English
Indian
العربية
Español
Deutsch
Türkçe
Русский
Français (Afrique)
Rassie: We got the mix to match Wales threat
Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus is excited with the team of emerging talent and seasoned campaigners for Saturday’s Nations Championship showdown in Durban.
Winger Jaco Williams, flyhalf Vusi Moyo, lock Ruben van Heerden and prop Carlü Sadie will all make their Bok debuts, while hooker André Hugo-Venter and scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies return to the match 23 among the replacements when the world champions face Wales at Kings Park.
“We told the players from the start of the season that if everything played out well, we would give everyone in the squad a chance to play in the competition,” said Erasmus. sport-newz.biz
“We are excited to see what the uncapped players, as well as those who have not been in the mix for a while, bring to the team.
TEAM: Rookie 10 to call shots for beefed-up Boks
“This squad shows an exciting mix of youth and experience, and while we are under no illusions about the threat Wales pose, we are looking forward to seeing what these players can do.
“Wales put up a good fight in their Six Nations matches against Scotland and Ireland, and they defeated Italy in their final match of the tournament.
“They also beat Fiji in the Nations Championship before going down against Argentina in a competitive match last week, so they are on the rise and will come out with a point to prove this weekend.”
ALSO: Wales boss to wield axe for Bok clash
Moyo takes the No 10 jersey alongside experienced scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, while Williams lines up in the back three with fellow wing Kurt-Lee Arendse and Aphelele Fassi.
Up front, tighthead prop Sadie packs down alongside Gerhard Steenekamp and hooker Malcolm Marx, with Van Heerden to partner Cobus Wiese in the second row. Two-time World Cup winner and World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit leads the team again.
Erasmus was thrilled to see the four uncapped players rewarded for their form, having waited patiently for their opportunity.
“They all played very well for their franchises this season, and have been working extremely hard at training, while waiting patiently for a chance to play, so we are delighted for them,” he said.
“Building squad depth has always been one of our pillars since 2018, and to have such an exciting group of players coming through is fantastic as we continue to build our squad for the future.
“We have full faith in their abilities, and I’m sure the senior guys around them will assist in keeping them calm on the field, so they can show the talent that earned them a place in the squad.
“Hopefully, we can make it a memorable occasion for them and our loyal supporters this weekend.”
WIN double tickets to Boks vs Wales!
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
The post Rassie: We got the mix to match Wales threat appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Rassie: Vusi a big boy with soft hands
Rassie Erasmus has likened rookie flyhalf Vusi Moyo to Handré Pollard as the Springbok boss explains his logic behind the four debutants set to tackle Wales on Saturday.
Erasmus on Monday named Moyo, right wing Jaco Williams, lock Ruben van Heerden and tighthead prop Carlü Sadie to start in a formidable Bok lineup for the Nations Championship clash at Kings Park.
Moyo made his senior Bok bow in the non-cap season opener against the Barbarians on 20 June, and Erasmus highlights the 20-year-old’s physicality and all-round skills.
TEAM: Rookie 10 to call shots for beefed-up Boks
“Sometimes you get a really skilful flyhalf, sometimes you get a small, nippy flyhalf. When Handré was a young guy coming through, he was somebody who took the ball to the line,” he said.
“I think Vusi, for his age, is a very big boy. He certainly doesn’t stand back from the physical side of the game. He kicks brilliantly off the tee, his restarts are excellent, he kicks to touch well and he kicks well at goal.
“We want to see him in a Test match because what he has shown in training sessions and also in the Barbarians, he definitely showed a lot. For a big guy, he’s got really soft hands.”
RASSIE: We got the mix to match Wales threat
Williams starred for South Africa A in a 40-0 rout of Zimbabwe last month at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. This week, he lines up in an exciting back three alongside Kurt-Lee Arendse and Aphelele Fassi.
“I always thought Jaco was just a nippy guy and just a finisher, but he’s certainly a guy who brings it physically,” Erasmus said.
“For a 21-year-old, he’s a powerful player. And he’s got a lot of speed and X factor.”
Van Heerden and Sadie featured against the Zimbabweans and Baa-Baas, respectively.
“Like last weekend [against Scotland] and the Barbarians game, there were some guys who got opportunities,” Erasmus said. “Guys like Jaco, Carlü, Vusi and Ruben are the new players this week.
“They’ve helped prepare the other guys for the Test matches. We feel it’s fair to give them an opportunity here.”
MORE: Wales boss to wield axe for Bok clash
Erasmus was especially pleased to reward Van Heerden’s patience and commitment.
“Ruben played against us for the Barbarians last year and I thought, defensively, he really put up his hand.
“But when we called him up because of a few injuries, he said he didn’t want to play for the Barbarians. He wanted to play for South Africa. He’s a guy who really wants to be a Springbok.
“It’s nice to reward someone, and it’s not about handing out caps for free. It’s also definitely not that Ruan Nortjé has been dropped. It’s about resting Ruan.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Getty Images
The post Rassie: Vusi a big boy with soft hands appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Injury forces SA Schools squads shake-up
A late injury has resulted in a reshuffle to South Africa’s national U18 squads, creating an opportunity for two rising stars ahead of the international season.
Centre Olwethu Kosani has been forced to withdraw from the SA Schools squad, with his Sharks teammate and utility back Anesu Kuzonyei called up from the SA Schools A side.
As a result of Kuzonyei’s elevation, his place in the SA Schools A squad will go to the similarly versatile Lucritia Magua from Eastern Province.
The squads were announced on Saturday at the conclusion of the U18 Craven Week.
