Latest news with #Boks
The Citizen
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Gayton McKenzie says he's ‘gonna fight very hard' for at least one Bok game to be broadcast to everyone
The difficulty of watching the Boks is twofold: one, the ticket prices are expensive, and two, most South Africans don't have DStv Premium. Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks, are loved by South Africans; however, not all the country's citizens can see them play due to accessibility issues. The difficulty of watching the Boks is twofold: one, the ticket prices are expensive, and two, most South Africans don't have DStv Premium, which broadcasts Bok matches on the pay channel Supersport. 'One of them [Bok games] must be shown,' said Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, speaking at the launch of Boktown, the Castle Lager fan parks across the country where South Africans can watch the reigning world champions. The launch was in Johannesburg on Friday. ALSO READ: Chicken feet and champions: Kolisi, Mapimpi and Am enjoy Mzansi's fave dish Broadcasting rights Rugby matches are not shown on the state broadcaster, the SABC, because they don't have the rights. Last year, in collaboration with SA Rugby and McKenzie's department, SuperSport had a once-off agreement to give the SABC the rights to broadcast the Castle Lager Rugby Championship match between the Springboks and the All Blacks at Ellis Park. 'The guys at SARU [South African Rugby] have been helpful, I must say,' said McKenzie, adding that he is grateful to SA Rugby and Castle Lager for 'bringing rugby to the people'. 'But I can promise you I'm gonna fight very hard that at least one of the games should be shown for everybody to see,' promised the minister. 'We must also be honest that players and the sport benefit from having their rights; players get paid more – so we need to find that balance,' McKenzie said. 'We're not saying show all the games, but sooner or later government will have to make sure that the people see all the games by investing money in sport,' expressed McKenzie. ALSO READ: Bok Rugby Championship Test tickets on sale Friday: All the details Expensive tickets The Boks won the 2023 World Cup, and last year South Africans got to watch them live as champions after that opportunity was missed following their triumph in 2019, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year's Bok home games quickly sold out due to the high demand of seeing Siya Kolisi and the rest of the team in action live. In Cape Town alone, people paid as much as R4,000 for a standard ticket to the Boks' clash against New Zealand on the black market last year. According to SA Rugby, tickets for this year's match against the Wallabies in Johannesburg are priced from R525, but they were sold out swiftly. The remaining tickets range from R1750 to R3,500. For the Barbarians game next weekend in Cape Town, a person in the business lounge will cough up just under R6000 to watch the Boks. There are still some tickets available, but the cheapest is R950 in the lower tier level. ALSO READ: Team De Klerk is growing: Faf and Miné expecting baby number two [VIDEO] Fan parks Speaking to The Citizen, Springbok player Morné van den Berg said fan parks like the one launched on Friday are incredible for the vibe. 'I've been at a few fan parks and it's really an amazing experience. You get together with basically one home that the Springboks are gonna win and play some good rugby,' shared the scrumhalf. 'Boktown', which was launched on Friday, will see screenings across the country where those who don't have tickets or DStv Premium can watch the game. The Boks' 2025 tour opens on Saturday, 28 June, at Wanderers Oval, Johannesburg, where supporters will gather to watch the Springboks' first-ever clash with the Barbarians on South African soil. NOW READ: 'It's all about ubuntu': Fans celebrate with world champion Proteas [VIDEO]
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
BaaBaas, with ‘great players in world rugby', a good test for Boks: Rassie
The Barbarians have some hugely experienced, quality campaigners and will provide a fitting opening test for the Springboks' 2025 season, coach Rassie Erasmus said. The Boks face the BaaBaas on June 28 before lining up against Italy in back-to-back Tests in Pretoria (July 5) and Gqeberha (July 12), after which they wrap up the Incoming Series against Georgia in Mbombela (July 19). The Boks are close to being a full contingent of players after the arrival of the Bulls players, Leinster lock RG Snyman and Leicester Tigers flyhalf Handré Pollard, following their involvement in the United Rugby Championship and Gallagher Premiership finals last weekend.
