logo
Italy Test in Gqeberha: An opportunity for new-look Boks to impress

Italy Test in Gqeberha: An opportunity for new-look Boks to impress

The Citizen11-07-2025
There's a big opportunity for several fringe players to show what they can offer the world champions in the second Test against Italy.
The Springboks will be hoping for a strong performance against Italy in Gqeberha on Saturday. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
The Springboks were given a bit of a wake-up call at Loftus Versfeld and will hope to produce a far better and more clinical performance when they clash with Italy in the second Test between the teams in Gqeberha on Saturday (5.10pm).
To achieve this, coach Rassie Erasmus has put his faith in a bunch of players who wouldn't be considered first-choice selections.
Only Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Malcolm Marx of the starting XV would possibly make the 'first team' when everyone is fit and selectable. The other players picked by Erasmus for the match though will hope to put in a good performance to stay in the mix for the Rugby Championship later in the season.
Here one thinks of men like Manie Libbok at flyhalf, Grant Williams at scrumhalf and Wilco Louw at tighthead prop. The other players are viewed more as back-up men to the more seasoned campaigners, who're taking a breather this weekend.
Newcomers to Bok set-up
But, that said, there is plenty of excitement about the team selected by Erasmus and how some of the players will perform.
Wing Edwill van der Merwe gets to play just his second Test, Canan Moodie gets another go in the centres, Makazole Mapimpi has a chance to remind everyone of his skills, Ruan Nortje and captain for the game Salmaan Moerat form an intriguing lock pairing, while Thomas du Toit, after a stunning European season, packs down at loosehead prop.
Then, from the bench, we have Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese and Ethan Hooker all set to make their Bok debuts, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels gets another chance to show off his skills and power and Evan Roos will be just as keen to impress. And, Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu are sure to liven up the action when they enter the fray.
Willie hits 100
Erasmus will hope for a better all-round showing from his men after the struggles at Loftus. He'll especially want to see a better performance at ruck time where Italy were the better team last weekend, while the bench players will also need to step up after the 'bomb squad' failed to make an impression at Loftus.
It is an exciting Bok team, with several players in action who enjoyed good seasons for their respective franchises. They now get a chance to show what they can offer the Boks.
And, let's not forget, Willie le Roux will become South Africa's next centurion, as he hits the 100 Test mark this weekend. For this alone, the Boks must produce a performance to be proud of, at the standard South African rugby fans expect of them.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Wallabies could face a long, bleak winter after ruck controversy is heard around the rugby world
Wallabies could face a long, bleak winter after ruck controversy is heard around the rugby world

Daily Maverick

time7 hours ago

  • Daily Maverick

Wallabies could face a long, bleak winter after ruck controversy is heard around the rugby world

