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The South African
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Rassie Erasmus explains Springbok squad cuts
On Wednesday, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus revealed the squad for the first two Tests of the Rugby Championship, which includes 20 forwards and 17 backline players. The Springboks are set face the Wallabies in Johannesburg on Saturday 16 August, and again a week later in Cape Town on 23 August as they begin their Rugby Championship title defence. Erasmus will announce his squad for the two-match tour to New Zealand in September before making the journey Down Under, where they will face their arch-rivals at Eden Park in Auckland on 6 September, and the Sky Stadium in Wellington on 13 September respectively. The team will wrap up their campaign with Test matches against Argentina in Durban on Saturday 27 September, and in London on 4 October. Nine players have been released, and placed on 'standby', and they are: Lukhanyo Am (centre) – who missed the July Tests due to a knee niggle – Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf), Makazole Mapimpi (wing), Salmaan Moerat (lock), Evan Roos (No 8), Neethling Fouche (prop), and Vincent Tshituka (flanker). Erasmus elaborated on the composition of the squad, saying: 'We probably have three players who can cover each position, which is important in this competition, so it was a thorough process to narrow down the group to 36 players. '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 'It's always challenging to reduce the squad, especially given how the expanded group of players put up their hands during the Incoming Series, but we always said we would select a smaller, more manageable squad during the Castle Lager Rugby Championship,' added Erasmus. 'This group includes several experienced players and a few younger guys, who grabbed their chances in the last few Tests, so we are pleased with this squad for the first two matches.' Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers). 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.
The Citizen
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Bok lock Lood de Jager still happy with his decision to play in Japan
The 32-year-old Springbok said he is very happy to have signed up for five years of rugby in Japan. Springbok lock Lood de Jager is still enjoying playing rugby in Japan after three seasons there, and is excited for the two more seasons on his contract. The 32-year-old said he has developed his game and gained invaluable experience in his time at the Wild Knights, which followed three seasons at Sale Sharks in England. Finances and family He explained that the financial prospect of playing overseas and the well-being of his family were factors in his decision to leave our shores after several successful years at the Cheetahs and Bulls. 'Especially with the wife and kids… If you aren't happy off-field, it really translates to on the field,' De Jager said. 'For me, I am happy with the decisions I made. I always wanted to experience playing in Europe, playing Champions Cup, playing Premiership, testing myself against the best over there. And before that, it's Super Rugby over here. You get to play against the best of Argentina, New Zealand and Australia.' He said the variety of experience had done much for his game and his spirits. That is why he is still open about his future, saying anything could happen in two years and he could stay in Japan, return to SA, or play elsewhere. He would go wherever he could still develop his game and keep his family happy. ALSO READ: Damian de Allende would love to end his career at the Stormers De Jager says rugby standard increasing in Japan 'Then Japan, I am really enjoying it over there. You get to develop different parts of your game around the world. Rugby is played differently. Everyone thinks a bit differently about the game and I think if you can take the best of all of that it helps you be a more complete player. He said while the standard of rugby has picked up in Japan, with world-class players and coaches pushing a more running-focused game, he would encourage upcoming players enjoying their rugby in South Africa to appreciate the United Rugby Championship as a platform to make a name for themselves. Still, he said it was great being back in the Springbok fold after being out since July 2023 because of injury. 'The easy part was being with good friends again. Seeing them again and being able to train with them, spend day to day in camp. It was great seeing the guys again and talking about old stories.'
The Citizen
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘My country comes first': De Allende shares knowledge on Barbarians coaches
Springbok centre Damian de Allende said he has learned much while playing under Babarians head coach Robbie Deans for three years. The Springboks believe Wild Knights head coach Robbie Deans will bring structure to the Barbarians attack. Picture:Damian de Allende said he is sharing what he knows about the inclinations and tendencies of the Barbarians' coaches with his own mentors at the Springboks. The South Africans will host the Barbarians in Cape Town on 28 June, with De Allende's Japanese club coach, Robbie Deans, and assistant Atsushi Kanazawa of the Wild Knights leading the multinational side. De Allende has played under Deans for three years at the Wild Knights in Kumagaya – a small city with under 200,000 residents. He said that while he loves the club and has respect for his coaches, he felt obliged to share what he knows of them with his national mentors. Springboks before Baabaas 'I have spoken to some of the coaches … Felix [Jones] and Jerry [Flannery], a bit, on the attacking side,' De Allende said. 'I really have a lot of respect for Robbie and Ash [Kanazawa Atsushi] – our attack coach is also the attack coach of the Barbarians next week. I love Panasonic rugby [now called Saitama Wild Knights] … and Robbie Deans has taught me a lot. But my country comes first.' While the sharing of intellectual property in analysis of opposition is common in competitive rugby, the Barbarians game is friendlier than a normal Test match. That may be why De Allende was so forthcoming with his admission of sharing what he knows. Coaches will bring structure to the Barbarians The 87-capped Springbok centre said the pair had taught him much about identifying space and attacking plays over the years. 'It's going to be a challenge because Robbie and Atsushi like the guys to move the ball around. 'The challenge will be … they want a loose game. But I think Robbie and Atsushi will get them to move the ball around in a structured environment. They [the Barbarians] will get their structure right quite quickly.' De Allende said he and [Bok and Wild Knights] teammate Lood de Jager know the structure the two coaches encourage, and can pass that knowledge on. 'We don't know exactly what they will do, but we might have an idea of what they will try and bring,' he said.
