Erasmus, Kolisi pleased with win in Australia

Erasmus, Kolisi pleased with win in Australia

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and captain Siya Kolisi were pleased with their “special” 33-7 win against the Wallabies in their opening Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday. But cautioned against getting too excited.

The pair were quick to point out it was not a perfect performance. They expected a strong backlash from the hosts in Perth.

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“Next week is a new Test and we want to give other players a chance. But that said we know Joe Schmidt (Australian head coach) and how he can turn things around,” said Erasmus.

“He’s only had four games with Australia, and next week is a new game and a new venue, and we are expecting a big challenge.”

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and captain Siya Kolisi were pleased with their “special” 33-7 win against the Wallabies in their opening Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash
Springboks beat Australia over the weekend

SIYA KOLISI AND RASSIE ERASMUS ARE OLEASDED WITH WIN OVER AUSTRALIA OVER THE WEEKEND

Kolisi added: “Next week is going to be a completely different challenge and we know it will be tougher, so we need to remain focused and keep working hard.”

The Springboks however proved their championship class in Brisbane, scoring five tries to one after being forced to make a late injury change.

Pieter-Steph du Toit started at lock and Ben-Jason Dixon was promoted to flanker (with Salmaan Moerat providing lock cover on the bench) after RG Snyman failed to recover from a foot injury.

With a little more precise finishing, the Springboks could have registered a bigger winning margin after creating several try-scoring chances throughout the game. They will, however, take comfort from the fact that the only try they conceded was when they were reduced to 13 men after receiving three yellow cards in quick succession toward the end of the match.

“This was an important away win for us, and a special one too,” said Kolisi. “In the last few years, we didn’t start well away from home, so to get this win was special and we are really happy about earning the bonus point.

“We haven’t done well in Australia especially, so we were very focused to turn that around going into this game, even though this ground is a fortress for them, because as I said earlier in the week, we knew we couldn’t win the Castle Lager Rugby Championship here, but we could lose it here.”

The Springboks will travel to Perth on Sunday and begin their on-field preparations for the next Test on Monday.

Springboks reassemble ahead of Argentina clash

Springboks reassemble ahead of Argentina clash

The Springboks squad are set to assemble in Pretoria on Wednesday to resume their preparations for their final Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against Argentina. The clash will take place in Johannesburg, Gauteng on Saturday, 29 July.

This comes after a well-deserved two-day rest following their journey back from New Zealand.

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The same extended group of players for the camp have been retained. This includes scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, who was given time off following a family bereavement. Prop Gerhard Steenekamp remains as injury cover for Ox Nche, who is recovering from a pectoral muscle injury. Lock Eben Etzebeth will join his teammates on Sunday following the death of his father.

“We have a settled squad,” said coach Jacques Nienaber.

“Everyone is determined to get back to action and to bounce back following the result against New Zealand.

“We are bitterly disappointed about the defeat, but we’ll take the lessons from that match and implement that as we look forward to our final match in the competition.”

Springboks assemble ahead of Argentina clash
Jacques Nienaber

SPRINGBOKS TEAM ASSEMBLE AHEAD OF LAST MATCH 

The match will be the Boks’ final appearance on South African soil in 2023. “Playing such a vital match in front of our supporters is always special,” added Nienaber.

“This match may not only be the decider of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, but it’s also the last match we play at home before the World Cup.

“That passionate support almost serves as an extra player for us, so we’d like to appeal to SA’s rugby faithful to come out in their green and gold and make this a memorable send-off for us.”

Etzebeth to lead Springboks against New Zealand

Etzebeth to lead Springboks against New Zealand

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will make a return as the captain of the team to face New Zealand in the second Rugby Championship Test in Auckland on Saturday.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named 10 of the 14 players who travelled to New Zealand a week ago to acclimatise to the conditions and time zone. Nine of whom will start, include locks Etzebeth and Lood de Jager and the loose trio of Kwagga Smith, Franco Mostert and Jasper Wiese.

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Malcolm Marx, who was also a member of the advance travelling contingent, will provide cover as a hooker off the bench.

In the backline, wings Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe also receive starts, along with centre Damian de Allende, who will reunite in the Rugby World Cup-winning midfield combination with Lukhanyo Am.

Fullback Willie le Roux, Am, Damian Willemse (flyhalf) and the front row of Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe (both props), and Bongi Mbonambi (hooker) will all start after participating in the season-opener against the Wallabies last weekend, which the Springboks won 43-12.

Eben Etzebeth to lead Springbok team as captain against New Zealand
Springbok team to face New Zealand

Nienaber again opted for a six-two split on the replacements bench in favour of the forwards, which mainly comprised players who featured against Australia, including No 8 Duane Vermeulen, lock RG Snyman and two backs in flyhalf Manie Libbok and Grant Williams, who can provide cover at scrumhalf and wing.

“We planned to select a squad with a few key combinations of players who are fully acclimatised and settled in New Zealand, while also selecting some players who started last week, and we are pleased with the balance we were able to strike with this squad,” said Nienaber.

