SA RUGBY January 2024

The Springboks have made a welcome return from their World Cup rest to boost South Africa's pursuit of a second United Rugby Championship title and a first European Cup championship. For the next four seasons, all of the Bulls, Lions, Sharks, Stormers and hopefully Cheetahs mil be driven to summit these competitions. However, each catch, pass, tackle and kick will inevitably be viewed through the prism of South Africa's status as back-to-back world champions, and the distant opportunity for the Boks to create a legacy by becoming the first rugby nation to win three consecutive World Cup titles. Key to winning the war on any of these fronts are world-class players and South Africa said goodbye to one of those when Duane Vermeulen retired in November. While replacing ‘Thor’ is…

BLITZBOKS 12 ARGENTINA 7 The Blitzboks celebrate a fifth consecutive Dubai Sevens crown. The win saw them tie Fiji for the most consecutive titles in one location and New Zealand for the most titles in one location (11). BULLS 53 CONNACHT 27 Willie le Roux celebrates a try on his Bulls debut at Loftus Versfeld. It came late in the first half after the Springbok fullback had sent wing Sebastian de Klerk away with a floated pass. SHARKS 69 DRAGONS 14 Sharks wing Werner Kok dismissively hands off Dragons centre Aneurin Owen at Kings Park. The Bok-boosted hosts scored 10 tries to end their five-match losing start to the URC season. CARDIFF 31 STORMIERS 24 Stormers centre Ruhan Nel scores the first of his two tries at Cardiff Arms Park.…

WHO WILL MAKE A BREAKOUT DEBUT FOR THE SPRINGBOKS IN 2024? VS DEVIN HERMANUS SAYS JOHAN GROBBELAAR With South Africa's title defence at the 2027 World Cup in mind, depth at hooker is a concern - Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi have both been laid off with long-term knee injuries. Deon Fourie (37) may be involved with the Boks again next year but he was an emergency stop-gap after Marx was ruled out of the tournament in France and it's unlikely Rassie Erasmus will continue to invest in a short-term solution. Joseph Dweba, considered a possible candidate, was overlooked for the 2023 World Cup squad, and his inconsistent lineout throwing makes him a questionable choice for the future. Grobbelaar's two full seasons as the Bulls’ first-choice rake make a compelling…

FORWARDS 1. HEINRICH ROGERS When I thought I had him, he lifted the whole scrum with one leg! It looks like his son Robbie is a chip off the old block. I also have lots of respect for Garry Pagel. He scrummed the hell out of me. 2. SEAN FITZPATRICK A fierce competitor and leader on the field. 3. OLO BROWN Brown scrummed lower than alawnmower. 4. JOHAN ACKERMANN The enforcer. When he warned you, you tended to listen. 5. DODDIE WEIR A lineout specialist who towered over others. 6. RUBEN KRUGER There was no end to Ruben's determination. 7. ANDRÉ VENTER The fittest rugby player I knew. Hard as nails, too. 8. SEBASTIEN CHABAL Intimidating and confrontational. ‘WHEN HE WARNED YOU YOU TENDED TO LISTEN’ BACKS 9. GARY ARMSTRONG…

REECE JAMES ‘Learning from one or the best captains and leaders in sport. Thank you big bro.’ - The Chelsea FC captain attended a Racing 92 match with Bok captain Siya KoLisi in Paris. JEAN-LUC DU PREEZ ‘Great day out with the lads.’ - The Springbok flank enjoyed a day of hunting in Manchester with fellow Sale Sharks forwards Ernst van Rhyn and Cobus Wiese. DAMIAN DEALLENDE ‘Back with the Pana boys.’ - The Springbok centre, with former Wallabies wing Marika Koroibete and Bok lock Lood de Jager, upon their return to the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan. JOHAN ACKERMANN ‘Great catching up with the World Cup-winning Springbok Franco Mostert and also fellow South African Dawid Kellerman.’ - The Urayasu D-Rocks head coach after a warm-up match against the Honda…

SA Rugby magazine Jake White says the four-week URC tours for SA teams to Europe are putting them at a disadvantage. Louis de Villiers So it was in Super Rugby, old Jake. Even worse. Why don't you go coach in Zimbabwe, Namibia and Kenya and we can have an International regional competition without any hardship and you can beat your chest weekly? Jason Wood Not like we have much choice. South Africa is too isolated from either Europe or Australasia, and unless we can properly restore Zimbabwe and Namibia, our isolation issues won't improve. Molefe Sekwele Let's just go back to Super Rugby, at least the refereeing there was fair. Shane Harris Said it from the beginning - different competition, same complaints. Gustav Louw It's either a longer tour or…