SA Rugby

[Billy Webb]

@Stargazer said in Springboks moving forward:

It looks like Kolbe prefers playing sevens next year (because of the Olympics, end of July), so possibly not available for (some of) the Springboks tests.

Cheslin Kolbe has revealed that he is targeting a return to sevens rugby in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games after finishing the current French season with Toulouse.

‘I want to be a European champion with Toulouse and we can maybe do it this season,’ Kolbe added. ‘This is my next goal, with the one, I hope, to represent South Africa with the national team at sevens at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.’

Kolbe last played sevens in the 2016-17 World Series and was part of the Blitzboks team that finished with a bronze medal in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/kolbe-targeting-tokyo-olympics/

Will be interesting to see how this managed by SA Rugby.
The SA Sevens setup generally shies away from "XV's imports" for these events (although it does happen) because Sevens has become such a specialist game. But Kolbe did spend a long time with them before, so it is not new to him.
But I suspect, they'd like him with the Sevens team pretty exclusive of any other commitments.

If he goes that route, it opens up opportunities elsewhere. S'bu Nkosi would get back to show his skills, which are not unimpressive.

[Daffy Jaffy]

For want of a better place to put this:

[Joan and Mary]

@OomPB Hi OomPB long time no hear, how are you doing?

[OomPB]

@Joan-and-Mary said in Springboks moving forward:

@OomPB Hi OomPB long time no hear, how are you doing?

Great to see you are still around, my tipping team mate.

[Stargazer]

Jacques Nienaber was named as the new Springbok coach on Friday as part of a revised coaching panel, that will report directly to Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s director of rugby.

Nienaber is promoted from an assistant coach’s role to carry the day-to-day responsibility while Erasmus will continue to direct strategy in a tweaking of a panel that is heavily accented on continuity.

Both Nienaber and Erasmus emphasised that continuity will be paramount for the Boks in 2020.

Mzwandile Stick has been reappointed as an assistant coach while in an innovative inclusion, Felix Jones will continue but in a new role as a European-based coaching consultant.

There are two new appointments with Deon Davids appointed forwards coach while Daan Human – the Vodacom Bulls’ scrum coach – takes up the same role with the Springboks on a shared basis.

...

https://www.springboks.rugby/en/articles/2020/01/24/Bok-coaching-team-confirmed

[Kruse]

@Machpants said in SA Rugby:

Quite like the school yard pick idea!

Yep - somebody here suggested something like that instead of the North vs South ... it would have been awesome. Especially with Foster coaching one team, Razor the other.

Edit: after actually reading the article (bannable offence, I know)...

...the local competition will continue over Christmas and New Year and will culminate in semi-finals (January 16) and a final on January 23 next year.

Playing rugby in South Africa in December/January... that's gotta be some hard-core shit, doesn't it?

[Machpants]

@Kruse yeah sounds very painful, even with watered pitches

[Tim]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/pollard-issues-message-to-fans-after-his-devastating-injury/

[Kiwiwomble]

@Kruse said in SA Rugby:

@Machpants said in SA Rugby:

Quite like the school yard pick idea!

Yep - somebody here suggested something like that instead of the North vs South ... it would have been awesome. Especially with Foster coaching one team, Razor the other.

Edit: after actually reading the article (bannable offence, I know)...

...the local competition will continue over Christmas and New Year and will culminate in semi-finals (January 16) and a final on January 23 next year.

Playing rugby in South Africa in December/January... that's gotta be some hard-core shit, doesn't it?

yeah, i think a few of us did, i thought it could have been quite fun

[pukunui]

@Kiwiwomble said in SA Rugby:

@Kruse said in SA Rugby:

@Machpants said in SA Rugby:

Quite like the school yard pick idea!

Yep - somebody here suggested something like that instead of the North vs South ... it would have been awesome. Especially with Foster coaching one team, Razor the other.

Edit: after actually reading the article (bannable offence, I know)...

...the local competition will continue over Christmas and New Year and will culminate in semi-finals (January 16) and a final on January 23 next year.

Playing rugby in South Africa in December/January... that's gotta be some hard-core shit, doesn't it?

yeah, i think a few of us did, i thought it could have been quite fun

It would be an interesting exercise to do on here. Two people could face off and go pick for pick. You could probably do multiple match ups and each pair would come up with very different sides depending on preference.

