Latest news with #LeightonKoopman
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
How Rassie Erasmus plans to blend experience and youth for Springboks for 2027 Rugby World Cup
Leighton Koopman | Published 6 hours ago Should his plans fall in place, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus wants to use at least seven of the 14 rugby matches this year to keep his older guard fit and ready to continue playing at the highest level. With the other seven, he will be able to give the younger players more experience at the highest level ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, helping them achieve a target of at least 14 or 15 Test caps ahead of the tournament. The Boks are set to play 13 Tests this year, and will start the season with a friendly match against the Barbarians, next Saturday in Cape Town. An additional Test for later this year must still be confirmed by SA Rugby. Erasmus has said keeping his experienced guys fit and getting caps into the next generation as the goals for the next two seasons. He believes this approach will prepare them well for their title defence in Australia . However, he acknowledges the need to win and secure a top-three finish in the international rankings for a better World Cup draw. 'The main thing this year is to win, and to hopefully be in a good position for that draw at the end of the year,' Erasmus said this past week. 'We have 14 confirmed games. 'That means if we can get the older guys playing in six or seven of them, and then give the medium to younger guys also six or seven and do the same next year, we should have enough depth for the World Cup.' The Springboks finished their second week of training in Johannesburg before the season-opener against the Barbarians at the Cape Town Stadium. They will move to the Mother City this weekend and start their final preparation for the Baabaas on Monday. The world champions will also face Italy in double Tests (July 5 and 12 in Pretoria and Gqeberha) and Georgia a week later in Mbombela. Asked if the Barbarians, Italians and Georgians will provide the strongest test before defending their Rugby Championship crown later this year, Erasmus said they were looking forward to measuring themselves especially at scrum-time against the European sides. Both are known for their powerful set-pieces, and it will be a perfect opportunity for the Boks to blend some experienced forwards with younger players. Defensively, the Baabaas with their traditional flair, will be a stern test to the Boks' defensive structures, and coach Robbie Deans has already confirmed former All Black captain Sam Cane and Irish legends Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray will make the trip to SA. 'A lot of people will assume that they will be easy teams, but it will be a slap in the face of those guys,' Erasmus said about underestimating them. 'We know the Barbarians from 2018, and the names I am seeing, it will really be a great test to get some guys in. 'It will be tough enough and it's in Cape Town, so there is no altitude. They will have more endurance. 'Italy and what we have analysed, they stayed in the fight in some of their games during the Six Nations. Their defence was really good. 'We drive our own standards, but we know if you are a little bit off (against them)... And I can remember when Italy beat South Africa. That feeling I can remember. 'We will be worried not to fall into that trap.'
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Handré Pollard's return: Can the Bulls finally claim URC glory?
Leighton Koopman | Published 8 hours ago Comment by Leighton Koopman The Bulls' 32-7 defeat in the final of the United Rugby Championship against Leinster was a bitter pill to swallow for supporters, but making it to a third final in four seasons shows that they are not that far off from a title-winning campaign. With a core of experienced Springboks in their midst, the return of Handré Pollard in the flyhalf position, Jan Serfontein coming back as a vastly experienced centre and some exciting young players, the Pretoria outfit will be able to call on more experienced stars than ever before next year. While there is no shame in losing to a better team, and Leinster were streets ahead of the Loftus side, there will be questions around the Bulls if they can't claim silverware next season, especially with director of rugby Jake White looking to make some key adjustments in the off-season. Firstly, squad depth remains a concern for White, and he stated it again in his post-match press conference following the final last Saturday at Croke Park in Dublin. But he was the most successful South African coach when it came to rotating his team. He ensured he had players fit to take up positions when needed. But injuries to key players had a big influence towards the end of their tournament. Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw were out for the final and the latter stages of the competition respectively, and the dynamic duo were vital cogs in a physical, yet mobile loose trio of the Bulls. Hanekom's loss in the final was massive, as was the absence of Kurt-Lee Arendse as well. They need to have like-for-like replacements for their important players. Secondly, the Bulls must tighten up their discipline and defensive structures. Leinster found it too easy at times to circumvent their tacklers, and the space they left at the back allowed their opponents' attack to thrive. Three tries in just 23 minutes effectively sealed the game for the home side, and there was no coming back from that 19-0 deficit. Too many penalties due to ill-discipline and missed tackles cost them, and if they can eliminate some of those unforced errors, it will help them keep their footing in crunch games. With the addition of Pollard and Serfontein, their backline will also see some calmer heads. The Bulls' game management in pressure situations, especially in that final, was poor and cost them. Pollard's ability to control the tempo and territory under pressure will be critical. He kicks consistently well and brings additional leadership on the field. He will be that calming influence they dearly need. With strategic acquisitions to the squad, improved discipline on defence and better game management, the Bulls will be able to finally shed their dreaded URC bridesmaid tag in 2026. The missing puzzle pieces are almost in place for White's side. It's now only for them to seize the opportunity to make it their year when the new season starts in September.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Preparing for glory: How Springbok Women's team are building depth for 2025 Rugby World Cup
