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Daily Maverick
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Faf and Mapimpi among the casualties of Rassie's Bok squad cull for Wallaby Tests
Several big names have been omitted from the 37-man Springbok squad for the Rugby Championship while three victorious world-champion Junior Boks have been invited to train with the senior team. Coach Rassie Erasmus culled his large group of players used in the recent Tests against Italy and Georgia to streamline the squad for the Rugby Championship. He wants a smaller party to allow for 'maximum outputs' at training. Despite cutting many quality players, Erasmus was able to name a strong squad for the first two Rugby Championship clashes against Australia at Ellis Park on 16 August and at Cape Town Stadium a week later. Five of the seven players who made their Test debuts against either Italy or Georgia – Ethan Hooker (utility back), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Boan Venter (both props), Marnus van der Merwe (hooker) and Cobus Wiese (utility forward) – have been retained. Only flank Vincent Tshituka and tighthead Neethling Fouche, of the newly capped players in 2025, have missed out – for now. No 8 Jasper Wiese's name is obviously not there because he still has a three-match suspension to serve after receiving a four-match ban for a headbutt during the Boks' 42-24 first Test win over Italy. Bath prop Thomas du Toit, who was used as loosehead in the second Test against Italy and against Georgia, is also absent from the group. Officially, the reason for his omission is given as an 'agreed' two-week rest period with his English club Bath. Du Toit struggled at loosehead in those two Tests, having spent the entire English domestic season at tighthead for Bath. Du Toit remains on standby, but 'has been granted a compulsory two-week rest as agreed with the Gallagher Premiership, although he is eligible to be called up at any stage should the need arise'. His rest period will be over before the first Wallaby Test though. Expect to see Du Toit in the squad at some stage against Australia. Goodbye? Others who featured in June and July and who have been released include scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and wing Makazole Mapimpi. De Klerk gave a wonderful cameo from the bench against Georgia, but it appears Erasmus is looking to the future, with Morne van den Berg retained and Junior Bok star Haashim Pead invited to train with the squad. Pead was superb during the recent World Rugby U20 Championships in Italy where he scored six tries in five matches and was the axis on which the team's dynamic attack turned. De Klerk, though, reminded people what made him such a good player for five years with some fine work against Georgia during the Boks' 55-10 win in Nelspruit. Yet it seems that Erasmus is looking to the future at halfback. Grant Williams's return to Test rugby in July was a triumph. He was magnificent against Italy and Georgia, where he used his searing pace to open up defences on top of his dynamic and lightning-quick service. When Williams plays the Boks' attack looks sharper because his zip gives everyone outside him an extra metre or so to work in. Van den Berg is emerging as Erasmus's second-in-command for the No 9 jersey. In some ways he's similar to Williams, with good pace and quick service, although he can be prone to the odd error. Cobus Reinach provides the experienced cover at scrumhalf. As for Mapimpi, it does feel like this is the end of the road for a player who embodies the best of South Africa through his rise from such humble beginnings to the pinnacle of the sport. Mapimpi turns 35 on 26 July and with the arrival of Edwill van der Merwe, Hooker and Canan Moodie who also play wing, his Test future looks to be nearing the end. With the next World Cup 26 months away, Erasmus must look to the future in all positions and, unfortunately, it's hard to see Mapimpi in line for selection in 2027. Erasmus, though, does have some sentimentality, and he might like to get Mapimpi to 50 Test caps over the next 12 months. The great wing currently sits on 47 appearances with 33 tries. The other three players who have been cut from the squad but remain on standby (the Boks never use the word 'dropped') are Lukhanyo Am (centre), who missed the July Tests due to a knee niggle, Salmaan Moerat (lock) and Evan Roos (No 8). 'It's always challenging to reduce the squad, especially given how the expanded group of players put up their hands during the incoming series (against Italy and Georgia), but we always said we would select a smaller, more manageable squad during the Rugby Championship,' said Erasmus. 'This group includes several experienced players and a few younger guys, who grabbed their chances in the last few Tests, so we are pleased with this squad for the first two matches. 'We have also informed the players on standby what our plans are and what we expect from them, so that all of them are ready to step up if needed.' Depth Erasmus elaborated on the composition of the squad, saying: 'We probably have three players who can cover each position, which is important in this competition, so it was a thorough process to narrow down the group to 36 players. 'One of our key pillars as a team is to build squad depth, and there is no better way to see what some of the younger players are capable of than to expose them to some of the top teams in the world.' Of the Junior Boks invited to train with the squad for the next two weeks, which includes wing Cheswill Jooste and flank Bathobele Hlekani, Erasmus said: 'We are tremendously proud of the Junior Springboks for winning the World Rugby U20 Championship and we were thrilled to see the talent coming through the junior ranks. 'We opted to invite three of them to join us to expose them to our structures and the standards required at top international level. 'We believe this camp will benefit them significantly, and we are excited to see how they slot in and train with us. 'Unfortunately, we had to limit the size of the squad to ensure maximum outputs and more individual attention at our training sessions, so although more players could have been invited, we could only select three.' DM Springbok squad: Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Bulls). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Handre Pollard (Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Morné van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers).
