Latest news with #HandréPollard
The Herald
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Kriel and Stick say Boks won't underestimate Italy at Loftus
Stick shared Kriel's sentiments, adding they must approach the game with intent and professionalism to avoid problems. 'Their backline is always dangerous, as we saw with their clubs in the United Rugby Championship and they have very skilful players. So, we have to handle that tomorrow. They are also trying to build squad depth at the moment, so they are a dangerous unit. 'Adding to that, they are a well-organised team, and the way they balance their game between the forwards and backs makes them a tough opponent. One thing is for certain, if you give them space and time on attack, they can hurt you.' Kriel will become the 67th Test captain for South Africa and Loftus and he describes it as being fortunate. 'It's very special (to lead the team in a Test). There have certainly been a few career highlights in the past, and this occasion is up there with those. But we have a big game tomorrow and I'm very fortunate to have guys like Siya (Kolisi), Eben (Etzebeth), Handré (Pollard) and so many other leaders in the squad to assist me. 'The fact that they are my best friends makes it even better. Obviously, our focus will be on the job at hand, but I'm very proud and it is a big occasion for me.'
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Six Boks who will want to make a big statement against Italy
From regulars to young bucks, six Springboks are in need of strong performances at Loftus on Saturday. Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg has another big chance to make the No 9 jersey his own this weekend. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images As the Springboks play their first of two Test matches against Italy at Loftus on Saturday (kick-off 5.10pm), we look at six players who will need to deliver strong performances. The match follows the Springboks' 54–7 win against the Barbarians last week and is the first competitive fixture of the season. The team sees outside centre Jesse Kriel become the 67th official captain of the Boks after Siya Kolisi's unavailability because of an injury. Damian Willemse The 27-year-old starts the game at fullback after Aphelele Fassi played the full match against the Barbarians. We gave Fassi an 8/10 in our player ratings for kicking brilliantly on the day last weekend. Two of his kicks into space led to tries, while he managed the high ball well. Willemse can kick well but is known more for his ball carrying and evasive runs. He will want to shine in these areas to remind the team and his coach of what he brings to the table. This will be his first outing since the 2023 World Cup final, following a 2024 season of injury setbacks. With so many quality No 15s around the battle is well and truly on to be the first-choice pick. Damian Willemse. Picture:Handré Pollard A stalwart in the Springbok squad, Pollard is still a dependable goal-kicker going into his 11th year of international rugby. The 31-year-old flyhalf also missed the Barbarians match last weekend and will want to follow on from the good performances by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok, especially in front of the posts (Libbok slotted all five of his kicks). The competition for the No 10 Bok jersey is as intense as it's ever been. Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images Morné van den Berg At 27, Van den Berg is the youngest scrumhalf in the squad. He was threatening in his runs and quick with the feed until he was substituted in the second half last week in Cape Town. Winning just his third Test cap, Van den Berg will want to continue to impress with the attacking play that made him shine for the Lions and earn his Springbok call-up. Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, and Jaden Hendrikse will all have eyes on the No 9 jersey. Jasper Wiese Though a regular in the side, Wiese finds himself in a battle for a place among the No 8s. Cameron Hanekom and Juarno Augustus are out injured, and Jean-Luc du Preez, who was selected for the Barbarians Test, is also recovering from a small knock to his head, so the sizeable Wiese returns to the starting XV while Kwagga Smith will resume his utility backup role from the bench. That while the much-talked-about Evan Roos waits on the sidelines for a poor performance that may result in his opportunity. Jasper Wiese. Picture: Hans van der Valk/Wilco Louw Nominated for the URC's SA Player of the Year Award, the 30-year-old tighthead has been in great form this season and gets a chance because the experienced Frans Malherbe is sidelined. The revival of his international career has coincided with his prodigious work in the scrums. But while Louw earned much recognition on the domestic front with the Bulls, he still needs to make a lasting impact for the Springboks, especially with tightheads Vincent Koch, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Thomas du Toit and Neethling Fouché in the background. Wilco Louw. