SA RUGBY February 2024

Rugby immortality will be on the line when the Springboks dock in Australia for the 2027 World Cup. Though time will alter the squad over the next four years, the heroes at the heart of South Africa's successive world titles will have their fingerprints all over the map that plots a course from this year into the great beyond. Take a deep dive into the availability and value of each member of the 2023 Bok squad, and how they will contribute to trimming the sails this season. One man missed both World Cups and has since returned to South Africa with the express purpose of reviving his Test career. Akker van der Merwe sprang bade into the public consciousness at a time when both Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi are…

STORMERS 26 BULLS 20 Canan Hoodie scores the Bulls’ third try during the north-south derby in Cape Town. However, it wasn't enough to prevent Jake White's side from suffering a seventh defeat in as many URC matches to John Dobson's Stormers. STORMERS 21 LA ROCHELLE 20 Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok celebrates his match-winning conversion, from the right touchline, against the back-to-back Champions Cup winners in Cape Town. CHEETAHS 32 SHARKS 23 Cheetahs wing Cohen Jasper beat Werner Kok and Makazole Mapimpi on his way to scoring the decisive try of this Challenge Cup match in Bloemfonfein. SHARKS 18 LIONS 20 Lions centre Marius Louw pounces on opposite number Francois Venter. The visitors fought back from 18-3 down at half time to record their first win in Durban since 2017, while…

WHO'S THE BEST PLAYER IN SOUTH AFRICA YET TO REPRESENT THE BOKS? DEVIN HERMANUS SAYS DEVON WILLIAMS In the alternate reality of a parallel universe, Williams - not Cheslin Kolbe - is a Springbok double world champion and global superstar. Williams first rose through Western Province's ranks, excelling in U18, U19 and U21 teams. In senior rugby, the speedster impressed in the Vodacom Cup before making his Super Rugby debut for the Stormers in 2014. He was also stationed at the SA Sevens Academy. Williams’ game time at WP was limited because there was always a plethora of Boks in the system, and Kolbe came through at the same time as he did. Told that the two of them couldn't play together as they were both small, the timing wasn't…

FORWARDS 1. OS DU RANDT The best. 2. ULI SCHMIDT I know he was only 90kg but Uli took the ‘fourth loose forward’ role to a new dimension long before it was fashionable. Incredibly skilled and overly aggressive. Sorry, James. 3. CARL HAYMAN The complete tighthead prop in build, technique and temperament And skilled. He just pips Hempies du Toit for me! 4. BAKHES BOTHA Boring, I know, but what a combination with Victor! 5. VICTOR MATFIELD Victor is picked for what he could do to a pack of forwards, in terms of their standards, and ability to go forward. 6. ROB LOUW Rob changed the traditional role of an openside flanker with creative play. He was a forward who could link, and he stood for a lot of things.…

BEAUDEN BARRETT 'Nice to have the big man Pieter-Steph du Toit on my team for once.’ - The All Blacks flyhalf, with halfback partner Aaron Smith, after making his debut for the Toyota Verblitz in Japan. CHESLIN KOLBE 'Ready to kick off the new season.’ The Springbok wing snapped a selfie with Suntory Sungollath teammate Sam Cane after arriving In Tokyo. KWAGGA SMITH 'Welcome brother.’ - The Shlzuoka Blue Revs captain with new teammate Charles Piutau ahead of the Japanese club season. FAF DE KLERK 'Tokyo nights.’ - The Canon Eagles scrumhalf enjoyed a night out with Bok teammate Jesse Kriel and former Chelsea footballer Didier Drogba. RUHAN NEL 'Good to have you back.’ - The Stormers centre with midfield partner Damian Willemse after their URC victory over Zebre Parma…

Laetitia Wolfkop Carolus Manie Libbok, I'm gonna marry you, LMAO. Well done, boys. Mark Volmink Not a wonderful performance at all. But to beat the two-time European Cup champions, loaded with internationals, takes some doing. And for that the Stormers (especially the forwards) deserve some credit. Ashley Marais A bunch of locals literally beat a Barbarians team. That's no small feat… Fadiel Dramat It's the World Cup all over again! Too many mistakes, though. Albie Parkin Congratulations to our captain Deon Fourie at No 6 and his team. Wow, what about the powerful explosive match-winning try by André Hugo Venter. Wow. Beverley Anne Veldman The referee was appalling. Russell Narunsky Brilliant news. WP, jou lekker ding. Charl William Crowie The Stormers should be the Crusaders of world rugby with the…