Latest news with #Kurt-LeeArendse
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
It's a numbers game: Springbok backline depth separates world champions from their rivals
Flyhalf Manie Libbok has been at the helm of the Springbok attack and is pushing to be the first-choice general for the world champions with his performances. Image: BackpagePix A trademark of the Springboks' recent success has been the remarkable depth and versatility of their backline. From fullback to scrumhalf, South Africa can call upon different world-class players, each offering unique skills while maintaining a consistently high standard as seen during the four mid-year internationals. It says a lot about the side if players of the quality such as veteran outside centre Lukhanyo Am and Jaden Hendrikse, both World Cup winners, and Jordan Hendrikse are left on the outskirts and unable to crack a nod to be part of a match-day squad. Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus will need to cut a few players for his Rugby Championship squad, despite every player putting up their hand during the matches against the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Fullback At No 15, the reliable Damian Willemse is back after a long absence, and he brought that trademark attacking flair, strong kicking, and solid defence in the matches he played. He was ably backed up by youngster Aphelele Fassi, who has shown brilliant consistency when called upon. Fassi with his left boot, as well as attacking runs, has been a brilliant addition to the Boks' attack. Centurion Willie le Roux's experience and game awareness remain invaluable. All three of them provide that attacking spark, but with their different traits, they equip the Bok backline with various skills when on the park. The Springboks have no shortage of options at the back with these three in control. Wings South Africa's wings are known for their explosive pace and physicality. While a first-choice pairing has clearly been established over the last year in Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse, veteran Makazole Mapimpi hardly disappoints, while the arrival of Edwill van der Merwe brought more pace, sidestepping and an eye for tries. Try number eight is in the bag, and it's a 20th Test try for Kurt-Lee Arendse. Two more from Pollard, Boks lead 48-10 with less than a minute to go 🦅#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvGEO — Springboks (@Springboks) July 19, 2025 The incredible work of the four wings under high kicks in the three Tests and against the Barbarians ensured the world champions served up with a varied attack. If they are not running the ball, they can pepper opposition with box kicks, which the four chasers achieving plenty of success. They complement each other, ensuring the Boks can rotate without compromising on quality. Centres In the midfield, Damian de Allende and Jessé Kriel form one of the most balanced centre partnerships in world rugby. De Allende's power and direct running perfectly complement Kriel's defensive brilliance and playmaking. Two other midfielders in André Esterhuizen and Canan Moodie provided the perfect depth, and they should be the second combination going forward. They are almost like-for-like replacements, looking at what De Allende and Kriel bring to the system. Debutant Ethan Hooker has also shown potential. Youth is on the side of Esterhuizen and Moodie as they continue to grow their partnership. Their strength on both sides of the ball and ability to gel together quickly will enable Erasmus to rotate the centre pairing more to keep De Allende fresh. Flyhalf With the Springbok attack evolving at a rapid rate, Manie Libbok has shown over the last couple of weeks why he is the top No 10 for the Springboks. His game next to Grant Williams brings the best out of the side when they run with the ball. Libbok's awareness of space and decision making on the attack is up there, and it will be difficult for the Boks to keep him off the park at this rate. Handré Pollard remains the option when it comes to composure. He doesn't play the game like Libbok, but he brings a different calmness to the team that only he can. His goal-kicking remains his strong point, although Libbok has improved immensely. With Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu waiting in the wings and growing as the Springbok flyhalf, the world champions have a deadly trio that can only take the team forward. 🧵 on the current Springbok squad and how it will be trimmed down to 33-36 players for the Rugby Championship 🇿🇦👇 — Angus (@AnalystGus) July 19, 2025 Halfbacks At scrumhalf, the Springboks boast experience in Faf de Klerk and Cobus Reinach, but the last couple of matches have shown it's time for Williams to be the first-choice scrumhalf. Able to adapt to what is asked of him, he is head and shoulders above the other South African scrumhalves. Known for his sniping runs and quick service, Williams was outstanding against Italy and Georgia. De Klerk and Reinach's knowledge of the game is invaluable and how they pass it on to Williams and Morné van den Berg, who can be happy with his playing minutes, will be crucial for the South Africans as they head into the Rugby Championship.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
48 hours in pictures, 20 July 2025