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images Vincent Tshituka The Boks' only debutant of the day, 26-year-old Tshituka was applauded by coach Rassie Erasmus for his 'phenomenal' work rate during his 80-minute performance that included two tries against the Barbarians. Born in the DRC, Tshituka and his brother Emmanuel have spent years waiting to become eligible for the Springboks, delivering standout performances first for the Lions and now the Sharks — until now. The specialist blindside flanker grasped his opportunity with both hands last week, but will need to do so again in his first official Test on Saturday. Vincent Tshituka was excellent against the Barbarians last week and will make his first Test cap against Italy on Saturday. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The Herald
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Erasmus names four uncapped players in Bok team to face Barbarians
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus on Tuesday named four uncapped players in a quality team to face the Barbarians for the Qatar Airways Cup at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, in South Africa's opening match of the international season. Prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye and flanker Vincent Tshituka have been named in a relatively experienced starting line-up. Hooker Marnus van der Merwe and prop Neethling Fouche will feature with a few Rugby World Cup-winners and seasoned campaigners on the replacements' bench. Another notable inclusion in the starting team was Lood de Jager, who will partner with Jean Kleyn in the engine room. The experienced lock is back for his first Test since the Springboks' 2023 Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks in New Zealand, which was his only Test in the past two seasons after a string of injuries. Players from the Bulls, plus lock RG Snyman and flyhalf Handré Pollard, only joined the squad last week after their involvement in the United Rugby Championship and Gallagher Premiership finals. As a result, only Bulls utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been included in the match-23 from this group of players.
IOL News
20-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Handré Pollard's return: Can the Bulls finally claim URC glory?
BACK IN BLUE Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard will be back in Pretoria to lead the charge of the Bulls for an elusive URC title. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Comment by Leighton Koopman The Bulls' 32-7 defeat in the final of the United Rugby Championship against Leinster was a bitter pill to swallow for supporters, but making it to a third final in four seasons shows that they are not that far off from a title-winning campaign. With a core of experienced Springboks in their midst, the return of Handré Pollard in the flyhalf position, Jan Serfontein coming back as a vastly experienced centre and some exciting young players, the Pretoria outfit will be able to call on more experienced stars than ever before next year. While there is no shame in losing to a better team, and Leinster were streets ahead of the Loftus side, there will be questions around the Bulls if they can't claim silverware next season, especially with director of rugby Jake White looking to make some key adjustments in the off-season. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Firstly, squad depth remains a concern for White, and he stated it again in his post-match press conference following the final last Saturday at Croke Park in Dublin. But he was the most successful South African coach when it came to rotating his team. He ensured he had players fit to take up positions when needed. But injuries to key players had a big influence towards the end of their tournament. Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw were out for the final and the latter stages of the competition respectively, and the dynamic duo were vital cogs in a physical, yet mobile loose trio of the Bulls. Hanekom's loss in the final was massive, as was the absence of Kurt-Lee Arendse as well. They need to have like-for-like replacements for their important players. Secondly, the Bulls must tighten up their discipline and defensive structures. Leinster found it too easy at times to circumvent their tacklers, and the space they left at the back allowed their opponents' attack to thrive. Three tries in just 23 minutes effectively sealed the game for the home side, and there was no coming back from that 19-0 deficit. Handré Pollard was hungry for classy rugby all day yesterday, and this cross-field kick was absolutely delicious.#SaffasAbroad — Darren (@SaffasRugby) June 8, 2025 Too many penalties due to ill-discipline and missed tackles cost them, and if they can eliminate some of those unforced errors, it will help them keep their footing in crunch games. With the addition of Pollard and Serfontein, their backline will also see some calmer heads. The Bulls' game management in pressure situations, especially in that final, was poor and cost them. Pollard's ability to control the tempo and territory under pressure will be critical.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Finn Russell savours Bath win as he looks forward to Lions Test
