Innehållsförteckning för February 2024 från SA RUGBY

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…

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.…

‘THE PUBLIC GIVES HIM A HARD TIME, AND WE SOMETIMES LAUGH AT WHAT GETS SAID OR SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA, BECAUSE IT'S SO WIDE OF THE MARK' HANDRÉ POLLARD ON WILLIE LE ROUX ‘WHILE IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BE AT THE HEART OF SOME OF THE SPORTS MOST ICONIC MOMENTS, THE INCREASING LEVELS OF VITRIOL, WHEN THE DEMANDS AND EXPECTATION ARE SO HIGH, HAVE LED ME TO THIS MOMENT' ENGLISHMAN TOM FOLEY. THE TMO IN THE 2023 WORLD CUP FINAL, WITHDRAWS FROM INTERNATIONAL MATCH OFFICIATING 'I JUST FELT I HAD LOST A LOT OF TIME WITH MY FAMILY' JACQUES NIENABER ON WHY HE LEFT THE SPRINGBOKS FOR IRISH CLUB LEINSTER 'IT ALLOWS ME TO CONTINUE TO STAY PART OF A WORLD-CLASS, RUGBY SET-UP. IT ALSO ENABLES MY WIFE AND I…

The key components of Jake White's revival project at the Bulls are absolute trust in young talent and the astute acquisition of veteran expats. It has worked wonders at the Pretoria-based franchise, allowing many youngsters to make a case for national selection, but also reminding the rugby world that talent needs to be nurtured next to experience. White's efforts in restoring balance to such a historically successful franchise have also challenged the narrative that the only investment is an investment in youth. 'Young enough is good enough’ is a statement that those pushing for the selection of youth talent love to throw around, but if the last few years in South African rugby - involving the Bulls, Stormers and Springboks most notably have proven anything, it is that old enough…

B arring injury, Akuila Rokolisoa will be at the Paris Olympic Games with the All Blacks Sevens seeking the glory that eluded them in Tokyo. He didn't really feel part of it in 2021 as a travelling reserve with Caleb Clarke. 'We had our own hotel but couldn't go out. We waited for an injury but there was a time limit,’ says the 28year-old. Since that disappointment, he has largely been on fire, giving weight to former coach Clark Laidlaw's recent view that he's the best sevens player in the world right now. 'I'll be stoked if I make this one. It's everyone's dream to make the Olympics, so I'll just do my best to get there,’ says Rokolisoa. Last season he played big minutes as a playmaker and came…

Back-row bruiser Juarno Augustus has become a fixture in the 1st XV at Franklin's Gardens, making almost 50 appearances and scoring 13 tries in his first two seasons since 2021. Before arriving in Northampton, the influential No 8 made his senior debut in the Currie Cup for Western Province and progressed to play for the Stormers in Super Rugby. When Augustus first moved to England on a two-year deal, the Stormers expected him to return to the Western Cape in 2023, but the 2017 World Rugby Junior Player of the Year opted to stay with Saints, and is set to face his old teammates in an exhibition match at Franklin's Gardens in March. Veteran centre Burger Odendaal linked up with Northampton for the 2023-24 campaign from Japanese club Toshiba Brave…

Manie Libbok is 26 years old and Damian Willemse a year younger. As Test players, Willemse is the ‘eldest’, with 40 appearances compared to Libbok's 14. Neither are kids any more, but neither are old either. As rugby players, they were certainly in between ages pre the 2023 World Cup in France. Both have always had the magic, the genius and the licence to thrill, and both played more like kids than men in always seeking out the wonder pass, the improbable run or the impossible kick. Both lacked consistency in performance, in that the maturity seemed to want to stay away, despite so many attempts to invite it into their careers. Then it aii changed in France in the latter part of 2023, at the sport's pinnacle event every…

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…

Which rugby player have you modelled your game on? I'd say Will Jordan because of his attacking abilities and knack for identifying space. He's got a wry good kicking game as well. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would It be? Bobotie is always a winner! What do you enjoy doing during off weeks? I love to go home to De Aar, in the Northern Cape, and farm, but otherwise I just relax. I also enjoy playing Fortnite with my mates. Who's the funniest teammate you've had? It has to be Edwill van der Merwe, He always puts me in a good mood no matter the mood I'm in. What do you still want to tick off your rugby bucket list? I'd…

