South Africa's Rayno Nel becomes first African to win the World's Strongest Man competition
On Saturday, The former Cheetahs and Central University of Technology rugby player won the opener, the Carry & Hoist, for a full bag of 10 points, and finished second in the deadlift and Hercules holds, earning nine points in each.
Nel returned on Sunday for the final two competitions, managing only three points in the Flintstone press, but the eight points he secured in the final Atlas stones competition earned him the narrow victory. He started the final with eight points earned for placing third in the heats stage of the competition.
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The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Cheetahs celebrate 130 years in style … but they need bigger and better competition
The Cheetahs have contributed greatly to the history of South African rugby and need to be better recognised by the governing body. 'Welcome to the Republic of the Free State, officially the 11th best rugby nation in the world,' Cheetahs backline coach Ruan Pienaar proudly declared in welcoming guests from title sponsor Toyota into the Vodacom Stadium dressing room last Friday night. The jubilant group of players and team management roared with delight in response to this tongue-in-cheek yet food-for-thought statement. They had just held on bravely to beat Georgia, number 11 in the rugby world rankings, 24-20 in Bloemfontein. It was a warm-up match for the full-strength Georgia national team before playing the Springboks in a one-off Test in Mbombela. A remarkable achievement for a side perennially overlooked for URC participation. On a chilly Free State winter's evening, the young Cheetahs team produced the kind of rugby the union is renowned for. The kind of free-flowing running rugby that earned them loyal support around the country and usually resulted in many more fans crawling from the closet before big finals. Cheetah debutant winger Ntokozo Makhaza scored the winning try – his second of the night – late in the second half to send the 11,000-strong crowd into ecstasy. It was a rugby festival in true Bloem style that included a music show before the match, the customary Harley-Davidsons before kick-off and a half-time kicking contest which to win requires not only clearing the bar, but landing the ball on the back of a bakkie. Talk about a tough crowd. Cheetahs fans are desperate for more international rugby, as seen here during they good days of Super Rugby in 2017. Picture: Lee Warren/Gallo Images Decorated history Giving the occasion additional impetus was that it coincided with the union's 130th birthday and the 15th anniversary of the Toyota sponsorship. The latter has just been renewed with the addition of not only new vehicles, but also financial support for the almost-completed gym at the Cheetahs Rugby Academy. Next to the gym, which is in the building adjacent to the stadium that used to host post-match receptions for players, their families and administrators dating back to the amateur era, a museum will follow. This promises to be a special place to remind and celebrate – or even educate – younger generations just how handsomely the union contributes to the country's overall rugby picture. Not only through its senior ranks, but also by means of a highly decorated feeder system with schools like Grey College and tertiary institutions like the University of the Free State. A quick glance around the Vodacom Stadium's dressing room is a timely reminder of the wealth of players featuring in the union's storied history. Underneath the number on every player's locker is a list of players to have donned that particular jersey. Here you'll find an impressive bunch of names that have played their part in every one of the Boks' four World Cup triumphs. The career paths of Andre Venter, Ruben Kruger, Naka Drotske, Os du Randt, Pieter Muller, Andre Joubert, Coenie Oosthuizen, Jannie du Plessis, Juan Smith, Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Lood de Jager, Duane Vermeulen, Trevor Nyakane and Ox Nche all went through the City of Roses. Not to mention Bok boss Rassie Erasmus, who transitioned from player to end the Cheetahs' 29-year wait for the Currie Cup in his very first coaching gig in 2005. The union's close-knit family bond, which also saw Franco Smith evolve from Cheetahs player to Varsity Cup-winning coach with Shimlas straight into winning the Currie Cup with the Cheetahs, is as strong as ever. Rassie Erasmus speaks to his players during a Currie Cup match between the Cheetahs and Western Province in 2004. Picture: Tertius Pickard \ Gallo Images Rich contribution to SA rugby These days Rory Duncan, who lifted the Currie Cup as captain under Drotske in 2007, is pulling the strings as CEO of Free State Rugby, alongside COO and another former player, MJ Smith. Steyn is the Director of Rugby and head coach alongside Pienaar, who both started and finished their careers in Bloem. Behind them, recently-retired Cheetahs legend and former Bok Oupa Mohoje has started cutting his coaching teeth at the Cheetahs' junior outfit. Besides the union's rich heritage, the other thing it is sadly renowned for is establishing talented players only for them to be lured away by the bright lights and the big bucks. The fact that very few of those Boks listed in the dressing room lifted the William Webb Ellis Cup as a Cheetah player is testament to that. All Duncan's best efforts in setting up a proper structure and Toyota's ongoing support will not fully address this problem. The Cheetahs need proper international exposure to prosper and it will be great news if the word on the street is true that they can soon be included in a new European competition. That is the least SA Rugby can do for them in return for their rich contribution over 130 years.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Springboks aiming for big finish to mid-year Tests
