Latest news with #UnitedRugbyChampionship
IOL News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
How Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's football skills will help him steer Springboks' ship in the wet against Barbarians
Springboks captain for the Barbarians match, Jesse Kriel, has a word with flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at the captain's practice on Friday at the DHL Stadium. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Media South African rugby fans probably have Bishops' massive rugby culture to thank for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's decision to take up oval-ball sport instead of football. Last year, during an unbelievable debut season for the Springboks, where he went toe-to-toe with the All Blacks at Ellis Park and came out with the win, his father, Nick Feinberg, mentioned that he was quite the soccer player. This statement is backed up by various videos on social media, where the young flyhalf does some pretty nifty tricks with his feet. 'I maintain Sacha was as good if not a better footballer than a rugby player,' Feinberg told the Daily Voice last year. 'In my opinion, he could have made it in the 'Beautiful Game'. You can check him on TikTok doing stuff with a rugby ball that most footballers can't do with a football'. He does it on a rugby field as well, as his juggling act with the ball at his feet before scoring against the Lions in a United Rugby Championship match still fresh in everybody's memory. But that football background is noticeable in his kicking game, as he has a variety of kicking options, whether it is a very high bomb, a flat kick to find a '50-22' or just a little dink to collect himself. His kicking game is really an underrated part of his game because of the other special skills in his armoury, such as his passing and running games, which has already been compared to the All Black great and flyhalf GOAT Dan Carter. 'Some people don't understand how strong his kicking game is. He is a natural footballer. He can do things with a ball that I, coming from the township, can't do!' assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said with a smile at the Springboks' captain's press conference on Friday. Feinberg-Mngomezulu's kicking game and game management will certainly be in the spotlight in the Boks' first outing of 2025 when they take on the Barbarians at the DHL Stadium in his hometown of Cape Town on Saturday. Heavy rains continue to lash the Mother City and Saturday is expected to only clear up shortly before the match starts at 5.10pm. So the plan may be to kick a lot more in behind the dangerous Barbarians' backline. But Feinberg-Mngomezulu is the type of player that loves to go off-script and chance his arm when he sees an opportunity to run. Most times it works out for the best, which makes him such a joy to watch. But sometimes he tends to overplay a bit, like in the Stormers' URC quarter-final against Glasgow Warriors, where he tried to force the issue on his own and not bring other players into the game. One thing about Feinberg-Mngomezulu is that he doesn't sulk when he makes a mistake and tends to brush off quite quickly. Another mark of a champion. 'One thing about him, he has got a very big heart for such a young man. That is one thing I enjoy about him,' Stick said. 'Even if he makes mistakes he can bounce back and still back himself to make the decisions. We always want our attacking players to keep asking questions. 'He is young and he is going to make mistakes, but we enjoy watching him try. The impact that he makes for the team is the most important thing for us. 'I have never seen a youngster mature like he has, how he conducts himself around the team. His leadership skills … he is definitely one for the future.'
BBC News
20 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Darge hopes 'really good coach' Smith remains at Glasgow next season
Rory Darge can understand why Glasgow "really good" head coach Franco Smith is being linked with other jobs, but says the Warriors players are desperate for the South African to remain at is entering the final year of his contract and has been linked with a number of other jobs, most notably the vacant Wales head coach Glasgow's defeat to Leinster in the United Rugby Championship semi-final earlier this month, Smith refused to confirm if he will still be in charge next season, saying he would take time "to reflect a little bit" over the summer."He's a really good coach and showed that with getting the results last year," Darge said."He laid out to us after this year all the positives. It's obviously knockout rugby and when you lose, you have that disappointment. We've maybe brushed over a lot of the big wins that we had over the season."You focus on the next job and usually it's a game the following week, so you don't celebrate those big wins. But he wanted to do that. He wanted to highlight the good work that had gone into last season."He was speaking to us as players in that Monday review and laying out the good stuff that we'd done last season and the work to do next season."But you know, the way professional sport is, you don't know what's going to happen, but as it stands, obviously he's the coach."