Can the Wallabies save their already imploding season against the British & Irish Lions in the third Test and in the Rugby Championship beyond that? As ever, controversy engulfed a British & Irish Lions tour, this time over whether a last-minute ruck was legal or illegal as they clinched the series against the Wallabies. The Lions won the second Test 29-26 in Melbourne, and with it, took the 2025 series against Australia as they moved into an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match slugfest. It all came down to a last-minute attack by the Lions, and a clean-out by flank Jac Morgan on Wallaby flank Carlo Tizzano deep inside the Wallaby 22. The Aussie backrower looked to be in a good position over the ball to win a turnover before Welshman Morgan clattered him off the ball. This is where it gets interesting. The Lions were able to clear the ball from the ruck, and one pass later, fullback Hugo Keenan scored the series-winning try. Cue mayhem. The footage of the clear-out was reviewed by Italian referee Andrea Piardi, who deemed it legal as he said both players arrived simultaneously. Naturally, that was not the end of it, as every expert and pundit has pulled out the lawbook and referred to various sections to prove their point. Was Morgan on his feet, did he bind, did he hit Tizzano on the neck? Anyone with gold-tinted glasses saw a clear penalty for Australia. Those with red blinkers viewed it as play on. Looking from a neutral position, it was easy to understand the angst and anger of Australians as the Wallabies lost the series. Equally, the insouciance of British and Irish reporters and supporters declaring that there was nothing to see here was understandable. Yet, if the roles had been reversed, would they be so quick to dismiss it? Interpretation Herein lies rugby's biggest flaw, or perhaps its greatest strength – the laws can be interpreted differently. The key is to be good enough to eliminate one decision from being the difference between triumph or disaster. That's easier written than done, though, but every ruck in every game has an element of jeopardy. I've looked at a few rucks from earlier in the game and some very similar-looking clear-outs haven't raised an eyebrow. That's the beauty of the sport. As the game nears the end and the outcome remains in the balance, every action and reaction is magnified. Former Welsh and Lions centre Jamie Roberts made a stunningly blunt point in a panel discussion on Australian TV to former Wallaby flank Michael Hooper afterwards. Had Tizzano 'survived' the cleanout, he might have won the penalty. What Roberts was implying was that the Tizzano threw himself back and tried to milk a penalty instead of staying latched on to the ball as Morgan hit him. If he survived the initial contact, he would have given the referee a very different picture to consider. Tizzano, admittedly after being hit hard by Morgan, theatrically flung himself backwards. It was enough to earn a review from the television match official, but not enough to win a belated penalty. Tizzano appears to have gambled with his over-the-top stunt instead of staying in the fight in the battle on the deck. You can't imagine Malcolm Marx or Hooper himself not doing everything to win the ball in such a good initial position. Former referee Nigel Owens, widely considered among the best officials in the world for much of his career, called it the 'perfect clear-out' in an interview with the BBC. This was not a mistake by referee Piardi, regardless of how much Wallaby coach Joe Schmidt and others quote the lawbook. It was an interpretation of an action that happens 50 times a game and that wouldn't raise an eyebrow had it happened in centre field in the 23rd minute. It won't be long before video footage of similar Wallaby clean-outs will emerge to underline the point that it was a 'rugby incident'. Australians are bitterly disappointed about the Wallabies losing after a heroic first 30 minutes. But that's where their real anger should be directed. They should not have been in a position to lose the game in the final minute. How does a quality Test side give up a 23-5 lead to lose the match? The Lions played well, their bench was effective while the Wallabies' replacements were subpar, and their energy was drained after a strong 30 minutes. Rugby matches at this level are an 80-plus-minute effort, and the job is never done until it's done. Australia learnt a hard lesson. Perhaps on another day, the final play might have gone their way, but they should never have been in a position where a 50/50 call would decide their fate. Revival or false dawn? From the comfort of a South African couch, it was good to see the Wallabies being competitive again, but was it a one-off, or is this the start of a revival? The jury is still out on that. The dead-rubber third Test in Sydney next week won't provide the real answer because it's difficult to be sure which Lions team will pitch up. Yes, the tourists have a stab at immortality by becoming the first Lions team since 1974 (against the Springboks) to take a 3-0 series win (the Lions won three and drew one of four Tests in 1974), but in reality, they've achieved their objective by winning the series. Likewise, how do the Wallabies respond? Perhaps the sense of injustice, real or perceived, will drive Australia to end the series on a high and claw back some pride. But I suspect the real examination of whether Australian rugby has turned the corner will be how the Wallabies fare in South Africa for the opening two rounds of the 2025 Rugby Championship in August. The Lions are good, but they are a composite team that hasn't quite found its rhythm yet. The Boks are a purring machine on a seven-Test winning streak, looking to make it nine wins in a row following clashes against Australia at Ellis Park and DHL Stadium next month. The Wallabies beat the Boks 25-17 at the Adelaide Oval in 2022. But, they've since lost 24-8 (Sydney, 2022), 43-12 (Pretoria, 2023), 33-7 (Brisbane, 2024) and 30-12 (Perth, 2024). Since 2022, Australia have also lost to Fiji and been hammered 40-6 by Wales at Rugby World Cup 2023. They last won a Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks in 2020 and went down by a record 67-27 against Argentina last year. Australian rugby needed something against the Lions, which is why there has been such a backlash about the final ruck call. Rugby is in a desperate state in Australia, and now the Wallabies face the daunting task of somehow beating the Boks and All Blacks, as well as the Pumas, to resuscitate the ailing game Down Under. The best way is to win the third Test against the Lions and build some momentum and confidence before the Rugby Championships.