[Kruse]

@pukunui said in SA Rugby:

@Kiwiwomble said in SA Rugby:

@Kruse said in SA Rugby:

@Machpants said in SA Rugby:

Quite like the school yard pick idea!

Yep - somebody here suggested something like that instead of the North vs South ... it would have been awesome. Especially with Foster coaching one team, Razor the other.

Edit: after actually reading the article (bannable offence, I know)...

...the local competition will continue over Christmas and New Year and will culminate in semi-finals (January 16) and a final on January 23 next year.

Playing rugby in South Africa in December/January... that's gotta be some hard-core shit, doesn't it?

yeah, i think a few of us did, i thought it could have been quite fun

It would be an interesting exercise to do on here. Two people could face off and go pick for pick. You could probably do multiple match ups and each pair would come up with very different sides depending on preference.

Unless one of the pair was @ACT-Crusader ...

[Kiwiwomble]

@pukunui id be despertey hoping one of them would miscount and have to stick a prop on the wing

[OomPB]

@Kruse Our PRO14 sides played in that period the last few years. Games @ 19h00 is perfect for live TV coverage

[OomPB]

@Machpants Currie Cup will be intense. Teams fighting for top 4 positions plus possibility of Springbokke inclusion.

[Stargazer]

Below are a few quotes from media releases on the Springboks website. They show what's going on with the squad in terms of selection:

16 September 2020

The battle lines are being drawn for a Castle Lager Springbok Showdown, which will pit the best local stars and top, up-and-coming talent against each other on 3 October, as SA Rugby announced its plans today to reignite an exciting four-month local season.

Springbok assistant coaches Mzwandile Stick and Deon Davids will coach Springbok Green versus Springbok Gold teams for the match at DHL Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday 3 October, with Rassie Erasmus (Director of Rugby) and Jacques Nienaber (Springbok coach) acting as the two Team Commissioners.

The selection process will take the form of a draft pick from an enlarged squad of 60 players with Green and Gold team bosses taking alternate turns in an old-style ‘school yard pick’ to assemble their match-day squads of 25 players each.

“This will not only be an opportunity to see the best of the best available talent in South Africa square off against each other in what promises to be something never seen before, but it will also provide the players with another valuable opportunity to shake of the rust and get the legs and lungs going after not playing any rugby in the last six months,” said Erasmus.

“The players will be encouraged to showcase their skills – individually and in their teams – and while it will be full-on, we’re expecting to see a highly competitive match of quality players against each other.

“It will be exciting – from the moment we select the squads, with a number of twists thrown in for good measure – through the build-up to the match and the actual encounter in Cape Town.”

---

19 September 2020:

Thirty-two capped Springboks – 13 of whom were part of the Rugby World Cup-winning squad in Japan a year ago – a number of Blitzboks and recent Junior Boks are among a roster of 93 players in the draft squad for the historic Castle Lager Springbok Showdown in Cape Town on Saturday 3 October.

Fifty of these players will end up in the two squads – Green and Gold – for the momentous match scheduled for DHL Newlands in two weeks’ time.

The players, all of whom are based in South Africa, will be drafted into two squads of 25 each by the respective team commissioners and coaches, with equal representation amongst all positions.

Furthermore, each squad will be augmented by seven rookies, all of whom will return to their provinces the day before the match if they are not required to step into either squad as replacements.

---

Castle Lager Springbok Showdown draft squad:

Props: Frans Malherbe*, Thomas du Toit*, Steven Kitshoff*, Trevor Nyakane*, Lizo Gqoboka^, Ox Nche^, Marcel van der Merwe^, Ruan Dreyer^, Dylan Smith, Carlu Sadie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Luan de Bruin, Sti Sithole, Nathan McBeth, Mzamo Majola, Johannes Jonker, John-Hubert Meyer.

Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi*, Scarra Ntubeni^, Dylan Richardson, Johan Grobbelaar, Schalk Erasmus, Fez Mbatha, Dan Jooste.

Locks: Jason Jenkins^, Marvin Orie^, Oupa Mohoje^, JD Schickerling, Emile van Heerden, Le Roux Roets, Hyron Andrews, Ruben van Heerden, Salmaan Moerat, Sintu Manjezi, Walt Steenkamp, Reinhard Nothnagel, Ruan Vermaak, Ruben Schoeman.

