SA RUGBY April 2024

Richie McCaw was 34 when he retired after the 2015 Rugby World Cup final. The following season, the All Blacks surrendered to Ireland for the first time in team history, in 2017 they drew a series against the touring British & Irish Lions, and then failed to beat South Africa in back-to-back visits to New Zealand, lost against Ireland in Dublin and were emphatically dumped out of the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-finals by England. McCaw’s absence alone isn’t the reason for that run of disappointing results, but it’s easy to argue that the All Blacks would have been in much better shape had the iconic flanker stuck around after hanging up his boots. The Boks are in great shape after winning back-to-back world titles, and even more so now…

BULLS 40 STORMERS 22 The Bulls’ driving maul heads for the tryline during the north-south derby at a sold out Loftus Versfeld. Jake White’s men clinched their first URC win against John Dobson’s Stormers in eight attempts to move up to second on the log. LIONS 40 SHARKS 10 Scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba scores the first of his side’s six tries in the URC clash at Ellis Park. The bonus-point win kept the Lions in 11th position on the log, while the Sharks remained rooted to the bottom with 10 defeats in 11 matches. SCOTLAND 30 ENGLAND 21 South African wing Duhan van der Merwe scores the second of his three tries for Scotland at Murrayfield. The hosts claimed a fourth consecutive win against arch-rivals England. FRANCE 13 ITALY 13 Dejected…

WHICH FIFTEENS STAR WOULD BOOST THE BLITZBOKS’ OLYMPIC CAMPAIGN? VS DEVIN HERMANUS SAYS STEDMAN GANS Gans’ return to the South African national sevens setup would be an impactful move by coach Sandile Ncgobo. Gans, having spent four years with the Blitzboks from 2017 to 2021, possesses a wealth of experience, making his reversion a breeze. Notably, his ability to swiftly adapt codes was evident in 2021 when he seamlessly switched to the Bulls. Gans’ potential inclusion in a Monaco tournament from 21-23 June, a crucial event for South Africa to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, is a no-brainer. As a fifteens star reportedly already shortlisted by SA Rugby to join Ncgobo’s charges, the 26-year-old brings explosiveness, savvy defence and tryscoring prowess. His previous success with the Blitzboks and familiarity…

WITH BREYTON PAULSE FORWARDS 1. OS DU RANDT Athlete and work rate of an ox so to speak, doesn’t shy away from the dark places where the ‘tighties’ go into. 2. JOHN SMIT Inspirational captain who let the men around him express themselves. Helluva motivator. 3. COBUS VISAGIE Man loved scrumming and hitting rucks, also a good student of the game! 4. BAKKIES BOTHA Enforcer who imposed himself with grit and physical dominance. 5. MARTIN JOHNSON A no-nonsense leader and physical beast who liked the tough stuff. 6. SCHALK BURGER A man who put his body on the line week in and week out, had a brutal approach with some soft touches now and again. Monstrous. 7. RICHIE McCAW Leadership personified, a menace on the field and a leader who…

HUW JONES ‘Another special Calcutta Cup memory to add to the collection.’ - The Scotland centre, with hat-trick hero Duhan van der Merwe, after a fourth-straight win over England. ROHAN JANSE VAN RENSBURG ‘I am extremely grateful to have played my first game for Canon Eagles. Really looking forward to the season ahead.’ - The former Sharks centre after making his league debut for the Japanese club. MATT GITEAU ‘Unreal to get back out there with San Diego Legion and play again after two years away. Been good to be back on the same team with the big USO [brother] Ma’a Nonu.’ - The Wallabies great after coming out of retirement to play in Major League Rugby. JACO COETZEE ‘Altyd lekker om tyd saam jou te spandeer my pel [always…

Njabulo Wela That’s an exciting group of youngsters they’ve called up. The Boks have some serious young talent coming through. Julet Mangena How long must Dayimani wait for his moment of glory? Jannie Pieters Dayimani is light years ahead of Hanekom. Charl William Crowie Happy for Sanele Nohamba and Henco van Wyk. Lots of young talent in this group. Emilio Mars Francke Horn and Akker van der Merwe deserve to be there. Siyakha Mabeezy Ntlabakanye should also be there. Harold Clarke There is no KFC where the camp is to be held. Wisani Wayne Nkuna Good call. Competition is stiff here. Sibusiso Tait He was never going to make the Springbok squad anyway. Berhane Freyer He wants to be a Bok, there is no doubt about it, but he is…