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Daily Maverick
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Faf and Mapimpi among the casualties of Rassie's Bok squad cull for Wallaby Tests
Several big names have been omitted from the 37-man Springbok squad for the Rugby Championship while three victorious world-champion Junior Boks have been invited to train with the senior team. Coach Rassie Erasmus culled his large group of players used in the recent Tests against Italy and Georgia to streamline the squad for the Rugby Championship. He wants a smaller party to allow for 'maximum outputs' at training. Despite cutting many quality players, Erasmus was able to name a strong squad for the first two Rugby Championship clashes against Australia at Ellis Park on 16 August and at Cape Town Stadium a week later. Five of the seven players who made their Test debuts against either Italy or Georgia – Ethan Hooker (utility back), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Boan Venter (both props), Marnus van der Merwe (hooker) and Cobus Wiese (utility forward) – have been retained. Only flank Vincent Tshituka and tighthead Neethling Fouche, of the newly capped players in 2025, have missed out – for now. No 8 Jasper Wiese's name is obviously not there because he still has a three-match suspension to serve after receiving a four-match ban for a headbutt during the Boks' 42-24 first Test win over Italy. Bath prop Thomas du Toit, who was used as loosehead in the second Test against Italy and against Georgia, is also absent from the group. Officially, the reason for his omission is given as an 'agreed' two-week rest period with his English club Bath. Du Toit struggled at loosehead in those two Tests, having spent the entire English domestic season at tighthead for Bath. Du Toit remains on standby, but 'has been granted a compulsory two-week rest as agreed with the Gallagher Premiership, although he is eligible to be called up at any stage should the need arise'. His rest period will be over before the first Wallaby Test though. Expect to see Du Toit in the squad at some stage against Australia. Goodbye? Others who featured in June and July and who have been released include scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and wing Makazole Mapimpi. De Klerk gave a wonderful cameo from the bench against Georgia, but it appears Erasmus is looking to the future, with Morne van den Berg retained and Junior Bok star Haashim Pead invited to train with the squad. Pead was superb during the recent World Rugby U20 Championships in Italy where he scored six tries in five matches and was the axis on which the team's dynamic attack turned. De Klerk, though, reminded people what made him such a good player for five years with some fine work against Georgia during the Boks' 55-10 win in Nelspruit. Yet it seems that Erasmus is looking to the future at halfback. Grant Williams's return to Test rugby in July was a triumph. He was magnificent against Italy and Georgia, where he used his searing pace to open up defences on top of his dynamic and lightning-quick service. When Williams plays the Boks' attack looks sharper because his zip gives everyone outside him an extra metre or so to work in. Van den Berg is emerging as Erasmus's second-in-command for the No 9 jersey. In some ways he's similar to Williams, with good pace and quick service, although he can be prone to the odd error. Cobus Reinach provides the experienced cover at scrumhalf. As for Mapimpi, it does feel like this is the end of the road for a player who embodies the best of South Africa through his rise from such humble beginnings to the pinnacle of the sport. Mapimpi turns 35 on 26 July and with the arrival of Edwill van der Merwe, Hooker and Canan Moodie who also play wing, his Test future looks to be nearing the end. With the next World Cup 26 months away, Erasmus must look to the future in all positions and, unfortunately, it's hard to see Mapimpi in line for selection in 2027. Erasmus, though, does have some sentimentality, and he might like to get Mapimpi to 50 Test caps over the next 12 months. The great wing currently sits on 47 appearances with 33 tries. The other three players who have been cut from the squad but remain on standby (the Boks never use the word 'dropped') are Lukhanyo Am (centre), who missed the July Tests due to a knee niggle, Salmaan Moerat (lock) and Evan Roos (No 8). 'It's always challenging to reduce the squad, especially given how the expanded group of players put up their hands during the incoming series (against Italy and Georgia), but we always said we would select a smaller, more manageable squad during the Rugby Championship,' said 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. 'We have also informed the players on standby what our plans are and what we expect from them, so that all of them are ready to step up if needed.' Depth 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.' Of the Junior Boks invited to train with the squad for the next two weeks, which includes wing Cheswill Jooste and flank Bathobele Hlekani, Erasmus said: 'We are tremendously proud of the Junior Springboks for winning the World Rugby U20 Championship and we were thrilled to see the talent coming through the junior ranks. 'We opted to invite three of them to join us to expose them to our structures and the standards required at top international level. 'We believe this camp will benefit them significantly, and we are excited to see how they slot in and train with us. 'Unfortunately, we had to limit the size of the squad to ensure maximum outputs and more individual attention at our training sessions, so although more players could have been invited, we could only select three.' DM Springbok squad: Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Bulls). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (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 (Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Handre Pollard (Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Morné van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers).
