Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2025 i SA RUGBY

In a Springbok pack comprising serial winners like Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth and Ox Nché, it is not beyond the realms of reason to wonder about complacency creeping in as South Africa chase an unprecedented third successive world title. The good news is, we can all rest easy because Cam Hanekom is the disruptor the Boks need to ensure they stay wide awake on the road to Sydney in 2027. A two-time World Rugby Player of the Year winner, Du Toit knows quality when he sees it, and 22-year-old Hanekom is a bulldozer certified among Category A construction equipment. Moreover, as noted by former Bok skipper Corné Krige, Hanekom’s rare versatility makes him a challenger to any of the three positions in the back row, his skills…

PRODIGIOUS STEYN NEEDS SUPPORT SA Rugby magazine’s panel of experts all agreed that Frans Steyn, who had won the 2007 World Cup with the Springboks at the age of 19, could dominate the game if he was given the right support structures, time to settle and the freedom to express himself. ‘Frans Steyn is a ridiculous talent. Just ridiculous. Arguably the best young backline player in world rugby,’ said former Bok assistant coach Alan Solomons. ‘He needs to play. We have to back him. That’s the bottom line. There is the possibility that he could become disillusioned if he continues to be managed like he has been in his first three years as a professional. There’s huge interest in him from top European sides. South African rugby can’t risk losing…

I began my new role on 1 November 2024 after spending 24 years in the SA Rugby sevens system. I am honoured to be involved in such a noble cause and work alongside incredible individuals who are here for the right reasons. This year, we will focus quite a bit on the marketing and media side of our NPO as we need to educate the public on our cause and change the view of many who think we are an old boys club only doing social events. We have also redesigned our jersey, which we aim to launch in mid-March, and have so many exciting ventures and new projects planned for this year. We are so grateful to our founder, Mr Gavin Varejes, as well as our partners/sponsors, for ensuring…

Zekhethelo Siyaya arrived at Westvilie Boys’ High from Paulpietersburg Primary in rural northern KwaZulu-Natal as a shy boy, whose talent on the sports field was obvious but his lack of size a concern. However, any fears over his stature were allayed when he burst onto the national scene with impressive displays for the Sharks at the U16 Grant Khomo Week at Boland Landbou in 2023, and by the end of that year he had also represented the Sharks U17 Sevens side. Siyaya is a naturally gifted sportsman who has also played first-team basketball for Westville, while his footballing skills are evident with his ability to kick off both feet in the form of a booming exit or a deceptive grubber to evade opponents. On his debut for the Westvilie 1st…

FREE STATE STADIUM ‘Winning the U21 tournament with Western Province after going through the season unbeaten. It was a long night in Bloem!’ NEWLANDS ‘My most memorable match at Newlands was my first Test there, against Wales in 2002. I played with a broken rib and we won comfortably [19-8].’ ELLIS PARK ‘The 46-40 win against the All Blacks in the 2000 Tri-Nations. Fleckie [centre Robbie Fleck] came back into the team after recovering from an injury and had a great game, scoring two tries.’ LOFTUS VERSFELD ‘We beat the Bulls often at Loftus, but the one big game I remember the most is the 1998 Currie Cup final, which we lost [24-20] after having a late try ruled out because of a forward pass.’ TOUGHEST SA STADIUM? ‘Kings Park.…

JESSE KRIEL ‘Another game, another step forward.’ - The Canon Eagles centre with Bok teammates Faf de Klerk and Kurt-Lee Arendse after a Japan Rugby League One clash against the Mitsubishi Dynaboars. RUAN VENTER ‘Good to be back.’ - The Lions flank with Henco van Wyk and Quan Horn after making his return from injury in a Challenge Cup clash against the Dragons. SIYA MASUKU ‘Congrats my brother. 50 not out.’ - The Sharks flyhalf congratulated halfback partner Jaden Hendrikse after his milestone appearance. WARRICK GELANT ‘One of the best to ever do it.’ - The Stormers fullback caught up with former Racing 92 teammate and Los Pumas legend Juan Imhoff after a Champions Cup clash in Paris. COHEN JASPER ‘Life lately.’ - The Cheetahs wing with Fijian powerhouse Semi…

Supplied by RUGBY COACH WEEKLY www.youtube.com/@RugbyCoachWeekly WARM-UPS Super-quick footwork and handling warm-up Set your players up for the session with this competitive warm-up game which helps them use footwork, communication and, in the development, passing skills. WHY USE IT A good game is a quick game and with this easy set-up the players will be able to have lots of goes at being the ‘attacker’. Fast, noisy and a great way to energise your session. SET-UP Five cones (for each group) and a ball for the development. HOW TO DO IT Spread out the cones in a circle, about 3m apart. Put an attacker in the middle of the circle. The other players remain on the edge of the circle. When you say go, the attacker has to put his…

