SARU names 2014 SA Schools squad
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) announced on Thursday an SA Schools squad of 28 players for the forthcoming Under-18 International series against France, Wales and England, from 10 to 24 August. The squad was selected following a successful trial match held on Saturday at the Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park, after the conclusion of the Coca-Cola Youth Weeks. Nine players from the Blue Bulls were selected in the squad, Eastern Province … [Read More...]
Stegmann to captain Blue Bulls in Currie Cup
Head coach Frans Ludeke has announced that Deon Stegmann will captain the Blue Bulls in their Currie Cup campaign and named a strong 26 man squad for Friday's warm-up match against the Pumas in Nelspruit.The 28-year old Stegmann will lead the team in the clash that will start at 17h00 at the Mbombela Stadium."It was an easy decision to call on 'Steggies' to lead the team this year," Ludeke said. "He is not only one of the most experienced players … [Read More...]
No Boks in Currie Cup
Cape Town - It is believed that South African Rugby Union (SARU) has asked teams not to pick their contracted Springboks for the entirety of this year's Absa Currie Cup tournament.In the past, Springbok players returned during the latter stages of the competition, but this year will be different.The Cell C Sharks were the first team to confirm the matter, with CEO John Smit saying the defending champions have to make the best of the tricky … [Read More...]
Makwezela to make her debut in RWC opener against Australia
Centre Benele Makwezela will make her Test debut for the Springbok Women in the team's opening Women's Rugby World Cup clash against Australia at the French Rugby Federation in Marcoussis on Friday after being named in a quality team by coach Lawrence Sephaka on Thursday. Makwezela participated in the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow last year and made her first appearance for the Springbok Women on the team's Rugby World Cup warm-up tour to … [Read More...]
Wales spring surprises for World Cup opener
Wales head coach Rhys Edwards has sprung a few surprise selections in his side which will launch the Women's Rugby World Cup bid against hosts France at Marcoussis tomorrow evening. (KO 7.45pm UK). Established props Jenny Davies and Catrin Edwards will start the game from the bench with Caryl Thomas and Megan York getting the nod in the front row. In the backs Rebecca de Filippo has forced her way into the starting line-up at the expense of … [Read More...]
BlitzBokke: Thanks for the support, South Africa!
30 July 2014 The BlitzBokke arrived back in South Africa last night amid excited media interest, while family and friends also travelled to OR Tambo and Cape Town International airports respectively to welcome the Team home. Coach Neil Powell and captain Kyle Brown on Tuesday extended a massive thank you to all role players who contributed to their success at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The Springboks Sevens team arrived back in the … [Read More...]
Kinsey relishing her first Rugby World Cup
At the young age of 20 Springbok Women’s scrumhalf Tayla Kinsey is relishing every moment of being in France for her first IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup as the energy builds in the camp for their opening match against Australia on Friday. Kinsey, who is the youngest player in the 26-member squad and the only player from KwaZulu-Natal, has been playing rugby for only three years, and already she has established herself as one of the best players … [Read More...]
WP delay naming Currie Cup captain for Boks
Western Province's preparations for their opening 2014 Currie Cup game have been hamstrung by the timing of the Springbok squad announcement which will be made in Johannesburg on Saturday.Several Province players are expected to be named in the national squad which will play in the Rugby Championship next month and that will rule them out for Currie Cup duty.Players like Jean de Villiers, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Juan de Jongh, Siya … [Read More...]
Springbok Sevens team says thank you
Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell and captain Kyle Brown on Tuesday extended a massive thank you to all role players who contributed to their success at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The Springboks Sevens team arrived back in the country on Tuesday, following their best showing ever at the Games, winning the Gold Medal in Rugby Sevens as part of Team SA. The team won all six their matches and outlasted the defending champions, … [Read More...]
SWALEC Cup, Plate and Bowl First Round draws
SWALEC Cup champions Pontypridd will travel to SWALEC Championship side Bargoed for the first round of next season's competition, which takes place on January 10, while runners up Cross Keys must beat Llanelli at Parc y Scarlets in order to progress further. Last season's SWALEC Plate winners, Merthyr, have been drawn against fellow SWALEC Championship newcomers Glynneath at home in Round One, while Cardiff host Bridgend and Newport take on … [Read More...]
Mtembu to captain Sharks for Currie Cup
JOHANNESBURG - The Sharks on Tuesday announced the appointment of loose-forward Tera Mtembu as captain of the team for Currie Cup 2014. Mtembu made his debut for the Sharks in 2012 in both the Super Rugby and the Currie Cup tournaments. Confirming his decision to appoint Mtembu as captain, Sharks coach Jake White stated, “Tera is a talented player and I have great faith in his ability. “My hope is that he embraces this leadership role and … [Read More...]
Much changed 26 man EP squad to take on Free State
EP Kings head coach Carlos Spencer has announced a much changed team to take on the Free State Cheetahs in their final warm up game in Cradock on Friday. Spencer said Luke Watson will once again captain the side, having returned after sitting out the game against the SWD Eagles in George due to a rib injury. In comparison to the SWD Eagles game, Spencer has named eight new players in the starting line up and four more have received a starting … [Read More...]
Royal seal of approval for Welsh Women
The Wales team taking part in the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup in Paris, has been given the royal seal of approval. The Duke of Cambridge, who is Vice Patron of the WRU, has sent Rachel Taylor's side a good luck message before they begin their campaign against hosts France, on Friday evening. Wales, who will be looking to improve on their ninth placing four years ago in Guildford, also play Australia and South Africa in their pool matches … [Read More...]
