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Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi will captain the national team for first time on Saturday when he leads a new-look combination against Argentina in Buenos Aires in the first of three Rugby World Cup warm-up games. The team shows 13 changes to the starting line-up, while the 23 includes talented prop Gerhard Steenekamp, who could make …
A programme to broaden and deepen the reserve of top black coaches in the country bore fruit on Monday with the graduation of 11 ‘students’ from an Elite Coaching Programme run by SA Rugby. The graduates completed an intensive 18-month programme of learning, mentoring, practical sessions and testing. Seven of the original 18 entrants fell …
Scottish Rugby has launched a ground-breaking Player Welfare Action Plan designed to reduce and better manage injuries at all levels of the community game, and to ensure the game remains enjoyable for all. The Action Plan has a dedicated focus on eight key objectives which put player welfare at the forefront of on and off-pitch …
In an unforgettable ceremony Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com), the governing body of rugby in Africa, proudly presented the prestigious trophy to the triumphant winners of the World Rugby U20 Trophy in Nairobi, Kenya. The newly elected President of Rugby Africa handed over the trophy to the U20 Spain rugby team following their thrilling 39-32 victory against Uruguay in the action-packed finale at Nyayo National Stadium on 30 July 2023.
Despite conceding 15 points early in the match, Spain successfully thwarted Uruguay's attacking efforts. Ultimately the decisive try scored by substitute Diego Gonzalez sealed the famous victory for Spain.
As a testament to their winning performance, Spain earned a promotion to the World Rugby U20 Championship, set to take place in South Africa in 2024. Herbert Mensah, officially representing World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont, was delighted to have the honor of presenting the trophy to the well-deserved champions at the award ceremony.
“Congratulations to both teams, the Spanish team for their relentless effort and hard-earned victory. It was a testament to their dedication to the sport. When presenting them with the medals, I could feel their overwhelming joy from beginning to end. My commiserations to Uruguay, who displayed unwavering determination while playing for their country. This embodies the true spirit of sport, where athletes compete for all their heart and honor of their nations,” stated Mensah.
The successful conclusion of the World Rugby U20 Trophy in Nairobi not only showcases Africa's capability to host top-tier rugby events but also highlights the continent's commitment to nurturing and promoting the sport at every level. Under Mensah's leadership, Rugby Africa will continue to collaborate with World Rugby to empower and uplift rugby communities throughout the continent.
“These youngsters are the future; you will see many of them in the World Cup in 2027 and 2031. They will be bigger and stronger, more determined, and more experienced. For many of them, this event marks the beginning,” added Mensah. “I extend my congratulations to World Rugby for organizing this event and collaborating with Kenya Rugby Union to host it right here on the African continent. This event has demonstrated that African nations are excellent hosts. We are a rich and diverse region full of potential and look forward to exploring with World Rugby how we can continue to bring marquee events to the region.”
As the rugby world celebrates Spain's victory and eagerly anticipates their participation in the World Rugby U20 Championship in 2024. Herbert Mensah and Rugby Africa extend their warmest congratulations to Spain U20 Rugby team, the runners-up Uruguay and all the participating nations for contributing to a thrilling and memorable competition.
More information about the World Rugby U20 Trophy: https://apo-opa.info/3DAhkFd.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rugby Africa.
Media contact:
Nicole Vervelde
Communications Advisor
rugby@apo-opa.com
About Rugby Africa:
Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the governing body of rugby in Africa and one of the regional associations under World Rugby. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women's rugby. Rugby Africa organizes various competitions, including the qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup and the Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. With 39 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to promoting and developing rugby across the continent.