I remember when Gary Porter and Ashwyn Adams asked me to join them for coffee after a session at the Ignite Gym in Claremont, writes Luthando Woji, UCT captain from 2022 to 2024. It was during the pre-season for the 2021 season, which would become known as ‘The Bubble Year’. They were two of the more senior players in the squad who would both play 50-plus games for the club, and I was one of the many youngsters who would be playing in his first full Varsity Cup campaign (as the 2020 tournament was cut short). Entering a new team environment can be a bit daunting. You’re expected to perform at a specific level; sometimes, that expectation can be overwhelming. I remember wanting to perform well enough to get selected…

■ Slogan is ‘Passing on the Passion’. ■ Biggest rugby development platform in the southern hemisphere. ■ With the support of key sponsors, Sarla runs the Vuka rugby programme countrywide and stages the national Hollywood Foundation iQhawe Week for U15 development teams. ■ The Cell C SA Rugby Legends team gives former players a chance to play classic matches in SA and around the world. ■ Organises charity events, golf days, auctions and national food drops. - Visit sarugbylegends.com…

PURE GOLD COMMENT! Wins a six-month subscription to SA Rugby magazine Grant Barnett Ironically used by him when playing and now taught by him while coaching. Riaan Maree It’s because none of those idiots has ever scrummed. Always funny when those sticks want to tell a prop or a hooker what to do in the scrum. Dave Papenfus And this has only been discovered now?! Ben Morris Crouse Everyone is trying to gain the upper hand in the scrum and they will do anything to try to win it. Maybe coaches don’t train players to use illegal tactics but surely by playing in the position over a time you learn ‘things’ and when needed, you use them. Stop blaming the refs and play a fair game… Morné van Zyl Stop…

Which sportsperson has inspired you the most? Rafael Nadal. His work ethic is crazy. He inspired me to never give up and work hard in training. Usain Bolt is another one. He’s always smiling and brings positivity, but when he needs to focus, he executes. Which stadium would you most like to play at? A full Eden Park against the All Blacks would be amazing. And Twickenham, because it’s the home of rugby. What have been the proudest moments of your career so far? Winning last year’s Varsity Cup and being Man of the Match in the final, getting a Challenge Cup cap and playing in a Currie Cup semi-final. What rugby law would you change or introduce? The player who scores the try must take the conversion. It would…

The vast majority of rugby press conferences are quickly forgotten as players and coaches respond to questions, many uninteresting, with clichés and platitudes. There are exceptions, though, like Connacht’s after a 20-12 loss to Leinster in Dublin last December, which will live long in the memory. Australian-born Ireland winger Mack Hansen did not hold back in his criticism of referee Chris Busby and TMO Mark Patton, saying that in the first half it felt like Connacht ‘were getting pressured from what seemed like 16 men against us instead of 15’. Hansen was particularly aggrieved by a shoulder-to-head cleanout from Leinster inside centre Jordie Barrett on opposite number Bundee Aki that was not looked at by the officials. Busby and Patton did, however, take a lot of time to review two…

Should Steve Borthwick decide to add another fresh face to his England squad, an option that will soon be available to him for the first time is Tyrone Green. The Harlequins utility back becomes England-qualified this June, having joined the London-based team in the summer of 2020. Green left the Lions and his native South Africa and has not looked back since. An English Premiership title and Champions Cup semi-final later, the 27-year-old is not ruling out the opportunity to wear the red rose. ‘I will always try my best and see if I can get an international call-up,’ he tells Rugby World magazine. ‘To be fair, I’ve currently put all the international stuff in the back window and focused on Harlequins and getting silverware with them as we let…

Founded in 1907 in a merger of university clubs, Stade Toulousain has emerged as a powerhouse in France and Europe. It took just five years for Toulouse to win the French National Championship for the first time in 1911-12 after progressing to their first final in 1908-09. Since then, the club has gone on to capture the league title a further 22 times, with their most recent win coming in 2023-24. Although their success has been built on a base of French internationals, Toulouse has also had a number of Springboks playing for the club, including Gaffie du Toit, Shaun Sowerby, Gurthrö Steenkamp and, most recently, Cheslin Kolbe and Rynhardt Elstadt. Arriving at Toulouse in 2017 alongside his former Stormers teammate Elstadt, Koibe gained international recognition playing topflight rugby in…

For some players one must dig deep into statistics to make a case of their worth. One must find that statistic or statistics that make coaches purr; the kind the lay rugby follower’s eyes miss. Then there is a select few, and it is a very small grouping of players in the history of the game, where you don’t need a statistic to know the value. You simply have to watch, admire and know that you are watching something rare. The late and great British sportswriter James Lawton sat a few seats from me in the press box at Newlands on the day Jonah Lomu scored four tries, buried Mike Catt into the turf and inspired an All Blacks 1995 World Cup semi-final trouncing of England. Lomu was the rave.…