SA Rugby apologises for Haka interference

SA Rugby apologises for Haka interference

The South African Rugby Union [SARU] has written to the New Zealand Rugby Football Union to formally apologise for a sequence of events that led to the interference of the Haka. The incident took place during Saturday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test between the Springboks and the All Blacks at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg.

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The closing moments of the Haka were overlaid by music and also fireworks. As well as a flyover by an A380 airliner, as pre-planned scheduling failed to be observed.

“I apologised in person and have written to the NZRFU to formally express our regret and apologies for what occurred,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby.

The South African Rugby Union [SARU] has written to the New Zealand Rugby Football Union to formally apologise for a sequence of events that led to the interference of the Haka.
Ellis Park Stadium

NEW ZEALAND HAKA INTERFERENCE EXPLAINED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY UNION

“It was never the intention to schedule any activities that would coincide with such an iconic moment of any Test match against the All Blacks. That it occurred was a result of timekeeping challenges and simple human error.

“In the confusion, the crowd’s excited cheering was mistaken to have marked the conclusion of the Haka by an unsighted sound engineer who restarted the music programme. It was highly regrettable but in no way deliberate.”

Oberholzer said that SA Rugby was also distressed by the breach of protocol and the apparent display of lack of respect it may have suggested.

“We hold dear the values and traditions of the game,” said Oberholzer. “The unfortunate events in no way represent any lack of respect that South African rugby holds for the significance and history of the Haka. We will ensure such errors cannot be repeated.”

The second Test between the teams in the Rugby Championship will be played at DHL Stadium on Saturday.

Rassie Erasmus names Springboks squad to face New Zealand

Rassie Erasmus names Springboks squad to face New Zealand

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has made nine changes for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

However, there are only three changes to the match-day squad that opened the series with a 33-7 victory in Brisbane against Australia. Two of those were forced by injuries to locks.

Eben Etzebeth (back) and Salmaan Moerat (concussion) miss out on the Brisbane combination. Aphelele Fassi gets the fullback’s jersey in succession to Willie le Roux in the only other change.

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The other locks unavailable for selection are RG Snyman (foot), Franco Mostert (broken leg), Lood de Jager (shoulder) and Jean Kleyn (eye and knee).

“It’s not ideal that we have so many injuries at lock, but we are pleased with the way Ruan stood his man in our last match and we are confident that he’ll combine well with Pieter-Steph at lock,” said Erasmus.

“This will serve as a fantastic opportunity for him to prove what he can do against one of the best teams in the world.

Rassie Erasmus names Springboks squad to face New Zealand
Springboks Squad

SPRINGBOKS TEAM TO FACE NEW ZEALAND IN JOHANNESBURG ON SATURDAY

15 – Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 6 caps, 15 points (3t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 35 caps, 96 points (15t, 3c, 5p)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 73 caps, 80 points (16t)
12 –Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 82 caps, 55 points (11t)
11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 19 caps, 85 points (17t)
10 – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 6 caps, 33 points (12c, 3p)
9 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 34 caps, 65 pts (13t)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 27 caps, 5 pts (1t)
7 – Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers) – 3 caps, 5 points (1t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92) – 86 caps, 55 points (11t)
5 – Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls) – 2 caps, 0 points
4 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 81 caps, 45 points (9t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 73 caps, 5 points (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 72 caps, 70 points (14t)
1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 33 caps, 0 pts
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 69 caps, 95 points (19t)
17 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 4 caps, 0 points
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 54 caps, 0 points
19 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 22 caps, 10 pts (2t)
20 – Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 6 caps, 0 points
21 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 45 caps, 40 pts (8t)
22 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 13 caps, 10 points (2t)
23 – Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 73 caps, 734 points (7t, 99c, 162p, 5dg)

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.

Erasmus names Springboks squad for Ireland showdown

Erasmus names Springboks squad for Ireland showdown

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus named an experienced squad featuring 20 Rugby World Cup winners for their opening Castle Lager Incoming Series Test against Ireland at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

The three players in the match-day 23 who did not participate in the international spectacle in France, where the Springboks claimed their second successive RWC title, are Gerhard Steenekamp [prop], Salmaan Moerat [lock] and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu [utility back]. They are elevated to a selection featuring a six-two bench split in favour of the forwards.