IOL News
21 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Junior Springboks know how to connect, says coach Foote ahead of World U20 opener
Bathobele Hlekani Bathobele Hlekani will start at flank for the Junior Springboks on Sunday. Photo: BackpagePix After a lengthy build-up, the Junior Springboks are 'feeling the energy' ahead of their World Under-20 Championship opener against Australia in Italy on Sunday. Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote announced his match-23 on Friday for the clash against the Junior Wallabies at the San Michele Stadium in Calvisano (3.30pm SA time kick-off), which boasts a number of top-class youngsters eager to make their mark on the global stage. Powerful forward Bathobele Hlekani will hope to make a big impression at blindside flank, having featured for the SA Under-20 in last year's tournament as well. The Junior Boks will be will be captained by Western Province lock Riley Norton, while other notable figures include fullback Gilermo Mentoe, flyhalf Vusi Moyo and scrumhalf Haashim Pead. 'We are extremely excited about starting the World Championship in Italy,' Foote said on Friday. 'It's a great country, and you can feel the energy within the group. 'The players have prepared well, they've got clarity, and they are just such a great group together. 'Selection is always tough and leaving some guys out is hard, but we've gone with a team that has played a lot together now, has a lot of synergy and understanding of our game, and knows how to connect on the field. 'We are very excited about the team that we have selected, with Riley Norton captaining the side, and he will be assisted by Haashim Pead, JJ Theron and Siphosethu Mnebelele.' Lock Jaco Grobbelaar and speedster Jaco Williams played for the senior Bulls and Sharks side in the United Rugby Championship last season, and will be keen to make significant contributions off the bench in the second. 'He's (Grobbelaar) trained very well since joining (last week),' Foote said. 'Having his big physical presence is fundamental to the way we want to play, and the same goes for Jaco Williams (outside back), who also joined late after completing his URC campaign with the Sharks. 'The nice thing about them is the calmness that they bring in their roles.' Junior Springbok Team 15 Gilermo Mentoe 14 Cheswill Jooste 13 Demitre Erasmus 12 Albie Bester 11 Siyabonga Ndlozi 10 Vusi Moyo 9 Haashim Pead 8 Wandile Mlaba 7 Bathobele Hlekani 6 Xola Nyali 5 JJ Theron 4 Riley Norton (captain) 3 Herman Lubbe 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele 1 Simphiwe Ngobese. Bench: 16 Jaundre Schoeman 17 Oliver Reid 18 Jean Erasmus 19 Jaco Grobbelaar 20 Matt Romao 21 Erich Visser 22 Ian van der Merwe 23 Jaco Williams.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
The likely Wales team Matt Sherratt will pick to face Japan next week
The likely Wales team Matt Sherratt will pick to face Japan next week Wales will look to break their record losing run against Japan next Saturday Dewi Lake will be a key figure for Wales this summer (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) Wales landed in Japan this week determined to end their 17-game losing streak. Matt Sherratt's side take on Japan in the first Test in Kitakyushu next Saturday. There is just one place separating Wales in 12th and Japan in 13th in the World Rugby rankings. Wales are favourites to overcome Japan but it won't be easy, especially with former Australia and England coach Eddie Jones in charge of the Brave Blossoms. Here is the matchday 23 Sherratt is likely to select for the first Test. 15. Blair Murray Despite a desperately poor season results-wise, Murray has been one of the only players who has risen above the mediocrity to impress. The 23-year-old isn't the biggest of men but he is a deadly broken-field runner with electric footwork and is an excellent finisher who makes good decisions under pressure. Article continues below Murray also enjoyed a fine debut campaign for the Scarlets and was named in the United Rugby Championship team of the season, albeit on the wing. Should thrive in Japan where Wales are planning to play an expansive game. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. 14. Tom Rogers The 26-year-old has been one of Wales' better players this season and was excellent for the Scarlets as they reached the URC play-offs. Rogers is very good under the highball and like Murray is a dangerous broken-field runner with pace to burn. The Scarlets man is also an excellent finisher and should thrive in Japan and Wales will undoubtedly want to get his hands on the ball as much as possible. 13. Joe Roberts Roberts has had a difficult time with injuries over the past couple of seasons and it has taken a bit of time for the 25-year-old to get back to his best. But he hit top form for the Scarlets during the latter stages of the campaign as they reached the URC play-offs before putting up a good fight in a defeat to Leinster in the quarter-finals. Roberts is an explosive runner who tends to ghost his way past defenders and is very physical in the contact area. There's still a few rough edges with his decision making with ball in hand needing to improve but if he can stay fit he can be an asset to Wales moving forward. 