Springbok team to face New Zealand led by captain Eben Etzebeth

15 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 84 caps, 65 pts (13t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 23 caps, 74pts (11t, 2c, 5p)
13 – Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks) – 32 caps, 30 pts (6t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights) – 70 Tests, 45pts (9t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 36 caps, 110pts (22t)
10 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 28 caps, 36 pts (2t, 4c, 4p, 2d)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 46 Tests, 41pts (5t, 2c, 4p)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester) – 20 caps, 5pts (1t)
7 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 63 caps, 15pts (3t)
6 – Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs) – 31 caps, 20pts (4t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Panasonic Wild Knights) – 65 caps, 25pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 110 caps, 15pts (3t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 59 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks) – 57 caps, 60 pts (12t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 72 caps, 10pts (2t)

Replacements:

16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 59 caps, 70pts (14t)
17 – Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 16 caps, 0 pts
18 – Vincent Koch (Stade Francais) – 42 caps, 0 pts
19 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 24 caps, 5 pts (1t)
20 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 67 caps, 30 pts (6t)
21 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 66 caps, 15 pts (3t)
22 – Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks) – 2 caps, 0 pts
23 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 4 caps, 19 pts (8c, 1p)

Springbok reveals new jersey, stand-in captain 

Springbok reveals new jersey, stand-in captain 

The Springbok new Nike Castle Lager Rugby Championship jersey was officially revealed on Tuesday, and they also confirmed a stand-in captain. The partnership was announced in September since then the design and development of the new jersey and accompanying lifestyle collection has been kept top-secret.

The wait ended today when Nike revealed a playing kit that provides the team with the latest in innovation and design. 

WHAT THE NEW JERSEY ENTAILS 

“The launch of a new jersey is always exciting, but the anticipation and expectancy around today has been building for months,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby.

“We are immensely proud of what Nike has provided and the feedback from the team has been great since they were kitted with the training gear recently.

“The new jersey honours the traditions of the Springboks in its design and construction while adding subtle nuances to set it apart. We couldn’t be happier.”

Springbok reveals a new jersey, stand-in captain for Castle Lager Rugby Championship
Springbok main Jersey

STAND-IN CAPTAIN FOR THE BOKS 

Meanwhile, Duane Vermeulen will lead the Springboks for the third time in their opening clash against Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber also named 14 players to depart early for New Zealand on Tuesday. This is to acclimatise and maximise the chances of performing well in the first two Tests, separated by seven days, and 12 000km and 10 time zones.

Vermeulen, who captained the Springboks against Argentina and the All Blacks in 2019, takes over the armband from the injured Siya Kolisi and forms a powerful loose trio against the Wallabies with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Van Staden.

SPRINGBOK TEAM TO FACE AUSTRALIA IN CASTLE LAGER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 

15 – Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 83 caps, 65 pts (13t)

14 – Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 4 caps, 5 pts (1t)

13 – Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks) – 31 caps, 30 pts (6t)

12 – Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins) – 11 caps, 0 pts

11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 7 caps, 35 pts (7t)

10 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 3 caps, 10 pts (5c)

9 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 24 caps, 45 pts (9t)

8 – Duane Vermeulen (captain, Ulster) – 65 caps, 15 pts (3t)

7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 66 caps, 25 pts (5t)

6 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 10 caps, 0 pts

5 – Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers) – 11 caps, 0 pts

4 – Jean Kleyn (Munster) – uncapped for SA (Ireland 5 caps)

3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 58 caps, 5 pts (1t)

2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks) – 56 caps, 60 pts (12t)

1 – Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks) – 19 caps, 0 pts

16 – Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers) – 4 caps, 0 pts

17 – Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks) – 15 caps, 0 pts

18 – Vincent Koch (Stade Francais) – 41 caps, 0 pts

19 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 23 caps, 5 pts (1t)

20 – Evan Roos (DHL Stormers) – 3 caps, 0 pts

21 – Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers) – 5 caps, 0 pts

22 – Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks) – 1 cap, 0 pts

23 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 27 caps, 36 pts (2t, 4c, 4p, 2d)

Nienaber names Springbok training squad

Nienaber names Springbok training squad

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named a Castle Lager Rugby Championship training squad of 40 players. It features a handful of overseas based players, for their next assignment, a three-week training camp in Tshwane from Sunday until Thursday, 29 June.

The additional players that will assemble in the capital are Cheslin Kolbe (wing), Andre Esterhuizen (centre), Handre Pollard (flyhalf), Jasper Wiese (No 8), Jean-Luc du Preez (utility forward), as well as Vincent Koch and Trevor Nyakane (both props).

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Furthermore, Jean Kleyn – who played five Tests for Ireland after qualifying on residency grounds in September 2019, which included participating in the 2019 Rugby World Cup – will join the squad as a 41st member pending the outcome of an application filed by SA Rugby regarding the former DHL Stormers lock’s eligibility in terms of Regulation 8 and based on birth right. The decision is expected to be received soon.

The squad – with the exception of Nyakane, Koch and Du Preez, all of whom will join the camp later at different stages due to personal and club commitments – will begin their on-field training sessions on Monday.

“It is great that we have been able to invite this group of players to the camp and we are excited to get back onto the field and to switch into international mode completely,” said Nienaber.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named a Castle Lager Rugby Championship training squad
Springbok players

The Boks will begin their 2023 season on Saturday, 8 July, with their opening Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against the Wallabies in Pretoria, which will be followed by a Test against New Zealand at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland (15 July), before returning to South Africa for their closing match of the abbreviated version of the tournament against Argentina in Johannesburg (29 July).

They will then play three Rugby World Cup warm-up matches: against Argentina in Buenos Aires (Saturday, 5 August), Wales in Cardiff (Saturday, 19 August) and New Zealand in London (Friday, 25 August) before departing for the Rugby World Cup in France.

SPRINGBOK CASTLE LAGER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP TRAINING SQUAD: 

Props: Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Stade Francais), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92).

Hookers: Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks).

Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks), Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers), RG Snyman (Munster).

Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (Ulster), Jasper Wiese (Leicester).

Utility Forwards: Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat).

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).

Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls).