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The South African
18 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Lions lure future Springbok superstar Bathobele Hlekani from Sharks
The Lions have pulled off a major recruitment coup ahead of the next United Rugby Championship (URC) season, with Junior Springbok star Bathobele Hlekani set to make the move from Durban to Johannesburg. The 20-year-old utility forward, who was born in Zwide in the Eastern Cape and educated at Graeme College, starred for South Africa at the recent World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy, will join the Lions squad following the conclusion of the 2025 Currie Cup. Hlekani played a key role in helping the Junior Boks lift the U20 title for the first time since 2012, showcasing his versatility, physicality, and tactical awareness. His performances earned him a call-up to the Springboks' two-week conditioning camp in Johannesburg, alongside fellow Junior Springboks Haashim Pead and Cheswill Jooste. ALSO READ | Paarl Gimnasium vs Paarl Boys' High: Every Springbok produced Although currently part of the Sharks' Currie Cup squad, Hlekani did not feature in their opening match against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday, as he was rested following a demanding international schedule. Hlekani made his senior debut for the Sharks in the 2024 Currie Cup and came off the bench in their European Challenge Cup Round-of-16 clash against French giants Lyon in April. Hlekani's upcoming switch bucks the recent trend of young talent heading from Johannesburg to Durban, and strengthens a Lions side already busy in the transfer market. The union recently secured scrumhalf Haashim Pead through to 2028 and snapped up a trio of schoolboy stars from Grey College – Ethan Adams, Sherwin Buys, and David Hayidakis – widely regarded as some of the most exciting young prospects in South African rugby. The move signals the Lions' intent to rebuild and compete aggressively in both the URC and domestic competitions, with a clear focus on emerging talent and long-term squad development. 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.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Lions poach Sharks' Junior Bok star
The 20-year-old Hlekani played for the Sharks in last year's Currie Cup and came off the bench in their European Challenge Cup round-of-16 clash against Lyon in April. The Lions have acquired the services of Bathobele Hlekani after his standout performance at the U20 World Championship. Picture:. A world champion Junior Springbok is set to swap Durban for Joburg after the Currie Cup. Utility forward Bathobele Hlekani was a standout performer in Italy as South Africa won the World U20 Championship for the first time since 2012. He was also one of three Junior Boks – along with scrumhalf Haashim Pead and winger Cheswill Jooste – invited to train with the Springboks during their recent two-week conditioning camp in Johannesburg. The 20-year-old Hlekani played for the Sharks in last year's Currie Cup and came off the bench in their European Challenge Cup round-of-16 clash against Lyon in April. He is part of the Sharks' 2025 Currie Cup squad but was rested for their opening match against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday. According to Planet Rugby, Hlekani will join the Lions ahead of the 2025-26 Vodacom URC season – bucking the recent trend of talent heading in the opposite direction. It's a major coup for the Lions, who have already secured Pead through to 2028 and signed exciting Grey College trio Ethan Adams, Sherwin Buys and David Hayidakis. This story was first published on It is republished here with permission.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Exeter Chiefs announce signing of prop Tchumbadze
Exeter Chiefs have confirmed the signing of Georgia prop Bachuki 23-year-old, who made his international debut against the Netherlands in February, joins the Premiership side from Georgian club Black made 14 appearances for Black Lion in the European Challenge Cup and Rugby Europe Super will become the second Georgian to play for Exeter after loosehead prop Nika Abladze, who featured in the 2023-24 season. Tchumbadze told the club website, external: "I really enjoy English rugby, and I'm truly honoured to have the opportunity to be a key part of the Exeter Chiefs."I'm well aware of the crucial role that forwards play in the team's system, and I'm really looking forward to making my debut in the Premiership."Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter added: "He's one of those guys who shows an awful lot of promise for a young man. He's dynamic in the loose, very effective in the tight. I think he'll really thrive working with [assistant forwards coach] Ross [McMillan]."We're going to be focusing on our set piece this pre-season, especially around the scrum, so that will give him a lot of opportunities in live sessions."We've just got to give him the platform to work really hard and hopefully he can achieve something really special here."The length of Tchumbadze's deal was not disclosed.