Had Handré Pollard done his homework he might have known what was coming. For Finn Russell has previous with intercepts when attacking Twickenham's south stand. It was playing that way that he picked off Owen Farrell's pass before streaking clear in the madcap 38-38 draw between England and Scotland in 2019. And he was at it again on Saturday, coming up with the decisive moment in Bath's dogged Premiership final victory over Leicester. On this occasion he did not finish off the try himself – you suspect he probably could have – instead flinging a nonchalant pass inside to the onrushing Max Ojomoh. In a final short on champagne moments, it put the fizz in Bath's performance, extending their lead to 20-7 before a second penalty of the match proved pivotal in ensuring the 29-year wait for a Premiership title was over. Advertisement Listen to him explain his decision to make the pass to Ojomoh – whose father, Steve, was part of the Bath side that last won the title, in 1996 – and you get a pretty good idea of how the coach, Johann van Graan, has been able to end that wait, three years after taking charge of a club that was full of high-quality individuals, less so an emphasis on the collective. Related: Bath's treble win blends yesteryear charm with the recently unthinkable | Michael Aylwin 'He is a young player from Bath, who has only ever been at Bath, he is character and a brilliant player and I think for him scoring that in the final, I would like to think it is a big thing for him,' Russell said. 'He said his dad never scored in the final so he has got one over him there, he just needs to get an England cap now. 'The first time I met [Johann], I chatted to him as a man. He said: 'I know what you do on the pitch, I want to get to know you as a guy.' That is what he is, he wants a team full of good men. Whatever team you go to, you want to win stuff obviously, and I think with the recruitment he had, players and coaches, there was a real excitement from me to have the opportunity to come here.' Advertisement When the final whistle blew after Russell had thumped the ball into the crowd, there were the customary scenes of jubilation but the overriding emotion soon seemed to morph towards a blend of satisfaction and relief. For Bath have long since been favourites for the Premiership title: they had a home semi-final sewn up in mid-May and, having lifted the Premiership Cup and Challenge Cup, they were closing in on an historic treble. That brings expectation but, as Russell says, Bath have developed a winning knack this season. Russell himself has been key to that, relishing the extra dose of pragmatism that he has developed in his two seasons at Bath. He is a different player to the one who won the Pro12 title with Glasgow in 2015 – his last league triumph – and has reaped the rewards. As such he joins up with the British & Irish Lions in Dublin on Monday – after revelling in extended celebrations and a bus parade on Sunday – with a spring in his step. 'When you get to these moments and it is a knockout game it is very different, it is a one-off game so looking forward to the Lions there are three Tests at the end of it, and they are effectively knockout games. You want to win the series, if you don't, that's life. 'It was a tough game [against Leicester] and we weren't at our best but finding a way to win is really important. I am going to celebrate and enjoy this one. It is a special moment, this kind of stuff does not come around often. The last time I won a title like this was 10 years ago and I want to enjoy it, that is important as well.' Advertisement Russell has had to wait almost as long for a Test start with the Lions. In 2017 he was part of the much derided Geography Six, appearing for all of five minutes as a temporary replacement for Dan Biggar against the Hurricanes. Four years later Russell left everyone wondering what might have been, coming off the bench after 10 minutes in the final Test and helping the Lions finally spread their wings after two turgid matches against the Springboks. He has Fin Smith and Marcus Smith for competition this summer but the manner in which he has guided Bath to glory this season is evidence that Russell deserves his shot against Australia. 'When you get to the Lions it is another level of intensity, it is the best of the best from Britain and Ireland,' he said. 'I am looking forward to the challenge, everyone is fighting for Test spots but it is not just getting in the Tests, it is winning them as well. Every training session and every game you play before that counts. 'It is something that has been in the back of my mind since being named in the squad but you have got games to win at Bath, titles to win at Bath, which we have gone on and done. The focus will go on to the Lions and how do I get myself ready for what is coming. When you get there it is the best of the best and you have got to be on it every day training wise and take your chance when it comes.'
