Tag: Rugby

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has made just one alteration to his starting line-up for their Test with Argentina in Mendoza on Saturday.

The return of Franco Mostert at lock is the only change to South Africa’s run-on side which faced los Pumas in their Rugby Championship opener in Durban last weekend.

Mostert was rested for that victory over in Durban following his heavy workload so far this year. He will form a second-row partnership with Eben Etzebeth, which sees Pieter-Steph du Toit moving to the bench as cover.

There are two more changes amongst the forward replacements. RG Snyman (lock) makes a return to the matchday 23 in place of Marvin Orie, who is not touring, while Wilco Louw (prop) rotates places with Thomas du Toit.

Erasmus explained the inclusion of Mostert in the starting XV, saying: “Franco needed rest after Super Rugby and the June internationals and we therefore didn’t consider him for Durban. He’s been our first-choice No 5 lock and that’s why is starting on Saturday.”

Erasmus kept his backline unchanged and also resisted the temptation to tweak his loose forward combination.

“I want to us to build more continuity and those combinations now have another opportunity to play together and gain more experience,” he added.

Regarding Saturday’s challenge against Argentina, Erasmus said: “We’ve always rated them as a very physical team and we felt the game (in Durban) was physical. They’re going to step it up and I think they will come hard at our mauling, scrums and the breakdowns.”

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Makazole Mapimpi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Siya Kolisi (c), 6 Francois Louw, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Damian Willemse

Date: Saturday, August 25
Venue: Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
Kick-off: 16:10 local (20:10 BST, 19:10 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Andrew Brace (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

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Dillyn Leyds will lead Western Province as they get their Currie Cup title defence underway against the Free State Cheetahs on Saturday.

The versatile Leyds will be on the left wing – the same position he played in the final in Durban last year – for the clash with the Bloemfontein side at Newlands.

SP Marais is at full-back, with JJ Engelbrecht on the right wing and Sergeal Petersen set to make his Western Province debut should he come off the replacements bench.

In the midfield, Sevens Springbok Ruhan Nel links up with Dan Kriel, with Dan du Plessis among the replacements.

Josh Stander will partner the experienced Jano Vermaak at half-back, with Herschel Jantjies providing scrum-half cover.

Sikhumbuzo Notshe has returned from the Springbok camp to take his place in the loose trio alongside Kobus van Dyk and Juarno Augustus.

In the second-row Salmaan Moerat will partner JD Schickerling, with Ernst van Rhyn set to provide an impact in the second-half.

Up front props Ali Vermaak and Michael Kumbirai start on either side of hooker Scarra Ntubeni, with Caylib Oosthuizen, Neethling Fouche and Chad Solomon on the replacements bench.

Western Province head coach John Dobson said that his side is determined to start their campaign on a positive note.

“We have had a good pre-season in preparation for this campaign so everyone is very keen to go out there and implement what we have planned,” he said.

“It is great to start the season at DHL Newlands and the players are keen to make an impression in front of our loyal supporters.”

Western Province: 15 SP Marais, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Dillyn Leyds (c), 10 Josh Stander, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Ali Vermaak
Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Herschel Jantjies, 21 Dan du Plessis, 22 Sergeal Petersen

Date: Saturday, August 25
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17:15 local (16:15 BST, 15:15 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Nathan Swartz
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

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All Blacks coach Steve Hansen admits his side would be interested in NRL superstar Kalyn Ponga if he were to make the switch to Rugby Union.

Hansen was responding to comments made by Ponga in the media during the week that one day he could make the switch to the 15-man code and that eventuality his main goal would be to represent the All Blacks.

The 20-year-old played rugby union in his youth and admits it would be the ‘pinnacle’ to represent the All Blacks.

“Obviously, that [playing for the All Blacks] would be a huge goal, if I was to come back to union I’d want to tick,” Ponga told TVNZ on Wednesday.

