plays his county cricket as part of Surrey's academy. The left-arm spinner received his cap from Swann, an England cricket icon with 255 wickets to his name in 60 Test appearances. Swann bowled a right-arm off-break for England, Nottinghamshire and his native Northamptonshire between 1998-2013 A big character, Swann was more recently seen on the national stage on Strictly Come Dancing, where he finished seventh. 5 5 Snooker star White is also branching out from his day job. The much-loved potter still plays and has been given a tour card for another year by snooker supremo Barry Hearn JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS But the Londoner is also set to go up against old rival Steve Davis in a completely different field. The pair are set to go head to head in a DJ clash next month at a music festival where an England football legend will also be on the bill. 5 The 63-year-old, nicknamed 'the whirlwind,' still plays professional snooker, but was relegated from the World Snooker Tour earlier this year due to his results.
The Herald
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Le Roux gets Bok 100 against Italy as Erasmus names three uncapped players
Erasmus named an exciting new backline with Edwill van der Merwe and Eastern Cape local Makazole Mapimpi linking up with Le Roux in the back three. André Esterhuizen will partner Canan Moodie in the midfield and Manie Libbok joins forces with Grant Williams at halfback. Up front, Jasper Wiese and Van Staden form a loose trio combination with Pieter-Steph du Toit, while Ruan Nortje and Moerat will command the engine room and Thomas du Toit will pack down with Louw and Marx in the front row. Erasmus named five forwards and three backs on the bench, with Wessels joining fellow front-rowers Nché and Ntlabakanye, along with the versatile Cobus Wiese and Evan Roos. Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Hooker will provide backline cover. Du Toit, Nortje, Williams, Mapimpi and Roos make returns from injuries that ruled them out of action at some stage since last season. Commenting on Le Roux earning his 100th Test cap, Erasmus said: 'Willie has been a stalwart for us in the last few years after making his debut against Italy in Durban in 2013 and he's a fantastic playmaker, so we are thrilled to see him achieve this incredible feat.
The Guardian
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Queensland Reds v British & Irish Lions: rugby union tour match
Update: Date: 2025-07-02T09:00:13.000Z Title: Preamble Content: The Lions have made their way across the great deserts of Australia and landed in Queensland. They pasted the Western Force last week but I think the Reds will offer a sterner challenge. The tourists should still have more than enough for a comfortable win and have named a formidable team (more on that in a bit). But beyond the result, big Faz will be keeping a keen on eye on some combinations. These tune-ups only matter if a couple of cogs can turn together and everyone stays fit. Of course, no one wants to lose a midweek game. A poor show here and a chance of a Test cap might fade away for a couple of players. How will they get on today? Let's find out together! Kick-off is at 11am UK time, 8pm in Queensland. Teams and other updates to come. Fancy writing in? I'd love to hear from you.