Having begun their 2023-24 European Challenge Cup campaign with an Impressive win against Perpignan in France, the Lions would have hoped for a good crowd for their first home match of the tournament against the Newcastle Falcons, Instead, the trams played in an almost empty Ellis Park, with the official attendance of 2 500 no doubt including the suite holders. Yes, the rain would have kept some fans away. Many Joburgers would also have been on their way to the coast for the December holidays, but the fact there was a capacity crowd of 30 000 for the one-day International between the Proteas and India at the Wanderers the next day suggests there were other reasons why rugby fans (many of whom would have attended the cricket) stayed away from…

ART OF COACHING Make the best of your team runs A well-organised team run in the training session before a fixture can pull all the team elements together. Structure your time to cover the essentials and motivate your team for the match. HOW LONG SHOULD YOUR TEAM RUN BE? A well-organised team that has spent a lot of time together could run for 20-30 minutes. But avoid the danger of trying to cover everything you have been working on during the week. You need to be selective and tailor the team run to incorporate the key elements of the game plan for that game. Ask yourself what the really important aspects of play are that will allow the team to get into the shape it wants in attack and defence.…

CLUB FOCUS Last season's English Premiership semi-finalists, the Northampton Saints have made a strong start to the 2023-24 campaign, as they aim to capture their fifth major title. Having launched with five wins in their opening eight matches - including a triumph over defending champions Saracens in London - Saints showed they are up for the challenge in a highlycompetitive English season. In their first campaign under former centurion Phil Dowson, who was promoted to director of rugby in 2022 after serving as forwards coach, Northampton secured a semi-final spot, but were ultimately beaten by Saracens, and their rivals went on to win the title. Founded in 1880 out of the St James Church as a way to allow the region's boys to let off steam, Northampton have tasted Premiership…

CAREER IN PICTURES…

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…

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…

JUSTIN GEDULD JUSTIN GEDULD SHOWED GREAT MENTAL STRENGTH TO FIGHT BACK FROM WHAT MANY THOUGHT WAS A CAREER-ENDING KNEE INJURY Justin Geduld's unwavering determination to bounce back from a 15-month injury spell is an inspiration to the Blitzboks in their quest to reclaim the throne as World Rugby Sevens Series kings. There were many reasons for an emotional Blitzboks team to celebrate their series-opening triumph in Dubai. It was their first tournament win in 12 months, haring endured a 2022-23 season affected by a nightmare run of injuries to senior players, during a transition between coaches. It was also a landmark fifth Dubai Sevens win in a row and 11th overall for the ‘Sings of the Desert’, matching New Zealand's record in South Africa for most tournament wins at a…

• Northampton's fiercest rivals are the Leicester Tigers, who they face in the East Midlands derby. Over the years, Saints have also developed a rivalry with Saracens, who they beat in the 2013-14 Premiership final. • Former Bok lock Victor Matfield (below) spent the final season of his professional career at Northampton, playing 17 games for the club between 2015 and 2016. • Northampton contributed five players to England's 2003 World Cup-winning campaign, including hooker Steve Thompson and scrumhalf Matt Dawson. • The club takes its nickname, ‘Saints’ from its founding name: Northampton St James. • Northampton's only European Champions Cup win came in 1999-2000, when flyhalf Paul Grayson kicked three penalties in a 9-8 win over Munster in front of a then record crowd of 68 441 at Twickenham.…

We have all seen the big hits that make you wince; the thundering shoulder that cuts an attacker in half and has the crowd collectively giving it an ‘Oooh!’ All legal, all-out mayhem. And it's part or the game we love. But who's the all-time master? We've run through the names from Pieter-Steph du Toit to Jerry Collins. Putting these monsters in any sort of order could be folly - so just enjoy the savagery of all, in any order you like! PIETER-STEPH DU TOIT It really was a defensive display for the ages. After winning the 2023 World Cup final, Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber was asked about Du Toit's 28 tackles in a Man of the Match performance. 'I always joke that if there's a white plastic bag…