“But I’m not too sure what my future holds whether I’m going to stay in league or change codes.

“But if I was to go back to rugby union I’d probably want to strive for that black jumper, it’s the pinnacle.”

Hansen says he follows Rugby League mainly due to his son’s passion for the game and is ‘aware’ of the huge talent Ponga possesses.

“You’ve got to be aware of him,” Hansen told Stuff.

“He’s a special player and I quite like watching league. I’ve got a son that plays it and therefore interested in it.

“He’s had a super Origin.

“He’s a Kiwi boy and he’s just come out and said that maybe one day he might want to come out and play rugby.

“If that’s his choice when he makes that choice, then of course whoever is around at that time would definitely be interested, because he’s a talented athlete.”

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The Sharks side to take on the Blue Bulls in their opening Currie Cup fixture at Kings Park on Saturday features six Springboks in the starting XV.

The Bulls opened their account last weekend with a victory over Free State and Sharks scrum-half Louis Schreuder believes that the importance of starting the Currie Cup well cannot be overstressed.

“It’s just one round with six games and the first is at home which we’re looking forward to, but we know we can’t afford not to win our home games,” he explains. “We want to start well and after the warm-up game against Bordeaux, we are in a good place but know there is a massive challenge ahead of us this week against the Blue Bulls.

“The Bulls are a very good team, I think they’re going to be very competitive in the Currie Cup. We watched their game against the Cheetahs last week when they did very well in Bloemfontein against a strong outfit, a Pro 14 team.”

Schreuder is one of a number of players with Super Rugby experience behind them and there is no shortage of Test match experience either. Those players will provide calm heads for the younger players who will bring youthful exuberance too the team.

Indeed Schreuder, Robert du Preez, Lwazi Mvovo, Daniel du Preez, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Curwin Bosch are all capped by the Boks and make this a strong Sharks team.

With the men from Durban having reached the final last year, there is only one way to improve and that’s winning the tournament. But the team isn’t feeling the pressure of expectation based on previous history.

“We’re not really focusing on last season,” Schreuder explains. “We have our own expectations and goals, but right now we can’t think semi-finals or finals, we have to get through the pool stages and win as many games as possible. We’ll be looking to get as many points as possible to get ourselves into a good position for the knock-out rounds. But that’s in the back of our minds.”

And the 28-year-old says that the Sharks are ready for the campaign ahead.

“We had a good break after Super Rugby, a time to refresh, rest the body and importantly, get the mental break after a long tournament. We’ve come back and been training hard, but not overtraining, more functional stuff.

“It was good to get a warm-up match under our belts and build a bit of momentum going into this weekend,” added Schreuder.

Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Wian Vosloo, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (c), 1 Juan Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Khutha Mchunu, 18 Andrew Evans, 19 Lubabalo Mtembu, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Johan Deysel, 22 Aphelele Fassi

Date: Saturday, August 25
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15:00 local (13:00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Archie Sehlako, Vusi Msibi
TMO: Christie du Preez

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Your one-stop spot for all the Rugby Championship team line-ups, updated as they are released.

Saturday

New Zealand v Australia
Eden Park, Auckland

New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown

Australia: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Lukhan Tui, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Folau Faingaa, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Tom Banks

Argentina v South Africa
Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza

Argentina: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Agustin Creevy (c), 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
Replacements: 16 Facundo Bosch, 17 Santiago Garcia Botta, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Tomas Cubelli, 22 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 23 Juan Cruz Mallia

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Makazole Mapimpi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Siya Kolisi (c), 6 Francois Louw, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Damian Willemse

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Harlequins have announced that Chris Robshaw and James Horwill will be co-captains of the club for the upcoming 2018/19 season.

Both players are experienced internationals and have previously captained the club, Robshaw from 2010/11 to 2013/14 and Horwill last season.

“We are delighted to have been able to appoint two strong leaders as co-captains,” said Paul Gustard, Harlequins’ head of rugby.