The SWD Eagirls will defend their Women’s First Division title against the Free State Women in Bloemfontein on Saturday, as DHL Western Province and the Cell C Sharks scored significant victories in the Women’s Premier Division, while the Bulls Daisies again secured a full house of points to remain the only undefeated team in the …
>Spain will be playing in the World Rugby U20 Championship for the first time in 2024 after a thrilling 39-32 victory over Uruguay at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya, on Sunday. Spain have made it to the top tier of international age-grade rugby for the first time after winning a sensational World Rugby …
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber likened his team’s hard-fought 22-21 Castle Lager Rugby Championship victory over Argentina on Saturday to a typical Rugby World Cup arm wrestle. The Springboks had to weather a fiercely committed onslaught from Argentina in front of 44 357 fans at Emirates Airline Park, when they spent long periods penned in their …
The bulk of the SA Schools teams were included in a 26-player SA U18 squad for next month’s U18 International Series against France and England. Eighteen players who featured for the SA Schools team in their 36-26 victory over the SA Schools ‘A’ in Wellington two weeks ago were selected, while five members of the …
The 10s Series is back in the Western Cape with some exciting new announcements! The popular Winelands 10s has continued to grow which meant a change in venue was needed to accommodate the close to 100 teams set to compete this year. The 10s Series is excited to announce the new venue for the annual …
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named a squad of 26 players for the trip to Buenos Aires for their opening Rugby World Cup warm-up game on Saturday, 5 August, with several players who did not feature against the Pumas at Emirates Airline Park, boarding the airplane early on Sunday morning. Nienaber and his Springbok coaching staff …
The Scotland U20 Head Coach Kenny Murray has announced his team to take on Samoa in the World Rugby U20 Trophy third and fourth place decider this Sunday 30 July (kick off 10am BST, 12pm local time). A settled side will finish off the tournament, with a few new faces making their World Rugby U20 …
Scotland Women will host Spain on Saturday 30 September at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh as preparations get underway for World Rugby’s new global competition, WXV (kick-off time to be confirmed). The hosts secured their spot in the second tier of the competition, WXV 2, which will be held in Cape Town this October, after finishing …
FOSROC Future XV Head Coach Scott Lawson has confirmed the 29-man squad that will compete as part of the newly formed team in the 2023 FOSROC Super Series Championship. The FOSROC Future XV is built upon the next generation of young Scottish players and has been introduced to the FOSROC Super Series Championship to better …
Japan Number 8 Michael Leitch has been suspended for three matches, having received a red card in Japan’s international test match against Samoa on 22 July. Japan Number 8, Michael Leitch, appeared before an independent judicial committee on Wednesday, 26 July, having received a red card for an offence contrary to Law 9.11 (a player …
A large group of players – including seven who are uncapped at senior international level – will assemble in Stellenbosch from Friday as Springbok Women interim head coach Louis Koen gets the ball rolling for their WXV preparation with an alignment camp at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport. The second tier WXV2 tournament will take …
New Zealand replacement Tanya Kalounivale has been suspended for three matches having received a citing in New Zealand’s match against USA on the final day of the World Rugby Pacific Four Series on 14 July. Tanya Kalounivale (New Zealand) Citing, Law 9.13 (Dangerous tackle) New Zealand replacement Tanya Kalounivale appeared before an independent judicial committee …
Scottish Rugby has established three new Regional Training Centres for the performance pathway as part of its continued investment in the women and girls’ game. This initiative, in partnership with sportscotland and alongside the already existing Highland & Islands performance development programme, will see Scottish Rugby delivering high-performance training across the country for women and …
Rory Darge will lead Scotland for the first time as they take on Italy in the opening game of The Famous Grouse Nations Series at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on Saturday. The 23-year-old Glasgow Warriors flanker earned his first Scotland cap against Wales in the 2022 Guinness Six Nations and has gone onto win another six …
New Zealand scrum-half Iritana Hohaia has been suspended for three matches having received a red card in New Zealand’s match against USA on the final day of the World Rugby Pacific Four Series on 14 July. New Zealand scrum-half Iritana Hohaia appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee on 25 July 2023, having received a red …
Uruguay will meet Spain in the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2023 final on Sunday after Los Teritos beat Scotland 37-26 in Nairobi. Earlier, there was a first tournament win since 2012 for Zimbabwe and hosts Kenya beat Hong Kong China. Spain and Uruguay remain in the hunt for promotion from the World Rugby U20 Trophy …
Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen will lead a new-look Bok team in their final Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against Argentina at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday in what could be the competition decider depending on the result between New Zealand and Australia in Melbourne. Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber made nine changes to …
The Bulls Daisies continue to set the tone in the Women’s Premier Division and scored their second successive century of points on Saturday, while Free State Women remain unstoppable in their scoring spree in the First Division, passing the 100-point mark for the second time in the final pool round of their season. The Daisies …
Join us for the first-ever edition of the Jozi 10s and get ready to rock the City of Gold across two days of jam-packed action and entertainment! It’s all happening at St. Stithians College in Sandton on the 25th and 26th of August 2023. Get ready to experience something extraordinary and enjoy an explosion of …
Nothing could separate Hoërskool Outeniqua and Paarl Gimnasium (Gim) in a tense Sportmans Warehouse Premier Interschools encounter that ended 10-10 in George on Saturday, July 22. A combination of hard-nosed defence and true grit saw Hoërskool Outeniqua keep Paarl Gimnasium at bay in a gruelling clash in front of their home fans. The Kwaggas had …