Looseforwards: Siya Kolisi*, Duane Vermeulen*, Sikhumbuzo Notshe^, Arno Botha^, Marco van Staden^, Nizaam Carr^, Jaco Kriel^, Ernst van Rhyn, Celimpilo Gumede, Jaco Coetzee, James Venter, Junior Pokomela, Phepsi Buthelezi, Thembelani Bholi, Vincent Tshituka, Elrigh Louw, Jeandré Rudolph, Juarno Augustus, Muller Uys, Len Massyn.

Scrumhalves: Herschel Jantjies*, Embrose Papier^, Ivan van Zyl^, Jaden Hendrikse, Sanele Nohamba.

Flyhalves: Elton Jantjies*, Damian Willemse*, Curwin Bosch^, George Whitehead, Kade Wolhuter, Manie Libbok.

Centres: Frans Steyn*, Lukhanyo Am*, Burger Odendaal, Jeremy Ward, Clinton Swart, Manuel Rass, Marius Louw, Rikus Pretorius, Wandisile Simelane, Werner Kok, Dan du Plessis, Ruhan Nel.

Outside backs: Warrick Gelant*, Travis Ismaiel^, Cornal Hendricks^, Courtnall Skosan^, Rabz Maxwane, Rosko Specman, Seabelo Senatla, Sergeal Petersen, Yaw Penxe, David Kriel, Gianni Lombard, Malcolm Jaer.

* denotes Springbok RWC squad members

^ denotes capped Springbok Test players

---

25 September 2020:

A raft of Springboks, Blitzboks and Junior Boks made the cut in two 25-man squads after an exciting live draft pick – the first of its kind in South African rugby history – for the Castle Lager Springbok Showdown in Cape Town on Saturday 3 October.

The two squads boast 13 members of the Rugby World Cup-winning squad from last year in Japan, as well as some exciting young players who will get to rub shoulders with established internationals for the eagerly awaited clash at DHL Newlands next Saturday (kick-off at 17h05).

Springbok Green squad:
Props: Ox Nche*, Thomas du Toit**, Trevor Nyakane**, Luan de Bruin
Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi**, Schalk Erasmus
Locks: JD Schickerling, Hyron Andrews, Oupa Mohoje*
Looseforwards: Siya Kolisi**, Arno Botha*, Duane Vermeulen**, Junior Pokomela, Juarno Augustus
Scrumhalves: Sanele Nohamba, Embrose Papier*
Flyhalves: Elton Jantjies**, Manie Libbok
Centres: Frans Steyn**, Wandisile Simelane, Jeremy Ward
Outside backs: Seabelo Senatla, Yaw Penxe, Gianni Lombard, Malcolm Jaer

Springbok Gold squad:
Props: Steven Kitshoff**, Dylan Smith, Frans Malherbe**, Ruan Dreyer*
Hookers: Scarra Ntubeni*, Dylan Richardson 
Locks: Salmaan Moerat, Marvin Orie*, Jason Jenkins*
Looseforwards: Marco van Staden*, Nizaam Carr*, Sikhumbuzo Notshe*; Vincent Tshituka, James Venter
Scrumhalves: Herschel Jantjies**, Jaden Hendrikse
Flyhalves: Damian Willemse**, Curwin Bosch*
Centres: Rikus Pretorius, Lukhanyo Am**, Werner Kok, Manuel Rass
Outside backs: Sergeal Petersen, Rosko Specman, Warrick Gelant**

---

26 September 2020

Sixteen rising South African rugby talents have been named to join the Springbok Green and Gold squads for a training week in preparation for next Saturday’s Castle Lager Springbok Showdown.

The young players – drawn largely form the ranks of the Junior Springboks – will spend the week in camp with the two national selections before returning to their provinces to begin the inter-provincial Under-21 championships.

Green - Props: Nathan McBeth (Emirates Lions), Kudzwai Dube (Emirates Lions). Hooker: Morne Brandon (Emirates Lions). Lock: JJ van der Mescht (Cell C Sharks). Back row: Evan Roos (Cell C Sharks), Phepsi Buthelezi (Cell C Sharks). Scrumhalf: Bernard van der Linde (Vodacom Blue Bulls). Centre: Mnombo Zwelindaba (DHL Western Province).

Gold - Props: Kwenso Blose (DHL Western Province), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Emirates Lions). Hooker: Fez Mbatha (Cell C Sharks). Lock: Emile van Heerden (Cell C Sharks). Back row: Celimpilo Gumede (Cell C Sharks), Muller Uys (Vodacom Blue Bulls). Scrumhalf: Thomas Bursey (DHL Western Province). Flyhalf: Kade Wolhuter (DHL Western Province).