Winger Patience Mokone (23) was one of the stand-out young players for the Springbok Women in the Rugby Africa Cup. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Comment by Leighton Koopman Building and maintaining depth has always been one of the biggest stumbling blocks for the Springbok Women's side. However, under the tutelage of performance coach Swys de Bruin and his assistants Franzel September, Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Bafana Nhleko, they have ticked one box after the other on their way to the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England. A few blocks must still fall in place over the next month, especially on the field, but the Bok Women are set to head to the United Kingdom in August with their strongest squad ever to compete at the event. 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 The women's game in South Africa will not only benefit ahead of the World Cup, but also in the long run as well. De Bruin has ensured the blueprint of Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus was followed looking at how they have expanded the overall squad with talented players. Broadening the selection pool at a national level has been crucial to the Bok Women's success over the past few months, and they did that while winning matches. The short-term goal is to make them as competitive as possible when they take on France, Italy and Brazil in the pool stages at the World Cup. Looking at how they are currently faring, there exists a realistic chance that they can progress past the pool stages. Unbeaten in Africa. United in purpose. The #BokWomen are Rugby Africa Cup champions for the fourth time 🏆#MakeItCount #ETTIG — SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) June 15, 2025 The Springbok Women recently returned from the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Madagascar with an unbeaten record, achieved by a fairly inexperienced squad coached by September and Nhleko. They took 28 players, some of whom made their debut in Madagascar, and defeated all three of their opponents, so that is something to celebrate. On top of that, only four players in the match-day squad for the final game against the host nation had 15 or more caps behind their names. It shows that something is being done right in the Bok Women's camp, and if they can continue on this path, they'll see more success in the future. Twenty other players stayed behind for a camp with De Bruin and Johannes-Haupt, where they were fine-tuning their plans for two important Tests against Canada next month. The Canadians are ranked second in the world, so the Springbok Women could not have asked for stronger opponents to measure themselves against ahead of the tournament. They will know exactly where they stand in terms of competitiveness after the two matches that will act as openers for the men's Tests against Italy, on July 5 in Pretoria and July 12 in Gqeberha. The South Africans made proper plans for Canada over the last couple of months, so they should be able to string together some strong performances. Whatever happens this season, De Bruin and his assistants have ensured that women's rugby at the top level will be healthy going forward. They've embraced the example of Erasmus when it comes to broadening their player base, while winning on the international scene. That will stand them in good stead, not just at the World Cup, but also for what awaits on the international scene after the tournament.
The Star
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Bulls, Sharks to serve another epic at Loftus
A BULLS v Sharks knockout/playoff clash will always be one for the ages and the United Rugby Championship semi-final between the two at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday at 6.15pm, is sure serve another epic storyline. Judging by the quarter-final scorelines, Bulls beat Edinburgh 42-33 while Sharks had to be clinical in the penalty shootout to go past Munster after a 24-24 extra time draw, there is no denying the home side a favourite's tag. The good news for South African rugby is that Mzansi already has a team in the final. Independent Newspapers rugbby writers Mike Greenaway and Leighton Koopman look at which side will win and why. WHY THE BULLS WILL WIN Leighton Koopman As South Africa's form side in the United Rugby Championship, boosted by home advantage and team that peaked at the right time of the year, the Bulls are in the inside lane to win the semi-final against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday evening. Their dominating scrum and physical forwards will give them the edge over the Sharks who had a thing of late to only arrive in the second half. While the competition at scrum time will be the perfect test of strength versus strength, it's the Bulls' overpowering scrum that will drive the visitors into submission. While there is an all-Bok front row for the Sharks too, tighthead Wilco Louw has been a destroyer up front and Nche will have a hard time keeping him in check. And on the other side, the young Jan-Hendrik Wessels will stand strong against veteran Vincent Koch. Then, the superiority of the Bulls in the lineout will outshine their opponents. Captain Ruan Nortjé will lick his lips at poaching balls but also securing them longside JF van Heerden and Cobus Wiese. The Sharks losing Eben Etzebeth and Jason Jenkins will be music to the ears of the Bulls' lineout. It is a risk bringing Johan Goosen back from injury and dropping him straight into the starting side, but he can pull the strings to set the backline running. Along with fullback Willie le Roux, they can open the gaps to set the likes of Canan Moodie and Sebastian de Klerk away. De Klerk and Moodie's prowess under the high kicks, and there will be plenty up and unders coming from Goosen and scrumhalf Embrose Papier. The Bulls' overall gameplan, they vary their tactics way better than the Sharks, should see them be too strong for their visitors, and they will progress to another final. WHY THE SHARKS WILL WIN Mike Greenaway The Sharks are a team tailor-made for high-pressure knockout games. John Plumtree has created a culture where the team loves to triumph over adversity. The Sharks have won their last six games without reaching anywhere near their potential. They are a dogged side that enjoys pulling the contest down into the trenches for unarmed combat. It won't worry them in the slightest that they are not scoring tries. Any way to the winner's podium will do, and if that means leaving the cork in the champagne rugby approach, so be it. The Bulls have been scoring an average of five tries per game at Loftus as their impressive backs cash in on the sparkling possession coming their way, but semi-finals and finals are different beasts. The pressure cranks up; defences get tighter; the aerial game is preferred to adventurous attack. All of this suits the Sharks and their street-fighter approach. They will drag the Bulls into an arm wrestle. This is the way the Sharks have been playing all season. In a sense, they have been playing finals rugby for most of the URC. There is also the significant fact that they have seven double World Cup-winning Springboks in their team, including four in their pack. Even without Etzebeth and Jenkins, this is a Sharks pack that can stand up to the Bulls. Leading them is Siya Kolisi. The Springbok captain's experience of making good decisions in the heat of battle will stand the Sharks in good stead, while his inspired move from flank to No 8 allows for Plumtree to pick a genuine fetcher in James Venter and an exceptional blindside flank in Vincent Tshituka, who was recently called up to the Springbok squad. It means the Sharks have an underrated loose trio to go with a solid tight five, so the Sharks' backs will get their fair share of decent possession. There is also the nagging suspicion that the Sharks' backline could click when it matters most. There are too many superstars in that back division for cohesion to evade them much longer.
