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The Citizen
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: Italy and France's short-sightedness could cost them in the long run
One has got to wonder what Italy and France will gain by sending weakened rugby teams to tour South Africa and New Zealand this month. A weakened Italian rugby team will take on the Springboks in two Tests in the coming weeks. Picture: Floris van Schouwenburg/Gallo Images Italy and France are showing incredible short-sightedness in taking weakened teams to the Southern Hemisphere for their Test series' against juggernauts, the Springboks and All Blacks, respectively. On top of being a touch disrespectful to two of the biggest teams in world rugby, it is also a wasted opportunity to give their best players important experience playing against top teams away from home. Only one Northern Hemisphere side has ever won the Rugby World Cup, namely England in 2003, and if teams from the north continue to back weakened sides against what are considered the best teams in the business, you have to wonder when next they will win a World Cup. Ranked 10th in the world, Italy realistically don't have a chance of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup, at least not in the next few years, but fourth ranked France, who are the current Six Nations champions, should be a real contender at the showpiece event. What are these countries gaining? But Italy have been desperate to improve in recent times, and the double World Cup winning Boks would have provided their star players with a golden opportunity to test themselves against the best in foreign conditions. Instead, top players such as fullback Tommaso Allan, wing Ange Capuozzo, midfielder Juan Ignacio Brex, flyhalf Paolo Garbisi, scrumhalf Martin Page-Relo, hooker Gianmarci Lucchesi, and prop Simone Ferrari have all been left at home, while a number of uncapped players are in the mix. France are even worse off, having left more than half of their best players at home, and will head into their three-match series against the All Blacks seriously underpowered. Excuses that have been brought up include resting players at the end of a long season and giving new and fringe players valuable experience. But if your best can't do the job on the biggest stage, surely it would be wiser to try help them keep improving by playing the strongest away from home? Add to this the fact the next World Cup is being held in the Southern Hemisphere, in Australia, and you have to seriously wonder what the management teams are thinking when leaving out their top players. The Springboks and All Blacks don't send weakened squads on their end-of-year tours to the north, even though that is the end of their international season, while Bok players don't really have a proper rest window, with a year-round calendar, but are still constantly selected.
eNCA
24-06-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Boks 30 years after Ellis Park: A Webb of gilded silver
JOHANNESBURG - The 24th of June marks 30 years since South Africa's monumental Rugby World Cup win in 1995. On that chilly day, the Springboks beat the mighty All Blacks 15-12 at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg. It was South Africa's first time playing in a Rugby World Cup final, and they won it on home soil. The moment became even more special when President Nelson Mandela handed the trophy to Springbok captain Francois Pienaar, wearing a Bok jersey with his jersey number 6. This victory was felt beyond the field; it resonated across the country as a symbol of unity for a nation in the infancy of healing from its apartheid past. Since then, the Boks have gone on to win the World Cup three times, in 2007 under John Smit, and in 2019 and 2023 under captain Siya Kolisi. But what makes this golden trophy so important? The Webb Ellis Cup is named after William Webb Ellis, an Englishman credited as the inventor of rugby. Legend has it that, during a school football match in 1823, Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it. A century and half later, John Kendall-Carpenter, a leading figure in the Rugby Football Union (RFU), pushed for the International Rugby Board to organise the first Rugby World Cup in 1987. Kendall-Carpenter, alongside RFU secretary Bob Weighill, set out to find a right trophy that would mark the achievements of the game. Their quest led them to a jeweller in London, who presented them with a trophy created by Carrington & Co in 1906. That trophy was based on a 1740 design by world-famous silversmith, Paul de Lamerie. Kendall-Carpenter and Weighill then built a replica, which was approved in 1987 and named after William Webb Ellis.
