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Western Province and the Free State XV finished the Grant Khomo Week unbeaten after claiming convincing wins on day three of the tournament at Grey High School. WP and the Blue Bulls contested the final match of the tournament, and the clash between the north-south rivals certainly lived up to the hype. The Cape side …
The Sharks Women scored an important win over Border Ladies in the tenth round of the SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division, while the top three contenders on the log all scored convincing victories to keep the pecking order on the log intact. The KZN side needed to win to stay connected to the top four …
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said it was a case of “goal achieved” as they kicked off their 2024 season on a winning note against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday with a strong second-half performance seeing them overcome a narrow 14-13 halftime lead, to register a well-deserved 41-13 victory. Both teams created a chances to score …
The Springbok Sevens team completed a successful pool stage of their World Rugby Sevens Repechage tournament in Monaco on Saturday, finishing top of Pool A with victories over Tonga (31-7) and Chile (26-7) after defeating Mexico (44-0) on Friday, and will now face Uganda at 11h31 (SA time) on Sunday in the quarter-final.
The Monaco winner will qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Springbok Sevens interim Head Coach, Philip Snyman, praised his troops after the three wins, saying that an important first hurdle was crossed.
"We needed to top the pool and to do so, we needed to play three good matches on the trot,” said Snyman.
“I think we did that over the last two days, and although it was not perfect, the first objective was reached.”
They will face Uganda - a team Snyman coached to Rugby World Cup Sevens qualification in 2022.
"They are skillful athletes and a country with a proud Olympic heritage, so need no motivation for this game,” Snyman said.
“For us the challenge will be to continue the momentum picked up over the first two days because tomorrow is when it really matters.”
The opening clash against Tonga was a physical affair as expected.
The Blitzboks countered that with superior ball skills and pace. Quewin Nortje again showed that his pace had no peers at this level with two well taken tries in the first half, and a Shilton van Wyk dotted down in the corner gave the SA side a 24-0 lead at the break.
The second half was more of the same although the Blitzboks conceded a try to keep them honest.
Against Chile, more patience was needed to break their opponents down.
Tristan Leyds opened the scoring after a delightful Selvyn Davids grubber opened up the Chilean defence. He converted as well for a 7-0 lead.
Van Wyk scored on the buzzer after a delightful Leyds offload, who converted as well for a 14-0 lead at the break.
In the second spell, Siviwe Soyizwapi finished a well-worked try from a counter-attack that started near their own line.
Chile pulled one back with two minutes left, but Ryan Oosthuizen scored after a soft touch by Tiaan Pretorius. and Shaun Williams converted.
Scorers:
South Africa 31 (10), Tonga 7 (0)
SA - Tries: Quewin Nortje (2), Shilton van Wyk, Selvyn Davids, Shaun Williams. Conversions: Leyds (3).
South Africa 26 (14), Chile 7 (0).
SA - Tries: Tristan Leyds, Shilton van Wyk, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Ryan Oosthuizen. Conversions: Leyds (2), Shaun Williams.
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Rugby.
Note to editors:
Audio notes of Philip Snyman can be downloaded here https://apo-opa.co/3XExfNN.
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Zeena Isaacs
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JJ Harmse
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The Glasgow Warriors delivered an impressive, polished second-half performance to clinch the Vodacom United Rugby Championship with a pulsating 21-16 triumph over the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday evening. The Vodacom Bulls led 13-7 at halftime after both sides managed to score a converted try, with fly half Johan Goosen’s two successful penalty …
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The Vodacom Bulls will not give an inch on Saturday when they host the Glasgow Warriors in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship grand final at Loftus Versfeld, where they will have their sights set on becoming the second South African franchise to win the title. The match kicks off at 18h00 and will be broadcast …
Mr Francois Davids was re-elected as the deputy president of the South African Rugby Union at the Union’s Annual Meeting in Cape Town on Thursday. He will serve a four-year term. Mr Davids was opposed by Mr Jerry Segwaba, the former president of the Free State Rugby Union. Two positions on the Executive Council were …
The South African Rugby Union reported a small deficit of R6.8m (before taxation) in 2023 because of significant game-related expenditure in an “extraordinarily challenging” financial year, the Union’s members were told at the Annual Meeting in Cape Town on Thursday. The result was described as a “major achievement” by Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, …
Emerging lyricist Philip Myburgh, in collaboration with a group of talented artists, releases “Let Us Sing” from his highly anticipated album, “The Dance of the Footnote.” Following the release of the first two tracks, “Sinani” and “Mama wam” – the collection features 20 carefully crafted songs, with “Let Us Sing” promising to resonate with a …