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Late try saves Irish blushes against Spain in World Rugby U20 Championship
World Rugby U20 Championship: Ireland 38 Spain 37 Neil Doak's Ireland managed to avoid the ignominy of finishing bottom of the World Rugby U20 Championship in Calvisano but only by scoring a match-winning try less than two minutes from the end against 14-man Spain. It was a heart-breaking loss for the Spanish but relief for an Ireland side who had already finished bottom of this year's Six Nations having been finalists and semi-finalists in the last two World Rugby U20 Championships in South Africa. The jeopardy had already been removed from this 11th place final in midweek when World Rugby confirmed there would not be any relegation as there will be an expanded 16-team tournament in Georgia next year when Fiji, Japan, Uruguay and the USA will join the dozen who took place this summer in Italy. It was a first ever meeting between these sides in the grade, the 16th country that Ireland have played against at U20 level. But there was one familiar face in the Spanish line-up in lock Liam McNamee, who was born in Valencia, a current University of Galway student who came through the ranks with Carrick-on-Shannon RFC and Sligo Grammar and who played for the Connacht juniors this year. Ireland laid the foundation for victory with two converted tries in the opening eight minutes. Centre Jonny Scott got his first after a good move off a lineout penalty while winger Charlie Molony scored off a scrum move inside the 22, with out-half Tom Wood converting both. But Spain, who had only won one match in their two years in this tournament and who had lost all previous games to European opposition by an average of 25 points, hit back and after scrum-half Nicola Infer kicked a penalty, hooker Pau Massoni got in for a try. Full-back Daniel Green got in for a try after a move off a right-wing lineout penalty at the end of the opening quarter but while they increased their lead through Scott when debutant lock Donnacha McGuire was in the bin when the former Blackrock College player was pinged for a late tackle, Spain struck for a second try when loosehead Alberto Gomez bulldozed over to cut the gap to 26-15 at the interval. Spain cut the gap to the minimum with a converted try from Marcel Carreras and the boot of Infer. Hooker Henry Walker got over off a lineout but was then binned and while he was off Spain hit the front for the first time, with lock Victor Ofgojetu scoring after having one scratched and then when skipper Eanna McCarthy took over the throws in the absence of his hooker, Spain robbed one and scored from halfway from out-half Lucien Richardis, who has made his Top 14 debut for Toulouse, to lead 37-33 with 15 minutes left. Spain were reduced to 14 men a minute later when replacement prop Danny Chico was sent off for a dangerous tackle. Ireland, with scrum-half Chris O'Connor and prop Jack Ryan coming on for their U20 debuts, rallied and seemed set for a shock defeat when Wood had a 73rd minute try ruled out after Scott was pinged on review for a knock-on in the build-up. Ireland came with one final rally and Walker got through to score with less than two minutes remaining when they got the drive off a penalty in the right corner to prevent an embarrassing defeat. Scorers for Ireland: Tries: J Scott (2), H Walker (2), C Molony, D Green. Cons: Wood (4). Scorers for Spain: Tries: P Massoni, A Gomez, M Carreras, V Ofjetu, L Richardis. Cons: N Infer (2), G Otamendi. Pens: Infer (2). IRELAND: D Green; C Molony (P Farrell 56), J Scott (G O'Leary Kareem 75), E Smyth, D Moloney; T Wood, W Wootton (C O'Connor 67); A Usanov (P Moore 60), H Walker, T McAllister (J Ryan 72); D Walsh (B Corrigan 53), D Maguire; M Foy (B Power 23), E McCarthy, O Minogue. SPAIN: B Ortega (Gomez 70-76); J Garreta (G Otamendi 53), O Marsinyac (U Zuriarrain 74), H Pichardia, P Serrano; L Richardis, N Infer; A Gomez (H Gonzalez 49), P Massoni (M Perez 60), G Reyes Rendon (D Chico 65); V Ofojetu, L McNamee (G Gonzalez 63); U Salvador, M Carreras (M Lopez 58), M Pujana Lendinez. Referee: Tomas Bertazza (Argentina).