SA rower Kerry Grundlingh killed in Johannesburg cycling accident
SA rower Kerry Grundlingh killed in Johannesburg cycling accident

The South African

time8 hours ago

  • The South African

SA rower Kerry Grundlingh killed in Johannesburg cycling accident

The South African and international sporting communities are mourning the tragic death of Kerry Grundlingh, a talented young rower and economics student at Princeton University, who died in a cycling accident while visiting Johannesburg during her summer break. Grundlingh, 21, was struck by a car while cycling in her hometown. The incident was confirmed by both Princeton Athletics and her alma mater, St Mary's School, Waverley, where she matriculated in 2022. 'Kerry lost her life in a cycling accident while visiting family and friends in Johannesburg during the American university summer holidays,' the school said in a statement. Grundlingh had distinguished herself both academically and athletically. As a member of Princeton's open water rowing team, she was a two-time Ivy League medallist and competed at the NCAA Championships in both her freshman and sophomore years. In 2024, she was part of the second varsity eight that took bronze at the Ivy League Championships and later finished sixth at the NCAAs. This year, she rowed in the first varsity eight, winning gold at Ivies and securing victory in the Petite Final at NCAAs. 'She leaves a legacy of her life lived as a tremendous daughter, sister, friend and teammate,' said Princeton head coach Lori Dauphiny. 'Kerry constantly gave the best of herself for the betterment of others in every daily interaction. All of us in the Princeton rowing community send our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to her parents, Debbie and Francois, her brother James, and all her family and friends around the globe.' Grundlingh also represented South Africa at the World Rowing Championships, earning widespread respect for her discipline, dedication, and quiet leadership. In a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, Rowing South Africa said she had left 'an unfillable space in those who had the honour of knowing her,' highlighting her dry sense of humour, infectious laugh, and deep commitment to high performance. Friends, coaches, and team-mates have remembered Grundlingh as a quiet force, a gifted athlete, and a warm, humble presence both on and off the water. 'The world has lost an amazing young woman,' Princeton's Dauphiny said. Post your condolences below, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Gayton McKenzie says LIV Golf South Africa early bird tickets selling FAST
Gayton McKenzie says LIV Golf South Africa early bird tickets selling FAST

