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IOL News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
30 years on, unforgettable memories of the Springboks' opening match of the 1995 Rugby World Cup
Francois Pienaar Flank Francois Pienaar led the Springboks to victory at the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Rub of the Green Column Just a few months before I began my career as a rugby writer, I watched the opening game of the 1995 World Cup in the company of three Welshmen, who had come to South Africa to play rugby at my club, Amanzimtoti. We were in a sports bar in Warner Beach, the KZN seaside village that former Wallaby Clyde Rathbone and Sharks owner Marco Masotti call home. The venue was fizzing with atmosphere. The Welsh guys, all of them young school teachers, were astonished. All of that day, they had seen cars bedecked in the colours of the rainbow nation, drivers tooting at each other in festive fervour. Everywhere was fans in green and gold; side mirrors of cars were coloured with the national flag. I have remained in warm contact with those Welshmen to this day, such is the power of sport to forge friendships, and 30 years on from us watching the Springboks beat the Wallabies in that opening game, I asked them for their memories of that day. 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. 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. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ John Dodds, speaking from Bridgend, told me he had been overwhelmed. 'We were watching on that big screen, and just before kick-off, the crowd was chanting 'Nelson! Nelson!' 'And I turned to my mates and said: 'We are very lucky to be in this country at this time. There is something special happening here. We are watching history'.' The first half of the match was incredibly close, and it was Pieter Hendriks' try just before halftime that broke the tension. The eruption of euphoria across the country was unbridled. 'It was huge to see the passion for the game in South Africa as the fans in that pub went crazy,' says Jason Lewis, also from Bridgend. 'We love our rugby in Wales, but to see how much that game meant to people gave me goose bumps. I remember that clearly. 'You had the feeling that game was more than just about rugby.' There was sheer bedlam as Hendriks rounded David Campese and crossed the line, fist pumped in elation. The Springboks had been given no price of beating the reigning champions, and most critics did not think the host nation would make it past the quarter-finals. But that moment – that had the world's greatest player (at that time) floundering on the Newlands turf while Hendriks raced home for the score – released the pressure, and the nation gave birth to belief. The eruption of joy and relief across the land was staggering. 1995 Rugby World Cup logo 1995 Rugby World Cup logo Image: Independent Media 'The celebrations after the game and then onwards over the tournament were incredibly special. We had more than our fair our share of Springbok shooters! (green peppermint liqueur topped with Amarula Cream),' Geraint Kathrens told me from Abercynon. 'It was a privilege to be in South Africa at that time. The atmosphere was amazing, and there was so much positivity in South Africa. 'As outsiders, all we had known of South Africa were news clips about apartheid, and a lot of our friends said we were mad to go to South Africa to play rugby, and that we would end up trapped in a civil war,' Kathrens recalls. 'But we were determined to come, and we found that there were a lot of false claims about the people of South Africa. 'We only experienced people with an open mind to improving the situation in the country.' That pressure-cooker release for the Boks and their growing army of fans across all cultures was also because the team were now on coach Kitch Christie's fabled 'high road' to the final, which meant avoiding the highly favoured teams from New Zealand and England in the initial playoffs. The Boks would now almost certainly finish top of Group A, and were on course for 'winnable' quarter-finals and semi-finals against Western Samoa, Wales, Italy, Argentina, Ireland and France. Of those countries, at that time, only formidable France were a threat to the Boks on that side of the draw. But, and I remember this vividly, captain Francois Pienaar afforded himself only a brief celebration at the final whistle before running swiftly from the field with a blank stare. He understood that beating the Aussies in round one was only the beginning... Match Report Pool A: 20 May 1995: South Africa 27 Australia 18 (Newlands, Cape Town) On a beautiful, sunny Cape afternoon, the World Cup was kicked off by Aussie flyhalf Michael Lynagh, and the perfect fielding of the kick by Mark Andrews and his fellow forwards began a match where the South Africans made few errors. Penalties were soon exchanged by Lynagh and his counterpart, Joel Stransky, before the latter nudged his team 9-6 in front on the half-hour mark, only for Lynagh to score the first tryof the World Cup when he ghosted through the defence on the back of momentum created by powerful No 8 Willie Ofahengaue. Australia led 13-9 after 35 minutes and the Newlands crowd went silent. But not for long! A series of Springbok phases eventually created space out wide and winger Pieter Hendriks famously rounded David Campese for a try that ignited the stadium and the country.
Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
The unluckiest players in Wales right now and the call that has left people baffled
The unluckiest players in Wales right now and the call that has left people baffled There are many players unlucky to have missed out on Matt Sherratt's squad Ospreys backrower Morgan Morse was unlucky to miss out on the Wales squad in the eyes of many (Image: Steve Haag/Huw Evans Agency ) Many players would have been elated to be included in Matt Sherratt's 33-man Wales squad to tour Japan this summer. But for every ecstatic player there are ones who are left disappointed and a bit baffled as to why they have not been included in the squad. Some have missed out due to injury, while there are two Welshmen - Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams - on the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia - but others have been omitted for other reasons. Here are the omissions which have raised a few eyebrows among the Welsh public. Morgan Morse The 20-year-old is undoubtedly one of the best prospects in the Welsh game, if not the best, and his omission has left many supporters scratching their heads. Morse is not just a player for the future but the here and now after putting in some impressive performances this season. The Ospreys backrower is a dynamic and explosive carrier who rarely fails in making significant post-contact metres. Article continues below Morse is also a huge weapon at the breakdown while his work rate, physicality and his rugby intelligence marks the former Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera pupil out as a special talent. But Sherratt is only the interim head coach and his focus is purely on winning two Test matches against Japan, whereas if he was the permanent boss there might have been more of an eye on the future. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. There is also the significant figure of Taulupe Faletau standing in Morse's way while Aaron Wainwright has proven himself to be a high-quality international No 8. The in-form Taine Plumtree can also cover that position. But Morse does offer a different dynamic to those currently in the squad, while he can also cover the entire backrow. Also, he arguably has a higher ceiling than those who have been selected ahead of him with the exception of the 34-year-old Faletau. There's no doubt he will win many international caps but he could have really added some extra physicality and X-factor to this Wales squad. What is even more of a head scratcher is the fact he has not been selected in the extended Wales U20s squad ahead of the U20s World Cup this summer. James Fender The 23-year-old was on Warren Gatland's radar last season but a series of injuries prevented the Ospreys lock from winning his first cap. Fender has never failed to impress for the Ospreys with his physicality, manic work rate in defence and his lineout ability a big asset for the Welsh club. Welsh rugby isn't exactly bursting at the seams with extremely physical no-nonsense locks who can dominate physically against the stronger packs, but Fender is one of them. With experienced duo Will Rowlands and Adam Beard not selected now would arguably have been the perfect time to blood Fender as an international. Sherratt has selected Fender's Ospreys team-mate James Ratti in the squad who is a bruiser of a second-row known for doing the unfashionable dirty work, which allows others to thrive. But in the main Sherratt has gone for athleticism and mobility from his second-rows. Cardiff second-row Teddy Williams will have a big part to play this summer while Gloucester's Freddie Thomas will suit the fast and expansive game Wales are likely to play in Japan. Fender has a nice mix of athleticism and outright physicality and would arguably have been perfect for this tour. The Ospreys lock will need to stay injury-free and start next season well in the hope of impressing Gatland's long-term successor. James Botham It has been a horrible season for the men's national side but Botham is one player who can hold his head up high because he has performed well in a poor side. The absence of the Cardiff backrower from the Wales squad to tour Japan is a little surprising, especially considering he is coached by Sherratt at club level. Of course, Sherratt cannot show any favouritism but Botham has performed well at both club and international level. But if there is one position where Welsh rugby has some strength in depth it is at openside flanker. