Latest news with #Nortjé
The Citizen
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ruan Nortjé says Boks are all systems go for Georgia
'We know what a big challenge it is for us. We know the type of team Georgia are and the type of rugby they have played in the last year or two.' Siya Kolisi, Ruan Nortjé and Eben Etzebeth have all been selected for the Georgia match. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images Springbok lock Ruan Nortjé said that while he is personally excited to be in Mbombela, a place close to his heart, the team have geared up for a tough and physical match against Georgia on Saturday. South Africa and the European nation have only ever played each other twice to date. The Springboks beat Georgia convincingly 46–19 in their 2003 Rugby World Cup pool game. Eighteen years later, the South Africans won even more convincingly in a Test played at Loftus in July 2021, with the final score 40–9. Bongi Mbonambi, Cobus Reinach, Kwagga Smith, Herschel Jantjies and Malcolm Marx all scored tries on the day. While Nortjé missed this season's first friendly against the Barbarians and first Test match against Italy, he got his seventh cap in the second Test against Italy in Gqeberha on the weekend, which the Springboks won 45–0 despite being a player down for an hour. Boks amped for Georgia The Springboks will play their Test against Georgia at Mbombela Stadium this weekend, before a three-week break in the build-up to the Rugby Championship, which kicks off against Australia at Ellis Park on 16 August. While Georgia are not expected to be the toughest opponents, there are a lot of boxes the Boks will want to tick before this all-important tournament. Nortjé was selected to start at five lock for the game. 'Saturday is behind us, it is in the past,' Nortjé said. 'We have a new job, and we know what a big challenge it is for us. We know the type of team Georgia are and the type of rugby they have played in the last year or two.' The Bok lock says they are preparing for a physical and competitive match. He said Mbombela is one of his favourite places to play at, memories of last year's Springboks–Argentina Rugby Championship game fresh in his mind. He played the full 80 minutes of the 48–7 win. 'The atmosphere was electric,' Nortjé said. He added that he was looking forward to embracing that environment again. 'Mbombela is a very special place, close to my heart. My wife and I love the Kruger National Park. Whenever we get a bit of off time, we love to come. It is just awesome to see how the people of Mbombela get behind the Springboks.' Nortjé learns from more experienced Bok locks On a personal note, the 26-year-old said he was humbled and grateful to train with more experienced Springbok locks. 'For me it is all about learning as much as possible. You have probably some of the best locks in the world here: Lood [de Jager], Eben [Etzebeth], Franco [Mostert], RG [Snyman]. 'So for me it's a real honour to learn from those guys and grow my game personally and try to represent South Africa to the best of my ability.'
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Ruan Nortjé embraces innovative tactics in Springboks' victory over Italy
Ruan Nortje (top) masters a lineout during the second Test against Italy on Saturday. The towering lock was at the centre of the manufactured rolling mauls in open play that brought two tries for the world champions. Image: Phill Magakoe / AFP Springbok lock Ruan Nortjé was effusive in his praise for the rolling mauls executed from open play, which played a pivotal role in the team's decisive victory over Italy this past weekend. The line-out specialist found himself at the centre of this manufactured strategy, lending his height and agility to what became a focal point of their attacking prowess during the Test match held in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. It is a move the world champions borrowed from the Under-14 B-team of Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, and Nortjé was thrilled that they could execute it almost flawlessly every time they used it. However, it remains to be seen whether the Boks will utilise it again this weekend when they face Georgia in Nelspruit in the final mid-year Test. 'It is always nice to do different things and bring in innovative stuff into the game, it opens up more opportunities,' Nortjé said on Monday. 'We want to develop our game and attack. It enables us to do different things with the ball in hand. It is very exciting, and I am always game for anything innovative and doing something different in a game.' Nortjé added that it's a privilege being back in the Bok mix, especially with most of the senior locks fit and firing. He played in his first Test of the season this past weekend against Italy, and alongside captain Salmaan Moerat, they formed a formidable second row, especially in the line-outs. The Bulls' captain is ready to grasp the opportunity again on Saturday, should he be selected on Tuesday by head coach Rassie Erasmus to face the Georgians. 'The Mbombela Stadium is one of my favourite places to play. Last year, I was fortunate to face Argentina here, and I won't forget the atmosphere and the support for the team. The people here really get behind the Boks, so I'll be very excited if I get an opportunity to play this weekend. 'It is a special environment to be part of, and every player is blessed to be here, so whenever you get the opportunity, you must grab it with both hands. "There are many capable guys who are not part of the group. So, it is always important to remember how privileged you are to be here. 'Personally, I try to learn as much as I can whenever I'm in the team. We have some of the best locks in the world here with Lood (de Jager), Eben (Etzebeth), Franco (Mostert) and RG (Snyman), and it is a real honour to learn from them and grow my game. I try to represent South Africa to the best of my abilities.'