The South African
24-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
Revealed: Springboks' eye-catching 2025 jerseys
On Tuesday, SA Rugby revealed the 2025 Springbok kit along with apparel partner Nike, with the traditional green and gold jerseys certainly standing out, while the alternative kit is white and green. 'The unique, new neckline is inspired by the protea in a design that is rooted in green yet 'crowned' by the King Protea's leaves,' a statement read. 'Inside the collar are four stars that feature as a nod to the team's four Rugby World Cup victories, as well as #ForeverGreenForeverGold . 'Cutting-edge materials ensure the kit is not only a celebration of heritage but also a testament to modern sportswear innovation, integrating state-of-the-art fabric technologies. 'The materials enhance breathability, flexibility and endurance for the players while remaining lightweight and durable. The kit also features moisture-wicking properties, ensuring players stay cool and dry even during the most intense matches.' The alternate jersey is all-white with the Protea collar in traditional bottle green, while the playing range is supported by a training and off-field range for the passionate supporter. A newly designed playing kit and a retro jersey honouring the heritage of the 1995 Rugby World Cup winners was also revealed for the first time – 30 years to the day that Nelson Mandela first presented the Webb Ellis Cup to a Springbok captain. The release of a heritage jersey recreates the one worn by the Springboks in the iconic 15-12 victory over New Zealand at Ellis Park, while the new team playing jersey incorporates elements of the King Protea in a striking collar design. The home and alternative jerseys as well as the lifestyle collection will be available from Wednesday (25 June) from Nike stores, major retailers, and online. The Springboks kick off their season against the Barbarians this Saturday. 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.
eNCA
24-06-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
It's 30 years since famous Ellis Park Triumph
JOHANNESBURG - This Tuesday marks 30 years since the Springboks' historic 1995 Rugby World Cup triumph against the All Blacks at Ellis Park. With Madiba Magic in the air, South Africa went on to win that famous clash 15-12 to lift their first ever Webb Ellis Cup. Members of that famous Bok team have swapped their boots for golf clubs, to raise funds for a Township Rugby Youth Tournament.
The South African
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Rugby World Cup 1995: Where were YOU on this day 30 years ago?
Every South African rugby fan will be able to recall where he or she was on this day 30 years ago as the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Provided you were born of course, 24 June 1995 will forever stick in the memory bank as Francois Pienaar accepted the trophy from Nelson Mandela following a nail-biting extra-time victory over the All Blacks. Personally, I watched the match at friend's house then headed to that infamous watering hole in Claremont called 'Green Man' (remember it?) where they rescreened the Test. We drank beer, we drank more beer, and then around 05:00 the next morning they kicked us out. There are also vague recollections of street lights being climbed and flags stolen along Main Road in Rondebosch, but that might just have been the beer talking … Let us know by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. On this day 30 years ago Joel Stransky landed an extra-time drop goal as the Springboks beat the All Blacks 15-12 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup. It was the first of a record four Rugby World Cup titles for the Springboks, who would go on to win the 2007 World Cup in France under captain John Smit and coach Jake White, the 2019 edition in Japan with Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus as skipper and coach, respectively, as well as the 2023 tournament in France with Kolisi and Jacques Nienaber at the helm. Anyone betting against the Springboks making it a hat-trick of titles – and five overall – in 2027 in Australia? That day – Saturday, 24 June 1995 – remains arguably the greatest ever sporting occasion in South Africa's history. So, what has happened to the starting XV from that unforgettable 1995 final? Tragically, five of the run-on team have died, along with coach Kitch Christie. 15. Andre Joubert 14. James Small (RIP) 13. Japie Mulder 12. Hennie le Roux 11. Chester Williams (RIP) 10. Joel Stransky 9. Joost van der Westhuizen (RIP) 8. Mark Andrews 7. Ruben Kruger (RIP) 6. Francois Pienaar (captain) 5. Hannes Strydom (RIP) 4. Kobus Wiese 3. Balie Swart 2. Chris Roussow 1. Os du Randt SUBSTITUTES 16. Naka Drotske 17. Brendan Venter 18. Rudolph Straeuli 19. Johan Roux 20. Garry Pagel 21. Gavin Johnson Coach: Kitch Christie (RIP)