“Both have proven themselves at every level of the game and are well respected not only in the squad but also in the wider rugby community. Both exhibit the behaviours and values I want to see in the squad – they are tough, uncompromising and lead from the front, and are very happy to back each other and lead the team in their style.”

Commenting on the announcement, Robshaw said: “I am honoured to be co-captain with James who is a very experienced international. We will share the leadership duties over the season and help to move Harlequins forward.”

Horwill added: “I am delighted and excited to be named as co-captain. I’m looking forward to the season ahead and to working with Chris and delivering an improved performance over the season.”

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Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma has brought experienced lock Tomas Lavanini into the starting line-up for the game against South Africa in Mendoza.

Lavanini replaces Matias Alemanno, who has dropped to the bench, in the XV and will partner Guido Petti in the second-row.

Ledesma has otherwise kept faith with the team that went down to the Springboks in Durban. The only other alterations are among the replacements as Facundo Bosch, Tomas Cubelli and Jeronimo de le Fuente are all included.

Out go Diego Fortuny, Martin Landajo and Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias with Argentina looking for more impact from the substitutes. They failed to produce the required performance off the bench in the opening weekend of the Rugby Championship as South Africa dominated the second half.

Argentina: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Agustin Creevy (c), 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
Replacements: 16 Facundo Bosch, 17 Santiago Garcia Botta, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Tomas Cubelli, 22 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 23 Juan Cruz Mallia

Date: Saturday, August 25
Venue: Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
Kick-off: 16:10 local (20:10 BST, 19:10 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Andrew Brace (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

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Your one-stop spot for all the Currie Cup starting line-ups as they come out.

Friday

Golden Lions v Griquas
Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Jan-Louis la Grange, 12 Manni Rass, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Ross Cronje (c), 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Len Massyn, 6 James Venter, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Corne Fourie, 1 Sti Sithole
Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 PJ Steenkamp, 19 Vincent Tshituka, 20 Dillon Smit, 21 Tyrone Green, 22 Wandisile Simelane

Griquas: 15 AJ Coertzen, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 Kyle Steyn (c), 12 Christopher Bosch, 11, Godfrey Ramaboea, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Christiaan Meyer, 8 Conway Pretorius, 7 Sias Koen, 6 Wendal Wehr, 5 FP Pelser, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Nicolaas Oosthuizen, 2 Khwezi Mkhafu, 1 Devon Martinus
Replacements: 16 AJ Le Roux, 17 Liam Hendricks, 18 Ruan Kramer, 19 Pieter Van Vuren, 20 Izak Burger, 21 Jonathan Janse van Rensburg, 22 Andre Swarts

Saturday

Sharks v Blue Bulls
Kings Park, Durban

Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Wian Vosloo, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (c), 1 Juan Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Khutha Mchunu, 18 Andrew Evans, 19 Lubabalo Mtembu, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Johan Deysel, 22 Aphelele Fassi

Blue Bulls: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Johnny Kotze, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (c), 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Conrad van Vuuren, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Matthys Basson
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 Eli Snyman, 19 Jano Venter, 20 Raegan Orange, 21 Tony Jantjies, 22 JT Jackson

Western Province v Free State Cheetahs
Newlands, Cape Town

Western Province: 15 SP Marais, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Dillyn Leyds (c), 10 Josh Stander, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Ali Vermaak
Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Herschel Jantjies, 21 Dan du Plessis, 22 Sergeal Petersen

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Nico Lee, 11 William Small-Smith, 10 Louis Fouche, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Oupa Mohoje (c), 6 Jasper Wiese, 5 Dennis Visser, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Güther Janse van Vuuren, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Erich de Jager, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Stephan Malan, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Ernst Stapelberg

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The Free State Cheetahs have named a new half-back pairing for the Currie Cup Round Two clash with Western Province at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.

