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RNZ News
19-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Scrappy Springboks overwhelm Georgia in Mbombela
South Africa's hooker Marnus van der Merwe prepares to dive across the line to score a try during the rugby international against Georgia at Mbombela Stadium on July 19, 2025. Photo: WIKUS DE WET Debutant hooker Marnus van der Merwe scored two tries as South Africa eased to a 55-10 victory over Georgia in Nelspruit on Saturday, but the scoreline masked an error-strewn performance. Prop Boan Venter, centre Canan Moodie, wings Edwill van der Merwe (two) and Kurt-Lee Arendse, fullback Damian Willemse and flyhalf Handre Pollard also crossed for tries. But the Springboks served up double-digit handling errors, were poor at the lineout in the second half and could not get the upper hand at the breakdown. It was minutes in the tank at the start of the international season for several players, including captain Siya Kolisi on his return from injury. "Credit to the Georgians, physically they matched us most of the time. We struggled and at the breakdown, where they were quite dominant," Kolisi said. "We did not do enough positives one after the other. We would do something good and then make a mistake, which slowed us down. Hopefully, we can fix that." The hosts had three debutants in Venter, Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouche as Erasmus stretched the number of players he has used in three games this year to 46. Georgia made a fast start and scored the opening try from a driving maul following a lineout, with hooker Vano Karkadze powering his way over. The Springboks hit back as Venter dived over a ruck to score, before an attacking lineout lead to a driving maul that sliced through the Georgian defence for Van der Merwe to cross. A sweeping Springboks move from their own half following a break by scrumhalf Grant Williams led to a try for Moodie and hooker Van der Merwe got his second from another driving maul as the hosts led 22-10 at halftime. They added a simple try for Edwill van der Merwe after his forwards created the space and sucked in Georgia defenders, and Willemse went over in the opposite corner. When Edwill van der Merwe crossed for the final score, he took his tally of international tries to five in three games, before Arendse and Pollard dotted down late on. "This was a great match for us to grow," Georgia flanker Luka Ivanishvili said. "It was my first time playing in this kind of atmosphere and these types of game are helping us to grow to the next World Cup (in 2027)." -Reuters
News24
18-07-2025
- Sport
- News24
Georgia coach warns charges ahead of Bok Test: ‘Get stuck in, we cannot be timid'
Georgia coach and former England hooker Richard Cockerill said he did not want Saturday's Test against the Springboks at Mbombela Stadium to become 'a training session' for the Springboks. Georgia arrived in South Africa after suffering a 34-5 loss in Tbilisi to Ireland, who were lacking many stars on British & Irish Lions duty in Australia. READ | Back in Bok country: Georgia's 2021 'prison' memories and near-death nightmare The Lelos were also beaten 24-20 by the Cheetah s in a warm-up game in Bloemfontein last weekend. Cockerill had a clear message to his charges: 'We cannot be timid. The only way for us to compete is to roll our sleeves up, stick our gumshields in and get stuck in.' Cockerill has made one change to the team that started against Ireland with No 8 Ilia Spanderashvili replacing Tbilisi Test try scorer Tornike Jalagonia, who moves to the bench. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, meanwhile, said he was not underestimating the Georgians. 'We know how passionate this Georgian side is and we have chosen a blend of youth and experience to face them. 'Georgia are tough and proud of their physicality and brute force in the collisions. The set pieces, mauls and breakdowns will be key areas. 'They also have quality backline players so we must be sharp in all departments of our game to get the desired result and build momentum for the Rugby Championship,' said Erasmus. Saturday's clash kicks off at 17:10.
News24
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
‘I was trying to be respectful': Mia le Roux addresses Mpumi Mlambo's Metro FM misstep
Mia le Roux, the first Miss South Africa who is hard of hearing, revealed how music has been one of her 'biggest insecurities' throughout her life. Le Roux opened up about this following scrutiny surrounding a question posed by black carpet host Mpumi Mlambo at this year's Metro FM Music Awards, as well as her subsequent response. In a statement, she highlighted the diversity within the deaf community regarding how they experience music and emphasised the importance of respectful and inclusive conversations. For many, Saturday evening's Metro FM Music Awards at the Mbombela Stadium was a celebration of South African musical excellence. But for Miss South Africa, Mia le Roux, it became a profound moment to confront one of her greatest insecurities. Ahead of the glittering event, while walking the black carpet, host Mpumi Mlambo asked le Roux who her favourite artist was. Her candid response - that she did not have a favourite South African artist because she is deaf and does not listen to music - sparked online chatter. Mpumi Mlambo on @METROFMSA Awards black carpet asks Miss SA 2024 Mia le Roux who's her favourite artist. "Within the music industry I don't have a favourite South African artists as I am deaf, so I do not listen to music." #MetroFMAwards2025 #MMA2025 #MetroAwards2025 — TVwithThinus (@TVwithThinus) May 3, 2025 Le Roux, who was diagnosed with profound hearing loss as a toddler and is the first Miss South Africa who is hard of hearing, later spoke out about the incident. In a heartfelt statement shared on Instagram, she opened up about her relationship with music, describing it as 'one of my biggest insecurities.' 'I often struggle with music. I can't always hear lyrics. Some songs sound unclear to me. I've had moments where I've played music in the background just to feel less alone. But that doesn't mean I've always understood it fully. I can't confidently identify genres, artists or instruments, and because of that, I've never felt comfortable expressing music preferences – especially in a public setting,' she explained. Reflecting on her response to Mlambo's question on the black carpet, le Roux said, 'At the Metro Awards, when asked about my favourite artist or song, I didn't want to give a superficial answer or name an artist I couldn't fully appreciate in the way they deserve. I was trying to be respectful, not evasive.' Le Roux also highlighted how her experience with music has been shaped by her use of cochlear implants, which allow her to perceive sounds differently from someone without the device. 'Growing up, music was always something I tried to connect with, especially because of my family. I remember my dad playing Love Gets Old by Wouter Kellerman,' she recalled. 'I could see how it moved him. That memory stayed with me, not just because of the sound but because of the emotion and meaning behind it. That's what I connected to.' The beauty queen further explained the diverse ways the deaf community experiences music. She said some performed songs in South African Sign Language while others feel the music through rhythm and vibration, adding that others dance by counting beats. 'My experience is my own, and it does not represent the entire deaf community, as everyone is different. I acknowledge the harm that can come when stories are shared without full context. I'm learning too, and I believe in inclusion that's rooted in truth, not performance,' she continued. She wrapped up her statement with a message to the deaf community: 'I hear you. I see you. I respect the diversity within our community, and I will continue to grow.'
