Latest news with #Cheetahs
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
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.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Edinburgh prop Venter earns surprise Springboks call-up
Edinburgh loosehead Boan Venter has earned a surprise South Africa call-up in a blow to Scotland's hopes of capping the born and raised in South Africa, signed for Edinburgh from Cheetahs in 2021 and is due to become Scottish qualified in February 2026 on residency has previously spoken about his desire to play for Scotland, external and follow in the footsteps of fellow South African-born props Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel. However, Venter has now been selected in a 45-man squad as the Springboks prepare for a clash with the Barbarians on 28 June, before Tests against Italy and Georgia next month."Boan has been consistent for Edinburgh in the URC and the Challenge Cup, and he is familiar with the South African structures after playing for the Cheetahs and coming through our junior ranks, so we are looking forward to seeing him in action on the field," South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus said.A Scottish Rugby directive to have fewer foreign players in professional club squads has led to Henco Venter and Sebastian Cancelliere leaving Glasgow in recent weeks.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Rassie cuts Bok squad to 45 players: Pieter-Steph, Hendrikse brothers out
There is also a surprise call-up of former Cheetahs and current Edinburgh prop Boan Venter. Edinburgh prop Boan Venter, who formerly played for the Cheetahs, has received a call-up to the Springbok squad for the match against the Barbarians and the Tests against Georgia and Italy next month. The 28-year-old wasn't part of the two alignments camps hosted by coach Rassie Erasmus earlier this year and has never been a member of a Bok squad. Erasmus on Sunday cut his training squad from 55 players to 45 for the upcoming matches. With props Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu among six players released from the initial squad due to injuries, Erasmus drafted in Venter – a member of the Junior Springbok training group in 2017 – as the only new addition to his squad. The other injured players released from the squad are Lukhanyo Am (centre), Pieter-Steph du Toit (utility forward), Cameron Hanekom, and Juarno Augustus (both No 8s), while another five players — Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf), Jordan Hendrikse (flyhalf), Quan Horn (fullback), Renzo du Plessis (flanker), and Ntokozo Makhaza (utility back) — have also been released to their unions. Edinburgh's Boan Venter has been called up to the Bok squad. Picture: Mark Scates/SNS Group via Getty Images Arrivals for Test season The majority of the squad will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon to continue their preparations for the season, while the Bulls players, who battled it out with Leinster in the United Rugby Championship Grand Final on Saturday, will join their teammates on Monday evening, and RG Snyman on Tuesday afternoon. The Premiership final players, Handre Pollard and Thomas du Toit, meanwhile, will report for duty this Monday and next Monday (initially for three days) respectively, while Venter will join the squad on Sunday 29 June. 'Our first week of training went well, and it offered us a chance to assess our depth and measure the level at which the players are currently, with an eye on the international season,' said Erasmus. 'We also took stock of the injuries and determined in which positions we needed cover, as well as those in which we have sufficient cover. 'There are a number of players out with long-term injuries, while others are set to return from injury in the next few weeks or months, so they will complete their rehabilitation at their clubs and franchises. 'In terms of the other players released, we feel we have good cover in those positions at this stage, but they are all on standby to join us at any time if we need to call on them.' Commenting on Venter's call-up, Erasmus said: 'Boan has been consistent for Edinburgh in the URC and the EPCR Challenge Cup, and he is familiar with the South African structures after playing for the Cheetahs and coming through our junior ranks, so we are looking forward to seeing him in action on the field.' The Springboks will kick off their season with a match against the Barbarians in Cape Town on Saturday 28 June. Springbok squad: Forwards: Lood de Jager, Jean-Luc du Preez, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Neethling Fouche, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Salmaan Moerat, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Evan Roos, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Vincent Tshituka, Marco van Stade, Marnus van der Merwe, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese, Jasper Wiese Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Rassie Erasmus cuts Hendrikse brothers, picks Scotland-based prop