IOL News
07-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Bulls, Sharks to serve another epic at Loftus
THE Loftus crowd will add colour to the epic semi-final clash between the Bulls and the Sharks. | BACKPAGEPIX A BULLS v Sharks knockout/playoff clash will always be one for the ages and the United Rugby Championship semi-final between the two at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday at 6.15pm, is sure serve another epic storyline. Judging by the quarter-final scorelines, Bulls beat Edinburgh 42-33 while Sharks had to be clinical in the penalty shootout to go past Munster after a 24-24 extra time draw, there is no denying the home side a favourite's tag. The good news for South African rugby is that Mzansi already has a team in the final. Independent Newspapers rugbby writers Mike Greenaway and Leighton Koopman look at which side will win and why. WHY THE BULLS WILL WIN Leighton Koopman As South Africa's form side in the United Rugby Championship, boosted by home advantage and team that peaked at the right time of the year, the Bulls are in the inside lane to win the semi-final against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday evening. Their dominating scrum and physical forwards will give them the edge over the Sharks who had a thing of late to only arrive in the second half. While the competition at scrum time will be the perfect test of strength versus strength, it's the Bulls' overpowering scrum that will drive the visitors into submission. While there is an all-Bok front row for the Sharks too, tighthead Wilco Louw has been a destroyer up front and Nche will have a hard time keeping him in check. And on the other side, the young Jan-Hendrik Wessels will stand strong against veteran Vincent Koch. Then, the superiority of the Bulls in the lineout will outshine their opponents. Captain Ruan Nortjé will lick his lips at poaching balls but also securing them longside JF van Heerden and Cobus Wiese. The Sharks losing Eben Etzebeth and Jason Jenkins will be music to the ears of the Bulls' lineout. It is a risk bringing Johan Goosen back from injury and dropping him straight into the starting side, but he can pull the strings to set the backline running. Along with fullback Willie le Roux, they can open the gaps to set the likes of Canan Moodie and Sebastian de Klerk away. De Klerk and Moodie's prowess under the high kicks, and there will be plenty up and unders coming from Goosen and scrumhalf Embrose Papier. The Bulls' overall gameplan, they vary their tactics way better than the Sharks, should see them be too strong for their visitors, and they will progress to another final. WHY THE SHARKS WILL WIN Mike Greenaway The Sharks are a team tailor-made for high-pressure knockout games. John Plumtree has created a culture where the team loves to triumph over adversity. The Sharks have won their last six games without reaching anywhere near their potential. They are a dogged side that enjoys pulling the contest down into the trenches for unarmed combat. It won't worry them in the slightest that they are not scoring tries. Any way to the winner's podium will do, and if that means leaving the cork in the champagne rugby approach, so be it. The Bulls have been scoring an average of five tries per game at Loftus as their impressive backs cash in on the sparkling possession coming their way, but semi-finals and finals are different beasts. The pressure cranks up; defences get tighter; the aerial game is preferred to adventurous attack. All of this suits the Sharks and their street-fighter approach. They will drag the Bulls into an arm wrestle. This is the way the Sharks have been playing all season. In a sense, they have been playing finals rugby for most of the URC. There is also the significant fact that they have seven double World Cup-winning Springboks in their team, including four in their pack. Even without Etzebeth and Jenkins, this is a Sharks pack that can stand up to the Bulls. Leading them is Siya Kolisi. The Springbok captain's experience of making good decisions in the heat of battle will stand the Sharks in good stead, while his inspired move from flank to No 8 allows for Plumtree to pick a genuine fetcher in James Venter and an exceptional blindside flank in Vincent Tshituka, who was recently called up to the Springbok squad. It means the Sharks have an underrated loose trio to go with a solid tight five, so the Sharks' backs will get their fair share of decent possession. There is also the nagging suspicion that the Sharks' backline could click when it matters most. There are too many superstars in that back division for cohesion to evade them much longer.