The South African

time9 hours ago

  • The South African

Gayton McKenzie says LIV Golf South Africa early bird tickets selling FAST

LIV Golf over the weekend confirmed that Steyn City in Johannesburg will host the first-ever LIV Golf South Africa event from 20-22 March 2026. A multi-year commitment, the announcement represents a landmark moment for the league as it expands to the African continent for the first time, extending LIV Golf competition to five continents across the globe. Early bird tickets for LIV Golf South Africa are now available for purchase HERE, including a select number of Club 54 Hospitality Tickets and three-day Ground Passes to enjoy a festival of world-class golf, live music, and family-friendly experiences. A three-day early bird Ground Pass will cost you R2 193.17 down from R2 436.86, while Club 54 Hospitality Tickets will set you back R50 443.20. Free admission for children 12 and under. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult. Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has announced that tickets are selling fast. So fast in fact that over 10 200 were snapped up in the first 24 hours. The tournament will spotlight Stinger GC, the league's all-South African team, captained by 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and featuring fellow countrymen Dean Burmester, Branden Grace, and 2011 Masters champion, Charl Schwartzel. The team is expected to enjoy strong home support in March, as they compete for both individual and team titles in a field of 54 of the world's best players across three days in front of passionate local fans. In addition to home team Stinger GC, they'll be joined by a host of international stars including current 2025 season points leader Joaquin Niemann (Torque GC), Bryson DeChambeau (Crushers GC), Brooks Koepka (Smash GC), Phil Mickelson (HyFlyers GC), Jon Rahm (Legion XIII), Sergio Garcia (Fireballs GC), Cameron Smith (Ripper GC), Dustin Johnson (4Aces GC), and many more. The LIV Golf field is comprised of 18 major champions with a combined 28 major championships, bringing many of the sport's biggest stars to South Africa. The Club at Steyn City, located just north of Johannesburg, is known globally for its prestigious championship golf course designed by Nicklaus Design. With sweeping fairways, dramatic scenery, and a legacy of hosting professional tournaments, the course will provide the perfect setting for LIV Golf's debut in Africa and an exciting venue for broadcasters to showcase around the world. Post-play concerts and engaging fan experiences have become hallmark features of LIV Golf events, creating a unique festival atmosphere at every international stop. South Africa will be no exception, with marquee music entertainment to be announced in the event leadup. 'Bringing LIV Golf to South Africa is another significant moment in our journey,' said Ross Hallett, LIV Golf Executive Vice President, Head of Events. 'The country has a proud sporting heritage with passionate fans and world-class talent, and Steyn City will be an incredible host venue to celebrate this next chapter. We currently have events in Asia, Europe, Australasia, North America and today we add Africa, marking another exciting opportunity to showcase LIV Golf to a new audience and market. 'Our league is committed to driving the sport forward through competition, an innovative format, new investment opportunities, and collaborative partnerships that support progress throughout the communities we serve. We are incredibly grateful to have the support of the South African government and especially the Minister for Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie. Together, I know we will deliver a truly unforgettable experience to fans in Johannesburg, drive economic impact and tourism in the region, and showcase all that South Africa has to offer.' 'It's always special to compete at home, and I'm incredibly proud to bring LIV Golf to South Africa for the first time,' said Oosthuizen, captain of Stinger GC. 'For Branden, Charl, Dean and I to play in front of our fans, friends, and families will be an unforgettable experience. 'South African sports fans love their golf, and I am sure they will turn out in large numbers to support Stinger GC. South Africa has given so much to us, and now we get to give something back.' 'We are enormously proud to showcase Johannesburg and South Africa on the global stage, with our world-class lifestyle estate and golf course as shining examples of local excellence,' said Steven Louw, CEO of Steyn City Properties. 'We look forward to partnering with LIV Golf, Gauteng government and other stakeholders to share our country's exceptional golfing experience with the world, and to play a role in advancing the sport we are so passionate about.' 'This is a special moment to announce that the world's most dynamic and innovative new golfing format will make its historic debut in South Africa,' said Gayton McKenzie, South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture. 'This will be a proud moment for our nation, showcasing our vibrant sports culture and world-class hospitality to a global audience. 'The all-South African Stinger GC team is also testament to our country's rich golfing heritage, and we need to get behind our boys as a country when they are here, so that they can win their nation's inaugural tournament. 'Visitors will truly feel that they are in Africa, with access to a Big 5 reserve with lions and elephants – Dinokeng – less than an hour's drive from Steyn City. No LIV event will be anything like this one and we are confident that the world's golf lovers will make travelling to ours, the world's most beautiful country, a must-do trip on their calendar. 'LIV will also help to popularise golf in South Africa, and I also look forward to using the big concerts each day as a platform to show off our amazing home-grown, internationally competitive entertainment. We take our hats off to LIV as an organisation for heeding the call to include Africa on their calendar if they wish to call themselves a truly global brand. This is what we want to see for other sports too, from Formula One to the Summer Olympics. 'We are excited to work with LIV Golf's team to deliver a festival of sport and culture that will inspire fans, boost tourism, and create lasting opportunities for our communities, because LIV has committed to reinvesting into the countries that welcome them.' More details on additional hospitality packages, grounds passes and entertainment for LIV Golf South Africa will be unveiled soon. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store