Irish Examiner
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
McCarthy full aware of effort required to beat New Zealand
Ireland captain Eanna McCarthy knows it's going to take a special effort if they are to advance to the semi-finals of the World Rugby U20 Championships by beating New Zealand for only the second time in 10 meetings in this grade when they clash in Calvisano on Wednesday afternoon (5pm Irish time). An 18-16 loss to hosts Italy after they defeated Georgia 35-28 in the opening game means nothing less than a win will do for Ireland and even then they may need a bonus point to oust a Junior All Blacks side who are three match points ahead of them going into this final pool game. Ireland finished seventh and eighth on the two previous occasions that this 12-team tournament was held in northern Italy and another mid-table position looks on the cards unless they can beat a New Zealand side who defeated them 38-24 in last season's third-place play-off in South Africa. McCarthy said they were disappointed not to beat the Italians — a conversion to tie the match in the final act was wide — but they have had to shrug off the loss and focus all their attention on a New Zealand side who beat Italy 14-5 and then defeated Georgia 38-19. 'We'll have to face up against them and take it to them,' said the Cork native who is in the Connacht academy. 'We didn't get to play the rugby we wanted to against Italy but the effort couldn't be faulted.' New Zealand ended Ireland's hopes in the final pool game the last time Italy hosted the tournament in 2015 with Nigel Carolan's side defeating Scotland to finish seventh with a squad which included Andrew Porter, Garry Ringrose, Joey Carbery, Jacob Stockdale, Ross Byrne, Jeremy Loughman and Josh Murphy. There were also two current Lions in the squad which finished eighth when Italy staged the tournament for the first time in 2011 with Tadhg Furlong and Finlay Bealham on board Mike Ruddock's squad which also included Iain Henderson, Andrew Conway, Paddy Jackson, Craig Gilroy, Kieran Marmion, James Tracy, Jordi Murphy and JJ Hanrahan. Current head coach Neil Doak, whose side finished bottom of the Six Nations earlier this year, has made four changes for this clash, two at the back and two up front. Ulster academy player Daniel Green, now with Queen's University having been identified through the IQ (Irish qualified) programme when he was with Sale Sharks, comes in at full-back with Charlie Molony moving to the wing to the exclusion of Paidi Farrell who scored two tries against Georgia. Another Ulster academy player Jonny Scott replaces Cork Con's Midleton native Eoghan Smyth. Two recent additions to the Munster academy come in up front with lock Conor Kennelly from Highfield RFC replacing Mahon Ronan, while Shannon's Oisin Minogue, who came through the ranks at Ballina Killaloe RFC, takes over from Billy Power after coming on and scoring the late try against Italy. The flanker is a son of former Irish international Rosie Foley and nephew of the late Anthony Foley. Ireland: D Green; C Molony, C Mangan, J Scott, D Moloney; T Wood, W Wootton; A Usanov, H Walker, A Mullan; C Kennelly, B Corrigan; E McCarthy, O Minogue, L Murphy. Replacements: L McLaughlin, B Bohan, T McAllister, D Walsh, B Power, C Logan, S Wisniewski, G O'Leary Kareem. New Zealand: R Simpson; F Vaenuku, C Roberts, J Wiseman, M Kunawave; W Cole, D Pledger; S Uamaki Pole, M Letiu, R Faleafa; X Treacy, J Sa; F McLeod, C Woodley, M Bason. Replacements: S Kempton, I Time, D Johnston, A Vakasiuola, M Fale, J Tamati, J Cameron, S Solomon. Referee: Griffin Colby (South Africa)
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Junior Springboks prepared for England U20s in World Champs
The Junior Springboks are hoping to follow up their fantastic win over Australia with another over the defending champs at the World Rugby U20 Championship. Junior Springbok head coach, Kevin Foote says his team is prepared as they can ever be for their clash against defending champs England in their World Rugby U20 Championship pool match in Italy on Friday. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images The Junior Springboks have put their fantastic start to the World Rugby U20 Championships behind them and are fully prepared for their huge encounter against defending champs, England, in their second pool match at the Stadio Mario Battaglini in Rovigo, Italy on Friday (kick-off 6pm). Both the Junior Boks and England got their campaigns off to thumping starts, with the South Africans thrashing Australia 73-17, while the English downed Scotland 56-19, and both will be gunning to continue their top starts. England won the competition in South Africa last year, beating France in the final, and also edged the Junior Boks 17-12 in the pool stage, so along with that and having watched them in this years U20 Six Nations (with them finishing second), coach Kevin Foote believes his charges are fully prepared. Good look 'We have had a good look at England for some time now. We watched them closely during the (U20) Six Nations and we thought they did really well,' said Junior Bok coach Foote. 'They played games against Wales and Georgia in the build up (to the World Champs) and against Scotland (in their first pool match), so we've had some good insight. They're a big team and they're not world champions for nothing. 'They deserve to be there and have played some fantastic rugby. They've got a very good set piece, but also have some top athletes that we are aware of. They have good ability to move the ball, are a big offloading team and we know they are pretty excitable. 'So we have worked really hard on our game and how we think we will slow their ball down. But we do feel like it is going to be a great challenge and we are relying on our mental toughness in this game.' The U20 Rugby Championship Earlier this year in the U20 Rugby Championship (TRC) held in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), the Junior Boks struggled, losing to Australia (29-24) and New Zealand (48-45), while beating Argentina (36-25), so to overturn that result against the Aussies was huge, but Foote said they aren't getting ahead of themselves. 'Our preparation through the TRC really (helped) give us a great start to this competition. But it is just one game. The reality is that we are in a very tough pool and are playing the world champions now,' said Foote. 'So yes we are really proud of the guys and think it was a great performance, but from the second we got on the bus (after the match) you could feel that the guys were celebrating the result within themselves, and were ready to go (preparing for England) the following day.'
