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The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Willie Le Roux shares message to young players after 100th cap
Springbok Willie Le Roux has shared an emotional message after making his 100th test match appearance. Images via Instagram: @wjjleroux Willie Le Roux has encouraged up-and-coming rugby players not to give up on their dreams after he made his 100th test appearance for the Springboks over the weekend. The 35-year-old made his debut for the South African national rugby team in 2013. He has played in three Rugby World Cups, the last two of which the Boks have won. WILLIE LE ROUX SHARES EMOTIONAL MESSAGE AFTER 100TH CAP In an emotional Instagram post, Willie Le Roux thanked the public for their well-wishes on his 100th test match. The cap took place on Saturday, 12 July, in South Africa's game against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Gqeberha. ADVERTISEMENT SA won the game 45-0. Sharing a collage of pictures for the special occasion, Willie posted: 'Playing my 100th test match for the Springboks is something I've wanted since I was a child. It's a moment that feels so surreal and incredibly humbling. 'The journey to get to here was never easy…there were definitely some tough times – injuries, doubts, setbacks – moments where the road ahead felt way too steep. But I held onto belief and kept pushing. Because when you love something this deeply, you find a way to keep going. Willie le Roux used his own experience to encourage other aspiring rugby players. He continued: 'Believe in your dreams. No matter where you come from, no matter how far away your goals may seem – it is possible. It does, however, take a lot of hard work, discipline, sacrifice, and heart'. WHO IS THE HIGHEST CAPPED SPRINGBOK? The highest-capped Springbok is currently Eben Etzebeth, who has made 132 appearances in green and gold. Last October, the 33-year-old surpassed Victor Matfield's previous record of 127 caps. Apart from the duo, only six more Springboks have surpassed 100 test caps: Bryan Habana, Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit, Jean de Villiers, Percy Montgomery, and now Willie le Roux. In an Instagram post, Eben congratulated Willie on his achievement. He posted: 'What a privilege to know you and share a rugby field with you for the last few years. You are a legend, my brother and an incredible person'. He added: 'WLR100 sounds just about right!'. HOW MANY CAPS DO YOU THINK WILLIE LE ROUX WILL MAKE IN HIS CAREER? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send 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.
France 24
12-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Springboks overcome Wiese red card to crush Italy
Wiese was sent off after 22 minutes for head-butting prop Danilo Fischetti in a penalty-riddled match that also saw one South African and two Italians yellow-carded. At one stage in the second half at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium it was 13 versus 15 after Springboks prop Wilco Louw was yellow-carded. Fischetti followed Louw to the sin bin three minutes later and replacement loose forward David Odiase was yellow-carded in the closing stages. "I am really pleased, and I am sure my teammates are also thrilled that we could deliver a performance like that," said Springboks captain and lock Salmaan Moerat. "We knew the threat the Italians posed. They are a quality side who made it really hard for us last week, and also this week, especially when we were down one man early in the game. "I thought we did really well to show character and pull through. The boys really played with heart tonight." le Roux becomes centurion Italy captain and lock Niccolo Cannone said: "It was a very tough game, we know the level of the Springboks. I am proud of my team, but we have to improve many things because this is a high level. "We fought until the end, but we fell too far behind in the fist half to have a realistic chance of victory and levelling the series." Amid the disciplinary mayhem, full-back Willie le Roux became the eighth Springbok to win 100 caps. He received rapturous applause when substituted midway through the second half. Back Ethan Hooker and forwards Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Cobus Wiese -- a brother of Jasper -- made their Test debuts off the bench in a second half that became increasingly scrappy. A South African side showing 11 changes to the starting line-up after a mixed first Test performance last weekend scored seven tries to the delight of the capacity 44,282 crowd. Winger Edwill van der Merwe, recalled after a 13-month absence, scored twice in the first half and won the player of the match award. Scrum-half Grant Williams and centre Canan Moodie also crossed the tryline. After missing his first two conversions with kicks that veered left of the near post, fly-half Manie Libbok succeeded with the next two and South Africa led 24-0 at half-time. The record four-time Rugby World Cup winners added another three tries in the second half through hooker Malcolm Marx, winger Makazole Mapimpi and replacement hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Libbok converted them all to finish with a personal tally of 10 points, and his mix of kicking and running was impressive in an electric atmosphere. Italy, fielding only five of the starters in a narrow Six Nations Championship loss to Ireland last March, rarely threatened to score and conceded many penalties.