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Springboks' second-row depth: From famine into feast
The return to fitness of Springboks lock Lood de Jager has increased the depth of the national side when it comes to second-row options. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers Just under a year ago, South Africa's Rugby Championship campaign was held together by the unlikeliest of pillars. With stalwarts Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman, Franco Mostert, Jean Kleyn, and Lood de Jager sidelined through injuries, it was Ruan Nortjé and Salmaan Moerat who stepped up. Even Pieter-Steph du Toit made the move back to lock after Moerat was out. Fast forward to mid-2025, and neither Moerat nor Nortjé can secure a spot in the matchday 23. Such is the embarrassment of riches at lock for the Boks at the moment. With all of the front-line locks back firing, except for the again-injured Kleyn, it isn't easy to see how two of South Africa's most promising young locks will find their way back into the side. While Rassie Erasmus, Bok head coach, will make a plan to include Nortjé and Moerat, who also stood in as captain, somewhere along the lines, with seven ready and willing players, the rotation policy will be difficult to maintain. Etzebeth remains the heartbeat of the tight five. Snyman is finally enjoying an injury-free run, and his explosive cameos off the bench, coupled with those perfect offloads, will elevate the Bok attack even more as it evolves under assistant coach Tony Brown. Franco Mostert, a tireless workhorse, brings a blend of versatility when it comes to physicality and lineout plays. De Jager's return was a superb one against the Barbarians last weekend. It was amazing to see him go full tilt for almost 80 minutes in his first Bok match in almost two years. He looks to be back at his best as he not only showed his superiority in the lineouts, but his cleaning at the breakdown and tackling was of the highest order. All of this leaves little oxygen room for Nortjé and Moerat, despite vital contributions during last year's crisis. Nortjé's lineout prowess and Moerat's physicality were crucial in stabilising the Bok pack that went on to win plenty of games without their first-choice enforcers. These guys weren't just stand-ins — they were solutions. But now, the bar is higher. Having all the locks fit, except Kleyn, added valuable depth to the Bok group for this year, but it clouds the selection waters, especially looking at the younger locks. There are even promising locks like JD Schickerling, Ruben van Heerden, Ruan Vermaak, Reinhard Ludwig and JF van Heerden waiting in the wings who haven't cracked a nod yet. It's a testament to the Bok ecosystem that two players of Nortje and Moerat's ability can't currently find a seat at the table. It's also a stark reminder of how competitive rugby at the top level can be.
