Latest news with #EbenEtzebeth
The South African
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Springboks-Italy: Stats, facts and kick-off time
The Springboks will start their 2025 Test season as overwhelming favourites against Italy, with a packed out crowd at Loftus set to celebrate the occasion in fine style. The match kicks off at 17:10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport. Springbok record against Italy: Played 16; Won 15; Lost 1; Points for: 764, Points against: 195; Tries scored 102, Tries conceded 16; Highest score 101-0; Biggest win 101 points. Win % 94%. Miscellaneous: The Springboks have played Italy seven times in South Africa, but this will be the first Test between the sides at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, where the hosts have a 78% win record (32 wins from 41 Tests). Eben Etzebeth will extend his record as the most capped Springbok to 132 caps when he takes the field. Damian Willemse will play his first match for the Springboks since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand, which the Boks won 12-11. Should Willie le Roux take the field, it will mark his 99 th Test match for the Springboks, putting him in line to become only the eighth Springbok centurion in history. He made his Test debut against Italy in Durban in 2013. Test match for the Springboks, putting him in line to become only the eighth Springbok centurion in history. He made his Test debut against Italy in Durban in 2013. The Springboks have faced Italy 16 times and won 15 of those matches. Their only defeat was in Florence in 2016 where Italy pipped the Boks by 20-18. In the 15 matches the Springboks have won against Italy, they only scored fewer than 30 points on three occasions. The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 738 . . There are 351 caps in the backline, with 377 caps among the forwards. On the bench there are a further 466 caps. caps in the backline, with caps among the forwards. On the bench there are a further caps. The average caps per player in the backline is 50, the forwards 47, while the players on the bench average 58. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named a squad that feature 13 players who defeated the Barbarians 54-7 in Cape Town, and with regular Springbok captain Siya Kolisi out after picking up a niggle last week, Jesse Kriel retains the captaincy. Springbok team to face Italy – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel (c), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche. Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Franco Mostert, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Willie le Roux. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
News24
a day ago
- Sport
- News24
Tshituka set for Test debut as Rassie names strong Bok lineup to face Italy
Several senior Springbok players will make their return to the green and gold against Italy on Saturday, with head coach Rassie Erasmus on Tuesday naming a strong starting XV for the Pretoria clash and significant experience on the bench. READ | Farming out the props: Why scrum doctor Human trusts the Boks' depth stress test process Bok veterans Handre Pollard and Eben Etzebeth will start at flyhalf and lock, respectively, while Vincent Tshituka gets his first Test cap after impressing against the Barbarians last weekend. There's also a start for Damian Willemse at fullback, who will play his first match for the Boks since the 2023 World Cup final against New Zealand, with Willie le Roux providing cover off the bench as he approaches 100 Test caps. Veteran scrumhalf Faf de Klerk also starts on the bench, with Morne van den Berg given the No 9 jersey for the second week in a row. With regular Springbok captain Siya Kolisi out after picking up a niggle last week, Jesse Kriel retains the captaincy, making him the 67th Springbok captain, with Etzebeth as his vice-captain. Kriel is partnered in midfield by Damian de Allende, while Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse are the starting wingers. In the pack, Jasper Wiese will start at No 8, and Bulls strongman Wilco Louw will play at tighthead prop. Erasmus opted for a split of six forwards and two backs on the replacements bench. Experienced hooker Bongi Mbonambi will provide front-row cover with props Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Vincent Koch, along with lock RG Snyman and utility forwards Franco Mostert and Kwagga Smith. 'We have a big squad, and we would like to balance the game time within the group while at the same time maintaining continuity in selection, and we believe this is the team that will be best suited for what we want to achieve against Italy,' said Erasmus. 'We are also fortunate to have a few experienced players back from injury who will be keen to make their mark in the game.' Commenting on Kolisi's injury, Erasmus said: 'Siya, unfortunately, picked up a niggle, but Marco (van Staden) did a good job at flanker last week, and he is one of the core players in our team, so we are blessed to have such depth in the squad.' Erasmus added: 'If one goes through this team, there are so many leaders, and we were impressed with how Jesse accepted the responsibility of wearing the captain's armband last week. He is a player who leads by example on and off the field, and he thoroughly deserves this honour.' The Bok coach was also delighted for Tshituka, who delivered a strong performance against the Barbarians last week, scoring two tries in his first game in the Bok jersey. 'Vincent has fitted into our structures really well, and he showed last week that he has the potential to play Test rugby, so we are excited to see what he can do against Italy and to see him make his debut,' said Erasmus. Commenting on what he expected against Italy, Erasmus said: 'They are a quality team with a strong pack and quality backs, and their passion for the team and their country is incredible, so we expect them to throw everything at us. 'They also play an exciting brand of rugby, so it will be important for us to stick to our structures and deliver a quality performance all around to get the desired result.' Kick-off is at 17:10 at Loftus on Saturday.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Is this how the Springboks will line up against Italy?