Magua, who plays for Graeme College, was in the SA Schools A team last year, bringing the total of players with experience at this level in the two groups to 11.
ALSO: Junior Boks fired up for England clash
The selected players are currently in Gqeberha to prepare for the annual clash between the two squads, which is scheduled for 3pm on Thursday at Grey High.
This match will be preceded by the historic first encounter between the two SA Schools Girls squads, which kicks off at 1pm, with both clashes broadcast live on SuperSport Schools.
SA Schools squad
Props: Clement Makelele (Sharks, Kearsney College), Matthew Prins (SWD, Outeniqua), Ruben Lombard (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), Nic Salamousas (Sharks, Michaelhouse).
Hookers: Theodorus Boshoff (Sharks, Maritzburg College), Iglesias Bruiners (Sharks, Durban High School).
Locks: Lwandile Mlaba (Sharks, Westville), Juvan Burden (WP, Stellenberg), Jean Dreyer (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), Glodi Tshipamba (Lions, Jeppe).
Loose forwards: Nhlanhla Ndlovu (Sharks, Kearsney College), Stefan van der Vyver (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), Jamie Wimble (Sharks, Northwood), Jacobus de Villiers (SWD, Oakdale).
Scrumhalves: Mickyle Booise (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), Luke Doyle (EP, Graeme College).
Flyhalves: Travis Pheiffer (WP XV, Paul Roos Gymnasium), Achmat Behardien (WP, Wynberg).
Centres: Ethan Barker (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), Erin Nelson (EP, Graeme College), Tiaan Basson (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium).
Outside and utility backs: Ncuthu Kepe (Border, Queens College), Lamla Mgedezi (Free State, Grey College), Ethan van Biljon (WP, Stellenberg), Luxolo Sonkononkono (Sharks, Westville), Anesu Kuzonyei (Sharks, Northwood).
SA Schools A squad
Props: Max Malan (WP, Paarl Boys’ High), Aphelele Chamane (Sharks, Michaelhouse), JW Coetzee (Free State, Grey College), Priden Sibiya (Sharks, Durban High School).
Hookers: Charl Els (Blue Bulls, Affies), Charles Whitehead (WP, Paarl Gimnasium).
Locks: Werner de Bruin (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium) Akho Tonjeni (EP, Graeme College), Martin van Niekerk (Blue Bulls, Affies).
Loose forwards: Siphesihle Marule (Pumas, Middelburg), Hendre van Zyl (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), Linakho Mehlomakulu (WP, Rondebosch), Niel du Randt (Free State, Grey College), Luniko Marivate (EP, Kingswood College).
Scrumhalves: Shaye Lourens (Lions, Helpmekaar), Rufagon Hendricks (SWD, Outeniqua).
Flyhalves: Ruan Fluks (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), Jaydon Viljoen (Lions, Monument).
Centres: Alex Jankowitz (Sharks, Michaelhouse), Ruan Roux (Free State, Grey College), Nathan Aneke (Sharks, Durban High School).
Outside and utility backs: Ruan Genis (Lions, Monument), Amogelang Mataboge (Sharks, Durban High School), Rhandzu Mkhabela (Pumas, Nelspruit), Drewyn Baron (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), Lucritia Magua (EP, Graeme College).
Photo: @SAJuniorRugby/X
The post Injury forces SA Schools squads shake-up appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
France-Espagne : Aymeric Laporte ne regrette pas d’avoir rejoint la Roja et affronte une nation « très forte en attaque »
Aymeric Laporte va retrouver la France avec l’Espagne. Une sélection tricolore dont il n’a jamais pu porter le maillot en match officiel avant d’opter pour la Roja en 2021. Un choc de Coupe du monde, demain à Dallas, qu’il a évoqué sur les ondes de Radio Marca.
Né en France et appelé plusieurs fois par Didier Deschamps entre 2016 et 2019 sans jouer aucune minute avec les Bleus, le défenseur Laporte a choisi, dès 2021 de porter le maillot de la sélection espagnole. À 48h du choc France-Espagne, il a confié ces dernières heures à Radio Marca, qu’il ne regrettait pas du tout son choix. C’était une période difficile pour moi. J’ai pris une décision et j’en suis extrêmement heureux. », a-t-il reconnu sur les ondes.
Avec plus de 50 sélections au compteur avec le Roja, le défenseur de l’Athletic Bilbao va à nouveau croiser les Bleus après la Ligue des Nations l’an passé. « Il faut qu’on soit prêts pour aborder ce match comme il se doit » a lancé Laporte pour qui la France est « très forte en attaque ».
Enfin, Laporte est conscient que le comportement de son équipe nationale va jouer beaucoup sur le résultat final. « On doit jouer notre jeu parce que cela va plus dépendre de nous que d’eux. », a-t-il conclu au micro de Radio Marca.
The post France-Espagne : Aymeric Laporte ne regrette pas d’avoir rejoint la Roja et affronte une nation « très forte en attaque » appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.
OFFICIEL – Yassine Kechta s’engage avec Leganés : le Lion de l’Atlas ouvre un nouveau chapitre en Espagne
Le CD Leganés a officialisé l’arrivée de Yassine Kechta. Le milieu de terrain international marocain s’est engagé avec le club espagnol après avoir quitté Le Havre AC, où il a été formé et révélé au plus haut niveau. L’officialisation est intervenue dimanche soir, mettant fin à plusieurs semaines de négociations. À seulement 24 ans, Kechta […]
L’article OFFICIEL – Yassine Kechta s’engage avec Leganés : le Lion de l’Atlas ouvre un nouveau chapitre en Espagne est apparu en premier sur Shoot Africa.