48 hours in pictures, 20 July 2025 Through the lens: The Citizen's Picture Editors select the best news photographs from South Africa and around the world. A destroyed CU convenience store outlet operated by BGF Retail Co. is inundated following heavy rain in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, 20 July 2025. Picture: EPA/YONHAP South Africa's wing Edwill van der Merwe (R) celebrates with South Africa's wing Kurt-Lee Arendse (L) after scoring a try during the international rugby union Test match between South Africa and Georgia at Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela on July 19, 2025. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP) Swimmers brave the mid-winter waters of Vanryn Dam during the WannaDo Events 'Polar Bear Swim', 20 July 2025, at Ebotse Golf and Country Estate in Benoni. About 50 swimmers jumped into the lake to swim either a 1km, 500m or 250m route around the lake on a cold winter's morning. Swimmers were given a medal and hot soup after their icy escapades. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen South Africa competes in the preliminary round of the team free artistic swimming event during the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on July 19, 2025. (Photo by François-Xavier MARIT / AFP) Spectators watch as a high diver takes flight from a 25 meter high bridge into the Moraca River, during a competition in Podgorica on July 19, 2025. The high dive competition in the Montenegro capital resumed after 15 years of pause. (Photo by SAVO PRELEVIC / AFP) South Africans at the Mandela Day Walk And Run at Wanderers Stadium on July 19, 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The annual race celebrates Nelson Mandela's legacy of unity, service and compassion and promotes community service and inspires positive change within communities. (Photo by Gallo Images/OJ Koloti) Lions Cricket Pride players packing food parcels on Mandela Day at Wanderers Stadium on July 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. In a powerful initiative driven by Lions Cricket Pride and powerful partners Ashraful Aid, over 5,000 food hampers are set to be packed and distributed, bringing nourishment to more than 20,000 people across Gauteng. (Photo by Gallo Images/Luba Lesolle) A BMX rider dives into the water after riding his bike over a ramp that was set up by the sea, during a heatwave at Kavouri beach, near Athens, Greece, 19 July 2025. Picture: EPA/GEORGE VITSARAS A vintage classic Citroen 2 CV car with a flag of South Africa drives at the Place Vauban during the 'Traversee de Paris' vintage vehicles parade in Paris on July 20, 2025. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP) A tug of war between the Soho firefighters and police officers takes place at St Anne's Gardens during the Soho Village Fete event in London, Britain, 20 July 2025. The Soho Village Fete celebrates the 50th anniversary of the festival with various activities, contests, and live music to entertain visitors of the West End district of London. Picture: EPA/TOLGA AKMEN People participate in the 'Very, Very Far Away' festival at the Park of Cultures and Mother Earth in La Paz, Bolivia, 19 July 2025. Dozens of people engages in activities inspired by the Middle Ages in a festival held for the first time in La Paz that brought together fantasy aspects of series, movies and books with realistic customs and practices of that European period. Picture: EPA/GABRIEL MARQUEZ Protestors during a march against the euthanasia of baboons from Simon's Town Train Station to the police station on July 19, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. The march is a response to recent incidents involving baboon injuries and euthanasia, particularly after dog attacks, and aims to raise awareness and encourage solutions that prioritize the well-being of the baboons. (Photo by Gallo Images/Brenton Geach) PICTURES: Swimmers brave winter cold for polar dip at Ebotse
The South African
5 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
LIVE SCORING: Springboks v Georgia in Nelspruit
The Springboks have one more important match to tackle against Georgia before they launch their Rugby Championship title defence next month. A new-look side has once again been selected by the Springboks, but there is still every expectation that a comfortable victory should be on the cards. Kick off is at 17:10. Teams: Springboks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Cobus Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Boan Venter. Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Damian Willemse. Georgia: 15 Davit Niniashvili, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 13 Demur Tapladze, 12 Giorig Kveseladze,11 Alexander Todua, 10 Luka Matkava, 9 Vasil Lobzhandidze, 8 Ilia Spanderashvili, 7 Beka Saginadze, 6 Luka Ivanishvili, 5 Vladimer Chachanidze, 4 Mikheil Babunashvili, 3 Irakli Aptsiauri, 2 Vano Karkadze, 1 Giorgi Akhaladze. Replacements: 16 Irakli Kvatadze, 17 Giorgi Tetrashvili, 18 Beka Gigashvili, 19 Demur Epremeidze, 20 Sando Mamamtavrishvili, 21 Tornike Jalagonia, 22 Tedo Abzhandadze, 23 Tornike Kakhoidze Date: Saturday, 19 July Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit Kick-off: 17.10 Referee: Matthew Carley (England) Assistant referees: Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Adam Leal (England) TMO: Andrew Jackson (England) STATS AND FACTS Head-to-head v Georgia: Played: 2, Won: 2; Points for: 86; Points against: 26; Tries for: 12; Tries against: 1; Win%: 100% It will be the Georgians' second trip to South Africa to face the Springboks – the same number of times the nations have met to date. Their first outing was in the pool stages of the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia where the Springboks won 46-19, and the second time in Pretoria in 2021 when the Boks registered a 40-9 victory. Eben Etzebeth will extend his record as the most capped Springbok of all time to 133 Test matches when he takes the field. This match will mark Siya Kolisi's first match back in the green and gold in the 2025 season. Kurt-Lee Arendse requires only five more points to score 100 Test points for the Springboks. Kolisi will require only seven more Test appearances after this match to become the ninth Springbok in the history of South African rugby to earn 100 Test caps. The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 484. There are 165 caps in the backline, with 319 caps amongst the forwards. On the bench, there are a further 437 caps. caps in the backline, with caps amongst the forwards. On the bench, there are a further caps. The average caps per player in the backline are 24, the forwards 40, while the players on the bench average 55. 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
5 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Springboks v Georgia: Teams, kick off time, stats and facts