The Sharks Women will take on their southern neighbour, Border Ladies in Uvongo on Friday in what will be a crucial measure of their ambitions in this year’s SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division. The KwaZulu Natal side (22 log points) has been blowing hot and cold this season and will be well aware that another …
Munster Rugby’s Jack Crowley has been named the Vodacom United Rugby Championship’s Players’ Player of the season, capping off an incredible awards season for the young playmaker. The 24-year-old adds the award to his Next-Gen Player of the Season prize, as well as also being named in this season’s Elite XV. Crowley has been ever-present …
Munster Rugby’s Graham Rowntree has been voted BKT Coach of the Season following another excellent campaign with the Irish province. Having led Munster to Vodacom URC glory last season, the Englishman has followed that up with another excellent run of form post-Christmas, leading his side to 11 wins in a row. Munster finished top of …
Springbok No 8 Evan Roos expected a physical battle against Wales on Saturday as the team kicks off their 2024 international season at Twickenham, saying the Welsh have a similar demeanour to South Africans in their approach to Test rugby. The Springboks wrapped up their preparations on home soil on Tuesday with their final training …
The Blue Bulls and Western Province claimed important wins while a resurgent Golden Lions side edged the hosts on day two of the Grant Khomo Week at Grey High School in Gqeberha. Boland secured one of the biggest results on day one of the tournament when they beat the Lions 21-16 and went into their …
Rugby World Cup-winning prop Vincent Koch will earn his 50th Test cap on Saturday when the Springboks take on Wales at Twickenham in their first international since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in France in October last year as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an exciting matchday 23 that will be captained by flanker Pieter-Steph …
The Springbok Sevens squad are keen to make their third opportunity to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics count and join their regular foes at the Rugby Sevens event in Paris. France, New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji, Australia, Ireland, USA, and Samoa all confirmed their spots for Paris, and having beaten all of them during the HSBC SVNS season, the South Africans would want to join them at the Olympic showpiece.
According to experienced forward, Impi Visser, the team understands that this will be it for them should they fail to win the World Rugby Sevens Repechage in Monaco on Sunday.
“We really did ourselves no favours this time around,” said Visser in explaining their mission.
“First, we finished outside the top four in the Series and then we lost to Kenya to qualify through the continental route. That was not great at all, but luckily for us, we have one more opportunity and this time we must make it work,” according to Visser.
The Blitzboks arrived in Monaco on Monday and on Tuesday had a good training run at Stade Laurentin Rugby in the city of St Laurent du Var near Nice, which is 40 minutes outside Monte Carlo.
Visser emphasized that their Olympic dream is still burning brightly: “Some of us were in Tokyo last time around, but we did not get a podium finish, so in a way there will be unfinished business for us. However, the reality is that we need to get the job done here first, before thinking about anything else.”
Visser also represented South Africa at the Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games and said playing for his country remains an unbelievable honour, and highlight.
“That will remain a privilege, and to be able to run out this weekend will be another huge moment for us, especially with what is at stake for us. We are determined and dare not disappoint the country,” reckons Visser.
Visser has seen plenty of knock-out tournament action before, but for Tristan Leyds, a 2024 HSBC SVNS debutant with the Blitzboks, this is an all-new experience.
“Talking about the Olympics is exciting, and one can get carried away about what is to come, but that is of no use if we don't do the business this weekend,” said the lanky flyhalf.
“All that matter is this weekend's performance, and we don't look past that."
According to Leyds he enjoyed his debut season with the Blitzboks.
“Let's hope there is more to come,” he said about his debut season.
“People are getting to know how I play, and it is becoming tougher to be as effective on attack, for example, but that is what it is all about. You need to improve and grow as a player and be at your very best for the big occasion. And this weekend is such an occasion,” according to Leyds.
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Rugby.
Note to editors:
Audio notes of Tristan Leyds can be downloaded here (https://apo-opa.co/4ctjN3l).
For further information, please contact lease contact:
Andy Colquhoun
GM: Communications and Commercial
+27 (0) 21 928 7010
+27 (0) 82 926 0789
andyc@sarugby.co.za
De Jongh Borchardt
Communications Manager
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dejonghb@sarugby.co.za
Rayaan Adriaanse
Junior Rugby Media Manager
+27 (0) 21 928 7013
+27 (0) 82 999 0022
rayaan@sarugby.co.za
Sindiswa Ximba
Media Operations Coordinator
+27 (0) 21 928 7011
+27 (0) 60 504 1069
sindiswa.ximba@sarugby.co.za
Zeena Isaacs
Springbok Media Manager
+27 (0) 21 928 7020
+27 (0) 82 357 3112
ZeenaI@sarugby.co.za
JJ Harmse
Sevens and Women's Rugby Media Manager
+27 (0) 21 928 7014
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jjharmse@sarugby.co.za
Emirates Lions utility back Sanele Nohamba was rewarded for his great form of the past eight months when he was named the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Season for his stellar performances at scrumhalf and flyhalf for the team from Johannesburg.