The Springboks want to end off their mid-year Tests with a bang, ahead of the Rugby Championship kicking off next month. The Springboks are aiming for a big finish to their mid-year Tests when they take on Georgia in their final game of the incoming series at the Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela on Saturday evening (kick-off 5:10pm). It has been a comfortable start to their season so far with them brushing aside the challenges of the invitational Barbarians (54-7), and Italy twice (42-24 and 45-0), and they want to end off with a bang with another strong performance in the one-off Test against the Georgians. The Boks, as has been their wont over the past year, have rotated their side quite a bit, and a number of players will get a chance to shine and stake their claim for a place in the reduced Rugby Championship squad that will be announced next week. A completely uncapped front row has been picked, with former Cheetahs and current Edinburgh prop Boan Venter getting his first run in the green and gold, while hooker Marnus van der Merwe and prop Neethling Fouche earn their first caps after playing in the Barbarians non-Test. Coach Rassie Erasmus explained that they wanted to give these guys a good introduction to Test rugby, so has surrounded them with experience in the rest of the pack and on the bench. 'Georgia is a tough outfit, and they pride themselves on their physicality and brute force in the collisions, so the set pieces, mauls, and breakdowns will be key areas. That is why we are playing this front row,' said Erasmus. 'We want to give them a big test. But with the experienced guys around, we are not throwing them to the wolves.' Eighthman surprise Cobus Wiese, who made his debut off the bench at lock over the past weekend against Italy in Gqeberha, has taken over the number eight jumper from his suspended brother Jasper, and he is another that has been given a huge opportunity to impress. A thrilling halfback combination also sees Sacha-Feinberg Mngomezulu and Grant Williams team up, and with both being quick, exciting players with an eye for a gap, it should bring extra flair to a backline featuring Canan Moodie at outside centre, Edwill van der Merwe at wing and Aphelele Fassi at fullback. 'It would have been good to start Sacha last week (at fullback), but it was Willie's 100th and we wanted to give him that opportunity. Grant was also really good last week, and Sacha only got 20-25 minutes, so we want to give him a proper shot to close out a game. If it flows the way we expect, I think he'll enjoy the moment.' Georgia did not enjoy the best build up to the game, going down to the Cheetahs 24-20 in their warm-up match last weekend, but Erasmus said they were missing a number of their best players who are back for this weekend. 'I know last weekend against the Cheetahs eight or nine of their best players were either on the bench or not playing,' explained Erasmus.
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
Ntokozo Makhaza's rapid rise: From Varsity Cup to Springboks in remarkable season
Ntokozo Makhaza's 2025 season has been extraordinary, transitioning from Varsity Cup Player of the Year to signing with the Cheetahs and joining the Springbok alignment camp, marking his rapid rise in South African rugby. Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers The Cheetahs have since signed Makhaza as he makes the transition to professional rugby player, while putting his studies on the back burner. After being named Varsity Cup Player of the Year and Backline Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, the big unions began to take notice. At the beginning of the year, the 23-year-old backline player was turning in top performances in the Varsity Cup . Ntokozo Makhaza 's rise to the top of SA rugby in 2025 has been nothing short of meteoric. Makhaza's Dream Season: From Varsity Cup Victory to Springbok Alignment Camp Makhaza was also included in the Springbok alignment camp ahead of the new season, showing that he is already on the radar of coach Rassie Erasmus. Though his Springbok debut may still be some distance away, Makhaza is now determined to try and make that happen as soon as possible. 'Any rugby player's dream in South Africa is to play for the Springboks, it's a huge goal of mine,' Makhaza told 'After having a taste of the alignment camp and training sessions in Johannesburg, I am attracted to that [Springbok] culture and I just want to make sure I fit in the system. I want to make it.' 'I haven't had any calls as to when I might be returning but am very hopeful and I am ready because anything can happen.' As for the whirlwind season that has been 2025, Makhaza said: 'Yoh! I would say it has been a dream season,' Makhaza beams. 'Everything just fell together… winning the Varsity Cup with UCT, getting player of the tournament, joining the Cheetahs, and then being called into the Boks camp it's surreal. I'm just grateful. I know many people wish they were in this position. I'm taking it all in.' @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