Bok Women switch into World Cup mode
Springbok Women’s flank Lamla Momoti says her team has officially switched into World Cup mode as they prepare to face Australia on Friday in their opening match of the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup in France. South Africa will face Australia at 15h45 on Friday, hosts France on August 5 at 20h45, and Wales on August 9 at 17h00 in their pool matches to be hosted at the French Rugby Federation headquarters in Marcoussis, outside of Paris. The … [Read More...]
Bulls pin hopes on young players for improved Currie Cup campaign
LAST season there was an exodus of senior players from the Blue Bulls, which forced the side to field a team largely filled with youngsters in an unsuccessful Currie Cup campaign.Already this year during the Super Rugby competition, coach Frans Ludeke has blooded other young guns who are set to have an effect as the Pretoria side attempts to restore pride at Loftus Versfeld. We take a look at five young players who are set to stamp their … [Read More...]
Sharks name Currie Cup skipper
Durban- The Sharks have announced the appointment of loose forward Tera Mtembu as captain of the Cell C Sharks for Absa Currie Cup 2014. Having come through the Sharks Academy ranks, this dedicated, free-spirited and hard-working youngster has always displayed leadership qualities and is a well-liked and respected member of the squad. These commendable attributes contributed to him being entrusted with the captaincy armband, whenever he was not … [Read More...]
Sharks to name Mtembu as Currie Cup captain
In a surprise but progressive move, loose forward Lubabalo Mtembu will today be named as the Sharks Currie Cup captain. The Times has it on good authority that the Sharks team management has entrusted Mtembu with the responsibility.His tenure begins in earnest on Saturday next week when the Sharks travel to Kimberley to face Griquas.The Sharks will be defending the title they won away from home when they shocked Western Province 33-19 at … [Read More...]
Golden night for BlitzBokke at Glasgow Games
28 July 2014 Skipper Kyle Brown and his BlitzBokke upset the Commonwealth Games proverbial cart at a packed Ibrox Stadium last night. The Springboks inflicted upon defending champions New Zealand their first ever Games defeat (12 – 17) and in the process bagged their first-ever Commonwealth games Gold Medal. New Zealand has won all for previous titles since the inception of Rugby Sevens at the 4-yearly Commonwealth Games and has, in fact, never … [Read More...]
Rugby World Cup Live Streaming
The Springbok Women arrived in France today for the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup raring to take to the field following months of preparation for the international showpiece. The tournament, which is being hosted in Marcoussis outside of Paris, will begin on Friday, with South Africa meeting Australia at 15h45 in an action -packed opening day. In the other clashes defending champions New Zealand will meet Kazakhstan at 13h00, Canada will take on … [Read More...]
Jon Welsh out for a few months
Warriors prop Jon Welsh has undergone shoulder surgery and is expected to be out of action for the first few months of the season. The 27-year-old had the operation to fix a recurring shoulder problem. Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: "We're disappointed for Jon that he's going to miss the first few weeks of the new season. "He played a lot of rugby for us last season and he worked hard to become a consistent … [Read More...]
Millennium Stadium’s pitch perfect preparation
The Millennium Stadium Manager Mark Williams has confirmed that the project to install a new Desso Grassmaster pitch is progressing well at the city-centre venue. Just seven days since work commenced on Monday 21 July, the stadium has undergone significant transformation with the contractors, Hewitt Sportsturf, remaining bang on schedule. As the project enters into week two of the anticipated 15 week project, 50% of the drainage systems for … [Read More...]
Sharks out, focus on Currie Cup
MMASEKEPE MATSEBANE The Sharks have bowed out of Super Rugby at the hands of the Crusaders and for two seasons running, South Africa will have no representation in the final of the tightly contested competition. Jake White’s men will suggest that the emphatic 38-6 score line does not paint the real picture of what went down at the AMI Stadium in Christchurch, but be that as it may, it is Todd Blackadder who is now working on a strategy to beat … [Read More...]
Put down your guns and play rugby
South Africa's passion for rugby stretches so far back that Boer and English soldiers considered a ceasefire during the Second Boer War so that a friendly international match could be played between the two sides. The game never happened, though. The South African War, also called Boer War, Second Boer War, or Anglo-Boer War, also known as the Second War of Independence was fought, from 11 October 1899 to 31 May 1902, between Great Britain and … [Read More...]
South Africa’s Craig Joubert to referee Vodacom Super Rugby Final
Craig Joubert of South Africa has been appointed to referee the Vodacom Super Rugby Final between the Waratahs and the Crusaders in Sydney on Saturday, SANZAR has announced. It will be the third time that Joubert will referee the Vodacom Super Rugby Final. His first final at this level was in 2010 in Soweto between the Vodacom Bulls and the DHL Stormers and he also refereed the final in Hamilton last year, between the Chiefs and the … [Read More...]
Historic win for Springbok Sevens
The Springbok Sevens rugby team defeated four times champions New Zealand 17-12 in front of a capacity crowd at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow to win a historic gold medal at the Commonwealth Games on Sunday evening. South Africa wrestled the title away from New Zealand in a memorable final and in the process handed the Kiwis their first ever defeat at the Commonwealth Games. The Springbok Sevens’ previous best attempts were two bronze … [Read More...]
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