Extra.ie
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Schmidt feels the heat as Aussie critics turn on former Ireland boss
It's been a rough few days for Joe Schmidt. The fallout from the opening Test loss at Brisbane has been fierce in Australia. The Wallabies were overpowered at Suncorp Stadium and the 27-19 scoreline flattered the hosts. Schmidt has copped it from ex-players, pundits and supporters for numerous errors in judgement, be it preparation, selection or tactics. It's been a rough few days for Joe Schmidt. Pic: INPHO/Tom Maher The Kiwi is famed for his attention to detail. Schmidt's forensic analysis was the stuff of legend during his time with Leinster and Ireland. No stone was ever left unturned. But Schmidt has been in the firing line for what many observers believe was shoddy preparation before this eagerly-anticipated Test series. One prominent Australian journalist dubbed Schmidt 'Sleepy Joe' for his decision to call up Wallaby Test veteran James O'Connor at the 11th hour after regular fly-half Noah Lolesio suffered a serious neck injury against Fiji. James O'Connor was called up at the 11th hour. Pic:O'Connor, who played all three Tests against the Lions in 2013, has enjoyed something of a late career revival with the Crusaders in New Zealand. To many Australians, having the 33-year-old in the camp was a no-brainer. Schmidt didn't feel that way, instead backing the home-based No10s in his squad. When O'Connor was belatedly brought into the Wallabies squad, it was too late to get him up to speed to face the Lions. It's the reason why 22-year-old rookie Tom Lynagh was pitched in for his first Test start. Tom Lynagh during the first Test. Pic:Lynagh did well in difficult circumstances but O'Connor or Western out-half Ben Donaldson have been widely tipped to start the second Test in Melbourne on Saturday. Staying on the subject of bizarre calls, Australia's build-up to this series has been perplexing. The hosts were clearly rattled by the intensity of Andy Farrell's side, especially their suffocating blitz defence and ferocious commitment at every ruck. The hosts looked rusty. No wonder, given their sole warm-up game was against Fiji in Newcastle two weeks before the opening Test. The fact that Schmidt gave the players four days off after that narrow win was another head scratcher. Schmidt has copped it from ex-players, pundits and supporters for numerous errors in judgement, be it preparation, selection or tactics. Pic:The Wallabies will play a whopping 15 international matches in 2025 and that mini-break was seen as a way to keep the frontliners fresh ahead of what will be a gruelling campaign. Still, it did them no favours on Saturday. Why Australian rugby chiefs were only able to secure just one warm-up game in the schedule was another clanger. It was dreadfully poor preparation. The top brass had 12 years to prepare for the arrival of the Lions. Schmidt can't take the brunt for every bad call. However, the New Zealander needs to take responsibility for getting some key selections wrong. While Farrell won widespread praise for backing Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry, his rival head coach didn't get the balance of his starting line-up right. Andy Farrell won widespread praise for backing Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan There have been widespread calls for changes this week. Rob Valetini and Will Skelton were sorely missed and both key forwards are set to be back on board at the MCG. Valetini has been Australia's best player for the best two years and the powerful ACT Brumbies backrower will bring a bit of ball carrying ballast to the home ranks, something which was sorely lacking last time out. Skelton would be another huge addition but as Ronan O'Gara cautioned last week, the giant La Rochelle lock needs a few games to get up to speed. O'Gara has worked closely with the Wallabies giant for a long time. Still, Skelton – on his day – is a destructive presence. The Leinster players in this Lions squad know exactly what Skelton can do on a rugby pitch when he's in the mood. The home side desperately need a bit more oomph in contact. Rob Valentini has been Australia's best player. Pic:Schmidt is poised to beef up his Wallabies pack, with Ulster-bound Angus Bell also set to start while the performances of tighthead Taniela Tupou, second row Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and blindside flanker Seru Uru for the First Nations & Pasifika XV against the Lions on Tuesday will give him further food for thought. Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has called for Queensland Reds midfielder Hunter Paisami to be recalled after his star turn against the Lions a few weeks ago. Paisami's return would lead to a reshuffle in the Wallabies backline, but Hooper believes it would strengthen the home side's chances of levelling the series. Hunter Paisami in action for the Queensland Reds against the Lions. Pic:'You talk about Queensland Reds combination, Hunter at 12. Now Hunter in the Queensland Reds v Lions game was the best performer on the field,' he said.'He was awesome in that game, superb, so you put him straight into 12, Len (Ikitau) to 13, and then you put the big man, Joseph (Suaalii), out onto the wing.'Deploying Suaalii, the rugby league superstar who had a quiet game in Brisbane, would allow Australia to go after the Lions in the backfield. First, the Wallabies will need to fix the breakdown. Whatever about the way he prepared his team or the selection calls he made, Schmidt will be livid with the way his team were outmuscled in the collision zone. That has been this obsessive coach's USP throughout a trophy-laden career. In Brisbane, Schmidt's men were blown away at the contact area. Can he fix it in seven days?
