BaaBaas, with ‘great players in world rugby', a good test for Boks: Rassie

'Italy will pose a different challenge. They did well in their first two Six Nations matches, but they are a team we can analyse, though we will certainly not underestimate them. I've seen them beat us before, so it will be an important two matches.
'Georgia are also a challenging team on a good day, so the key for us will be to drive our own standards.'
Bok captain Siya Kolisi said the players 'are excited about the season ahead'.
'For most of us, it's hard to say goodbye at the end of each season, so being back together and to see a guy like Lood [de Jager, who is back from a long injury layoff], was also great.
'On the field, we are training well, and our sessions are close to match intensity.'
SA Rugby media

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BaaBaas, with ‘great players in world rugby', a good test for Boks: Rassie

'Italy will pose a different challenge. They did well in their first two Six Nations matches, but they are a team we can analyse, though we will certainly not underestimate them. I've seen them beat us before, so it will be an important two matches. 'Georgia are also a challenging team on a good day, so the key for us will be to drive our own standards.' Bok captain Siya Kolisi said the players 'are excited about the season ahead'. 'For most of us, it's hard to say goodbye at the end of each season, so being back together and to see a guy like Lood [de Jager, who is back from a long injury layoff], was also great. 'On the field, we are training well, and our sessions are close to match intensity.' SA Rugby media

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18 hours ago

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Bok lock Lood de Jager still happy with his decision to play in Japan

The 32-year-old Springbok said he is very happy to have signed up for five years of rugby in Japan. Springbok lock Lood de Jager is still enjoying playing rugby in Japan after three seasons there, and is excited for the two more seasons on his contract. The 32-year-old said he has developed his game and gained invaluable experience in his time at the Wild Knights, which followed three seasons at Sale Sharks in England. Finances and family He explained that the financial prospect of playing overseas and the well-being of his family were factors in his decision to leave our shores after several successful years at the Cheetahs and Bulls. 'Especially with the wife and kids… If you aren't happy off-field, it really translates to on the field,' De Jager said. 'For me, I am happy with the decisions I made. I always wanted to experience playing in Europe, playing Champions Cup, playing Premiership, testing myself against the best over there. And before that, it's Super Rugby over here. You get to play against the best of Argentina, New Zealand and Australia.' He said the variety of experience had done much for his game and his spirits. That is why he is still open about his future, saying anything could happen in two years and he could stay in Japan, return to SA, or play elsewhere. He would go wherever he could still develop his game and keep his family happy. ALSO READ: Damian de Allende would love to end his career at the Stormers De Jager says rugby standard increasing in Japan 'Then Japan, I am really enjoying it over there. You get to develop different parts of your game around the world. Rugby is played differently. Everyone thinks a bit differently about the game and I think if you can take the best of all of that it helps you be a more complete player. He said while the standard of rugby has picked up in Japan, with world-class players and coaches pushing a more running-focused game, he would encourage upcoming players enjoying their rugby in South Africa to appreciate the United Rugby Championship as a platform to make a name for themselves. Still, he said it was great being back in the Springbok fold after being out since July 2023 because of injury. 'The easy part was being with good friends again. Seeing them again and being able to train with them, spend day to day in camp. It was great seeing the guys again and talking about old stories.'

IOL News

a day ago

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Lood de Jager: It is good to be back with the Springboks

Lock Lood de Jager is back in the Springbok set-up and ready to contribute after an injury-enforced absence of almost two years. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix After nearly two years in the Test rugby wilderness due to various injuries, World Cup winner Lood de Jager is set to resume his Springbok rugby career imminently. Included in the Bok squad for the mid-year matches against the Barbarians, Italy, and Georgia, De Jager is scheduled to play his first match in about 23 months as early as next Saturday against the Barbarians in Cape Town. The 32-year-old lock has been training with the squad for the last two weeks in Johannesburg ahead of the match. Despite missing the 2023 Rugby World Cup due to a heart condition and then picking up a shoulder injury that kept him out for nine months, the lineout guru is ready for the challenge ahead. 🗣️"Its the first time since 2019 that the 4 locks who played in the 2019 World Cup win are all back in the squad!" 🤩 Which is the best Springbok lock pairing in your opinion: 🏉Eben Etzebeth 🏉Lood de Jager 🏉RG Snyman 🏉Franco Mostert@EbenEtzebeth @FrancoMostert #Springboks — Betway ZA (@Betway_za) June 19, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'It's good to be back,' an elated De Jager said about being with the Boks. 'It was tough to be on the outside (while injured), but I had my family and kids to keep me occupied so that I didn't overthink things. 'The biggest thing for me (while away) was that I felt I could still contribute to the team. 'It was just to get healthy and my body right. That was my biggest motivation: to get back here. 'The easy part (coming back) was being with good friends again, seeing the guys and training with them. 'It is great talking about old stories with them. 'There is a lot of depth at lock at the moment, and Ruan (Nortjé) stepped up nicely last season against the All Blacks with that injury crisis. 'Things are now very competitive for that lock position. We push each other, and it's a great thing.' 'It's just a really spicy thing, a lekker thing to look forward to' 🗣 Rassie Erasmus reflects on his @Barbarian_FC memories as the #Springboks get set for a historic Cape Town clash 🇿🇦 Tickets from R950 behind the poles. Get yours from @TicketmasterZA :… — Springboks (@Springboks) June 20, 2025 De Jager believes that playing in Japan helped him keep his body fresh and get back to playing at a top level. He pointed out that the season in the Japanese Top League, where he plays for the Saitama Wild Knights, is spaced out so that they have enough rest weekends. In the same breath, he said the league has grown significantly and is very competitive. With the Boks set to play 14 matches this year, De Jager was asked which one he is looking forward to taking part in. His answer was short and sweet. 'The next one,' the lock said with a laugh. #Springbok Assistant Coach Tony Brown reflects on another intense and hardworking training camp — laying the foundation for what's to come. 💪🇿🇦#StrongerTogether #Springboks #TonyBrown — Springboks (@Springboks) June 19, 2025 For someone who played for the Boks the last time they faced the All Blacks in 2023 at the Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland, it is understandable. However, he is happy to bide his time and fall into the plans of Bok guru Rassie Erasmus and his assistant coaches. 'Rassie has a great plan for the year and how it pans out. You want to be involved in every Test match, because it is big,' De Jager said. 'We have some big ones coming up, especially against New Zealand away and France and Ireland.