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Twelve of the starting XV for Saturday’s showdown (six forwards and six backs) started in the 12-11 RWC final victory over New Zealand, with the other three (Willie le Roux, Kwagga Smith and Ox Nche) coming off the bench in the final.

The selection of previously unavailable players means that the team shows eight changes to the one that defeated Wales by 41-13 in London 10 days ago as Erasmus welcomed back captain Siya Kolisi, Le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Handre Pollard, Marco van Staden, RG Snyman and Steenekamp.

“This is the team we believe will give us the impetus we need against Ireland, who are the second highest ranked team in the world,” said Erasmus.

“We are blessed to have a lot of depth in our squad, and we are in a fortunate position to have several Rugby World Cup-winners in our ranks who know what it takes to perform at the highest level and play against the best teams in the world.

“The fact that most of these guys have played together is a bonus for us, and most of them have faced Ireland before so they are well aware of the challenge that lies ahead, especially since we haven’t beaten them since 2016.”

Rassie Erasmus names Springboks squad for Ireland showdown
Rassie Erasmus

RASSIE ERASMUS ANNOUNCES HIS SPRINGBOKS TEAM TO FACE IRELAND AT LOFTUS VERSFELD

15 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 93 caps, 75 pts (15t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 31 caps, 91 points (14t, 3c, 5p)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 67 caps, 80 points (16t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 78 caps, 55 points (11t)
11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 15 caps, 65 points (13t)
10 – Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 69 caps, 698 points (7t, 96c, 152p, 5dg)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 56 caps, 50 points (5t, 5c, 5pg)
8 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 41 caps, 35 pts (7t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) 78 caps, 40 points (8t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92) – 83 caps, 50 points (10t)
5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 74 caps, 15 points (3t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 120 caps, 30 points (6t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 70 caps, 5 points (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 69 caps, 70 points (14t)
1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 28 caps, 0 pts

REPLACEMENTS:

16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 65 caps, 85 points (17t)
17 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 1 cap, 0 points
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 50 caps, 5 points (1t)
19 – Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers) – 4 caps, 0 points
20 – RG Snyman (Leinster) – 34 caps, 10 points (2t)
21 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 18 caps, 0 pts
22 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 9 caps, 10 points (2t)
23 – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 1 cap, 7 points (2c, 1p)

Springboks and Kolisi in line for top Laureus awards

Springboks and Kolisi in line for top Laureus awards

The Springboks and national captain Siya Kolisi have been rewarded for their achievements yet again by being nominated for top Laureus awards.

The Springboks, who also won the Laureus World Team of the Year awards following their RWC triumphs in 2007 and 2019, have been nominated for the same award yet again.

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They will be up against the Manchester City Men’s Football team. The Spain Women’s Football team. European Ryder Cup Golf team, the Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula-1 team, and Germany’s Men’s Basketball team.

Kolisi, who defied the odds by recovering from a serious knee injury he suffered in April to lead the Boks to their second RWC title in a row in October, has been nominated for the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award.

The Laureus Awards, which honours, recognises and celebrates the world’s greatest athletes, the inspirational power of sport and its ability to change lives, will be hosted in Madrid in April.

Springboks and Kolisi nominated for Laureus awards
Springboks lift the World Cup Trophy

SA RUGBY PROUD AFTER SPRINGBOKS WERE NOMINATED FOR THE LAUREUS AWARDS

SA Rugby President Mr Mark Alexander was proud of the recognition the Springboks and Kolisi received for their brave efforts to become the first country to win the Rugby World Cup four times and wished them luck for their respective awards.

“The Springboks deserve every ounce of recognition they receive for their massive accomplishment in France last year, and we are delighted to see them in line for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award,” said Mr Alexander.

“Their heroics on and off the field were remarkable, especially considering their tough road to the World Cup final.

“But the victory in France was more than just an 80-minute rugby match – it was a triumph for South Africa both in nation building and social cohesion, and we hope that the effects of the Boks’ success will continue to radiate through the sport and transfer to other sporting codes for years to come.”

Mr Alexander also praised Kolisi, who staged a dramatic recovery from a serious knee injury which many thought placed his Rugby World Cup hopes in doubt, thanks to his hard work and intense rehabilitation to lead the team by example on the field.

