Latest news with #RichardCockerill
The Independent
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
South Africa vs Georgia live: Latest score and updates as Springboks bid to continue winning streak
South Africa conclude their international business for July with a meeting with Georgia in Mbombela. The Springboks are unbeaten so far in 2025 with a non-capped win over the Barbarians followed by two Test successes against Italy, with Rassie Erasmus pleased with an improved showing in the second encounter with the Azzurri despite Jasper Wiese's sending off. Erasmus was, however, again in the headlines with South Africa's trademark innovations attracting some criticism, and a World Rugby law clarification has cracked down on their manufacturing of a scrum situation from the opening kick off. No doubt wary of the tricks that the world champions might have up their sleeve, Georgia know they face a huge challenge but will relish an opportunity to face another top side. Richard Cockerill 's men were beaten by Ireland two weeks ago yet will come with hope that they can produce their best on this stage. South Africa vs Georgia live South Africa host Georgia in Mbombela in one-off clash | Live on Sky Sports with kick off at 4.10pm BST Springboks secured a 2-0 series win over Italy last week despite Jasper Wiese's sending off Visitors are coached by former England hooker Richard Cockerill and lost to Ireland earlier in July Springboks assistant warns South Africa to brace for stiff scrum challenge South Africa have picked three debutants in their front row today, evidence of their ridiculous depth in that area but also perhaps a risk against a Georgian side that, as ever, has plenty of scrum strength. 'Georgia are a physical team, and they pride themselves on their set pieces, so we know having to match that will be the toughest part for us,' said Springboks assistant coach Mzwandile Stick this week. 'I've been to Georgia, and I've seen how tough their players are, but the key for us is to improve on our standards consistently, and as coaches, we feel there is still room for improvement, so we are hoping to see the players execute the game plan as well as possible and to play with the intensity we expect.' Harry Latham-Coyle19 July 2025 14:35 Aphelele Fassi continues international journey Aphelele Fassi hasn't always had an easy time in international rugby, but the Springboks full-back came again to seize the No 15 shirt last year after a period out of the South Africa set-up. The 27-year-old made his debut against Georgia in 2021 - here's a little bit more about a player really starting to find his footing at this level... Breakthrough Springboks star Aphelele Fassi: 'I'm just trying to be myself' Exclusive interview: After a brief taste of Test rugby in 2021, full-back Fassi has fought his way back into the Springboks side to become a driving force in South Africa's evolution Harry Latham-Coyle19 July 2025 14:20 South Africa vs Georgia It's four years since these two last met, that game serving as preparation for South Africa ahead of the British and Irish Lions series before a second meeting was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic in a sign of the different times in which that Test was played. Harry Latham-Coyle19 July 2025 14:10 South Africa vs Georgia live A very good afternoon and welcome to The Independent 's live coverage of South Africa's international clash with Georgia as the Springboks continue a busy July of action. With a series win against Italy already in the bag this month, Rassie Erasmus has rotated again but has taken few chances in a strong selection for the visit of a European opponent always pushing for more opportunities like this. Kick off in Mbombela is at 4.10pm BST. Harry Latham-Coyle19 July 2025 01:38
News24
2 days ago
- 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.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
No backward steps: Cockerill's Georgia ready to take on the Springboks
Georgia head coach Richard Cockerill famously clashed with Norm Hewitt during the Haka in 1997 — a moment that epitomises the combative style he now brings to the Lelos. Photo: AFP Image: AFP If any rugby follower is unsure how Georgia will approach Saturday's encounter with the Springboks in Mbombela, they need only cast their minds back to the day England hooker Richard Cockerill shoved an All Black during the Haka. It was 1997, and Cockerill — now the head coach of Georgia — decided to fight fire with fire. As his teammates faced the Haka, Cockerill marched up to his opposite number, Norm Hewitt. The two locked eyes, went nose to nose, and the standoff ended with Cockerill shoving Hewitt. The All Blacks cried foul, but Cockerill refused to apologise. 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 ✕ It is that same uncompromising attitude that has made him a popular figure with a Georgian side that thrives on physicality. In his first campaign in charge, Cockerill led Georgia to the 2024 Rugby Europe Championship title — their seventh in a row. He also oversaw their 2024 Pacific tour, where the Lelos secured a first win over Japan since 2014. Later that year, they beat Tonga and came agonisingly close to toppling Italy in Genoa, narrowly losing 20–17. In March 2025, Georgia defended their Rugby Europe title and qualified for the 2027 World Cup. Unsurprisingly, Cockerill says his side won't take a step back against the Boks. 'We can't be timid,' he told reporters. 'I'm a former international — I played against James Dalton many times — and there were no backward steps in those confrontations. So, the only way for us to compete on Saturday is to roll our sleeves out, stick our gumshields in, and get in the middle of it. "What else can we do?' As cocky as Cockerill has always been — whether as a player or a coach at Toulon, Leicester, Edinburgh or Montpellier — he understands that taking on the brutal Boks on South African soil is about as tough as it gets. 'We're a physical team, we're a physical nation. We like the physical parts of the game. But the next level of physicality and mentality is South Africa — for sure — and we want to see where we sit relative to the Boks. 'There's only one way to take on a team like South Africa, and that's head-on. And we'll see if we're good enough to compete, to stay with them.' Cockerill knows several Springbok players from his time coaching at Leicester and Edinburgh, and he's closely acquainted with debutant loosehead prop Boan Venter. 'They've picked a different front row this week. I know Boan very well — I signed him for Edinburgh from the Cheetahs. They've picked a strong pack, but the only way to go at it is full noise. I'm not going to make any outlandish promises like 'we're going to smash the Boks,' but we want to go out and compete.' Georgia have played two Tests against South Africa. Their first meeting came at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia — the match marked a youthful John Smit's debut as Bok captain. Their second was a warm-up Test during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, ahead of South Africa's series against the British & Irish Lions in 2021. Last week, the Lelos warmed up for the Springboks by playing the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, where they fell to a narrow 24–20 defeat after conceding a last-minute try.
