logo
ENFRع
#

Latest news with #RichardHuggard

Our top three weekend picks: Wins for the Lions, Boks and PSG?
Our top three weekend picks: Wins for the Lions, Boks and PSG?

The Citizen

time11-07-2025

  • Sport
  • The Citizen

Our top three weekend picks: Wins for the Lions, Boks and PSG?

The Boks are up against Italy and seeking a big performance. Springbok prop Wilco Louw has a big hob ahead of him against Italy this weekend. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images There's again plenty to look forward to this weekend, with the Springboks in action in Gqeberha, while the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia continues and there is the not-so-small-matter of the Club World Cup final also taking place. Here then are our top three tips for the weekend. Rugby Lions v AUNZ XV The touring British and Irish Lions are unbeaten so far on their tour of Australia. They've beaten the Western Force, Reds, Waratahs and Brumbies and next face a combined Australia-New Zealand XV in Adelaide on Saturday. Don't expect a shock win by the combined side which doesn't feature too many Test stars. This will be another comfortable victory for the Lions ahead of next week's first Test. Prediction: Lions by 30 Boks v Italy The reigning world champions struggled somewhat to put the Italians away at Loftus last week and this Saturday in Gqeberha we could see something similar. It's a very changed Bok team, with a few uncapped players in the mix, and Willie le Roux getting his 100th cap, and lock Salmaan Moerat captaining the side. The Italians will be pumped up after their efforts in Pretoria and will back themselves to pull off an upset win. Bok boss Rassie Erasmus will expect a big response from his team. Prediction: Boks by 15 Chelsea v PSG The 2025 Fifa Club World Cup comes to a conclusion on Sunday when European champions Paris St Germain take on Chelsea in the final in New Jersey, close to New York City. PSG will go into the game as red-hot favourites, particularly after the way they took Real Madrid apart in the semi-finals on Wednesday. Luis Enrique's side demolished Real 4-0 in the same way they destroyed Inter Milan 5-0 in this year's Champions League final. Chelsea have done well to reach the final, coming through their half of the draw unscathed while the likes of Inter and Manchester City fell by the wayside. PSG, however, are likely to be a step up in class that Chelsea will find hard to manage. Prediction: PSG 3 Chelsea 1

Italy Test in Gqeberha: An opportunity for new-look Boks to impress
Italy Test in Gqeberha: An opportunity for new-look Boks to impress

The Citizen

time11-07-2025

  • Sport
  • The Citizen

Italy Test in Gqeberha: An opportunity for new-look Boks to impress

There's a big opportunity for several fringe players to show what they can offer the world champions in the second Test against Italy. The Springboks will be hoping for a strong performance against Italy in Gqeberha on Saturday. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images The Springboks were given a bit of a wake-up call at Loftus Versfeld and will hope to produce a far better and more clinical performance when they clash with Italy in the second Test between the teams in Gqeberha on Saturday (5.10pm). To achieve this, coach Rassie Erasmus has put his faith in a bunch of players who wouldn't be considered first-choice selections. Only Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Malcolm Marx of the starting XV would possibly make the 'first team' when everyone is fit and selectable. The other players picked by Erasmus for the match though will hope to put in a good performance to stay in the mix for the Rugby Championship later in the season. Here one thinks of men like Manie Libbok at flyhalf, Grant Williams at scrumhalf and Wilco Louw at tighthead prop. The other players are viewed more as back-up men to the more seasoned campaigners, who're taking a breather this weekend. Newcomers to Bok set-up But, that said, there is plenty of excitement about the team selected by Erasmus and how some of the players will perform. Wing Edwill van der Merwe gets to play just his second Test, Canan Moodie gets another go in the centres, Makazole Mapimpi has a chance to remind everyone of his skills, Ruan Nortje and captain for the game Salmaan Moerat form an intriguing lock pairing, while Thomas du Toit, after a stunning European season, packs down at loosehead prop. Then, from the bench, we have Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese and Ethan Hooker all set to make their Bok debuts, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels gets another chance to show off his skills and power and Evan Roos will be just as keen to impress. And, Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu are sure to liven up the action when they enter the fray. Willie hits 100 Erasmus will hope for a better all-round showing from his men after the struggles at Loftus. He'll especially want to see a better performance at ruck time where Italy were the better team last weekend, while the bench players will also need to step up after the 'bomb squad' failed to make an impression at Loftus. It is an exciting Bok team, with several players in action who enjoyed good seasons for their respective franchises. They now get a chance to show what they can offer the Boks. And, let's not forget, Willie le Roux will become South Africa's next centurion, as he hits the 100 Test mark this weekend. For this alone, the Boks must produce a performance to be proud of, at the standard South African rugby fans expect of them.

Junior Springboks now genuine U20 Championship contenders
Junior Springboks now genuine U20 Championship contenders

The Citizen

time07-07-2025

  • Sport
  • The Citizen

Junior Springboks now genuine U20 Championship contenders

The Junior Springboks have signaled their intent for a run at the World Rugby U20 Championship title with two big pool wins over Australia and England. Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton is satisfied with his teams performances but is keeping his eye on the prize in the World Rugby U20 Champs. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images The Junior Springboks proved that they aren't just a flash in the pan and should be considered genuine contenders for the World Rugby U20 Championship title, after their impressive 32-22 win over defending champions, England, in Italy over the weekend. Earlier this year the Junior Boks produced an underwhelming U20 Rugby Championship (TRC) campaign on home soil, going down against New Zealand and Australia, while beating Argentina, to finish third in the Southern Hemisphere competition. But in their first pool match of the U20 champs they erased that pain with a monstrous 73-17 win over Australia U20s, unbelievably turning around a loss from just a few months prior, into a massive victory. If anyone was wondering whether that was just an aberration, they should have had those worries washed away by a superb follow up performance against one of the pre-tournament favourites. Heading into the competition, France and England were clear favourites, due to the English being defending champs, while the French pipped them to the 2025 U20 Six Nations title. It would have been hard to pick who was more favoured as, despite France having won the previous three U20 World Championship titles before last year, England had won their last two games against the French, 21-13 in last year's final and 27-10 in this year's Six Nations, before slipping up against Wales. Hat in ring But the Junior Boks have firmly thrown their hat right in the ring now, and should have no trouble securing their place in the competition semifinals, with them just needing a win over Scotland in their final pool match on Wednesday. The Scots have struggled in the world champs so far, going down 56-19 to England and 34-24 to Australia, but despite this Bok coach Kevin Foote believes they can't be underestimated. 'We'll take a lot of confidence from this victory (against England), but Scotland are a good side. They ran England close in the Six Nations, and we certainly will not underestimate any team ever. We'll keep our feet on the ground and focus on the next job,' said Foote. Junior Bok captain Riley Norton, who also tempered expectations after their monster win over Australia, was again measured in his praise after the England win, explaining that the job was far from over for his team. 'We're out here giving everything for our country and we're all very proud of the win, but we're still building, and we'll take massive confidence from this game,' said Norton. 'To be honest, it's not quite sunk in yet (their performances). We will celebrate, but then we go again. Next up is Scotland and we have the bigger picture in mind, so we're very excited for the next three games.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store