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The Citizen
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Fouche feels ‘dieplekker' about his Bok future
Having shrugged off his reputation as Frans Malherbe's 'stunt double', tighthead prop Neethling Fouche is excited to carve out his own story with the Springboks. Fouche made his Bok debut off the bench in the world champions' 54-7 demolition of the Barbarians at Cape Town Stadium last week, and it was everything the 32-year-old dreamt of. 'I know it's a cliche, but you dream of it literally from when you start playing bulletjie [junior] rugby,' he said. 'Yes, it was a Barbarians game, but it felt like a Test match. I know the score was high, but it was still very physical out there. 'Where the Springboks are at the moment, to be able to be part of this story with Coach Rassie [Erasmus] and the team, it's unbelievable.' 'There's a saying in Afrikaans: dieplekker. It's not lekker, it's dieplekker,' Fouche added. 'The whole week was actually just a blur, from the moment I found out I was playing, to the moment you're standing there. 'After that, it's difficult to control your emotions as you're singing the national anthem; literally all of my family was here for the game. As soon as they heard I'm playing, they just booked their tickets all the way from Rustenburg.' MORE: Rassie told Manie to kick miss And the occasion wasn't without its lighter moments for the humorous Fouche: 'Firstly, I just didn't want to fall running out on the field like my prop mate, Asa [Asenathi Ntlabakanye]! I don't know if anyone saw that, maybe go and check the highlights. So that was the first focus – not to fall.' A pivotal roleplayer in the Stormers' Vodacom URC title win in 2021-22, Fouche is a senior figure in their forward pack and a leader. His consistency for the Cape side earned him his first Bok alignment camp call-up last year, followed by a second invitation in March. However, Fouche's journey to the green and gold hasn't been easy, after injury setbacks and several seasons playing understudy to two-time world cup winner Malherbe at the Stormers. 'I've had a bit of a grondpad [rough road] to get here,' the Grey College alum said. 'The first five, six years out of school, it was a tough time. I was more injured than I wasn't. 'I think the first few years, I was only Frans Malherbe's stunt double! That's how most people knew me, and didn't know my name. 'But with time, you start to carve out your own story. Wilco [Louw] left for overseas and there was a gap, and I decided to put my hand up. Then there's a little voice in your head saying, 'it can happen to you too, just keep working at'. ALSO: Esterhuizen embraces 'hybrid' role 'So, it makes the lekker feeling I'm experiencing right now just mean so much more.' The Boks next face Italy on Saturday at Loftus, followed by a second Test against the Azzurri in Gqeberha next week, and a clash with Georgia in Mbombela on July 19. Fouche faces competition from fellow tightheads Louw, Ntlabakanye and Vincent Koch, but he's embracing the challenge under the tutelage of Bok scrum guru Daan Human. With Malherbe struggling with a back injury, Erasmus must explore alternatives, and Fouche is now in that conversation as the Bok chief plans for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. 'The last two-and-a-half weeks were tough, but it's also good to get through it, it gives you confidence. I'm also a bit older now, and feel like I have something to contribute to the team,' he said. 'I just keep my head down, as Coach Daan says. Every week Coach Daan gives you a challenge, which makes you better, and I'm looking forward to this week's challenge.' The post Fouche feels 'dieplekker' about his Bok future appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The Citizen
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
New twist to Bulls coach saga
White is expected to leave his role – despite having taken the Bulls to three Vodacom URC finals in four seasons and being contracted until 2027. STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 04: Johan Ackermann (Coaching Consultant) during the South Africa Academy U20 training session at Van der Stel Fields on February 05, 2025 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. (Photo by Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images) Johan Ackermann, the favourite to replace Jake White as Vodacom Bulls head coach, has received another offer. According to Rapport, the former Lions coach received a contract extension offer from SA Rugby to continue his work with the Junior Springboks before news broke about White's situation at the Bulls. White is expected to leave his role – despite having taken the Bulls to three Vodacom URC finals in four seasons and being contracted until 2027 – following reported discontent among senior players and assistant coaches Andries Bekker and Chris Rossouw over White's leadership. Rapport says the Bulls are expected to confirm White's departure within the next two weeks. Ackermann joined the Junior Boks as a forwards consultant in January on a six-month deal which was extended by a month to include the World Rugby U20 Championship that starts on Sunday. The 55-year-old had emerged as a leading candidate for the Loftus job due to his strong relationship with Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone (who he worked with at the Lions) and president Willem Strauss. However, two other big names are also in the mix. Franco Smith, who guided the Glasgow Warriors to the 2024-25 URC title, is under contract until 2026 but is reportedly frustrated by budget constraints and foreign player rules in Scotland. Johann van Graan, fresh off a historic treble with Bath – winning the EPCR Challenge Cup, English Premiership and Premiership Cup – has a contract until 2030 but is believed to still harbour ambitions of coaching the Bulls and eventually the Springboks. This story was first published on It is republished here with permission.