12. Ben Thomas There's a strong argument for Johnny Williams to start at 12 given his excellent form for the Scarlets towards the tail end of the season and his partnership with Roberts. But Sherratt is a big fan of Ben Thomas who perhaps suits the attacking brand of rugby the Cardiff coach wants to employ. Thomas is a lovely footballer with a crisp passing game and tons of peripheral vision, while his kicking isn't bad either. The Cardiff playmaker will be central to Wales' attack firing. 11. Josh Adams The 30-year-old has been plagued by injuries over the past couple of seasons and has struggled to reach the heights which won him a place in the British & Irish Lions squad to tour South Africa in 2021. But Adams remains one of best wings in Welsh rugby and his experience will be invaluable if Wales are to turn around a record run of 17-straight Test match defeats. Adams may have lost a bit of pace but he is still a potent finisher who is strong defensively and under the high ball. 10. Sam Costelow This is a close-run thing between Costelow and Ospreys playmaker Dan Edwards but the Scarlets man might just edge it. It is even possible they will start a Test each in Japan. Costelow was a key figure in the Scarlets' late-season resurgence, with his ability to take the ball to the line, his running threat and his kicking game standing out. With 20 international caps to his name Costelow really needs to kick on and make the number 10 shirt his own. 9. Kieran Hardy The 29-year-old has been in outstanding form for the Ospreys and thoroughly deserves an international recall after getting left out of the Six Nations squad. Hardy has always been strong at the fundamentals with his box kicking and slick service standing out but he is also a threat with ball in hand. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free The Ospreys number nine will be a key figure in Japan this summer with his partnership with either Costelow or Edwards crucial to the outcome. 8. Taulupe Faletau The 34-year-old must surely be high up on the Lions' standby list so will want to be at his very best for Wales in Japan this summer. He might be at the tail-end of his career but Faletau remains a quality operator and Wales are a far poorer team without the Cardiff No 8. As always Faletau will be required to get Wales over the gainline and lead from the front in Japan. 7. Tommy Reffell With Jac Morgan away with the Lions, Reffell will surely wear the number seven shirt in the first Test. The 26-year-old has been in excellent form for Leicester and played a crucial role in the east Midlands club reaching the Gallagher Premiership final where they were beaten by Bath at Twickenham. Japan will want to play fast and furious, meaning Reffell will be one of Wales' most important players given it is mainly down to him to slow down the speed of ruck ball. 6. Aaron Wainwright The 27-year-old has been one of Wales' better players during this wretched run of results and will be a key figure in Japan. Wainwright has a nice blend of athleticism and physicality and the Dragons man will be tasked with getting Wales over the gain line. Wales will also likely use Wainwright in the wide channels with his explosiveness and offloading games a potential asset to Sherratt's side. 5. Teddy Williams The 24-year-old has been in fine form for Cardiff this season and is the type of player who would thrive in the frantic pace and the searing heat of Japan. Williams is an athletic second-row who is a top-class lineout operator, while he is also very effective in driving lineouts. The Cardiff lock has had to bide his time in the international arena but with Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins and Adam Beard missing, this could well be his chance. 4. James Ratti The 27-year-old is the unsung hero of the Ospreys pack and is the type of player who gets through a mountain of unseen dirty work which allows others to shine. Ratti is a powerful carrier who adds a lot of weight in the scrum and should complement the more athletic Williams well. The Ospreys man won his only Wales cap against South Africa at Twickenham last summer and will view this tour as a chance to progress his international career. 3. Archie Griffin The 23-year-old was a revelation on Wales' tour of Australia last summer, putting in a remarkable 26 tackles in 74 minutes in a narrow defeat to the Wallabies. Griffin is a very dynamic carrier capable of making post-contact metres, makes a lot of tackles and is a strong jackler at the breakdown. His scrummaging can be a bit inconsistent but he is capable at the set-piece and gave world-class Wallabies loosehead Angus Bell an outing at the Principality Stadium last November. 