Irish Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Late change for Ireland as Cian Prendergast misses Georgia game through illness
Ireland have been forced into a late change in the matchday 23 for tonight's Test match against Georgia at the Mikheil Meskhi stadium (6pm, Irish time) after Connacht flanker Cian Prendergast succumbed to a gastro bug on the morning of the match. He is replaced on the bench by Leinster's Max Deegan. Earlier this year Prendergast pulled out of an Ireland Six Nations game against Wales because of illness and on that occasion was replaced by Ryan Baird. Deegan (28) will win his third cap if called on from the bench. Georgia head coach Richard Cockerill has his team primed and looking forward to a brilliant occasion. 'It's great to get one of the biggest rugby countries in the world to come here. They're the third best team in the world, they have been number one for a long time, just to show what a great place this is and how we're not going away. 'To host Ireland is great for us as a nation to say, 'look, we're actually credible here'. Hopefully we will put in a decent performance. We want to walk away feeling good about how we played and the Irish boys going, 'Jeez, these Georgia boys are tough to beat'. READ MORE 'We're 18 months into this project, we have a way how we want to play. Players are getting more familiar with that. We've got a pretty cohesive squad. We want to win, that goes without saying, but what we need is a performance that develops this team.' IRELAND : Jimmy O'Brien (Leinster); Tommy O'Brien (Leinster); Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster); Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Craig Casey (Munster, capt); Jack Boyle (Leinster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster); Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), Darragh Murray (Connacht); Ryan Baird (Leinster), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Gavin Coombes (Munster). Replacements : Tom Stewart (Ulster), Michael Milne (Munster), Jack Aungier (Connacht), Tom Ahern (Munster), Max Deegan (Leinster), Ben Murphy (Connacht), Jack Crowley (Munster), Calvin Nash (Munster).
The Independent
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Is Georgia vs Ireland on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch
Ireland take on a Georgia side always pushing for more opportunities as a busy July of international action continues. With both head coach Andy Farrell and Simon Easterby, his Six Nations stand-in, otherwise engaged on British and Irish Lions duty, former captain Paul O'Connell is at the helm for Ireland this summer. The ex-lock has installed a fellow Munsterman as captain with Craig Casey given a chance to lead his nation for the first time in this game in Tbilisi. Georgia, coached by former England hooker Richard Cockerill, are expecting a strong crowd in a rare visit from top tier international opposition. Here's everything you need to know. When is Georgia vs Ireland? Georgia vs Ireland is due to kick off at 6pm BST on Saturday 5 July at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi. How can I watch it? The match is not due to be shown live on television in the United Kingdom, though Irish viewers can tune in on Virgin Media. Team news The Georgia side has a spine from the domestic Black Lion club running through an otherwise French-drawn squad. Flanker Beka Saghinadze skippers a team with plenty of experience despite a relatively young age profile. A few issues at loosehead have necessitated a call up for Giorgi Tetrashvili to back-up Giorgi Akhaladze, though the presence of experienced Toulon tighthead Beka Gigashvili alongside him on the bench shows the front row depth that one often associates with Georgia. Their chief threats, though, come out wide: Akaki Tabutsadze has a remarkable 50 tries in 51 Tests and will be eyeing Daisuke Ohata's all-time record - a tally about which there is some doubt - while Davit Niniashvili is one of Europe's most talented full-backs. He'll play under Ronan O'Gara at La Rochelle next season after agreeing a move from Lyon. Craig Casey leads an Irish side full of real athleticism and size. Wing Tommy O'Brien and lock Darragh Murphy make their debuts in the starting side, with the former joined by namesake Jimmy and Jacob Stockdale in an exciting back three. Sam Prendergast gets the nod over Jack Crowley after the fly halves were both overlooked by the Lions. Gavin Coombes gets a rare outing at No 8 in the absence of the injured Caelan Doris and Jack Conan, away with the Lions, while there are likely to be debuts off the bench for props Michael Milne and Jack Aungier, as well as Munster's lock or flanker Tom Ahern and Connacht scrum-half Ben Murphy. Georgia XV: 1 Giorgi Akhaladze, 2 Vano Karkadze, 3 Irakli Aptsiauri; 4 Mikheil Babunashvili, 5 Lado Chachanidze; 6 Luka Ivanishvili, 7 Beka Saghinadze (capt.), 8 Tornike Jalagonia; 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 10 Luka Matkava; 11 Sandro Todua, 12 Giorgi Kveseladze, 13 Demur Tapladze, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze; 15 Davit Niniashvili. Replacements: 16 Irakli Kvatadze, 17 Giorgi Tetrashvili, 18 Beka Gigashvili, 19 Giorgi Javakhia, 20 Ilia Spanderashvili; 21 Mikheil Alania, 22 Tedo Abzhandadze, 23 Tornike Kakhoidze. Ireland XV: 1 Jack Boyle, 2 Gus McCarthy, 3 Thomas Clarkson; 4 Cormac Izuchukwu, 5 Darragh Murray; 6 Ryan Baird, 7 Nick Timoney, 8 Gavin Coombes; 9 Craig Casey (capt.), 10 Sam Prendergast; 11 Jacob Stockdale, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 13 Jamie Osborne, 14 Tommy O'Brien; 15 Jimmy O'Brien.