IOL News
27-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
I really feel for injured Anrich Nortjé, says Proteas coach Shukri Conrad
Proteas paceman Anrich Nortjé has been plagued by injury over the last couple of seasons. Photo: AFP Image: AFP ANRICH Nortjé's long-awaited return to the green-and-gold Proteas colours has taken another hit, as the fast bowler missed out on South Africa's T20I squad for the upcoming Tri-Series against hosts Zimbabwe and New Zealand from July 14-26. Coach Shukri Conrad made it clear that he wanted Nortjé to return during last summer's inbound tour of Pakistan, with the hope of featuring him in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. The fast bowler couldn't make his return, however, due to an injury. Similarly, the 31-year-old has missed out on the upcoming Tri-Series due to a stress reaction. Conrad told the media yesterday that Nortjé would have been in the squad had he not picked up the injury. Another key player in wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has not been included, while spinners Nqaba Peter, George Linde and Senuran Muthusamy got the nod instead. 'Anrich, unfortunately, has another stress reaction; he didn't go to the MLC (Major League Cricket). So, that's unfortunate. If he were going to the MLC, he would definitely have been in the squad. Shammo, well, he and I are going to have a chat sometime this week still,' said Conrad. 'The guys that are in this squad have definitely got the inside lane. We've got three spinners included in this squad. So, those are the three front-line spinners for the 2026 T20 World Cup.' 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Proteas Men's head coach Shukri Conrad has named a 14-player squad for the upcoming T20 International (T20I) tri-series against hosts Zimbabwe and New Zealand, set to take place in Harare from 14 - 26 July. Rassie van der Dussen will captain the side, which features four maiden… — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 26, 2025 Conrad revealed that it is still unclear how long Nortjé will be out for. 'We actually don't know how long. But the medical team has got that under control, so we have to see how things pan out there with regards to the length of time that he potentially could be out and the extent of that injury,' the coach said. 'I really feel for Ana. He's a superstar fast bowler, and him just having to deal with setback after setback, that can't be easy.' While Nortjé is out with an injury, two fast bowlers, Nandré Burger and Gerald Coetzee, make their return to international cricket after recovering from a lumbar stress fracture and a groin injury, respectively. Their returns means that the Proteas fast-bowling engine is looking as strong as ever, considering that the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen have been rested. 'Nandré also, the last time he played might have been last year, in October, in the UAE. The MLC was always going to be the litmus test for him in terms of how he stands up there and how he gets through it, and thankfully, he's getting through that nicely,' said Conrad. 'Having his pace, someone that swings the ball upfront, can bowl at the death, bowl in middle periods, that's exciting for us. 'It's great to start having a semblance of what our fast-bowling stocks could look like when all of the guys are fit and ready to play.' Batters Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Rubin Hermann, along with spin-bowling all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy, have received their maiden T20 call-ups. Dewald Brevis makes his return to the T20 set-up, having last played in 2023. Proteas T20I Squad Rassie van der Dussen (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandré Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane.
The Citizen
15-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Bulls take third URC final defeat on the chin, look to next year
The Bulls have given credit to Leinster after being completely outplayed in the URC final. Bulls captain Ruan Nortjé (centre) gave credit to Leinster for outplaying them in every facet of the URC final. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images Bulls captain Ruan Nortjé and coach Jake White gave credit to Leinster for outplaying them in every respect during their United Rugby Championship final in Dublin on Saturday. Nortjé said the Pretoria side have to take the final defeat – their third in four seasons – on the chin and simply hope for better fortune next year. The Bulls were completely dominated at Croke Park, only managing one try to Leinster's four and not proving up to scratch in the set-piece and aerial contests. The Irish side were excellent in defence, exerting enough pressure to make the experienced Bulls appear toothless whenever attacking in Leinster's 22. In the end, the Bulls lost 32–7. Bulls appear toothless 'We couldn't capitalise on anything. They put us under pressure in every facet of the game,' said Nortjé, who gave Leinster credit for their 'amazing' performance. 'Obviously, if you give Leinster a 19–0 start, it is going to be tough to beat them.' Still, he said he was glad the Bulls could recover after Leinster scored three unanswered tries in the first 22 minutes. 'We just wanted to implement our game plan, which was to play in the right areas and put them under pressure. I am really proud of the boys for the season. There is always going to be a loser and unfortunately, again today it is us. But we take it on the chin and credit to Leinster – they thoroughly deserved this trophy.' Leinster give supporters the performance they wanted Bulls director of rugby Jake White agreed, saying that Leinster finally gave their supporters a performance they had been asking for all season. 'The one thing Leinster do is they don't let you chase the game. They are very clinical,' White said. Nortjé added that although the Bulls have lost three finals, they can only give it their all in next year's campaign. 'We have got another opportunity next year. We can only give our all and try to get here again, and learn from the past three finals we have been in, and we can somewhere work in a trophy.'