The South African
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Johan Ackermann gets Bulls top job
The Vodacom Bulls have confirmed the appointment of Johan Ackermann as head coach ahead of the 2025/26 season. The former Springbok lock and three-time South African Coach of the Year joins the Pretoria-based franchise after a coaching stint with the Junior Springboks during the ongoing World Rugby U20 Championship. Ackermann, 54, returns to Loftus Versfeld with a strong coaching résumé that includes domestic, international, and overseas experience. He replaces Jake White as head coach and will formally begin his role following the U20 final in Italy. Speaking from Italy, where he is assisting the SA U20 team, Ackermann described the Bulls job as a significant moment in his coaching career. 'The moment I received the call, I got goosebumps. It's a privilege and an honour to coach a team with such tradition and passionate supporters,' he said. 'The Bulls are already in a strong position; my focus is on building on that and helping them grow further.' Willem Strauss, president of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, said Ackermann's ties to the Bulls and his coaching credentials made him the ideal candidate. 'Johan's blood is blue,' said Strauss. 'He played for the Bulls, made his Test debut at Loftus, and is a Carlton League legend. His management of people and ability to build team culture are well known.' Blue Bulls Company CEO Edgar Rathbone said the appointment aligns with the franchise's long-term goals. 'Johan Ackermann is a proven leader and developer of talent. His coaching track record speaks for itself. He's someone who understands the values of this union and can build on the foundations already in place,' said Rathbone. Ackermann made 13 Test appearances for South Africa between 1996 and 2007, and became the oldest Springbok debutant at age 37. After retiring from playing in 2008, he began his coaching career with the Lions, where he progressed from forwards coach to head coach in 2013. During his tenure, the Lions reached consecutive Super Rugby finals and established a high-tempo, structured playing style. Ackermann also coached the South Africa 'A' side in 2016 and 2017. He then spent three years coaching Gloucester Rugby in England, guiding the club to a European Challenge Cup final and an English Premiership semi-final. More recently, he worked in Japan with NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes and Urayasu D-Rocks. Ackermann returned to South African rugby in early 2025 as part of the Junior Springbok management team and has been involved in their campaign at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy. DO YOU THINK JOHAN ACKERMANN WILL SUCCEED AT THE BULLS? 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.
Irish Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Skipper Craig Casey - real danger in Georgia as Ireland select six debutants
Ireland start two and have a further four new caps on the bench as they open their summer tour against Georgia in Tbilisi this O'Connell takes charge of the side in the absence of Andy Farrell and Simon Easterby while the relatively callow line-up reflects 16 players away on Lions duty and another two injured. Of the sextet Leinster's Tommy O'Brien, just turned 27, has positively starred at provincial level since returning from injury and is a powerhouse right-winger many feel will be both Leinster and Ireland's first-choice next Darragh Murray has just turned 24 and was a surprise selection for the squad in the first place. However, standing 6'7" and weighing in at 115kgs, the Connacht has particularly impressed Paul O'Connell in this are a further four potential news caps on the Michael Milne, 26, completed a Leinster-Munster move last April. A mobile loosehead prop, if the switch came with a promise first-team rugby would help him with international aspiration, it has worked Jack Aungier, 26, made a similar switch from Leinster to Connacht in 2020 and hasn't looked back since. Understudying Finlay Bealham at his province he has nonetheless made 21 appearances (eight starts, 13 sub) this season. Tom Ahern, 25, has been one of the breakthrough youngsters at Munster in recent times and has, notably, been working between second and back-row at his province. Survived a late hamstring scare to make the Ben Murphy, 24, is another to have benefitted from leaving Leinster and his landing at Connacht at the start of the season coincided with a burst of form and a number of Man of the Match Jacob Stockdale is a specifically interesting selection on the left-wing. He needs one more try to move him to Ireland's outright 6th leading all-time the Richard-Cockerill coached Georgia have nine players France-based in their starting line-up with another six playing for Black Lions, a composite side made up from players in Georgia and who have an EPCR invite to play European Challenge Cup rugby."We are expecting Georgia to be probably up the walls with physicality and bring their game to us," says Ireland skipper Craig Casey. "They've got some really big threats."I their no15 David Niniashvilli really is a high class player. To be fair, he's shown it in the Top 14, he showed in Europe out-half is at Castres in the Top 14, the scrum-half at Oyonnax in ProD2."You've got Luka Matkava at no10, who kind of runs the ship for them."Vasil Lobzhanidze at no9, I've seen an awful lot of him. He's played for Georgia since he's been quite young, and he's been at a few World Cups so he kind of runs the show very well, he's kind of their go-to man."I think their right winger, Akaki Tabutsadze, has scored 50 tries in 51 games so they are a high quality back line and, obviously, their forward set the platform for them."They've got a back-row that are going to contest probably every breakdown. They like to do a lot of work in the broken field from their back-three so there's a lot of threats there."We will need to be all over those. I think if we're on our breakdown, we'll have a good day but we'll have to do a lot of work there."So they'll bring their game, I imagine their fans are going to make it a special occasion for them and they'll be delighted to have Ireland over and try and knock us off."Casey is looking forward to captaining Ireland for the first time."It's a special honor, it's class to get that kind of recognition with those type of players so I'm delighted, it is a special day for my family and everyone that has put a lot of work into me."We have got six debutants, hopefully it's a good one opportunity for them in this game and I don't think we've changed anything for them."It's a special week for them and their families. I think it's unbelievable for them to make their first caps. It's a huge opportunity for all of us."It's a massive privilege for us to put on the Irish jersey at any stage. So it's a big week for them, and it's up to the rest of us now to lay down a marker and make it a special one for everyone."Georgia (v Ireland, Tbilisi, 5pm Irish, Virgin TV): 15 Davit Niniashvili; 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 13 Demur Tapladze, 12 Giorgi Kveseladze, 11 Sandro Todua; 10 Luka Matkava, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze; 1 Giorgi Akhaladze, 2 Vano Karkadze, 3 Irakli Aptsiauri, 4 Mikheil Babunashvili,5 Lado Chachanidze, 6 Luka Ivanishvili, 7 Beka Saghinadze, 8 Tornike Jalagonia,Replacements: 16 Irakli Kvatadze, 17 Giorgi Tetrashvili, 18 Beka Gigashvili, 19 Giorgi Javakhia, 20 Ilia Spanderashvili, 21 Mikheil Alania, 22 Tedo Abzhandadze, 23 Tornike 15 Jimmy O'Brien; 14 Tommy O'Brien, 13 Jamie Osborne, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale; 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Craig Casey; 1 Jack Boyle, 2 Gus McCarthy, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 4 Cormac Izuchukwu, 5 Darragh Murray, 6 Ryan Baird, 7 Nick Timony, 8 Gavin CoombesReplacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Cian Prendergast, 21 Ben Murphy, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Calvin Nash. IRELAND SUMMER TOUR SCHEDULESaturday, 5th July: Georgia v Ireland, Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi (kick off 9pm local time, 6pm Irish time);Saturday, 12th July: Portugal v Ireland, Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon (kick off 7pm local, same Irish time)Ireland Men's Squad – Summer Tour 2025, departing for Tbilisi on Wednesday, 2nd July. Player/Club/Province/CapsBacks (14): Shayne Bolton (Connacht)*, Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(captain)(18), Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(24), Nathan Doak (Banbridge/Ulster)*, Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(8), Hugh Gavin (Galwegians/Connacht)*, Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(19), Ben Murphy (Clontarf/Connacht)*, Dermot Kilgallon (Munster)*, Jimmy O'Brien (Naas/Leinster)(8), Tommy O'Brien (UCD/Leinster)*, Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(7), Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(8), Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster)(38) Forwards (18): Tom Ahern (Shannon/Munster)*, Jack Aungier (Lansdowne/Connacht)*, Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(27), Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster)(2), Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster)(6), Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/Munster)(2), Max Deegan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(2), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(1), Alex Kendellen (UCC/Munster)*, Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)(4), Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)*, Michael Milne (UCD/Munster)*, Darragh Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht)*, Tom O'Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(16), Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht)(4), Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley/Leinster)*, Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(2), Nick Timoney (Banbridge/Ulster)(3), Scott Wilson (Queens University/Ulster)* *denotes uncapped