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Aphelele Fassi feeds off Bok energy
The support of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and the freedom granted by attack guru Tony Brown have brought out the best in fullback Aphelele Fassi. Fassi made his Test debut on the wing against Georgia in 2021 but was sent back to the Sharks to work on his game and didn't make the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad. However, a more refined player and matured person returned to the national set-up last year, making eight Test starts in the No 15 jersey. Erasmus notably backed Fassi to start against the All Blacks at Emirates Airline Park ahead of veteran fullback Willie le Roux, saying it was 'his time to shine' on the Test stage. Which he did. 'It was important,' said Fassi on Wednesday of Erasmus' support. 'I guess it did build a lot of character in me; it did show that I could do things that I didn't think I was able to do.' KEO & ZELS: Give Rassie the Boks to 2035 Fassi now understands the culture of the current Bok squad, where it's about more than just who makes the match-day 23. 'The role I want to play in the Springboks is to help in a positive way whether I'm playing or not, be here and enjoy training with players like Gazza [Damian Willemse], Willie le Roux and Handre Pollard. I want to help the team do well. I feed off energy [in the team], and I see how guys try to do things and I try to repeat the same thing.' MORE: I'm not changing Bok philosophy – Brown That team-first energy has been amplified by the influence of Brown. 'Tony and the coaches want us to express ourselves and be able to play with freedom and following how we want to execute and how we want to play as a team,' said the 27-year-old. 'For the last couple of weeks, Damian and I have been helping each other with areas of our game. The experience that Willie brings for Damian and me is vital for us. The aim for us is not to bash each other up but to compete and help each other going forward.' ALSO: I'll finish up at the Stormers – Doogz With the Boks scheduled to play 15 Tests this year, as well as next Saturday's non-cap match against the Barbarians, Fassi is set to gain more vital experience ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. But he knows he will have to keep evolving. 'Each and every year that you play, you have a target on your back, and I think that's why we want to develop our game and be able to not be predictable. It's up to me to tick those boxes and play a different style and come up with a different approach to how I go into games and how I play.' The post Fassi feeds off Bok energy appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The Citizen
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Springboks need different mindset for Baabaas: 'They can rip you apart'
The Springboks will be unable to analyse the Barbarians, as they do with other international teams, ahead of their match in Cape Town next week. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says the Boks will have to have a different mindset when they take on the Barbarians in Cape Town next weekend. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images The Springboks will need to go into their season opener against famed invitational team, the Barbarians, with a different mindset if they want to emerge from next weekend's encounter without any mental scars, according to coach Rassie Erasmus. The BaaBaas, as they are affectionately known, draw top rugby talent from around the world to play for them, and have already announced some massive names to play for them against the Boks in Cape Town next Saturday. They will be coached by former All Blacks assistant and Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans, while some of the big names that will turn out for them are All Blacks players Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell and Irish stalwarts Peter O'Mahoney, Conor Murray and Cian Healy. 'Play what they see' Due to the fact that the team draws talent from all over, and have very little time to train together, they are a side that cannot be analysed, which is something that the Bok management group does extensively with teams they come up against. 'We are a team that likes to analyse the opposition, we always do that and Felix (Jones, assistant coach) plays a massive role in that, especially in finding out what the opposition's strengths and weaknesses are,' explained Erasmus this week. 'We can't do this with a Barbarians team, but there are also individuals we know, although they will be very late with announcing some of the individuals that will play for them. The thing is, when they get together, you tell them to play what they see and be entertaining. 'If you give them bad kicks they will rip you apart. We will try and play really structured in our way and try to get through the game without any mental scars, because that is something that happens if you are in the Barbarian mindset.' Springbok attack Erasmus said that the Springbok attack would be an important weapon for them against the BaaBaas, and that Jones and attack coach Tony Brown will play an integral role in getting the guys up to speed for the game. 'Without a doubt the attack will be important,' said Erasmus. 'With hard work and getting your fundamentals right and between Tony really pushing the guys hard in seeing opportunities, playing with freedom, but not so much that you play yourself into a hole … and then everybody suffers because you tried a few things. 'It's all about the attack side and it is all about Felix supporting Tony. That is why in this specific game there is not a lot of specific defence to analyse so we can focus on our own guys.' The match will afford the Boks a good chance to focus fully on themselves, whereas in normal internationals they have to put a fair bit of focus on their opposition, and Erasmus is happy to have that opportunity. 'We wanted to play against them, and we know it will be a good test for us. They are a team that enjoys playing what they see, but the focus for us in that match will be on our structures,' said Erasmus. 'They have included some very experienced campaigners and great players in world rugby in their squad, so it will be a good assignment for us to get back into the swing of things at this level.'
The Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Boks ready to rumble against BaaBaas, says Rassie
'They are a team that enjoys playing what they see, but the focus for us in that match will be on our structures. 'They have included some very experienced campaigners and great players in world rugby in their squad, so it will be a good assignment for us to get back into the swing of things at this level. 'Italy will pose a different challenge. They did well in their first two Six Nations matches, but they are a team that we can analyse, though we will not underestimate them. 'I've seen them beat us before, so it will be an important two matches against them. 'Georgia are also a challenging team on a good day, so the key for us will be to drive our own standards.' Erasmus said he was confident Venter would be a good fit for the Boks. 'Boan comes through the Cheetahs ranks and the junior structures in South Africa, and he has also been very consistent for Edinburgh,' he said. 'He knows what to expect from a scrummaging, mauling, and line-out perspective, so we are pretty sure he'll make it. 'We are aware he could have qualified for Scotland, but for us it's not a case of denying opportunities to players abroad. 'We select the best players we can, and with Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntutuko Mchunu nursing injuries, he was the next best player on our radar.' Skipper Siya Kolisi said he was excited to be reunited with his Bok teammates. 'We are looking forward to the season ahead and being back in camp,' he said. '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, so we are pleased with how things are going.' Kolisi also congratulated the Proteas for winning the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's. 'Their victory was huge, and it's great to see how whenever South Africa plays, the whole nation gets behind them,' he said. 'The way they won was also fantastic, especially since there was a point where many doubted they would pull it through, so it was an admirable team effort, and we are very proud of Temba Bavuma, coach Shukri Conrad, and the entire team.' The Springboks returned home on Thursday to spend time with their families and will reassemble in Cape Town on Sunday for their historic encounter against the Barbarians. The Herald