The 25-year-old Nohamba follows in the footsteps of DHL Stormers duo Evan Roos and Manie Libbok, who won this award in the first two seasons of URC. The other 2024 nominees were the Vodacom Bulls' duo of Cameron Hanekom (loose forward) and Kurt-Lee Arendse (wing).
The Gauteng-based trio garnered the most votes in the nomination process, with Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus, the four South African franchises and local media selecting their star players of the season.
Nohamba – who has progressed through SA Rugby's Elite Player Development pipeline and honed his skills for the SA Schools and Junior Springbok sides – played scrumhalf and flyhalf for the Emirates Lions, starting 17 of their 18 games in 2023/24. He scored two tries, and added 32 conversions, 14 penalty goals and a drop goal for a personal tally of 119 points during the season, which placed him fourth overall after the league phase of the competition.
Mr. Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, congratulated Nohamba on his exceptional season, which also earned him an invitation to the Springbok alignment camps.
“It's often said that there is no more space in our game for players who are smaller in stature, but Sanele disproved that assumption this season,” said Mr. Alexander.
“What he lacks in size, he makes up for in skill, heart, and temperament. This award is a testament to his remarkable attitude. Sanele adapted seamlessly from scrumhalf to flyhalf and excelled in the No. 10 jersey, catching the attention of Rassie Erasmus.
“The Lions came very close to making the playoffs for the first time, and Sanele was one of their standout players this season. He is a deserving recipient of the Vodacom URC Player of the Season award.”
Sitho Mdlalose, CEO of Vodacom South Africa, said: “We're delighted to recognise what has been a magnificent season for Sanele Nohamba. Sanele has been a true inspiration with his exciting play for the Emirates Lions, and he really embodies the ethos of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship with his fighting spirit and his selfless service to his team.
“Sanele has taken his talent and passion for the game all the way from his upbringing in Alice in the Eastern Cape right to the biggest stages in world rugby, and now even into challenging for Springbok selection.
“We're privileged to have played a part in providing the platform for his talent to shine and grow, and to be able to recognise the hard work he's put in to make this such a defining season for him.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Rugby.
For further information, please contact:
Andy Colquhoun
GM: Communications and Commercial
+27 (0) 21 928 7010
+27 (0) 82 926 0789
andyc@sarugby.co.za
De Jongh Borchardt
Communications Manager
+27 (0) 21 928 7021
+27 (0) 82 999 9979
dejonghb@sarugby.co.za
Rayaan Adriaanse
Junior Rugby Media Manager
+27 (0) 21 928 7013
+27 (0) 82 999 0022
rayaan@sarugby.co.za
Sindiswa Ximba
Media Operations Coordinator
+27 (0) 21 928 7011
+27 (0) 60 504 1069
sindiswa.ximba@sarugby.co.za
Zeena Isaacs
Springbok Media Manager
+27 (0) 21 928 7020
+27 (0) 82 357 3112
ZeenaI@sarugby.co.za
JJ Harmse
Sevens and Women's Rugby Media Manager
+27 (0) 21 928 7014
+27 (0) 71 480 4570
jjharmse@sarugby.co.za
Emirates Lions playmaker Sanele Nohamba has been named Vodacom URC Player of the Season 2024 following a fantastic campaign with the Johannesburg-based franchise. The award was open to any player from one of the four South African franchises, and forms part of the annual SA Rugby Awards, with the winner determined by votes from the …
One year after becoming the first Italian match official to referee a Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final, Andrea Piardi has been appointed to this season’s showpiece decider in Pretoria where the Vodacom Bulls meet Glasgow Warriors. Having impressed in last year’s Grand Final, the 31-year-old, who was part of the match officials team for …
Emirates Lions utility back Sanele Nohamba was rewarded for his great form of the past eight months when he was named the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Season for his stellar performances at scrumhalf and flyhalf for the team from Johannesburg. The 25-year-old Nohamba follows in the footsteps of DHL Stormers duo Evan …
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was pleased with the bedrock laid at the first week of the national training camp in Pretoria and was satisfied that they have a solid base to build from as the squad prepares to face Wales in the opening Test of the season at Twickenham next week Saturday. Erasmus was pleased …
The Junior Springbok squad for the forthcoming World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Cape Town was announced on Friday, with Zachary Porthen – one of five players who will feature in the tournament for a second time – named as the captain of the team. Apart from Porthen – who will pack down at prop – …
The Carling Currie Cup First Division for 2024 kicks off with a bang on Saturday, when the Valke host defending champions Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in a rematch of last year’s final at the Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park, in one of three opening-round matches. Elsewhere, the Phangela SWD Eagles face Eastern Province in the first …