Latest news with #SalmaanMoerat
France 24
4 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Springboks overcome Wiese red card to crush Italy
Wiese was sent off after 22 minutes for head-butting prop Danilo Fischetti in a penalty-riddled match that also saw one South African and two Italians yellow-carded. At one stage in the second half at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium it was 13 versus 15 after Springboks prop Wilco Louw was yellow-carded. Fischetti followed Louw to the sin bin three minutes later and replacement loose forward David Odiase was yellow-carded in the closing stages. "I am really pleased, and I am sure my teammates are also thrilled that we could deliver a performance like that," said Springboks captain and lock Salmaan Moerat. "We knew the threat the Italians posed. They are a quality side who made it really hard for us last week, and also this week, especially when we were down one man early in the game. "I thought we did really well to show character and pull through. The boys really played with heart tonight." le Roux becomes centurion Italy captain and lock Niccolo Cannone said: "It was a very tough game, we know the level of the Springboks. I am proud of my team, but we have to improve many things because this is a high level. "We fought until the end, but we fell too far behind in the fist half to have a realistic chance of victory and levelling the series." Amid the disciplinary mayhem, full-back Willie le Roux became the eighth Springbok to win 100 caps. He received rapturous applause when substituted midway through the second half. Back Ethan Hooker and forwards Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Cobus Wiese -- a brother of Jasper -- made their Test debuts off the bench in a second half that became increasingly scrappy. A South African side showing 11 changes to the starting line-up after a mixed first Test performance last weekend scored seven tries to the delight of the capacity 44,282 crowd. Winger Edwill van der Merwe, recalled after a 13-month absence, scored twice in the first half and won the player of the match award. Scrum-half Grant Williams and centre Canan Moodie also crossed the tryline. After missing his first two conversions with kicks that veered left of the near post, fly-half Manie Libbok succeeded with the next two and South Africa led 24-0 at half-time. The record four-time Rugby World Cup winners added another three tries in the second half through hooker Malcolm Marx, winger Makazole Mapimpi and replacement hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Libbok converted them all to finish with a personal tally of 10 points, and his mix of kicking and running was impressive in an electric atmosphere. Italy, fielding only five of the starters in a narrow Six Nations Championship loss to Ireland last March, rarely threatened to score and conceded many penalties.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
No underestimating Italy this week, says Boks skipper Moerat
The Springboks are ready to get down and dirty in a massive breakdown battle with Italy in their clash in Gqeberha. Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat says the team is ready for a massive battle at the breakdown against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. Picture: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat says the team is fired up and ready to go toe to toe with Italy at the breakdown when the sides collide in their second Test of the incoming series at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday (kick-off 5:10pm). The Boks clinched a comfortable 42-24 win in the first Test at Loftus a week previously, but were unhappy with a number of facets of their game, one of them being the breakdown, which was dominated by the Italians. Despite a much changed Bok side being named for the second match, with just four survivors in the starting 15 from last week, Moerat claimed that the players coming in had seen enough and done enough prep in the week to be completely ready for the challenge. 'Their play at the breakdown definitely shocked us a bit and it was why we just couldn't get going, particularly when we were in their 22,' explained Moerat. 'It does help if you played them the previous week. But even as non-players we still get a bit of a feel of what they did and what their plans are. That can change this weekend. All teams have an identity. 'They pride themselves on their physicality, and their breakdown is really good. They disrupted us there, and that is one area we worked hard on this week. We're looking to counter that. We won't be underestimating them.' Heavy favourites Despite the Boks being heavy favourites, against a team that is weakened due to a number of their star and experienced players being left at home, Moerat echoed many of his fellow players and coaches when he urged caution against them. 'They are a quality makeup, and feature players from Zebre and Benetton who know each other well. So they are in sync with each other, they have quality players and several game-breakers,' said Moerat. 'Their set pieces and kicking game are big aspects of their approach. Their kicking game is really good, but we have an experienced back three playing for us.' Another poor aspect of the Boks game last week was at the lineout, and lock Moerat admitted that they were eager to improve drastically in that facet. 'The lineouts we lost were mainly down to our own standards. We are not going to change much, we just weren't happy with our standards last week and have worked on lifting that. It is one area that we have really looked at as it is something the Bok pack pride ourselves on,' said Moerat. Moerat also got a taste of what it is like to play in front of a passionate Gqeberha crowd when he featured for the Stormers in the URC in the city a few years ago and is looking forward to another great experience. 'We played against the Dragons here and it was amazing. You could see then that there are not many rugby matches played in Gqeberha and the people get really excited about and are very fond of rugby. There was a great vibe in that game and I am sure there will be again on Saturday,' he added.