Straight after the Springboks' 'warm-up' game against the Barbarians this past weekend, Rassie Erasmus explained that the selection for the opening phase of the season – which kicks off against Italy with two Tests – had been decided some time ago. With Siya Kolisi still under an injury cloud, it remains to be seen whether he will be risked this Saturday, but the likes of Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi should be back. Kick off is at 17:10. Springboks – probable: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Marco van Staden, 21 Cobus Reinach, 23 Handre Pollard. Describing the eight-tries-to-one rout of the Baas Baas as 'a good hit-out', Erasmus told reporters post-match: 'Overall, I guess it was satisfying but it was just a good hit-out. Now the Test matches start next week.' 'We won't get carried away with a game like this [the Barbarians win]. It's a festival game, and we're playing at home against a team that only practiced a few times together,' he added. 'Italy gave Namibia [a hiding]; I know they're not one of the Tier 1 nations but they gave them 70 points, and we saw how well they played in the first two Test matches in the Six Nations. 'I guess this match and the next three matches that we play, we're trying to focus a lot on us because when we hit the Rugby Championship… and Georgia, will also be a grind. So I guess we want to get better.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Confirmed: When Springboks will name team to face Italy
The Springboks mixed and matched with their selections for their season-opener against the Barbarians, but some first-choice players are now expected to come back into the mix for this weekend's clash against Italy. ADVERTISEMENT Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi and Bongi Mbonambi are among those expected to return to the starting line up, with the Springbok team set to be named around 15:30 on Tuesday, 1 July. The Springboks travelled to Johannesburg on Sunday and will begin their preparations for their opening Incoming Series match – against Italy at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday – in Johannesburg on Monday. More surprises to come for Springboks against Italy? This past weekend, the Springboks unveiled another bit of innovation as regular centre Andre Esterhuizen was moved from the backline to the side of the scrum in the second half. Esterhuizen said discussions about doubling up as a forward and a back have been in the pipeline for a while. ADVERTISEMENT 'It was a good experience,' Esterhuizen said about the switch from centre to flanker. 'I obviously trained there this week and enjoyed it, and I believe it is a good attribute for the future.' Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus likened Esterhuizen's ability to play as a centre and flanker to that of former Blitzbok star Kwagga Smith, who is able to cover all three positions in the loose trio and play on the wing. Commenting on how the move came about, Esterhuizen said: 'Rassie obviously spoke to me about it, and we came to an agreement. I said I'd like to try it because it offers so much more options. I've been waiting for this conversation to come up for some time because it has been raised in the past. 'As one gets older you learn how you can slot into different positions, and it helps to get into the team more constantly. One needs to learn to adapt as a player, so I'm looking forward to how it can work out.' Asked if he had any reservations about the bold move, Esterhuizen said he would not have done it if he wasn't willing. 'I'm definitely keen to learn and to slot into a bit of a hybrid role that can cover the forwards and backs,' he said. 'I think it will help me as a player personally and it will help the team as well, so hopefully we will see more of that in the future.' What do you think of this latest innovation? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Springbok fire still burns fiercely for Eben Etzebeth: ‘My ultimate drive'
The second row two-time World Cup winner is as motivated as ever to run out for the Springboks. Springbok enforcer Eben Etzebeth has won almost everything possible in rugby, and is set to go down as one of the greatest players in Springbok and international history. The 33-year-old's major achievements include two World Cups, two Rugby Championships, two South African player of the year awards, British & Irish Lions series winner, while he is also a three time World Rugby player of the year nominee. He has captained the Springboks on a number of occasions, and last year became the most capped Springbok player of all time, passing fellow lock legend Victor Matfield's record of 127 caps, with him now sitting on 131. 'Ultimate goal' Heading into another big international season Etzebeth said that the fire to put on the green and gold still burned brightly for him, and that he was looking forward to another strong season. 'For me, it's putting on the jersey one more time. I think that's the ultimate goal. That's my ultimate drive in rugby. I think the day the Bok jersey is not there anymore, and I can't play for it, it will be a very sad day for me personally,' said Etzebeth. 'So that motivates me. When I'm injured, when I have setbacks, to come back thinking that I might have an opportunity to represent South Africa. To run out at a full Loftus or Cape Town Stadium or wherever in South Africa, that's the ultimate feeling, the ultimate drive. 'It's amazing to go out there in front of 50,000 people, they're all cheering for the Boks, they're all wanting us to unite the country. You don't need much more motivation than that.' Another World Cup victory A possible, unprecedented third straight Rugby World Cup title in Australia is a big carrot that Etzebeth can't deny, and keeping the Boks at the top of the world rankings is a big goal of his over the coming years. 'To be part of Rassie's group, that's it. It's a little bit different from when they (the coaching team) arrived in 2018. It's special, but I think they want to make it even more special, and to take the group even higher,' said Etzebeth. 'I would like to be a part of that. Yes, there will be another World Cup in a couple of years. It will be incredible, but we all know how difficult it will be. I think everyone who has always wanted it, will come for it. 'We know that we are not the only team with a chance and teams learn fast. That means we won't be able to do what we did last year. We will have to get better, we will have to be stronger. 'Because if you just stay the same, you won't stay at the top. I think that's our challenge. It's also a challenge for me to be a part of the group that keeps getting better and keeps trying to stay number one.'