The South African
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Springboks: Three stars out for the year
The Springboks will meet the Barbarians in their first encounter on South African soil in Cape Town on Saturday 28 June. This will then be followed by back-to-back Tests against Italy in Pretoria and Gqeberha on 5 and 12 July, and Georgia in Nelspruit a week later on 19 July. However, bigger challenges undoubtedly lie in wait when the Rugby Championship gets under way, while the team will end the year with some massive battles on their traditional November tour. Even before the season kicks off, it has been confirmed that talented loose forward Elrigh Louw will not be available for the entire year as he recovers from a serious leg injury. Louw had the ability to cover No 8 and blindside flank, and his absence will be missed, but it could lead to new opportunities for the likes of Vincent Tshituka, Evan Roos, Juarno Augustus and perhaps also Cobus Wiese. Of course, first-choice options such as Jasper Wiese and Pieter-Steph du Toit will feature prominently during the Rugby Championship. In what is a quite a worrying update, it's also been revealed by Rassie Erasmus that tighthead powerhouse Frans Malherbe could also miss the 2025 season due to a troublesome back injury. Although there is the experience of Vincent Koch to rely on, the Springboks will need to expose others to Test action, and in that regard they are at least well covered by Thomas du Toit and Wilco Louw, while newcomers Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Neethling Fouche could be called upon. The versatility of Du Toit to scrum down at loosehead or tighthead will be of particular importance when considering that veteran Trevor Nyakane is only likely to be back towards the end of 2025, and by then it's unlikely that the Springboks would call on the 36-year-old. Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Vincent Tshituka (all Sharks), Neethling Fouche, Salmaan Moerat, Evan Roos (all Stormers), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Wilco Louw, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese, Ruan Nortje (all Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel (both Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Manie Libbok, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse (all Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Kurt-Lee Arendse, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie (all Bulls), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Lions). 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.
The South African
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Rassie Erasmus reveals bold Springbok plan
Last year, the Springboks used as many as 50 players and handed out several new Test caps as Rassie Erasmus strategically shared game-time throughout his squad. It was a ploy that certainly didn't stop the Springboks from winning as they claimed the Rugby Championship title and maintained their position at the top of the World Rugby rankings after losing just twice all year. If there was any thought that the Springboks might dial it back a bit when it comes to rotation and selection experimentation this year, Rassie Erasmus has made it clear that they will continue to make use of their wider squad. 'We would like to do something similar to last year, where the senior players and some of the younger players contribute on the field,' said Erasmus. 'We have players in the squad who could still play until 2026, but that does not negate the fact that they can still deliver on the field for us. 'We have an eye on the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but our mindset this year will be fixed on trying to win all our matches, while at the same time broadening our squad depth and experience. 'Our goal is to ensure that by the next World Cup, most of the players have more than 15 Test caps.' The Springboks will meet the Barbarians in their first encounter on South African soil in Cape Town on Saturday 28 June where they will play for the Qatar Airways Cup, which will be followed by back-to-back Tests against Italy in Pretoria and Gqeberha on 5 and 12 July, and Georgia in Nelspruit a week later on 19 July. Erasmus added: 'We used a total of 50 players last season in an attempt to balance the load on them, while at the same time building towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, and 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.' Full squad ahead of the 2025 season: Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Vincent Tshituka (all Sharks), Neethling Fouche, Salmaan Moerat, Evan Roos (all Stormers), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Wilco Louw, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese, Ruan Nortje (all Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel (both Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Manie Libbok, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse (all Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Kurt-Lee Arendse, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie (all Bulls), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Lions). 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.
