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BBC News
28-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Itoje & Furlong approach nine Lions Test caps
Lions captain Maro Itoje and prop Tadhg Furlong will win their ninth Test caps for the Lions if selected for Saturday's men are on their third tours for the Lions and will move into elite territory if they face Australia in Farrell currently has seven caps and will hope to win his eighth this a look at the top 10 most-capped Lions players:17 caps - Willie John McBride13 caps - Dickie Jeeps12 caps - Mike Gibson, Graham Price, Alun Wyn Jones10 caps - Tony O'Reilly, RH Williams, Gareth Edwards9 caps - Syd Millar, Mako Vunipola
The Herald
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Once-rejected Willie bounces back to win 100th Bok cap
'I remember once talking to a coach overseas where he played and I told him I don't understand what Willie is doing with his actions. 'He [the coach] then said something that really stuck with me when he replied that it was because Willie cares so much and he does not hide his emotions. 'So I am very happy and I definitely made a mistake in the beginning by not keeping him at the Stormers and now he has 100 Test caps and two World Cups. 'Willie has done a few things for Wasps [in England] and he has played for the Free State and we are very proud of him. 'We hope we can help him make this game in Gqeberha a memorable one.' Erasmus has named three uncapped players among the replacements to face the Azzurri. It is a much-changed selection from the team that failed to impress in a 42-24 victory over the touring Italians in Pretoria last week. Le Roux makes up a back three that also includes wings Makazole Mapimpi and Edwill van der Merwe. The centre pairing contains Canan Moodie and hybrid player Andre Esterhuizen, who featured as a flanker in the 54-7 win over the Barbarians in late June. Manie Libbok is at flyhalf, and the electric Grant Williams is in the number nine jersey in an exciting half-back duo that suggests a high-tempo ball-in-hand game plan from the home side. Hooker Malcolm Marx starts with props Thomas du Toit and Wilco Louw on either side of him, while Salmaan Moerat, a captain in the injury absence of Siya Kolisi, partners Ruan Nortje at lock. There is a return from injury for Pieter-Steph du Toit alongside fellow flanker Marco van Staden, with Jasper Wiese keeping his place at number eight. Wiese's brother, Cobus, a towering second row, is one of three uncapped players on the bench along with prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye and utility back Ethan Hooker. SA team: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Thomas du Toit. Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Ethan Hooker. The Herald
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sykes out to put himself 'in spotlight' for more Scotland caps
Marshall Sykes aims to use Scotland's summer tour to put himself "in the spotlight" as he chases more Test Edinburgh lock, 25, made his Scotland debut against Tonga in 2021 but had to wait three-and-a-half years for his second cap, coming on as a replacement against France in this year's Six Scotland gear up for their tour opener against the Maori All Blacks in Whangerei on Saturday, Sykes is keen to make every moment count that he gets on the field."It's just about getting yourself in the spotlight," said Sykes"Now I've got myself over here, it's about what I do with it. So I suppose the onus kind of comes to me."The coaches, they're pretty clear with what they want. The tour is a real opportunity, especially while, for instance, in my position, you've got Scott Cummings away [with the Lions]."It's a chance to put your stamp on the jersey and see what you can do there. I'll be just giving my all each week to try and get myself in this squad long term."
