Latest news with #SARugbyPlayeroftheYear
The South African
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Springboks Player Ratings: Who FIRED, Who FLOPPED
The Springboks got their 2025 season off to the perfect start with a 54-7 win over the Barbarians on Saturday. The Springboks demolished the Barbarians 54-7 at the DHL Stadium on Saturday, 28 June 2025. Rassie Eramus and the Boks have plenty to celebrate following their resounding performance en route to claiming their thir successive Qatar Cup. These are the players who stood out as well as a couple of stars who were slightly underwhelming. Lood de Jager – 9/10 Lood hasn't missed a step despite not playing for the Springboks in almost two years. The lanky Bok lock made countlies huge carries, getting over the advantage line at ease. He was also astute defensively and a solid line-out option for the Springboks. Vincent Tshitshuka – 8.5 What a debut. The elusive Sharks flanker scored two tries to cap off a well-rounded performance in his first Springboks test. Tshitshuka agility and skills were on full display. Meanwhile, he was a solid third choice in the line-out. Kurt-Lee Arendse – 8 Welcome back, Arendse. The speedy and skilful Springboks winger reminded the Bulls and SA Rugby what we have been missing since he left for Japan. Arendse finished off a beautiful well-worked team try in the corner and was a constant threat with ball in hand. He beat defenders at will with his fleet-footed stepping and lightning speed. Cheslin Kolbe – 9 The 2024 SA Rugby Player of the Year reminded us all why he was given awarded this honour. Kolbe was one of the stand-out Boks. His try in the corner was just the start of what was another world class display from Kolbe. He was excellent in the air dominating the aerial battle in wet conditions. Kolbe was perfect defensively, putting in one solid hit after the other. He added memorable bounce off on Ricky Riccitelli in the second half and was a threat all afternoon. *Please note that these players did not pay badly at all. They were just not as exceptional as the rest of the pack in what was a comprehensive display and dominance Springboks performance. Jean Kleyn – 6/10 He did not do much wrong but he was certainly overshadowed by his Bok lock team mate, Lood. Kleyn struggled to get over the advantage line or to make dominant tackles. He was solid at line out time and did what he needed to but did not stand out. Morne van den Berg – 6.5/10 He provided quick delivery from the base of the ruck. However, he certainly did not knock the selection door down and was outplayed by his replacement, Cobus Reinach. 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.
The Citizen
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘Hopefully just a hematoma': Eben Etzebeth goes for scan after being carted off against Ospreys
"I'm hoping it's just a hematoma that might come right even before the weekend," coach John Plumtree said. "He's a pretty quick healer. Hopefully, nothing sinister." Sharks captain Eben Etzebeth is taken off the field in the first half against Ospreys. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images The only drawback of the Sharks' bonus-point United Rugby Championship win against Ospreys on Friday night was the injury sustained by Eben Etzebeth. The home side's captain appeared to hurt his knee during a cleanout in the first half. He was tended to by paramedics before playing for three more minutes. Finally, he gave in to the obvious pain he was in and was taken off by the paramedics in a golf cart. He later appeared on the sidelines on crutches. Etzebeth to receive a scan This comes at a particularly difficult time for the World Rugby and SA Rugby Player of the Year nominee after he was out for five months due to failed concussion tests earlier in the season. Then, the club captain missed the Ulster game two weeks ago due to flu, only to be taken off injured now. 'I'm hoping it's just a hematoma that might come right even before the weekend,' head coach John Plumtree said after the game. 'He's a pretty quick healer. Hopefully, nothing sinister.' He said they would only know more after Etzebeth receives a scan. 'You could see he was just trying to push through it. But he was too sore. At half-time, I spoke to him and he had been feeling a bit better.' After the game, stand-in captain Siya Kolisi said he had not spoken to Etzebeth but it was 'hopefully nothing serious'. 'He's a hard man, so if something is bothering him we'd rather be safe than sorry,' Kolisi said. Sharks down Ospreys to finish in the top four The Sharks put in a commanding performance against Ospreys, winning four tries to one (final score 29–10). This was enough to guarantee their place in the top four on the URC log despite having one final regular season match against Scarlets next weekend. Finishing in the top four offers the advantage of a home quarter-final at the end of the month. Should the Sharks finish even higher – and this is possible after the Bulls and Glasgow Warriors play some tough upcoming fixtures – they would play against a team finishing lower on the log in the quarter-final.