Tian Schoeman and Rudy Paige drop out of the matchday 23 altogether, with Louis Fouche and Tian Meyer coming in at fly-half and scrum-half respectively.

The other change in the backline will see one of three debutants Dries Swanepoel taking the place of Bernhard Janse van Rensburg at centre.

Another debutant, Aidon Davis, replaces Neil Jordaan at number eight, while Jasper Wiese will start at blindside flank at the expense of Junior Pokomela, who shifts to the bench.

The final change in the starting line-up from last weekend’s 34-12 defeat to the Blue Bulls sees lock JP du Preez giving way for Dennis Visser at lock.

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Nico Lee, 11 William Small-Smith, 10 Louis Fouche, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Oupa Mohoje (c), 6 Jasper Wiese, 5 Dennis Visser, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Güther Janse van Vuuren, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Erich de Jager, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Stephan Malan, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Ernst Stapelberg

Date: Saturday, August 25
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-Off: 17:15 local (16:15 BST, 15:15 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Nathan Swartz
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

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Wallabies captain Michael Hooper believes Michael Cheika is not distracted about rumours regarding his future as the team’s head coach.

Hooper said the team is playing for all Australians in the second Bledisloe Cup Test – not just Cheika – after a week of escalating pressure on the coach.

The Wallabies’ first Test loss against New Zealand in Sydney saw Cheika’s position come under scrutiny this week, culminating in a speculative report in The Australian newspaper on Friday suggesting Rugby Australia would give Cheika three more Tests to turn the tide or face questions about his future.

Cheika is contracted until the end of 2019.

Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle was on hand at the Australian captain’s run on Friday but did not wish to comment on the report and Rugby Australia president Tony Shaw was taken by surprise when asked about the article.

In his captain’s run press conference, Hooper said he had noticed no change in the drive of his coach.

“I think what we’ve seen in Cheik this week is the guy wants to win,” he told Rugby Australia’s official website.

“He just wants to win.

“That’s what he’s shown this week – an absolute thirst to get this team to reach its potential.

“That’s what Cheik is about.

“You know, and that’s what he’s exuded this week.”

There is no inkling of unrest about Cheika’s position inside the Wallabies camp but, when asked if his team would be playing for their coach’s job on Saturday, Hooper insisted the Australian squad will be playing for the whole country.

“There’s a million people we could say we’re doing it for,” said Hooper.

“We play for our country and that’s a huge amount of motivation.

“We want them to be proud of this team and that’s something we weren’t able to do at the back end of last week.

“Family… (we) play for each other (as) teammates.

“There are a thousand things we play for.”

If anyone was to notice a change in Cheika’s body language it would be Hooper as the pair have been side-by-side at both the Waratahs and Wallabies since 2013.

Whether conversations about Cheika’s future are being had within the Wallabies and Rugby Australia or not, the external pressure won’t go away unless the Australians reverse the Sydney result at Eden Park.

For Hooper, the entire week has been spent thinking about how to do exactly that – to the point where he admitted he is not aware of the fact the last Bledisloe Cup win in Auckland was in 1986.

“We’re thinking about tomorrow night, as simple and cliché as it sounds we’re thinking about tomorrow night,” he added.

“It has been on my mind all week, tomorrow night. And I can’t wait that we’re one day away.

“I wasn’t there in ’82 – I wasn’t alive – or whenever, ’84? ’86, so that’s how much I’ve been paying attention to that stuff.

“I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

Part of thinking about the challenge which awaits involves visualisation and the 26-year-old is relishing the thought of running out onto the Eden Park cauldron.

“We know it’s going to be physical and we know there is going to be a lot of movement on the ball,” said Hooper.

“Myself, personally, I was exhausted at points last week and how good… I love that.

“I love playing these guys and I love playing here this week.

“It’s going to be cold and there are going to be a lot of people.

“There won’t be much gold in the crowd and without swearing… this is the stuff you play for.

“This is why – this is what you want to be here for – it’s great.”

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