Latest news with #SouthAfricaRugby
RNZ News
23-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: Springboks leave out experienced trio for Australia tests
Faf de Klerk of South Africa Photo: Paul Thomas / South Africa have named their squad for the two Rugby Championship tests at home to Australia next month as they begin the defence of their title, with no place for double World Cup winners Lukhanyo Am, Faf de Klerk and Makazola Mapimpi. The experienced trio are on a stand-by list in case of injury as coach Rassie Erasmus named a 37-player group on Wednesday to meet the Wallabies in Johannesburg on 16 August and in Cape Town a week later. Recent new caps Ethan Hooker (utility back), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Boan Venter (both props), Marnus van der Merwe (hooker) and Cobus Wiese (utility forward) have all been included. Bath prop Thomas du Toit has been granted a compulsory two-week rest as agreed with the English Premiership, while number eight Jasper Wiese, the brother of Cobus, is serving a four-week suspension. Erasmus has already used almost 50 players in three tests this year as he looks to add depth to the squad with the 2027 Rugby World Cup in mind. "It's always challenging to reduce the squad, especially given how the expanded group of players put up their hands (in wins over Italy and Georgia this month), but we always said we would select a smaller, more manageable squad during the Rugby Championship," Erasmus said. "We probably have three players who can cover each position. One of our key pillars as a team is to build squad depth, and there is no better way to see what some of the younger players are capable of than to expose them to some of the top teams in the world." The Springboks have also invited three players from South Africa's victorious side at the recent Under-20 World Cup to train with the team to gain experience. They are loose-forward Bathobele Hlekani, wing Cheswill Jooste and scrumhalf Haashim Pead, the stand-out performer in the tournament. Forwards : Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese. Backs : Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Edwill van der Merwe, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse. - Reuters
Reuters
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Springboks leave out experienced trio for Australia tests
July 23 (Reuters) - South Africa have named their squad for the two Rugby Championship tests at home to Australia next month as they begin the defence of their title, with no place for double World Cup winners Lukhanyo Am, Faf de Klerk and Makazola Mapimpi. The experienced trio are on a stand-by list in case of injury as coach Rassie Erasmus named a 37-player group on Wednesday to meet the Wallabies in Johannesburg on August 16 and in Cape Town a week later. Recent new caps Ethan Hooker (utility back), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Boan Venter (both props), Marnus van der Merwe (hooker) and Cobus Wiese (utility forward) have all been included. Bath prop Thomas du Toit has been granted a compulsory two-week rest as agreed with the English Premiership, while number eight Jasper Wiese, the brother of Cobus, is serving a four-week suspension. Erasmus has already used almost 50 players in three tests this year as he looks to add depth to the squad with the 2027 Rugby World Cup in mind. "It's always challenging to reduce the squad, especially given how the expanded group of players put up their hands (in wins over Italy and Georgia this month), but we always said we would select a smaller, more manageable squad during the Rugby Championship," Erasmus said. "We probably have three players who can cover each position. One of our key pillars as a team is to build squad depth, and there is no better way to see what some of the younger players are capable of than to expose them to some of the top teams in the world." The Springboks have also invited three players from South Africa's victorious side at the recent Under-20 World Cup to train with the team to gain experience. They are loose-forward Bathobele Hlekani, wing Cheswill Jooste and scrumhalf Haashim Pead, the stand-out performer in the tournament. South Africa squad: Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese. Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Edwill van der Merwe, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse.
