hesss@arena.africa (Stuart Hess) Along with Marks, the loose trio that started against the Wallabies has also been reinstated to the starting squad, while Marvin Orie will field Eben Etzebeth as the lock set. Trevor Niakan, who was called up to the bench, will play his first game since facing the Pumas a year ago. Fifteenth Box: Willy Le … Read more
The Boks had a 20-minute period early in the second half as they asserted themselves, but even in the process of doing so it would be worrying that the momentum they built was eventually decimated by the hosts who finished stronger. “They had a lot of experience off the bench and that came in the … Read more
However, the progress they made at the end of the first segment, began to pay off at the beginning of the second segment. Now it was the Boks who dictated the pace, which put the All Blacks under pressure as the visiting reserves provided the much-needed forward ball. Malcolm Marks was pushed from the line … Read more
Mzwandile Stick says Eben Etzebeth “maybe want to do it for his father” after the giant lock chose to play in the Saturday Test against the All Blacks days after his father Harry’s death. Etzibeth was understandably relieved of media duties ahead of Friday’s game, along with Springbok Stick assistant coach and teammate Bongi Mbonambi. … Read more
Both teams understand the importance of making a statement on Saturday. Bock Scrumhalve, fave de Klerk commented, “If you can outperform them, you know you’re in a good position”. Foster named his 23-man squad on Thursday by making five changes from the squad that beat Argentina at Mendoza, with Richie Muonga returning in the No. … Read more
The lack of contact also means that the players are not as familiar with each other as those who faced each other 15 years ago, when Super Rugby was arguably at its peak. “You get to know the players better when you compete with them. There is something unknown about them, but it can also … Read more
In the victorious 2019 World Cup campaign, Stein made two appearances in pool matches against Namibia and Canada, and played crucial roles when off the bench in all three of their knockout matches, including the final against England. “I gave her everything I had and have no regrets,” Stein wrote. “I have so many people … Read more
This year will be Miller’s third 50-plus World Cup, as the previous two ended in an agonizing semi-final exit in Auckland, while in 2019 the campaign never got off the ground due to poor pre-tournament planning. Hopefully that can be avoided this time. Although the Proteas have not had any playing time together since April, … Read more