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The South African
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
BREAKING: Siya Kolisi returns for Springboks
Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe, and Neethling Fouche will all make their Springbok debuts against Georgia on Saturday as double Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi returns from injury to take over the captaincy for first time this season. Venter, who was called up to the squad in June as injury cover at prop, will start in a completely new front row with fellow prop Fouche and hooker Van der Merwe, who both had their first taste of Springbok rugby in the team's 54-7 victory against the Barbarians. Meanwhile, Kolisi features in a loose trio with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cobus Wiese after missing the last three matches due to niggles. The three uncapped front rankers will increase the number of newly capped players this season to seven after Vincent Tshituka (flanker), Wiese, Asenathi Ntlabakanye (prop), and Ethan Hooker (utility back) all made their Test debuts against Italy. Erasmus' team features only five players who started last week, and eight in total from the match-23 that defeated Italy 45-0 in Gqeberha. The inclusion of Kolisi and Venter in the squad, meanwhile, increases the size of the group used by Erasmus so far this season to 46 players, with the matchday squad featuring 15 Rugby World Cup winners. The five players who retained their places in the starting lineup are Edwill van der Merwe (wing), Canan Moodie (utility back), Grant Williams (scrumhalf), Du Toit, and Ruan Nortje (lock), while Conus Wiese and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (flyhalf) are promoted from the bench to starting team, with Thomas du Toit (prop) starting among the replacements. Edwill van der Merwe, who scored two tries in his second match in the green and gold last week, has been named in a playmaking back three with Kurt-Lee Arendse and Aphelele Fassi, while Moodie joins forces with Damian de Allende in the midfield, and Williams pairs up with Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback. Up front, apart from a new-look front row and rejigged loose trio, Eben Etzebeth will link up with Ruan Nortje in the engine room. Kick off on Saturday is at 17:10. 15 – Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 11 caps, 35 points (7t)14 – Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 2 caps, 15 pts (3t)13 – Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 13 caps, 30 pts (6t)12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 88 caps, 55 points (11t)11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 25 caps, 95 points (19t)10 – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 9 caps, 52 points (14c, 8p) 9 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 17 caps, 25 pts (5t)
The South African
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
BREAKING: Still no sign of Kolisi as Springboks name team
With Siya Kolisi being managed as he recovers from a niggle, Salmaan Moerat will lead the Springbok team, which feature seven players from the side that defeated Italy 42-24 in Pretoria last week. Moerat last captained the Springboks in their 2024 Rugby Championship match against the Pumas in Argentina. Willie le Roux will become the eighth Springbok centurion on Saturday after being named at fullback in a new-look team that includes three uncapped players on the bench. The players in Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus' team in line to make their Test debuts are Asenathi Ntlabakanye (prop), Cobus Wiese (utility forward) – brother of No 8 Jasper Wiese – and Ethan Hooker (utility back), who have all been in fantastic form for their respective franchises this year. The seven players who will face the Azzurri for the second week in a row are Le Roux, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese, all of whom have been named in the starting XV, while Ox Nche and Jan-Hendrik Wessels will make an impact off the replacements bench. Erasmus named an exciting new backline with Edwill van der Merwe and Eastern Cape local Makazole Mapimpi linking up with Le Roux in the back three, while Andre Esterhuizen will partner up with Canan Moodie in the midfield, and Manie Libbok joins forces with Grant Williams at halfback. Up front, Jasper Wiese and Van Staden form a loose trio combination with Pieter-Steph du Toit, while Ruan Nortje and Moerat will command the engine room, and Thomas du Toit will pack down with Wilco Louw and Malcolm Marx in the front row. The match kicks off at 17:10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport and SABC. The Springbok team remains without Siya Kolisi: 15 Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 99 caps, 75 pts (15t)14 Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 1 cap, 5 pts (1t)13 Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 12 caps, 25 pts (5t)12 Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 19 caps, 0 pts11 Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 46 caps, 160 points (32t)10 Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 19 caps, 98 pts (1t, 30c, 11p) 9 Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 17 caps, 20 pts (4t)
The South African
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
When will Siya Kolisi return to action after injury scare?