Boan Venter, a former Cheetahs prop who now plays for Edinburgh, earned his first Springbok call-up on Sunday as coach Rassie Erasmus named a group of 45 players following the completion of the team's first week of training in Johannesburg for the forthcoming international season. With props Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu amongst six players released from the initial 55-man squad due to injuries, Erasmus drafted in Venter – a member of the Junior Springbok training group in 2017 – as the only new addition to his squad. The other injured players released from the squad are Lukhanyo Am (centre), Pieter-Steph du Toit (utility forward), Cameron Hanekom, and Juarno Augustus (both No 8s), while another five players – Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf), Jordan Hendrikse (flyhalf), Quan Horn (fullback), Renzo du Plessis (flanker), and Ntokozo Makhaza (utility back) – have also been released to their unions. The majority of the squad will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon to continue their preparations for the season, while the Bulls players, who battled it out with Leinster in the United Rugby Championship Grand Final on Saturday, will join their team-mates on Monday evening, and RG Snyman on Tuesday afternoon. The Gallagher Premiership final players, Handre Pollard and Thomas du Toit, meanwhile, will report for duty this Monday and next Monday (initially for three days) respectively, while Venter will join the squad on Sunday, 29 June. 'Our first week of training went well, and it offered us a chance to assess our depth and measure the level at which the players are currently, with an eye on the international season,' said Rassie Erasmus. 'We also took stock of the injuries and determined in which positions we needed cover, as well as those in which we have sufficient cover. 'There are a number of players out with long-term injuries, while others are set to return from injury in the next few weeks or months, so they will complete their rehabilitation at their clubs and franchises. 'In terms of the other players released, we feel we have good cover in those positions at this stage, but they are all on standby to join us at any time if we need to call on them.' Commenting on Venter's call-up, Rassie Erasmus said: 'Boan has been consistent for Edinburgh in the URC and the EPCR Challenge Cup, and he is familiar with the South African structures after playing for the Cheetahs and coming through our junior ranks, so we are looking forward to seeing him in action on the field.' The Springboks will kick off their season with the Qatar Airways Cup clash against the Barbarians in Cape Town on Saturday 28 June, in what will mark the first encounter ever between the sides on South African soil, before the Incoming Series which will see them face Italy in back-to-back Tests in Pretoria and Gqeberha on 5 and 12 July, and Georgia in Nelspruit on 19 July respectively. Forwards Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Evan Roos (Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) Backs Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark's Favorite Animal is Turning Heads
Caitlin Clark's Favorite Animal is Turning Heads originally appeared on Athlon Sports. WNBA star Caitlin Clark remains out for the Indiana Fever due to her left quad strain. She's set to be re-evaluated this weekend, though that means she won't be available to play on Saturday against Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky. Advertisement Clark was averaging 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 9.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks per game for the Fever prior to her injury. Naturally, her absence has been a big blow to Indiana, which has won just one of the three games it has played without her. Despite her absence, though, Clark continues to make headlines as she stays involved with the Fever — attending practices, joining her teammates on the sidelines and being active on social media. On Friday, Clark had fans buzzing after the Fever posted a "Get To Know" post about her, which revealed her favorite actor, movie, condiment and even emoji, as well as a skill she would like to learn. One response that stood out, however, was her favorite animal. The WNBA All-Star answered "Cheetah," which quickly caught the attention of many. Advertisement It's worth noting that Clark has said in the past that she doesn't like cats. So, for her to choose not only a large cat but also the fastest land animal came as a surprise. "Scared of cats but likes cheetahs," a commenter wrote. Another one said, Afraid of cats, but loves cheetahs. Fascinating." "So who is gonna tell her that Cheetah is a cat," a fan added. For what it's worth, others connected her love for cheetahs to her love for running and sprinting. "Of course it's a cheetah. 'I love sprinting,'" a follower remarked. A fifth supporter shared, "Cheetah: 'I just love to sprint. I sprint everywhere.'" Advertisement "Cheetahs are the best. Hawks are a close second. Some Hawks can reach 240 mph when they dive," a social media user stated. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts during a game between the Indiana Fever and the New York Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images It's still unknown when Clark will actually return from her injury, but at least fans are getting to know her better while she's sidelined. Related: Caitlin Clark Left in Disbelief After Pacers' Game 1 Comeback Against Thunder This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