The Springboks have had a relatively comfortable start to the 2025 Test season, with a warm-up game against the Barbarians followed by two resounding victories against Italy before now heading into one final July game against Georgia this Saturday. It should be another comfortable victory for the Springboks in Nelspruit, but they will also want to ensure they head into the Rugby Championship with momentum, another satisfactory win under the belt, and boxes ticked when it comes to team and individual performances. So, there is still a fair bit on the line as the Springboks prepare to take on Georgia, with kick off at 17:10 at the Mbombela Stadium. Teams: Springboks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Cobus Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Boan Venter. Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Damian Willemse. Georgia: 15 Davit Niniashvili, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 13 Demur Tapladze, 12 Giorig Kveseladze,11 Alexander Todua, 10 Luka Matkava, 9 Vasil Lobzhandidze, 8 Ilia Spanderashvili, 7 Beka Saginadze, 6 Luka Ivanishvili, 5 Vladimer Chachanidze, 4 Mikheil Babunashvili, 3 Irakli Aptsiauri, 2 Vano Karkadze, 1 Giorgi Akhaladze. Replacements: 16 Irakli Kvatadze, 17 Giorgi Tetrashvili, 18 Beka Gigashvili, 19 Demur Epremeidze, 20 Sando Mamamtavrishvili, 21 Tornike Jalagonia, 22 Tedo Abzhandadze, 23 Tornike Kakhoidze Date: Saturday, 19 July Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit Kick-off: 17.10 Referee: Matthew Carley (England) Assistant referees: Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Adam Leal (England) TMO: Andrew Jackson (England) STATS AND FACTS Head-to-head v Georgia: Played: 2, Won: 2; Points for: 86; Points against: 26; Tries for: 12; Tries against: 1; Win%: 100% It will be the Georgians' second trip to South Africa to face the Springboks – the same number of times the nations have met to date. Their first outing was in the pool stages of the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia where the Springboks won 46-19, and the second time in Pretoria in 2021 when the Boks registered a 40-9 victory. Eben Etzebeth will extend his record as the most capped Springbok of all time to 133 Test matches when he takes the field. This match will mark Siya Kolisi's first match back in the green and gold in the 2025 season. Kurt-Lee Arendse requires only five more points to score 100 Test points for the Springboks. Kolisi will require only seven more Test appearances after this match to become the ninth Springbok in the history of South African rugby to earn 100 Test caps. The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 484. There are 165 caps in the backline, with 319 caps amongst the forwards. On the bench, there are a further 437 caps. caps in the backline, with caps amongst the forwards. On the bench, there are a further caps. The average caps per player in the backline are 24, the forwards 40, while the players on the bench average 55. 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
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Arendse: Fresh and motivated Bok backline to run hard at Georgia
Springbok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse believes the backline is in a well-rested but motivated and healthy space. Kurt-Lee Arendse, who scored a try against Italy at Lofus, believes the backline will maintain their standards against Georgia. Picture: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images Energised and motivated thanks to coach Rassie Erasmus' regular rotations, the Springbok backline is eager to run hard against Georgia during their Test match in Mbombela on Saturday. South Africa take on the 11th-ranked nation for only the third time in their history with – aside from fullback Aphelele Fassi who played at left wing on the day – an entirely different starting backline that featured in their 40–19 win in Loftus in 2021. Damian Willemse played from the bench four years ago, and will do so again, while flyhalf Handré Pollard started then but will play as a substitute this time. The frequent rotations in the Springbok line-up highlight Erasmus' ongoing ability to blood players and ensure international game time for the nation's ever-growing depth. Springboks in a healthy space Wing Kurt-Lee Arendse said the competition for places, fuelled by realistic chances of game time for everyone, has created a healthy environment. 'There's a stage in your career where you get comfortable. The guys coming through and putting their hands up give you a wake-up call,' he said. 'They want to play for the Springboks. It's healthy competition and that's what we need.' He said even the Junior Springboks, who will play in the World Rugby U20 Championship final against New Zealand on Saturday, are flooded with talent and will only grow the rugby base in South Africa in the years to come. In the immediate future, Arendse said there was no pressure on the backline to score tries, per se, but individual and team pride drive this. 'It's always special representing our country. It doesn't matter who plays. I wouldn't say there's pressure but the goal is to focus on our standards, but not underestimate Georgia.' Arendse and Van der Merwe take their opportunities Regarding Springbok standards, Arendse said only players with a fierce work rate make it in the Bok setup. This was epitomised by wing Edwill van der Merwe, who worked hard to ensure his second Test match selection 13 months after his debut. 'Whenever we get the chance, we put ourselves in a lot of battles,' Arendse said. 'It's always good to see players coming in and taking their opportunity. For Edwill, missing out last year, in the end-of-year tour, it made him hungry to be in the system again. He takes every opportunity he gets and that's good.' The wing said his own Sabbatical in Japan this past domestic season helped him prepare for the international season. 'Playing rugby in Japan made me feel like I was back at the sevens,' he said. 'It's a lot of running rugby and that's what I enjoy. Also, if you play for the Springboks now, there is opportunity to run a lot. It [Japan] helped me a lot.'