The Independent
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
South Africa vs Italy live: Latest score and updates as Springboks bid to seal series
South Africa and Italy tussle again after a hard-fought first Test in Pretoria last week. The Springboks emerged as 42-24 victors to go 1-0 up in this short series, though the world champions did not have it all their own way by any means as the Azzurri gave an excellent account of themselves. Confidence will be high in the Italian ranks after relocating to coastal Gqeberha on the Eastern Cape as they seek another statement performance. Rassie Erasmus makes a number of changes to the hosts' side as the Springboks supremo continues to develop depth within his squad with the Rugby Championship to come next month. It will be a proud day for Willie le Roux as the full-back becomes the eighth South African to reach a century of caps, with the veteran still going strong as he nears his 36th birthday. Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus reveal the secrets behind the Springboks' evolution South Africa are back-to-back world champions for a reason, Rassie Erasmus seemingly always able to keep his side ahead of the game. Last year, I went to find out the secrets behind their next evolution as they set their sights on more success. Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus reveal the secrets behind the Springboks' evolution Double world champions South Africa have transformed into a more attacking side this year as they bid to maintain their place at the top of the rugby world Harry Latham-Coyle12 July 2025 13:52 South Africa vs Italy live A busy July of international rugby action continues with South Africa hosting Italy for the second clash of this two-Test series. The Springboks are 1-0 after a 42-24 win in Pretoria - but the world champions were given a real examination and will be expecting another tough encounter. Kick off is at 4.10pm BST. Harry Latham-Coyle11 July 2025 12:29
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is South Africa v Italy on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Springboks
South Africa will be seeking an improved performance amid significant rotation as they take on Italy in the second Test in Gqeberha. The Springboks were pushed hard by their visitors in their opening encounter last weekend, with the Azzurri finishing strongly to deny the hosts their typical second-half surge. Advertisement Home coach Rassie Erasmus shuffles his side as he continues to build depth, while Gonzalo Quesada also freshens up his Italy line-up as his side seek a statement result. Can they cause a shock by beating the world champions in their own backyard? Here's everything you need to know. When is South Africa vs Italy? South Africa vs Italy is due to kick off at 4.10pm BST on Saturday 12 July at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Action, with coverage from 3.50pm BST. A live stream will be available via Sky Go and NOW. Advertisement Team news Willie le Roux becomes the eighth centurion for the Springboks as the full-back wins cap number 100 for South Africa in a side containing plenty of experience. There is still no Siya Kolisi, though, with Salmaan Moerat skippering from the second row. Andre Esterhuizen and Canan Moodie form a new-look centre partnership outside of Manie Libbok, stationed at fly half. Debuts, meanwhile, await giant tighthead Asenathi Ntlabakanye, sizeable lock Cobus Wiese and comparatively compact centre Ethan Hooker off the bench. There are five changes for Italy as Niccolo Cannone captains again following an impressive showing in Pretoria last Saturday. Full-back Mirko Belloni contrasts with his opposite number Le Roux in making his first international start on what is just his second cap, with Louis Lynagh and Jacopo Trulla comprising the rest of the back three. Advertisement Sebastian Negri is a welcome returnee on the flank in a balanced back row with Manuel Zuliani and Ross Vintcent, while there are six forwards on the bench ready to provide impact again. Line-ups South Africa XV: 1 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw; 4 Salmaan Moerat (capt.), 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Grant Williams, 10 Manie Libbok; 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 13 Canan Moodie, 14 Edwill van der Merwe; 15 Willie le Roux. Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Evan Roos; 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Ethan Hooker. Advertisement Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 3 Simone Ferrari; 4 Niccolo Cannone (capt.), 5 Andrea Zambonin; 6 Sebastian Negri, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Ross Vintcent; 9 Alessandro Garbisi, 10 Giacomo Da Re; 11 Jacopo Trulla, 12 Marco Zanon, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 14 Louis Lynagh; 15 Mirko Belloni. Replacements: 16 Pablo Dimcheff, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Muhamed Hasa, 19 Matteo Canali, 20 Alessandro Izekor, 21 David Odiase; 22 Stephen Varney, 23 Giulio Bertaccini.
The Independent
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Is South Africa v Italy on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Springboks
South Africa will be seeking an improved performance amid significant rotation as they take on Italy in the second Test in Gqeberha. The Springboks were pushed hard by their visitors in their opening encounter last weekend, with the Azzurri finishing strongly to deny the hosts their typical second-half surge. Home coach Rassie Erasmus shuffles his side as he continues to build depth, while Gonzalo Quesada also freshens up his Italy line-up as his side seek a statement result. Can they cause a shock by beating the world champions in their own backyard? Here's everything you need to know. When is South Africa vs Italy? South Africa vs Italy is due to kick off at 4.10pm BST on Saturday 12 July at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Action, with coverage from 3.50pm BST. A live stream will be available via Sky Go and NOW. Team news Willie le Roux becomes the eighth centurion for the Springboks as the full-back wins cap number 100 for South Africa in a side containing plenty of experience. There is still no Siya Kolisi, though, with Salmaan Moerat skippering from the second row. Andre Esterhuizen and Canan Moodie form a new-look centre partnership outside of Manie Libbok, stationed at fly half. Debuts, meanwhile, await giant tighthead Asenathi Ntlabakanye, sizeable lock Cobus Wiese and comparatively compact centre Ethan Hooker off the bench. There are five changes for Italy as Niccolo Cannone captains again following an impressive showing in Pretoria last Saturday. Full-back Mirko Belloni contrasts with his opposite number Le Roux in making his first international start on what is just his second cap, with Louis Lynagh and Jacopo Trulla comprising the rest of the back three. Sebastian Negri is a welcome returnee on the flank in a balanced back row with Manuel Zuliani and Ross Vintcent, while there are six forwards on the bench ready to provide impact again. Line-ups South Africa XV: 1 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw; 4 Salmaan Moerat (capt.), 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Grant Williams, 10 Manie Libbok; 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 13 Canan Moodie, 14 Edwill van der Merwe; 15 Willie le Roux. Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Evan Roos; 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Ethan Hooker. Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 3 Simone Ferrari; 4 Niccolo Cannone (capt.), 5 Andrea Zambonin; 6 Sebastian Negri, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Ross Vintcent; 9 Alessandro Garbisi, 10 Giacomo Da Re; 11 Jacopo Trulla, 12 Marco Zanon, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 14 Louis Lynagh; 15 Mirko Belloni.