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Tommy Reffell is a quality player and the Leicester Tigers man was always going to get selected but Sherratt has opted to give Scarlets captain Josh Macleod an opportunity, while there is also a recall for Cardiff's Alex Mann. Macleod has been excellent for the Scarlets this season, leading from the front, while Mann has impressed for the Blue & Blacks of late. Botham's athleticism and physicality along with the fact he covers the entire backrow would have come in handy but there is a lot of competition here. Ryan Elias The 30-year-old has always been a player who has come in for some unjust criticism from Welsh fans on social media, with his throwing in often criticised. But the powerful hooker has been outstanding for the Scarlets in recent weeks and put in a superb performance in the shock victory over Leinster last month. Elias has had a tough season with injury and was sidelined for a number of months with a neck and shoulder injury but he has come back with a bang. Sherratt was always going to select Dewi Lake, who captains the squad, while Elliot Dee performed well during the Six Nations. The Carmarthen man has missed out to Cardiff captain Liam Belcher who has been a consistent performer in the United Rugby Championship but it remains to be seen whether he has what it takes to successfully make the step up to Test rugby. Elias' detractors usually fail to mention his scrummaging prowess, his size, his power and the fact he is one of the only front-five forwards in Wales able to make significant dents while carrying into heavy traffic. On the other hand a summer off might do him good in preparation for a season where he will be determined to win back his place in the Wales squad. Ellis Mee The Scarlets man made an impressive start to his international career in the narrow defeat to Ireland but had a tough time against Scotland and England. But Mee has been in good form for the Scarlets, putting in two excellent performances against Leinster and the victory over the Lions at high-altitude in Johannesburg. Sherratt has opted to select Ospreys flyer Keelan Giles in the squad with his electric pace undoubtedly winning the day. But Giles had a really tough time both defensively and especially under the high ball during the Ospreys' defeat to the Sharks a couple of weeks ago. Those who have played and coached at Test level have always said if you make mistakes in the international arena then you get ruthlessly put to the sword. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Mee is as safe as houses under the high ball with Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel comparing the wing to an Australian Rules player. Article continues below He is also strong in defence and during the Scarlets' victory over the Lions showed his strength to win the ball back on a few occasions with a couple of excellent counter rucks against big South African forwards. But as Sherratt said in the week, Mee is likely to go on to win many more Wales caps despite this setback.
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Who is Chris Coleman, the unexpected Wales call-up whose video convinced Adam Jones
Who is Chris Coleman, the unexpected Wales call-up whose video convinced Adam Jones The 26-year-old uncapped prop has been named in the squad for the summer tour of Japan Chris Coleman has been called up by Wales for the summer tour (Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency ) The suggestion on Tuesday morning, as calls went out looking for any steers on Wales' summer squad for the tour of Japan, was that surprises would be few and far between. After all, with just two Welshmen in Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia, this wasn't the usual development tour that tends to unfold every four years. Instead, the likelihood was that Wales would be facing the Brave Blossoms in July with a fairly full-strength team. And yet, in amongst the raft of usual suspects, there was room for the odd selection to raise an eyebrow. Uncapped Dragons tighthead Chris Coleman was one such name, with the 26-year-old brought into his first senior camp - seven years after he was playing for the U20s. Even with a solid run of starts for the Men of Gwent this season, few would have named Coleman in their predicted squads prior to Tuesday's announcement. Yet, even if his name has rarely cropped up in selection discussions, he's always been there - lurking on the radar. Article continues below "When I turned up to the Dragons, my first games were against Wasps and Bristol in pre-season," former Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan told WalesOnline. "Chris was a player I thought had a massive ceiling at the time. "He got injured at the end of pre-season, but in those two games, he was our best player. I remember turning to Luke Narraway and saying how good he was. "Jonathan Humphreys always asked about his progression and how he was going." Wales' scrum guru for the summer, Adam Jones, has been equally impressed. "I'll be honest with you, Adam Jones had a big say on that," said Wales interim coach Matt Sherratt when explaining his selection. "He did a lot of work in terms of looking at his footage. "He spoke to Sam Hobbs and Filo (Tiatia) with what he's got to offer. I think everything that came back was that, with the right coaching and if his mindset is in the right place, he could be one for the future. "I think he's someone who has fallen into the bracket of 'let's have a look at him'. He's started a lot of regional games. He's a big man. "He could be one for the future. Adam Jones is pretty excited by him." WalesOnline understands that former Lions prop Jones, having already worked with Wales during the Six Nations, was already enquiring about Coleman back then as the national team look to strengthen their tighthead stocks. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "There's no better prop (to learn from)," added Flanagan. "He probably won't believe it's true. "He'll be pinching himself because he's very humble. He's got some competition with Dillon (Lewis) coming in (to the Dragons next year). "Hopefully he'll be an international player by then and can kick on. This will do his confidence the world of good. His dad used to travel all around watching him and they'll be so proud. "I've known him since he was 15. He came through Pontypool Schools and then we recruited him at Newport High before I went to the Scarlets. He's just worked extremely to keep himself in condition. "When he was a kid, he had to work hard to get to the shape he's in now. He's always had the ability. He can play like a 10. His skillset is unbelievable. His passing game and his ability to find space, for a prop, is as good as you'll find. "What he has done is knuckle down and work hard. He worked hard with Mefin Davies last year. He had a mentor scheme with Lloyd Fairbrother to work above him. He's worked with Sam Hobbs too. It's still a work-on. He's a great kid. He's a proper Pontypool boy." Having made the squad as one of three tightheads alongside Cardiff's Keiron Assiratti and Bath's Archie Griffin, Coleman will now have the chance to experience an international environment. And with Griffin likely to arrive late into camp as Bath go in search of a Gallagher Premiership title, Coleman will have the benefit of more reps as he looks to show he can make the step up from club level from next Monday. "That's always the challenge," said Sherratt after naming his squad. But there's only one way of finding out as well." For what it's worth, Flanagan has no doubt that he can make that transition to Test level as he starts working with Jones in the weeks ahead. "What Chris will have the ability to do, while he'll be tested at the set-piece, is he'll be able to play at that level," he added. Article continues below "He can tackle with the best of them. When he tackles, he hits and he has intent to finish people off. "Hopefully this gives him the confidence boost to kick on. It's just the amount of exposure he'll have, working with Adam."
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ospreys chief hits out at WRU U-turn but commits to major move in new statement
Ospreys CEO Lance Bradley has addressed supporters in the wake of the Welsh Rugby Union's seismic announcement, hitting out the "disappointing" decisions taken but reaffirming the club's commitment to move to St Helen's. It comes amid a turbulent few days in Welsh rugby, with the Union having posted a bombshell statement on Sunday after WalesOnline first reported the news on Saturday night. We understand that cutting a region is one of many options on the table after the Scarlets and the Ospreys refused to sign the Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA) over fears the WRU would turn Cardiff into a super club after taking it over last month. READ MORE: Three new Welshmen join British and Irish Lions tour as squad and staff assemble READ MORE: Six Nations announce first Thursday night fixture and Friday Wales match as tournament cut In a heartfelt open letter, Bradley thanked fans for their loyalty and support, while voicing concerns about the WRU's recent departure from the 'One Wales' strategy — a collaborative plan developed over the past year with all four Welsh professional clubs. 'The WRU's sudden U-turn away from that strategy and their commitment to a 'four teams, equally funded' model for Welsh professional rugby was surprising and disappointing,' Bradley wrote. 'It has raised questions for all four professional clubs, and for those who back and support them.' Despite the uncertainty surrounding the future funding landscape for Welsh regional rugby, Bradley sought to reassure fans that the Ospreys remain fully focused on building a strong and sustainable club — particularly as they prepare to relocate to St Helen's in Swansea. 'We want to reassure you, we are committed to building a sustainable, competitive and exciting future for the Ospreys,' he said. 'We're proud of who we are, what we stand for, and the role we play in Welsh rugby.' Bradley also confirmed that Swansea Council's support for the redevelopment of St Helen's remains in place. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. While acknowledging there are still 'many questions' surrounding the WRU's new direction, Bradley promised the Ospreys would continue to fight for both their future and that of Welsh rugby more broadly. 'Our focus stays the same: building a strong, sustainable future for the club, and continuing to do our supporters proud,' he added. 'Whether you're in the stands, watching from home, wearing the jersey, or backing us in spirit, you are Ospreys. And together, we'll get through this stronger than ever.' The WRU's decision has already sparked concern across the Welsh rugby community, particularly among those backing regions who have not signed the new Professional Rugby Agreement, the Ospreys and the Scarlets.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Met Office say hotter weather will return within days, but it's not great news after that
After a cooler and more unsettled start to the week, the Met Office has confirmed that some warmer conditions are set to return in the coming days. Temperatures are expected to rise slightly over the next 24 hours and into mid week, with parts of Wales seeing highs of up to 21°C. But this improvement is tied into a large amount of instability for much of the week, with scattered showers and even the risk of thunder expected in some areas of the UK. Overnight temperatures will also drop sharply in some rural areas, with minimums as low as 4°C. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here READ MORE: Three new Welshmen join British and Irish Lions tour as squad and staff assemble READ MORE: Former MP faces trial for harassing ex-wife Looking ahead to the bank holiday weekend and the end of May, things aren't looking as bright as they have been for the past few weeks. The Met Office has warned of a shift towards more unsettled weather as Atlantic systems begin to dominate. From Friday onwards, spells of rain - at times heavy - and strong winds are expected to push in from the northwest, gradually affecting much of the UK. Though there may be brief brighter interludes, we'll be experiencing more wet and breezy conditions, with temperatures around average but likely to feel cooler due to the wind. This is the forecast for the coming days in Wales according to The Met Office: Into the evening, showers becoming more isolated, though potentially lingering in the north until the end of the night. Largely clear skies developing in the south. Locally chilly in rural spots. Minimum temperature 4 °C. A fine start with some bright spells. Showers again bubbling up into the afternoon, possibly heavy and thundery. Feeling pleasant in any intermediary sunshine. Maximum temperature 20 °C. Continuing chance of showers on Wednesday, again potentially heavy and thundery. Drier on Thursday and Friday with bright or sunny spells. Still locally chilly overnight under clear skies. The Met Office UK forecast says that by Wednesday, there's the potential for more organised rain or showers across parts of southern England and Wales, with the odd thunderstorm possible. Other areas will continue to enjoy predominantly fine weather. Thursday and Friday bring plenty of sunshine, particularly in western areas, while eastern regions remain cloudier. Temperatures will reach the high teens to low 20°C. during daytime hours, although eastern coastal areas will remain chilly. We could have some unseasonably cold nights on Thursday and Friday, with some isolated frost possible. The bank holiday weekend sees a marked change in weather type, as deputy chief meteorologist Mark Sidaway explains: 'The high pressure that has been around for the last few weeks will slowly lose its grip on the UK this week, bringing a change to more unsettled conditions with many areas seeing rain or showers, ending the prolonged dry spell. 'The change comes this weekend, with weather systems moving in from the Atlantic, arriving from the west probably later on Friday and through Saturday. They will bring with them spells of rain, which may be heavy at times, with a risk of strong winds in places. These conditions will gradually spread across the UK on Saturday, with Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday likely seeing sunshine and showers. 'So, whilst the bank holiday won't be a complete washout, with some sunshine expected, this weekend represents a notable shift from the fine and settled weather pattern that has dominated so far this month.' The Met Office also says that as we head into the half-term week for many, conditions are likely to remain unsettled, with rain, wind and around average temperatures in the forecast. Spring 2025 so far, has been exceptionally dry and sunny, with records looking set to be broken. On Friday, the forecasting agency reported that the UK had already recorded more sunshine hours so far this spring, than it did for the whole of meteorological summer last year. But with unsettled conditions in the forecast and still almost two weeks of May to go, there is still plenty of time for things to change.