Daily Maverick
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
It's not all about the Springboks this weekend as women and Junior Boks face stern challenges
The Junior Springboks and Springbok Women have important games this weekend. While the world-champion Springboks rightly hog the majority of rugby headlines in South Africa at this time of year, this is a big weekend for two other national teams. The Junior Springboks meet England in a decisive Pool A clash at the World Rugby U20 Championships in Rovigo on Friday and the Bok Women face Canada at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. For the Bok Women it's a massive outing in the context of measuring their development as a team with an eye to the Women's Rugby World Cup, which starts in August. They have set themselves the goal of qualifying for the quarterfinals at the global showpiece, which would be a huge leap forward after being eliminated at the group stage in the 2021 World Cup (which was played in 2022 due to the Covid pandemic). They lost all three matches in that tournament, but since then they have shown steady improvement. And the past year, under coaches Swys de Bruin and Bafana Nhleko, their results, but more importantly, performances, have continued to improve. Canada examination The Bok women's outing as a curtain-raiser to the Springboks versus Italy Test at Loftus is going to be a challenge. Canada are the No 2-ranked team in the world and are expected to win, although for the South Africans, this is a chance to measure their development. Just like the men, the Bok Women's pack is becoming one of the most respected in the game. The backline's development is a little less polished but as more women play professionally and even semi-professionally, the faster they will adapt to the technical and fitness demands needed at the highest level. Having played against most of the Canadian team regularly in England, Springbok Women utility forward Catha Jacobs is in a good position to act as soundboard on her team's opponents. Jacobs, who just completed a three-year stint with the Leicester Tigers Women, where she played with Canadian flyhalf Claire Gallagher – but also against 14 other Canadians plying their trade in the English league – had some good insights to share with the rest of the South African side. 'Individually, they are really skilful and one can see why – if you put them all in one team – they are No 2 in the world,' said Jacobs. 'That said, just as we know their strengths, we also know ours and if we have a good day, especially in the set-piece where we hope to dominate, we will be right up there.' If there are any doubts about how tough this challenge for the Bok Women will be, consider that when the teams last met, in Madrid in 2023, Canada won 66-7. Jacobs was red-carded early in the game on that occasion, which didn't help matters. Two years have passed since that encounter and there is a quiet sense of determination that the Bok Women can make life a lot harder for the Canadians this weekend. 'That was my first red card ever and hopefully the last… To leave your teammates in limbo after just 12 minutes of such a great Test match was not something I want to experience again,' Jacobs said of that chastening experience. 'I know the Canadians will also have a chat about our team and what they have seen for the handful of us playing with them in England, and they will certainly know about our physicality. 'If they don't, they should also know that we are a family and will certainly play for each other and, of course, our country. 'I think we have earned enough respect in recent times that they would also come into this match well prepared,' she said. 'There is a belief in our team that we are on the rise and Canada will give us a very good idea of how steep that rise is. That is what we hope to get from this, as being at our best and in the process taking the second-best team in the world to the wire.' Junior Boks After thrashing Australia 73-17 in their Pool A opener, which was a remarkable turnaround considering the Junior Boks lost 29-24 to the same opponents nine weeks before, there is understandable confidence. But England are also brimming with confidence, having dismantled Scotland 56-19 in their opening game. The clash between South Africa and England at 6pm on Friday is a Pool A decider. The format of the competition means the top team in each of the three pools qualifies for the semifinals, with the best second-placed team across the four groups taking the fourth spot. One defeat doesn't necessarily mean elimination, but it puts a team on the brink. While England are the reigning junior world champions, their team has changed significantly from last year, although there are eight survivors. In a sign of the Junior Boks' growing maturity as a team, despite their 11-try rout of the Aussies, they chose to focus on where they could improve. Exciting flyhalf Haashim Pead, who is the team vice-captain, emphasised the team's focus. 'We have done our homework and prepared well for them. We respect England and we do expect them to play an exciting brand of rugby, as well as being solid with their kicking game,' said Pead. 'We are just going to stick to our DNA, which is our physicality, set-piece and kicking game. Myself and (flyhalf) Vusi Moyo have been training well for the past few months – I actually feel our connection is good and the way we connect with the rest of our teammates has been excellent so far.' The livewire scrumhalf was quick to praise the effort of the hard-working South African forward pack: 'Against Australia, the forwards provided us with an excellent platform, which we are grateful for, because at the end of the day rugby is a team sport and you can't do anything without other people helping you. 'A massive challenge and opportunity for us as a team against England, and we are excited to be involved in such a game,' said Pead. DM The Junior Boks match will be televised at 6pm on SuperSport Rugby on Friday, 4 July.