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Springbok captain Moerat and assistant coach Stick not underestimating Italy
Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick say they will need to 'fight fire with fire' in the second Incoming Series Test against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday. Boks coach Rassie Erasmus was not entirely happy with the 42-24 win last weekend at Loftus Versfeld where they took their feet off the pedal after they comfortably led 28-3 at halftime. 'They are a very physical team, so it's going to be a massive game,' said Moerat. 'We are certainly not underestimating them. They are a passionate side that are mainly formed from two clubs. So, they have been playing together for a while, and they pride themselves on their set pieces. 'They also have quality backs with a good kicking game and they showed real fight at the breakdowns last week, so we have to fight fire with fire.' Stick shared Moerat's sentiments. 'Last week we started with good intensity, but they bounced back strongly in the second half. It's clear how much they have grown since the Six Nations, where they also delivered a few quality performances.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Salmaan Moerat: Springboks will fight fire with fire in second Test against Italy
SPRINGBOK lock Salmaan Moerat, right, with legend RG Snyman will get another go at showcasing his leadership qualities against Italy. | BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat says they are ready to front up physically against Italy in the second Test on Saturday in Gqeberha. Image: BackpagePix The Springboks have a clearer picture of what to expect from Italy on Saturday, and there has been a strong focus on their breakdown and rolling mauls ahead of the second Test. After their struggles in the second half against the Azzurri, the world champions want to deliver an improved performance in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (5.10 pm kick-off) to seal the series victory. While the physicality and kicking game of the Italians might have caught them a bit unawares in the six-try 42-24 victory at Loftus Versfeld, Bok captain Salmaan Moerat is confident that they've prepared adequately for what awaits them. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ They realise the magnitude of the task ahead and Moerat has emphasised that they must front up if they want to complete a second victory. He's also highlighted the strong kicking game of Italy that could pose a threat. With a much-changed side, the Springboks won't come into the game with a lot of continuity, but they possess some special players who will look to set the stadium alight with their electric plays. Having faced their opponents, the South Africans also know a little more about the new Italian players. 'It does help that we've played them the previous week, you get a bit of a feel of what they do and what their plans are,' Moerat said about the Italians and what they could bring. #Springboks skipper Salmaan Moerat speaks on what they worked on and what they expect from Italy on Saturday in the second Test in Gqeberha #RSAvITA — Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) July 11, 2025 'They shocked us a bit at the breakdown, but all teams have an identity, and they pride themselves on their physicality. Their breakdown play was good, and they disrupted us there. That is one area we worked on hard (this week), and we will look to counter it. They also have an excellent kicking game. I am fairly confident that our back-three can match that. 'I would not say we underestimated them. They are a quality side if you look at the makeup of the team. It is a majority of Zebre and Benetton players. That means they are in sync, and they know each other well. There are quality game-breakers, powerful forwards and we are expecting more of the same in this game. 'We must match fire with fire.' 'Every player knows what our focus is and what needs to be done, so hopefully we can go out there and do the job on Saturday' 🗣#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold — Springboks (@Springboks) July 11, 2025 Fullback Willie le Roux will be playing in his 100th Test for the Springboks, while newcomers prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, centre Ethan Hooker and utility forward Cobus Wiese are all in line to make their debut off the bench. Le Roux is in an exciting back-three with another veteran, Makazole Mapimpi and Edwill van der Merwe, who is making his home debut for the Boks. All eyes will be on the halfback pairing of Grant Williams and flyhalf Manie Libbok, though. They will be tasked to spark the attack to give the back-three and centres André Esterhuizen and Canan Moodie space with the ball in hand. Should the forwards generate that dominance up front, it could become a long day in Gqeberha for the visitors. The #Springboks want to sharpen up their breakdown play ahead of the second #RSAvITA match. "It's one area they shocked us in a bit." - captain Salmaan Moerat on the Italian physicality at the ruck — Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) July 11, 2025 The Springboks will look to start off the match in the same fashion as last weekend, where they generated a 28-3 lead, before taking their foot off the accelerator. According to Moerat, they do not want to fall into that same trap again. The South Africans also want to set the record straight in the lineouts. 'Those we lost came down to our standards,' Moerat said about the set piece. 'We won't change much, but we weren't happy with our standards when it came to our throwing and lifting. We looked hard at what we can improve on. 'As a Springbok pack, we pride ourselves on the lineouts, scrums and rolling mauls. It was tough for us to see, but we will look to rectify it. It is tough for any team to concede a maul try, but tougher as a Springbok. The outside opinion, when looking at mauls, is that you expect the side to be dominant in attacking or stopping them. That was hard on us as a pack of forwards.'
The Citizen
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Rassie changes 11 with Willie set to play 100th Test for Boks
Springbok fullback Willie le Roux will become the eighth Test centurion for South Africa as three debutants play from the bench. Willie le Roux is set to make his 100th Test cap for the Springboks. Picture:Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus made a slew of changes to his side for the second Test against Italy in Gqeberha on Saturday, retaining only four players from last week's starting XV. Salmaan Moerat steps in as captain with Siya Kolisi out injured. Three players are set to make their debut while fullback Willie le Roux will start the game to secure his 100th Test cap. He will be the eighth Springbok to do so. 'Willie has been a stalwart for us in the last few years after making his debut against Italy in Durban in 2013, and he's a fantastic playmaker, so we are thrilled to see him achieve this incredible feat,' Erasmus said. New-look Springbok side The coach had earlier said he may have to make changes for the clash at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (kick-off 5.10pm) after the Springboks secured a frustrating 42–24 win at Loftus last week. The understrength, 10th-ranked side looked good in that game, scoring four tries against the world champions and holding them off in defence for much of the match. The Italians were especially good in the lineout and at the breakdown, resulting in the Springboks approaching World Rugby's refereeing department for clarity on certain decisions around the breakdown While waiting for feedback, Erasmus named a new-look side, only retaining hooker Malcolm Marx, tighthead prop Wilco Louw, No 6 flanker Marco van Staden and No 8 Jasper Wiese. Asenathi Ntlabakanye (prop), Cobus Wiese (utility forward) and Ethan Hooker (utility back), who have all been in fantastic form for their respective franchises this year, make their debuts from the bench. Bok team: Willie le Roux, Edvill van der Merwe, Canan Moodie, André Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Manie Libbok, Grant Williams, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Salmaan Moerat (captain), Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit. Bench: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Ox Nche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese, Evan Roos, Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker.
