SA RUGBY June 2025

If you've been around long enough to remember when Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nché, Frans Malherbe, Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am were not household names, you'll recognise the familiar signs that point to Ethan Hooker, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Jan-Hendnk Wessels, Jurenzo Julius and JF van Heerden becoming highly sought-after players the world over. A highlight of the 2024-25 season was the red-hot bid placed by each of these players for inclusion in the Springbok squad. Hooker and Julius upstaged their more experienced Sharks teammates in converting touches into positive contributions. And Wessels, Ntlabakanye and Van Heerden bossed opponents at the set niece and contact noint. There's a moment in time that marks the arrival of many a legendary Springbok, and this season has the makings of that milestone for these five…

BULLS 25 SHARKS 13 Bulls wing Sebastian de Klerk opened the scoring in the URC semi-final at Loftus after taking a long pass from Embrose Papier, cutting back inside past Ethan Hooker, and darting through a gap between Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi. SHARKS 24 MUNSTER 24 Replacement scrumhalf Bradley Davids kicks the matchwinning penalty goal in the Sharks’ 6-4 shootout win. The URC quarter-final finished 24-24 after both regular time and extra time, with both teams scoring three tries. BULLS 42 EDINBURGH 33 The Bulls were trailing 14-3 in the URC quarterfinal at Loftus Versfeld when No 8 Cameron Hanekom burst between two defenders to score the first of his team's six tries. BORDEAUX 28 NORTHAMPTON 20 The new European champions celebrate their victory with an open-top bus parade…

ZELÍM NEL SAYS JF VAN HEERDEN At the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Franco Mostert will be pushing 36, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit will be halfway to 70, and Lood de Jager (34), Nico Janse van Rensburg (33) and RG Snyman (32) won't exactly be spring chickens. The ‘youngsters’ in the Bok lock platoon, Ruan Nortje and Salmaan Moerat, will be 29 at the tournament in Australia. As much as the experience of this group is magnificent, and probably the envy of the world, it does raise concerns about the possibility of injuries impacting South Africa at the 11th hour in their pursuit of an unprecedented third successive world title. Etzebeth is South Africa's mostcapped player in team history and his Test legacy was famously launched when Heyneke Meyer…

DOUBLE DELIGHT SA Rugby magazine chatted to Springbok lock Kobus Wiese and prop Balie Swart, childhood friends who had silenced their detractors by winning the 1995 World Cup. The World Cup was special, but the feelings are difficult to explain,’ said Swart. ‘Before the final there were thousands of fans gathered outside our Sandton hotel. People, black and white, were singing and wishing us well. That was the difference in the World Cup; the support we got.’ The Boks had walked right up to the All Blacks while they were doing the haka before the final at Ellis Park which, Swart said, wasn't planned. ‘It just happened. Kobus went right up to Jonah Lomu, who wouldn't look him in the eyes - like Ruben Kruger against Mike Brewer.’ Wiese recalled:…

NEWLANDS My first stadium experience was Newlands. I watched the 1995 World Cup semi-final there between the All Blacks and England, when Jonah Lomu scored four tries in front of me. I remember thinking how unbelievable it would be if I could play on this field one day, I did for the first time for the Paul Roos U13 team and began my career with Western Province [in 2002] at Newlands and played my first Test match for the Springboks there against Italy in 2008. so it will always have a special place in my heart.’ FREE STATE STADIUM ‘I never played a Test in Bloemfontein, but it was sort of a home ground for the Cats back in the day and that's what I remember it for.’ KINGS PARK…

NAAS BOTHA ‘On the other hand Darren, we are going to miss you! Love always, RIP.’ - The former Springbok flyhalf and captain shared a throwback picture alongside former Boots ‘n All colleague Darren Scott, who passed away after a long battle with cancer. SIYA KOLISI ‘Gqu Gqu Gqu 100 up,’ - The Springbok captain congratulated Lukhanyo Am after the centre's milestone appearance for the Sharks. ROHAN JANSE VAN RENSBURG ‘Champions of Europe. C'est énorme [this is huge].’ - The Bordeaux Bègles centre with team physio Manu Espiasse after winning the Champions Cup in Cardiff. RUDY PAIGE ‘My heart is broken! Heaven has a brilliant new member.’ - The former Springbok scrumhalf reflected after the sudden passing of long-time friend Comal Hendricks. APHELELE FASSI Ice cold - The Sharks fullback…