Irish Examiner
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Freeman looks to North for inspiration ahead of Lions' trip Down Under
Tommy Freeman was a 12-year-old kid still learning his rugby apprenticeship at the remote Culford School in Sussex when George North rampaged his way around Australia and etched his name into the padded pages of British and Irish Lions history. It started at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, in the first Test against the Wallabies, when the Welsh wing blitzed his way from the tourists' own 10m line, beat four players and wagged his finger at a flailing Will Genia before touching down. 'If I could do what he did it would be pretty good,' said Freeman who will join Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe and England counterpart Marcus Smith in an exciting Lions back three against Argentina in Dublin on Friday night. North didn't stop there in 2013. A week later and he was picking Israel Folau up and carrying him like a dumper truck would a pile of sand while ploughing ahead with the ball. Seven days later and he scored again as the Lions sealed a 2-1 series victory. Of all the players Freeman could have chosen when asked for his formative Lions memories, none seem so relevant given North, like Freeman now, was a Northampton Saints player at the time and a guy who could put in a hell of a shift at centre if required. 'For him it was similar to me with the size. I don't think he was looked at as a centre, it was 'if he could have a go and try it', and he happened to be pretty handy there. There are probably similar aspects to our games and when he was flying he was pretty unstoppable and pretty awesome to watch. 'There are definitely bits of the game but he could back it up as well. The game has changed massively. You have got the out and out wingers who stay out on their wings and run pretty fast and chase pretty hard whereas now it is just a centre playing on the wing these days, I would say.' Chris Boyd, the former Saints director of rugby who worked with Munster as a consultant last season, once said that Freeman could operate anywhere along a back line apart from No.10. He's clearly a handy man to have around right now. The player himself has spoken about the advantages that come with being able to slot into different roles and how this allows him to be a better teammate for those around him. Impress your peers, Andy Farrell has said. He's well poised to do that. There are others who bring versatility to the table but, when it comes to the two wing positions, it is Freeman, van der Merwe and the Irish pair of Mack Hansen and James Lowe who will be jostling for the starts come the first Wallaby Test in Brisbane. The Irish pair has the benefit of so much face time with Farrell and so many of the Lions coaching staff, but Freeman has built up an eye-catching body of work with his club and with England where his poaching instincts are only part of the package. Pace, power, fancy feet, and height Still only 24, he boasts pace, power, fancy feet, and height. Some of his assists have been more spectacular than his tries and there is ample evidence of a relish for the defensive game in the form of some thundering and critical tackles. This is a player who has overcome adversity too. Diagnosed with epilepsy as a kid, he was rejected by Leicester Tigers aged 16 and before a growth spurt that took him to 6' 2'. Eddie Jones took him off at half-time in his last game with England. And it's less than two years since he failed to make the World Cup. Freeman's Dublin audition won't be hurt by the presence of eight other Englishman in the first XV, and the fact that he will be operating off a half-back axis of Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith that he knows so well from their experiences together at Franklin's Gardens. That sort of in-built understanding has the potential to paper over what are sure to be some cracks in the early stages of this Lions operation with Freeman serving notice of a commitment to play some heads-up rugby now and in the weeks to come. "The intention, he says plainly of the approach, is to score lots of tries. 'Instinctive playing. We're not going to be there to set stuff up and go through phases for the sake of going through phases. We went to score off the back of anything we can. 'The guys we've got in the backline, there are threats people have to offer and the ball players can put us in those spaces. It's going to be a lot of fun and dangerous.' Read More Farrell throws down the gauntlet as opportunity beckons for chosen Lions