[sparky]

It seems unlikely the Springboks who play for English and French clubs will be involved in the Rugby Championship this year.

[taniwharugby]

@sparky similarly the SA based Boks

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/300118977/springboks-still-uncertain-participants-for-rugby-championship

[Stargazer]

Line-ups for the Green v Gold match. According to Sky's Facebook page, this game will be LIVE on Sky Sport 1 from 4.00am (at the moment I'm writing this, it isn't in Sky's online tv schedule, yet).

Springbok Green:
15 – Gianni Lombard
14 – Yaw Penxe
13 – Wandisile Simelane
12 – Frans Steyn
11 – Malcolm Jaer
10 – Elton Jantjies
9 – Sanele Nohamba
8 – Duane Vermeulen
7 – Arno Botha
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain)
5 – Hyron Andrews
4 – JD Schickerling
3 – Luan de Bruin
2 – Bongi Mbonambi
1 – Ox Nche

Replacements:
16 – Schalk Erasmus
17 – Kwenzo Blose
18 – Thomas du Toit
19 – JJ van der Mescht
20 – Juarno Augustus
21 – Junior Pokomela
22 – Embrose Papier
23 – Manie Libbok
24 – Jeremy Ward
25 – Kade Wolhuter

Springbok Gold:
15 – Warrick Gelant
14 – Rosko Specman
13 – Lukhanyo Am (captain)
12 – Rikus Pretorius
11 – Courtnall Skosan
10 – Damian Willemse
9 – Herschel Jantjies
8 – Sikhumbuzo Notshe
7 – Nizaam Carr
6 – Marco van Staden
5 – Marvin Orie
4 – Salmaan Moerat
3 – Ruan Dreyer
2 – Scarra Ntubeni
1 – Steven Kitshoff

Replacements:
16 – Dylan Richardson
17 – Dylan Smith
18 – Carlü Sadie
19 – Jason Jenkins
20 – James Venter
21 – Vincent Tshituka
22 – Ivan van Zyl
23 – Curwin Bosch
24 – Werner Kok
25 – Manuel Rass

https://www.springboks.rugby/news-features/articles/2020/09/30/kolisi-and-am-to-lead-green-and-gold-teams/

[booboo]

@Stargazer said in Springboks moving forward:

Line-ups for the Green v Gold match. According to Sky's Facebook page, this game will be LIVE on Sky Sport 1 from 4.00am (at the moment I'm writing this, it isn't in Sky's online tv schedule, yet).

Springbok Green:
15 – Gianni Lombard
14 – Yaw Penxe
13 – Wandisile Simelane
12 – Frans Steyn
11 – Malcolm Jaer
10 – Elton Jantjies
9 – Sanele Nohamba
8 – Duane Vermeulen
7 – Arno Botha
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain)
5 – Hyron Andrews
4 – JD Schickerling
3 – Luan de Bruin
2 – Bongi Mbonambi
1 – Ox Nche

Replacements:
16 – Schalk Erasmus
17 – Kwenzo Blose
18 – Thomas du Toit
19 – JJ van der Mescht
20 – Juarno Augustus
21 – Junior Pokomela
22 – Embrose Papier
23 – Manie Libbok
24 – Jeremy Ward
25 – Kade Wolhuter

Springbok Gold:
15 – Warrick Gelant
14 – Rosko Specman
13 – Lukhanyo Am (captain)
12 – Rikus Pretorius
11 – Courtnall Skosan
10 – Damian Willemse
9 – Herschel Jantjies
8 – Sikhumbuzo Notshe
7 – Nizaam Carr
6 – Marco van Staden
5 – Marvin Orie
4 – Salmaan Moerat
3 – Ruan Dreyer
2 – Scarra Ntubeni
1 – Steven Kitshoff

Replacements:
16 – Dylan Richardson
17 – Dylan Smith
18 – Carlü Sadie
19 – Jason Jenkins
20 – James Venter
21 – Vincent Tshituka
22 – Ivan van Zyl
23 – Curwin Bosch
24 – Werner Kok
25 – Manuel Rass

https://www.springboks.rugby/news-features/articles/2020/09/30/kolisi-and-am-to-lead-green-and-gold-teams/

I have obviously not been keeping a track of SA rugby. I recognise only 17 of those 50 names.

[Stargazer]

@booboo Haha, it's not just you. I only recognise a few more. There are quite a few Blitzboks in the squads.