Latest news with #VodacomBulls
The South African
4 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Goosen returns as Bulls eye URC playoff redemption
Johan Goosen has been named to start at flyhalf for the Vodacom Bulls in their URC semi-final clash against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Goosen, who has struggled with knee injuries throughout the season, makes his return after last featuring in early May against Cardiff, when he exited the game just 11 minutes in. The 13-cap Springbok replaces Keagan Johannes in the only change to the starting lineup that defeated Edinburgh 42-33 in last week's quarter-final. Johannes, who scored 14 points and a standout try in that match, moves to the bench, offering cover at both scrumhalf and flyhalf. His inclusion sees Stedman Gans drop out of the match-day squad. The rest of Jake White's bench remains unchanged, with Akker van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, Jannes Kirsten, Zak Burger, and Devon Williams all set to provide impact off the pine. The Bulls, runners-up in 2022 and 2024, are chasing a place in the final, which could take place on home soil if Glasgow defeat Leinster in Dublin. Despite losing both regular-season fixtures to the Sharks this year, the Pretoria side boasts a strong record at Loftus, winning three of the last five URC meetings there. BULLS – 15 Willie le Roux, 24 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Ruan Nortje (c), 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Subs: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 Devon Williams. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
5 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Springboks: FIVE players ruled out!
Rassie Erasmus ad the Springboks will have to make due without a total of five players. Rassie Erasmus recently named his 54-man alignment squad. Meanwhile, five Springboks were available for selection due to injury. Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie and Trevor Nyakane are all out injured. So, as mentioned on The South African, THREE of these Springboks have been ruled out for the whole season. Furthermore, both Dixon and Fourie are on their way back from injuries picked up in the Stormers recent URC campaign. Moreover, Grant Williams and Jasper Wiese have been named despite recent injuries keeing them out of action. Meaning, they have recovered or are nearing full recovery. Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Renzo du Plessis (Emirates Lions), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Emirates Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Emirates Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Emirates Lions), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks). Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
5 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Rassie Erasmus names exciting Springbok squad
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named the same 54 players – nine of whom are uncapped – that attended the second national alignment camp in Cape Town last month in a large training squad for the opening stages of the international season, which kicks off on 28 June against the Barbarians, followed by the Incoming Series. The squad, which was confirmed on Thursday by SA Rugby, includes 31 Rugby World Cup players. The group consist of 30 forwards and 24 backs, while only nine players are yet to don the green and gold jersey on the international stage. The nine uncapped players in the group are Marnus van der Merwe, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese, Renzo du Plessis, Vincent Tshituka, Juarno Augustus, Ethan Hooker, and Ntokozo Makhaza. While Fouche and Hooker were members of the Springbok training squad last season, Tshituka and Augustus had a taste of the senior international structures after being included in the Castle Lager Springbok Showdown Green and Gold squads in 2020. More to follow Springbok squad (in alphabetical order): Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Renzo du Plessis (Emirates Lions), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Emirates Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Emirates Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Emirates Lions), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors stars make URC Elite XV
The league's team of the year has been confirmed with Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors each having one representative. Warriors star Darge makes it in at flanker while Edinburgh's Graham is voted in on the wing. The team is decided by the media, who are provided with a shortlist of 10 players for each position by URC StatMaster and then vote on who should make it in. Vodacom Bulls forward Cameron Hanekom has been named as Next-Gen Player of the Season, which recognises you and upcoming talent and is open to players aged 23 or under at the beginning of the season. Read more: Scotland Women to make historic Murrayfield switch for England clash Inside Henco Venter's Glasgow Warriors exit as disputed SRU directive cleared up While individual awards went to Ruben van Heerden (Tackle Machine), Tom Farrell (Playmaker), Ioan Llyod (Gilbert Golden Boot), Harri Millard (OFX Top Try Scorer), and Cam Winnett (Ironman). United Rugby Championship Elite XV 15. Jamie Osborne (Leinster Rugby) 14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 13. Tom Farrell (Munster Rugby) 12. Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks) 11. Blair Murray (Scarlets) 10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) 9. Craig Casey (Munster Rugby) 1. Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) 2. Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets) 3. Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls) 4. RG Snyman (Leinster Rugby) 5. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby) 6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys) 7. Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors)
The 42
6 days ago
- General
- The 42
Three Munster players, two Leinster named in official URC Team of the Season
MUNSTER TRIO TADHG Beirne, Craig Casey and Tom Farrell have all been named in the United Rugby Championship's 'Elite XV' Team of the Season for 2024/25. Leinster's RG Snyman and Jamie Osborne have also been included in the end-of-season selection, which is voted for by a media panel. Advertisement Beirne's inclusion marks the second successive season that he has been given the nod in the official team of the year. Players need to have made at least nine appearances in this season's competition in order to be eligible for consideration. Bulls number eight Cameron Hanekom has been named as the Next-Gen Player of the Season, topping the media vote of 16 shortlisted young players which included Leinster's Jack Boyle. URC Elite XV 2024/25 15. Jamie Osborne (Leinster Rugby) 14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 13. Tom Farrell (Munster Rugby) 12. Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks) 11. Blair Murray (Scarlets) 10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) 9. Craig Casey (Munster Rugby) 1. Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) 2. Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets) 3. Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls) 4. RG Snyman (Leinster Rugby) 5. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby) 6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys) 7. Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors) 8. Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls)