“Siya’s hard work and determination to recover for the World Cup, and the fact that he managed to achieve this feat beyond all doubts was special,” said Mr Alexander.

“It takes a warrior to do something so remarkable, and that journey made it even more extraordinary to see him lift the cup for the second time in a row.

“We are extremely proud of the Springboks and Siya, and we wish them luck for the awards ceremony.”

Erasmus returns as Springboks head coach

Erasmus returns as Springboks head coach

SA Rugby have confirmed the appointment of Rassie Erasmus as the Springboks head coach until 2027. He returns to the role for the next four years, following the departure of Jacques Nienaber to Leinster.

He has been Director of Rugby for four years now and is credited with back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles of 2019 and 2023. 

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Former Ireland hooker and Harlequins assistant coach Jerry Flannery will take charge of the team’s defence. Former All Black flyhalf Tony Brown will focus on attack.

The duo will complete the Springbok coaching team which consists of Mzwandile Stick, Deon Davids and Daan Human, as well as Andy Edwards as Head of Athletic Performance, who were key coaching staff in 2023 and whose contracts were extended midway through 2023 until the conclusion of the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Jaco Peyper join the team as National Laws Advisor.

Double RWC-winning Springbok eighthman, Duane Vermeulen, has also been appointed to a roving coaching role with all SA Rugby’s national teams. He will become the third member of a mobi-coaching unit, joining forces with existing coaches, Franzel September and Bafana Nhleko.

SA Rugby have confirmed the appointment of Rassie Erasmus as the Springboks head coach
Springboks assistant coach Mzwandile Stick

APPOINTMENT OF RASSIE ERASMUS AS HEAD COACH OF SPRINGBOKS CONFIRMED 

Erasmus, who is recuperating from medical procedures after a freak accident, said he was thankful for the trust placed in him by SA Rugby’s leadership to steer the national team once again. He was equally thrilled about the new appointments.

“It is a massive honour to coach the Springboks, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me,” said Erasmus.

“The main difference between the last four years and this season is that I will be more hands-on at the field sessions.

“In my role as Director of Rugby in the last four years I continued to oversee the team structures and strategy in conjunction with Jacques and the other coaches. So it should be an easy transition back into the head coach role.

“We already had our first coaching session this week at the hospital. It’s great to see the enthusiasm among the coaches to get the season underway.”

Springbok coaching team:

Rassie Erasmus – Head coach

Mzwandile Stick – Assistant coach

Deon Davids – Assistant coach

Daan Human – Assistant coach

Tony Brown – Assistant coach

Jerry Flannery – Assistant coach

Andy Edwards – Head of Athletic Performance

Springboks Trophy Tour details announced

Springboks Trophy Tour details announced

The World champion Springbok rugby team will embark on a four-day Trophy Tour to major regional population centres from Thursday, SA Rugby announced on Sunday.

The team will attend the gala World Rugby Awards ceremony in Paris on Sunday night before leaving France for South Africa on Monday morning.

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The Boks arrive back in South Africa on Tuesday (10h55) at OR Tambo International Airport and will commence the tour 48 hours later.

SPRINGBOK TROPHY TOUR ANNOUNCED

The tour will start in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto – concluding at FNB Stadium – on Thursday, 2 November, and take in Cape Town (Friday, 3 November) and Durban (Saturday, 4 November) before concluding in the Eastern Cape (East London) on Sunday, 5 November.

The locations have been selected for population size in the first three instances and because of the Eastern Cape’s rugby significance in the fourth.

Satellite tours to Bloemfontein, Nelson Mandela Bay and other centres will be scheduled for 2024. Such tours following the 2019 victory had to be abandoned because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The route for each tour has been prepared in consultation with the respective local authorities and the South African Police Service.

Route maps and timings will be published at the official website on SA Rugby’s social media channels and by local authorities in due course.

Kolisi reflects on Springboks quarter-final win

Kolisi reflects on Springboks quarter-final win

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi says they knew it would take something special to beat France in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final on Sunday. The Boks are through to the World Cup semi-final after a 29-28 win in Paris.

They will face England in the last four on Saturday, while Argentina and New Zealand will meet in the first semi-final on Friday.

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“We worked together as a team and we talked a lot about never giving up,” said Kolisi.