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi will not be fit to face Italy at Loftus Versfeld this weekend. South Africa plays Italy in the opening match of the Castle Lager Incoming Series on Saturday. Having defeated the Barbarians 54-7 last weekend, the Boks, led by Jesse Kriel, will look for another inspired performance. When asked about Siya Kolisi, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus explained why the Sharks flanker missed the Barbarians match. 'Siya unfortunately picked up a niggle, but Marco 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,' he said as per SA Rugby . '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 captain is likely to feature for the Springboks on 12 July against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. At this stage, it is unclear if he will start the match. Springboks XV15 Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 39 caps, 56 points (4t, 9c, 4p, 2 dg)14 Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath) – 40 caps, 111 points (18t, 3c, 5p)13 Jesse Kriel (captain, Canon Eagles) – 79 caps, 90 points (18t)12 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 87 caps, 55 points (11t)11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 24 caps, 90 points (18t)10 Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls) – 80 caps, 772 points (7t, 109c, 168p, 5dg)9 Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions) – 2 caps, 0 points8 Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 34 caps, 10 points (2t)7 Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – uncapped6 Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 25 caps, 10 points (2t)5 Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 66 caps, 25 points (5t)4 Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 131 caps, 35 points (7t)3 Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 16 caps, 0 points2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 76 caps, 105 points (21t) 1 Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 39 caps, 0 points
The South African
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
BREAKING: Siya Kolisi ruled out as Springboks reveal team
The Springboks during a press conference. Image: SA Rugby website Home » BREAKING: Siya Kolisi ruled out as Springboks reveal team The Springboks during a press conference. Image: SA Rugby website Siya Kolisi missed the Springboks' season-opener against the Barbarians, and although it was thought that he would be ready to face Italy this Saturday, it has been confirmed that the 34-year-old will miss the clash at Loftus. Kolisi has been ruled out with injury, and the team will be led by Jesse Kriel in his absence, while Marco van Staden will start at openside flank. Commenting on Kolisi's injury, Erasmus said: 'Siya unfortunately picked up a niggle, but Marco 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.' Erasmus opted for largely the same backline that played against the Barbarians, with the only new players being Rugby World Cup winners Damian Willemse at fullback and Handre Pollard at flyhalf, where the latter will pair up with exciting scrumhalf Morne van den Berg. There are three personnel changes in the forward pack, with Jasper Wiese replacing Jean-Luc du Preez, whose wife is expecting a child, while Eben Etzebeth takes over from the injured Jean Kleyn in the engine room, and Wilco Louw will start at tighthead prop in a front row with Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx. 15 Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 39 caps, 56 points (4t, 9c, 4p, 2 dg)14 Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath) – 40 caps, 111 points (18t, 3c, 5p)13 Jesse Kriel (captain, Canon Eagles) – 79 caps, 90 points (18t)12 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 87 caps, 55 points (11t)11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 24 caps, 90 points (18t)10 Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls) – 80 caps, 772 points (7t, 109c, 168p, 5dg) 9 Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions) – 2 caps, 0 points 8 Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 34 caps, 10 points (2t)7 Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – uncapped6 Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 25 caps, 10 points (2t)5 Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 66 caps, 25 points (5t)4 Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 131 caps, 35 points (7t)3 Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 16 caps, 0 points2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 76 caps, 105 points (21t) 1 Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 39 caps, 0 points Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 77 caps, 70 points (14t)17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) – 3 caps, 5 points (1t)18 Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 61 caps, 0 points19 RG Snyman (Leinster) – 40 caps, 10 points (2t)20 Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 78 caps, 20 points (4t)21 Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 51 caps, 45 points (9t)22 Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 58 caps, 50 points (5t, 5c, 5p) 23 Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 98 caps, 75 points (15t) Stats and facts: 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%. 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
27-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
New captain for Springboks as Kolisi withdraws
It's been confirmed that coach Rassie Erasmus was forced to make a late change to his Springbok team on Friday, following the withdrawal of Siya Kolisi. Thankfully, it has been described as just a 'niggle', and it's hoped that this won't affect Kolisi's availability for the Test season that gets under way in July. Jesse Kriel will now lead the Springboks on Saturday, while Marco van Staden has been drafted straight into the starting lineup as a replacement for Kolisi and will partner up with Vincent Tshituka and Jean-Luc du Preez in the loose trio, with the rest of the squad remaining unchanged. This will be the first time Kriel will lead the Springboks. He made his debut for South Africa in 2015 has played in 79 Tests. The match kicks off at 17:10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport. 15 Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 11 caps, 35 points (7t) 14 Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath) – 40 caps, 111 points (18t, 3c, 5p) 13 Jesse Kriel (captain, Canon Eagles) – 79 caps, 90 points (18t) 12 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 87 caps, 55 points (11t) 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 24 caps, 90 points (18t) 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 8 caps, 52 points (14c, 48p) 9 Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions) – 2 caps, 0 points 8 Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks) – 14 caps 10 points (2t) 7 Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – uncapped 6 Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 25 caps, 10 points (2t) 5 Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 66 caps, 25 points (5t) 4 Jean Kleyn (Munster) – 7 caps, 0 points 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Emirates Lions) – uncapped 2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 76 caps, 105 points (21t) 1 Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 39 caps, 0 points Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets) – uncapped 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) – 3 caps, 5 points (1t) 18 Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers) – uncapped 19 Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 78 caps, 20 points (4t) 20 Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 51 caps, 45 points (9t) 21 Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 39 caps, 70 pts (14t) 22 Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 19 caps, 98 pts (1t, 30c, 11p) 23 Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 19 caps, 0 points 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.
