Springbok No 8 Jasper Wiese cops four-match man, but is available to face the All Blacks
Springbok No 8 Jasper Wiese has been suspended for four matches following a World Rugby disciplinary hearing on Tuesday for the red card he received in last week's 45-0 victory against Italy.
Wiese will be back in contention for selection for the last three Castle Lager Rugby Championship matches in September and October.
The ban will rule him out of the closing Castle Lager Incoming Series match against Georgia in Nelspruit on Saturday, as well as the first three Castle Lager Rugby Championship Tests against Australia in Johannesburg and Cape Town respectively (16 and 23 August), and the first game against New Zealand in Auckland (6 September).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
Springboks to play best against All Blacks in Rugby Championship
The Boks are done with experimentation, for now, and will be picking close to their strongest squad. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will name a reduced squad of 36 players for opening two games of the Rugby Championship against Australia in due course. Picture: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images The Springboks will be unleashing close to their very best team against the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship, after giving 46 players a run during their first four games of their 2025 international campaign. Over the past weekend the Boks' incoming series came to its end, which included two games against Italy in Pretoria (42-24) and Gqeberha (45-0), and a one-off Test against Georgia (55-10) in Mbombela, while they started their season against the invitational Barbarians (54-7) in Cape Town. All 46 players picked in the squad for the opening four games got a run, with Evan Roos and Ethan Hooker getting the least amount of game time, with both playing just 24 minutes in the second Test against Italy. Every other player at least played more than half a game of rugby, with five players playing once, including captain Siya Kolisi who missed the first three matches through injury, which means 39 players got two run outs or more over the opening four games. Smaller Bok squad A reduced squad of 36 players for the first two games of the Rugby Championship was set to be named on Tuesday, but it has now been delayed and will be revealed at a later date. Speaking ahead of the Georgia game, Bok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick was asked when the management would be aiming to work with a smaller group of players that they would be focussing on going towards the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Stick explained that it was far too soon to be looking at a group that would be playing in that tournament Down Under, but that they would certainly be playing close to their current best group during the Rugby Championship. 'We definitely aren't looking that far ahead yet. Yes, we have a goal going up to 2027, but the main thing at the moment for us is focusing on this season and building our squad depth, while also still winning,' said Stick. 'Because at the end of the year there is a draw for the World Cup and we have to make sure we are in a good position for the draw. On the other side we want to achieve our goal for the season. Tough games 'In the Rugby Championship we are going to have tough games against Australia (at home), New Zealand twice away from home and Argentina (home and away). So we probably will get close to our best possible 35 players that you will see in those (big) games. 'We aren't even thinking about who will be in the World Cup squad come 2027. If you look at some of the youngsters coming through, we are in a really good space. But the closest we will come to our best team will be in the Rugby Championship when we face the All Blacks.' After the match against Georgia, coach Rassie Erasmus also admitted the Boks wouldn't be experimenting much in the Rugby Championship, and that a more settled and tried and tested group would be picked for the first two games against Australia, before another group is picked to go to New Zealand. 'Within that (Rugby Championship) squad, there'll be one or two guys that we experiment with, but the bulk of that squad will be experienced players who are suited to the way we want to play. The Rugby Championship is a step up to tier-two nations, the Barbarians, and the Italy matches,' explained Erasmus.
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
‘Unlocked': Rugby star Eben Etzebeth launches first book
The book promises an intimate look into Etzebeth's life. Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has announced the release of his debut book, Unlocked. The book tells the story of Etzebeth's life, from growing up in Goodwood in the Western Cape to his rise in rugby. In a recent Instagram post, Etzebeth shared that the book will be available in October this year. 'Over the past few months, I've taken time to reflect on my journey — the highs, the lows, the lessons, the people, and the moments that have shaped me on and off the field,' he wrote. The book also explores Etzebeth's challenges, aspirations, and what it truly took to wear the green and gold jersey. He described the book as a tribute to those who have supported him throughout his career. 'Unlocked tells my story — from growing up in Goodwood to my aspirations, the challenges I've faced, and what it really took to wear the green and gold. Thank you to everyone who's supported me — this one is for you,' he added. ALSO READ: Six decades of Porsche at Kyalami celebrated with new book The book is available for pre-order While not yet on shelves, Etzebeth said the book is available for pre-order through Takealot, Exclusive Books, Wordsworth, Loot, Readers Warehouse, and other major South African retailers. 'It is also available internationally through Amazon UK, Waterstones, and other outlets.' NOW READ: 'End of an era': Shalate Sekhabi exits House of Zwide
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
Five players to watch as Junior Springboks gear up for Currie Cup challenge
Scrumhalf Haashim Pead, who starred for the Junior Boks at the World Rugby U20 Championship, will be one of the players looking to make it at senior level should he get an extended run at the Lions in the Currie Cup this season. Image: Maurilio Boldrini / World Rugby After their success at the World Rugby U20 Championship, several Junior Springboks will get a well-deserved break, but then it is straight back into the Currie Cup at their respective unions. While the tournament, kicking off this weekend, is not as prestigious as in previous years, the developmental aspect of it could aid some of the U20 players taking part. This will be a perfect platform from which they can launch their senior careers, looking at cracking a nod at their United Rugby Championship (URC) franchises. We look at five players who must take the next step in their careers. Haashim Pead (Lions) The Junior Bok vice-captain could be the perfect understudy to Springbok Morné van den Berg when it comes to the URC. For that to happen, the Lions must back him in the Currie Cup and give him as many minutes as possible to find his feet. Pead has the pedigree to become great at the union, but it will all depend on how they utilise him. His instinctive plays will suit the Lions' game. He is quick behind the breakdown, and Pead has this ability to see space that few scrumhalves in South Africa possess. His kicking game will also benefit from senior rugby. Batho Hlekani (Sharks) Hopefully, the Durban side will have a proper plan and pathway for his special talent after showing off his all-around skills in the U20 Championship. Hlekani was the physical heartbeat of the Baby Boks. But he is not just a strong defender, although the opposition felt his hard hits right through the tournament, Hlekani is also a strong ball carrier. While he knows how to take the ball up into tackles with his direct plays, he also has a keen eye for gaps and a great turn of pace. Vusi Moyo (Sharks) Another young South African flyhalf with a good all-round game. He was running the attacking show of the Junior Boks alongside Pead and looked to be in total control when it came to spreading the ball down the backline or taking it up himself. Moyo can be physical too and doesn't back down from the dirty work in contact. He compliments that attacking gameplay well with his kicking and he looks so calm with the ball in hand or when putting it up in the sky. The real test will come when he plays against seasoned Currie Cup players. Cheswill Jooste (Bulls) He's been likened to Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe for his pace and stepping exploits during the tournament, and the way he scored tries, chased high kicks, and sidestepped opponents showed why he was one of the stars of the side. The Bulls' game will suit Jooste and the players around him should be able to get him into space whenever he gets a run for the side. He ran circles around his opposition in Italy, but must now step it up against some of his teammates who know him and other more experienced wings in the tournament. Riley Norton (Western Province) A leader of men and Western Province will have to look after their Junior Springbok-winning captain in the future. While they have some big names when it comes to the lock position, it will be crucial to get Norton involved in their campaign. Alongside Hlekani, Norton led the physical charge of the team throughout the tournament. However, his leadership qualities and how he kept his team calm and fighting stood out. He leads by example when it comes to the physical things on the field and a campaign against hardened senior players will stand him in good stead.