“We knew it would take something special and we did it today. France asked a lot of questions of us, but the character we showed stood out.

“We had a clear plan on what we needed to do, especially at the breakdown. We had to fight for one another, especially in the last eight minutes of the yellow card. I’m proud of the guys and the discipline they showed,” he said.

SPRINGBOKS BEAT FRANCE IN EPIC QUARTER-FINAL

Head coach Jacques Nienaber was equally proud of the team.

“We knew how tough it would be to come to France and face the French. They’ve been playing well and were consistent in their performances.

“They’ve also been building well as a team, so we knew it was going to be a proper Test match and it was always going to be tight. Many of the games (in the tournament) have been won and lost in the last eight minutes.”

Kolisi added to the coach’s sentiments.

“To latch onto what Jacques said, their team has been building for four years and we knew it would take everything (to win),” said Kolisi.

“For their captain to come back from an injury and the play the way he did was good.

“We knew how loud and intense it would be at the stadium, but the French people can be proud of their team. It was a tough game, and we knew it would take something special.”

While Nienaber was open about his excitement, he said the Boks still had work to do if they wanted to defend their title.

“There were good things and other things we didn’t do so well,” said Nienaber, “but there was the pressure of a knock-out game, and we know there is a lot we need to work on going forward.”

The Springboks will move hotels in Paris on Monday and will have the day off to rest and recover before returning to training on Tuesday for the semi-final.

Experienced Springbok team named for RWC quarter-final

Experienced Springbok team named for RWC quarter-final

Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber named an experienced team for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France. The much-anticipated clash will take place at the Stade de France in Paris on Sunday evening.

The squad features 15 players who featured in the 2019 final, a further four players in the match-23 to face the in-form hosts were also part of the 2019 squad. Only four were not present in Japan among a team bristling with experience.

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“Most of these players have Rugby World Cup experience and several of them were involved in the 2019 final. So they know what it takes to perform in big moments,” said coach Nienaber.

“Twenty of these players were also in the matchday squad that played France in Marseille last season. Which was a good dress rehearsal for what we can expect from France and their supporters.”

SPRINGBOKS TEAM TO FACE FRANCE

15 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 36 caps, 56 pts (4t, 9c, 4p, 2d)
14 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 12 caps, 60 pts (12t)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 65 caps, 75 pts (15t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 75 caps, 50 pts (10t)
11 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 28 caps, 86 pts (13t, 3c, 5p)
10 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 12 caps, 80 pts (1t, 24c, 9p)
9 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 29 caps, 60 pts (12t)
8 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 73 caps, 15 pts (3t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 73 caps, 40 pts (8t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92) – 80 caps, 50 pts (10t)
5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 70 caps, 15 pts (3t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 116 caps, 25 pts (5t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 66 caps, 5pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 65 caps, 65pts (13t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 80 caps, 10 pts (2t)

Replacements:

16 – Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers) – 10 caps, 10 pts (2t)
17 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 25 caps
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 47 caps, 0pts
19 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 31 caps, 5pts (1t)
20 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 37 caps, 35 pts (7t)
21 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 52 caps, 48 pts (5t, 4c, 5p)
22 – Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 67 caps, 673 pts (7t, 94c, 145p, 5d)
23 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 90 caps, 75 pts (15t)

Lukhanyo Am called into Springbok World Cup squad

Lukhanyo Am called into Springbok World Cup squad

Lukhanyo Am, a member of the Springboks’ 2019 Rugby World Cup winning team, has been called into the 2023 squad as an injury replacement for wing Makazole Mapimpi. Mapimpi suffered a fractured cheekbone in Sunday’s 49-18 victory over Tonga on Sunday.

Mapimpi is expected to be out of action for four to six weeks.

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Am will join the squad in Toulon this week, having returned to training on his rehabilitation from a knee injury suffered in the 24-13 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires on 5 August.

LUKHANYO AM JOINS THE SPRINGBOKS WORLD CUP SQUAD 

The 29-year-old centre missed out on squad selection because of the injury. He appeared in the first four matches of the season as he recovered from a knee injury suffered in 2022.

He is the second injury replacement to the 33-man squad. This follows the call-up of flyhalf Handre Pollard for hooker Malcolm Marx. Pollard made a successful return to the team against Tonga.