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Stormers bid farewell to Bok champ
The Stormers have announced the exit of a seasoned playmaker and Vodacom URC title-winning pivot among nine players confirmed to be parting ways with the Cape outfit. In a post on Twitter, the Stormers bid farewell to world cup-winning flyhalf Manie Libbok, with widespread reports linking him to a possible overseas sabbatical. ALSO: Jake on the chopping block? Libbok, along with tighthead prop Brok Harris and scrumhalves Herschel Jantjies and Paul de Wet, played a pivotal role in the Stormers' 2021-22 URC win. Harris has retired, while Jantjies and De Wet join Bayonne and the Vodacom Bulls, respectively. Veteran Clayton Blommetjies is also exiting, as hooker Joseph Dweba heads to Exeter Chiefs and Englishman Ben Loader returns home to link up with Gloucester. Winger Angelo Davids has signed with the Lions. Zimbabwean loose forward Dave Ewers has called time on his career. Thanks for all you gave us. Always a part of us. 🩶 — DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) June 23, 2025 The post Stormers bid farewell to Bok champ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Sharks lose Bok champ for Loftus clash
A key member in the pack and leader has been ruled out for the Sharks as the Durbanites chase a first Vodacom URC final against the Bulls in Pretoria tomorrow. The Sharks head to Loftus Versfeld riding high after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Munster in Durban last week, but head coach John Plumtree has to do without skipper Eben Etzebeth for the semi-final clash with the Herd. Etzebeth was injured at training this week, so Corne Rahl has replaced the two-time Springbok world champion in the second row, while Siya Kolisi takes over the captaincy. URC REWIND: Bulls vs Sharks Lock Emile van Heerden also comes in for Jason Jenkins, who hasn't recovered from a knock. Deon Slabbert takes up a spot on the bench, along with centre Jurenzo Julius for Francois Venter. The rest of the lineup remains unchanged. Jake White's Bulls dispatched Edinburgh to book a successive home semi, and boast a strong Loftus record against the Sharks in the URC (3-2). However, recent form favours Plumtree's men, who claimed both league meetings this season, including a 29-19 upset in Pretoria. Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Jurenzo Julius, 23 Yaw Penxe. The post Sharks lose Bok champ for Loftus clash appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The Citizen
01-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
British media slams Sharks for ‘shameless gamesmanship'
Jaden Hendrikse's 'cramp' during Saturday's penalty shootout at Kings Park has been questioned after the Sharks scrumhalf winked at Munster flyhalf Jack Crowley. After slotting his second attempt of the shootout, from straight in front but further back than his first, Hendrikse yelled out from apparent pain and went down on the spot where where Crowley was set to kick his second. While lying on the ground, TV cameras caught Hendrikse winking at an infuriated Crowley, who nailed his kick before telling a Sharks staff member to 'f**k off' as they finally left the field. With Munster replacement Rory Scannell having missed his first attempt, Sharks sub Bradley Davids then secured a 6-4 shootout win for the hosts – and a Vodacom URC semi-final meeting with the Bulls at Loftus – by slotting his second. The Sharks, and Hendrikse in particular, were slammed by Munster fans on social media after the shootout, while Sharks fans were criticised for booing Munster's men as they lined up their kicks. MORE: Bradley showed huge BMT – Plum In its report, the UK Telegraph called it 'shameless gamesmanship' from the Sharks and said the quarter-final would always be 'remembered for actions of Sharks' Jaden Hendrikse'. Watch a video of Hendrikse here: Rugby needs heroes and villains and people talking about it.. so I actually wish that moment was even more high profile. Jaden Hendrikse played his part, love it or hate it — Grant Constable (@GrantConstable) May 31, 2025 Watch the extra time penalty shootout here: The post Sharks slammed for 'shameless gamesmanship' appeared first on SA Rugby Magazine.