Telegraph
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
England vs South Africa: Teams and latest updates from World Rugby U20 Championship
England continue their World Under-20 Championship campaign this afternoon as they take on South Africa at Stadio Comunale Mario Battaglini in Rovigo. England, who are the defending champions, got their campaign up and running with a comprehensive 56-19 victory over Scotland in Verona last Sunday, courtesy of eight tries. Speaking ahead of the game, Pathway Scrum and Defence Coach Nathan Catt wants to see the side continue to raise their performance levels. 'South Africa always promises to be very testing yet exciting fixture. We want our boys to commit to the moment throughout and build strongly together,' Catt said. 'A core principle of our campaign is to make lifelong memories through raising our levels of high performance every week, and this match will be no exception.' England will be without the services of forward George Timmins for the rest of the tournament after he was handed a five-match ban due to being sent off early in the second half of the victory over Scotland. South Africa thrashed Australia 73-17 in their opening match of Pool A to get their tournament up and running in style. Their head coach Kevin Foote has spoken about the honour of playing the defending champions. 'There is a huge amount of excitement around Friday and the magnitude of this match,' said Foote. 'We know how important this is, playing against the defending champions. It is an honour to be involved in such a game and a real challenge for us this week. We cannot wait for it. We are very proud of the guys in terms of how focused and humble they are staying after the victory over Australia, and just how hungry they are for the next challenge against England.' These sides have met in the last two editions of the Under-20 World Championships. A year ago England came out on top, winning 17-12 during the group stages, but back in 2023 South Africa ran out 22-15 winners in the final. Kick-off from Rovigo is at 5pm BST.
CNA
05-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
South Africa name nine uncapped players in expansive squad
CAPE TOWN :Nine uncapped players have been named in an expansive 54-man South Africa squad for the first four of the country's 14 international matches this year. Coach Rassie Erasmus on Thursday retained 31 of the squad that won the 2023 World Cup in a sign of continuity but has also made clear he intended using tests against the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia to try out new prospects. The uncapped players include Northampton Saints eighthman Juarno Augustus and hooker Marnus van der Merwe from Scarlets in Wales plus locally-based prop forwards Neethling Fouche and Asenathi Ntlabakanye, flanks Renzo du Plessis and Vincent Tshituka and utility forward Cobus Wiese, whose brother Jasper is a regular in the squad. The new backs are Sharks centre Ethan Hooker and Ntokozo Makhaza, who has been selected from university rugby without any franchise experience. The squad assembled on Sunday except for players still involved in the closing stages of the United Rugby Championship or English Premiership. 'We are excited to have the luxury of announcing a squad with so much depth and talent,' Erasmus said in a statement. 'Having an expanded squad will not only afford us the opportunity to have productive training sessions, but it will also bode well for the younger players in the group to learn from the senior players, many of whom are Rugby World Cup champions." South Africa used 50 players last season in an attempt to balance the load and build towards the 2027 World Cup in Australia. 'With a few more talented youngsters in this group, we hope that they will learn valuable lessons and stake a strong claim for places in what will be a challenging, yet exciting season,' the coach added. Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie and Trevor Nyakane were not considered due to injury. The Springboks will meet the Barbarians in their first encounter on South African soil in Cape Town on June 28 followed by two tests against Italy in Pretoria and Gqeberha on July 5 and 12 respectively and Georgia in Nelspruit on July 19. From August the Springboks play in the Rugby Championship and in November go on a European tour with tests in Italy, France, Ireland and Wales. Squad: Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Renzo du Plessis (Lions), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (both Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (both Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks)
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
South African rugby mourns death of Cornal Hendricks at 37
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa Rugby president Mark Alexander on Thursday hailed deceased former Springbok winger Cornal Hendricks as a "remarkable athlete." The 37-year-old, who scored five tries in 12 Test appearances, died on Wednesday after suffering a heart attack. "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Cornal Hendricks, a remarkable athlete who represented his country in sevens and 15-man rugby with distinction," said Alexander in a statement. "Cornal was one of those players who loved the game and he worked extremely hard, but he always did so with a smile on his face, treating all people with respect. "His energy and love of life, both on and off the field, lifted his teammates and those around him. "His contributions to the sport and his unwavering dedication will always be remembered. May his legacy continue to inspire future generations," added Alexander. Apart from his Springbok appearances in 2014 and 2015, Hendricks represented the national sevens team, the Blitzbokke, winning a 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow. Hendricks began and ended his provincial career with second-tier Boland and also played for two top-flight sides, the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs and the Bulls in Pretoria. He featured in Super Rugby and the United Rugby Championship, and helped the Bulls win back-to-back titles in the Currie Cup, the premier domestic competition. Born in western Cape town Paarl, Hendricks played 233 first-class matches in a career spanning 17 years. — AFP
