Latest news with #RuanNortje
The South African
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
He is not good enough to captain the Springboks
The Springboks have many leaders in the current elite crop of players. The Springboks have a multitude of natural-born leaders. The likes of Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Handre Pollard, Bongi Mbonambi, Pieter-Steph Du Toit and even Ruan Nortje all have leadership experience and traits of a captain. Namely, to lead from the front with consistant performances on the pitch. However, I feel that Salmaan Moerat is not at the same calibre as these men in terms of form and Springboks experience. Playing in the green and gold, in itself, is an honour. Therefore, to captain the Springboks is an even greater honour. An honour that deserves a man who puts in consistantly impactful performances that are head-and0-shoulders above his teammates. He must be a leader on and off the pitch. Now, take nothing away from Moerat as a rugby player but he is simply not at the same calibre as the other leaders in the Bok squad. Firstly, he has put in below-par performances for the Springboks when handed the captains armband. He was below-par against Italy in the second test and average last year against Portugal in Bloemfontein. Furthermore, the Springboks have world-class locks in Etzebeth, RG Snyman, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert and Ruan Nortje fit, ready and raring to go. So, Moerat will struggle to get into the 2027 Rugby World Cup squad. Finally, he does not have the same leadership experience at national level or at club level as the likes of Kolisi, Etzebeth, Mbonambi, Du Toit or Pollard. Moerat has 11 national caps. Meanwhile, the above players all have over 50 international caps and they are closing in on being centurians. 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.
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.'
The Herald
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Springboks borrow playbook from under-14 B schools team
Twice they created a maul in general play from which they gained penalty advantage and scored tries on both occasions. Lock Ruan Nortje was lifted to receive a pass, and as he came down to the ground, it created a driving maul from which the Springboks could use their powerful forwards. They received penalty advantage on both occasions as the Italians immediately infringed, but did not need it as centre Canan Moodie and hooker Malcolm Marx crossed for tries. When the powers that be drew up the laws of the game at the line-out, they certainly did not envisage them being used in general play, but Erasmus, who said he was 'fairly happy' with his team's performance, has found a way to legally exploit them.
France 24
04-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks coach White leaves Bulls
His move follows the disappointment of losing the United Rugby Championship final to Leinster in Dublin last month -- the third time in four seasons the Bulls finished runners-up in the competition. Neither the Bulls nor White commented on widespread reports that the squad, led by captain and Springboks lock Ruan Nortje, were unhappy with the coaching style of the 61-year-old. While the loss to a Leinster team stacked with Ireland internationals was not surprising, the 32-7 scoreline was with the South Africans outclassed in wet conditions. "I have made the decision to move on. It is time for this group to have a new voice," said the mastermind of the 2007 World Cup campaign, which brought the trophy to South Africa for a second time. The Springboks won all seven matches in France, including a 15-6 triumph over England in a try-less final. However, soon after the World Cup, South African rugby officials told White he must reapply for the head coach post. He refused and Peter de Villiers became the first black coach of the Springboks. Born in Johannesburg, White began his coaching career in 2002 with the South African under-21 team and two years later succeeded Rudolf Straeuli in charge of the Springboks. He also coached the Brumbies in Australia, the Sharks in South Africa , Montpellier in France and Toyota Verblitz in Japan before replacing Pote Human as Bulls coach in 2020. Former Springboks lock Johan Ackermann, currently involved with the Junior Springboks, has been linked with the Bulls. After a successful four-season spell coaching the Johannesburg-based Lions until 2017, he had stints with Gloucester in England and Red Hurricanes and Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan before returning home.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks coach White leaves Bulls
Rugby World Cup-winning coach Jake White quit the Bulls franchise on Friday, saying the Pretoria outfit needed a "new voice". His move follows the disappointment of losing the United Rugby Championship final to Leinster in Dublin last month -- the third time in four seasons the Bulls finished runners-up in the competition. Advertisement Neither the Bulls nor White commented on widespread reports that the squad, led by captain and Springboks lock Ruan Nortje, were unhappy with the coaching style of the 61-year-old. While the loss to a Leinster team stacked with Ireland internationals was not surprising, the 32-7 scoreline was with the South Africans outclassed in wet conditions. "I have made the decision to move on. It is time for this group to have a new voice," said the mastermind of the 2007 World Cup campaign, which brought the trophy to South Africa for a second time. The Springboks won all seven matches in France, including a 15-6 triumph over England in a try-less final. Advertisement However, soon after the World Cup, South African rugby officials told White he must reapply for the head coach post. He refused and Peter de Villiers became the first black coach of the Springboks. Born in Johannesburg, White began his coaching career in 2002 with the South African under-21 team and two years later succeeded Rudolf Straeuli in charge of the Springboks. He also coached the Brumbies in Australia, the Sharks in South Africa , Montpellier in France and Toyota Verblitz in Japan before replacing Pote Human as Bulls coach in 2020. Former Springboks lock Johan Ackermann, currently involved with the Junior Springboks, has been linked with the Bulls. Advertisement After a successful four-season spell coaching the Johannesburg-based Lions until 2017, he had stints with Gloucester in England and Red Hurricanes and Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan before returning home. dl/nr