2. Dewi Lake (captain) The Ospreys man will undoubtedly be bitterly disappointed to have missed out on a place on the Lions tour having been touted as a potential tourist for much of the past year. A series of injuries which curtailed his minutes on the field, particularly during the Six Nations, probably damaged his chances. But he will be a vitally important figure for Wales in Japan with his leadership, powerful carrying game, set-piece prowess and his work at the breakdown standing out. 1. Nicky Smith The 31-year-old has been a revelation in his first season at Leicester Tigers and gave world-class Springboks tighthead Thomas du Toit a hiding at times in the Gallagher Premiership final. Smith is a very destructive scrummager and it has been a long time since anyone got the better of the former Ospreys star at the set-piece. The man from Swansea isn't the biggest prop but he carries well with his footwork at the point of contact - a nice trait - while he also gets through a lot of work in defence and at the breakdown. Replacements 16. Elliot Dee The experienced Dragons man is the most accurate hooker in Wales when it comes to throwing into the lineout. Dee will have an important part to play in Japan but will probably be backing up Lake. 17. Gareth Thomas The Ospreys prop is an underrated player who is a solid scrummager and hits really hard in defence. 18. Keiron Assiratti The 27-year-old is a solid scrummager and a talented ball player. It's imperative Wales gain the upper hand at scrum time and Assiratti is likely to share game-time with Griffin. 19. Freddie Thomas The conditions and the style of play will likely suit the Gloucester lock in Japan. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Thomas is an athletic forward who is comfortable playing a high octane and expansive brand of rugby. 20. Taine Plumtree The 25-year-old was left out of the Six Nations squad due to his ill-discipline but proceeded to fix that issue and was outstanding for the Scarlets during the latter half of the season. Plumtree's versatility will be useful for Wales. 21. Reuben Morgan-Williams The 27-year-old has had to bide his time for a first cap but it is likely to come this summer which would be just rewards for his consistency for the Ospreys over the past few seasons. 22. Dan Edwards As was stated above it is a close call between Costelow and Edwards for the starting berth. Whatever direction Sherratt decides to go in Edwards will have a big role to play in Japan, whether that is through starting or seeing the game out as a replacement. 23. Macs Page The 20-year-old is one of the finest prospects in Welsh rugby and has tons of x-factor. Article continues below Page is an explosive carrier with wicked footwork and a dangerous turn of pace. The uncapped Scarlets man, who can play centre or wing, looks destined for a long international career.
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Dragons prop Owain James aims to show Wales U20s' depth
The Welsh youngsters start their campaign on Sunday when they go up against Argentina and then they face France five days later. A group finale against Spain is swiftly followed by two more fixtures, either in the semi-finals and final or for placings. The Wales management will have to box clever and try to keep players fresh, which could mean a chance to shine for James. He is backing up Bristol prospect Sam Scott, who enhanced his reputation with five impressive starts during the Six Nations. James and fellow tighthead Jac Pritchard will be tasked with ensuring there is no drop-off in quality when Scott is given a breather. PLATFORM: Dragons tighthead Owain James hopes to scrummage strongly for Wales Under-20s (Image: Mark Lewis/Huw Evans Agency) 'The set piece is a big part of the game and gives a side a platform, and we pride ourselves in taking it to other teams,' said the 20-year-old. 'We have good competition and a lot of combinations that can be fielded – we feel that we are strong across the board and we will all be needed in a tournament like this.' James, from Ynysybwl, signed a senior academy contract with the Dragons last summer and then had a remarkable rise. He featured for the Dragons A last autumn and then injuries led to him making a senior debut at Zebre Parma, with another appearance against the Stormers in the penultimate match of the season. 'I played a lot of rugby up to Christmas and then had a concussion but then the Six Nations was a really good experience,' said James. 'I had a few appearances for the Dragons, which was unexpected in my first year, and it was also great to be part of Pontypool. 'There is plenty of history in Pooler's front row and it has been great to learn from props who have done their time in the Premiership and Super Rygbi Cymru.' It's the SRC that James will get his experience next season given that the Dragons have signed Dillon Lewis and Robert Hunt to join Chris Coleman and Luke Yendle. However, a small taste of the United Rugby Championship has served the Wales Under-20s prospect well. 'It was a tough season with the results but there were great experiences for us youngsters to train and travel with the seniors,' he said. 'It was brilliant to go to South Africa and that can only help us when our time does hopefully come. 'You learn so much from the combination of SRC and Dragons and I just want to keep building and learning from the senior props.' That comes after James tries to shine alongside his peers.
