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The South African
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
RWC 1995 anniversary: Remembering Springboks' fallen heroes
On the eve of the 30-year anniversary of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, we celebrate and fondly remember the impact of five Springboks from that iconic occasion who have sadly passed away. James Small, Joost van der Westhuizen, Chester Williams, Ruben Kruger and Hannes Strydom were hugely popular public figures and each of their deaths at relatively young ages understandably rocked South African rugby. Of course, the first member of the tightly-knit squad to pass away was in fact coach Kitch Christie, who succumbed to leukemia in Pretoria in 1998. He was 58. In the first part of this remembrance series, we look back at the career and impact of James Small. James Small Small made his debut for the Springboks against New Zealand in Johannesburg in 1992 and played in 47 Tests until 1997. He scored 20 Test tries, with the last of those in his final match in the Green and Gold, against Scotland – a try which, at that stage, broke Danie Gerber's Test record. However, it was his heroics on defence that are just as much a part of his legacy, with Small's marking of All Blacks great Jonah Lomu in the 1995 World Cup final going a long way to helping the Springboks to victory. In total, Small donned the Green and Gold 60 times, scoring 27 tries. He played Tests against New Zealand, Australia, Western Samoa, Fiji, France, Italy, Romania, England, Scotland, Argentina and the British & Irish Lions. In his provincial, Small played for the Golden Lions (then Transvaal), Sharks (then Natal) and Western Province, appearing in Currie Cup finals for all three sides and lifting the coveted golden cup in the colours of the Sharks and WP, but never with the Golden Lions. Small played 71 matches, scoring 43 tries, for the Golden Lions and the Cats from 1988 to 1992 and again in 1998 and 1999. He was with the Sharks from 1993 to 1996 and played in 67 matches, scoring 48 tries (provincial and Vodacom Super Rugby), and he spent 1997 and the first part of 1998 with Western Province and the DHL Stormers, whom he represented 25 times, scoring 18 tries. Before his sudden death from a heart attack in 2019, the 50-year-old had turned to coaching, and assisted Robert du Preez at NWU-Pukke and the Leopards before joining Pirates Rugby Club in Johannesburg as assistant coach. Small had enjoyed some success in the hospitality industry, with ownership in a popular eatery and night spot Cafe Caprice in Camps Bay in Cape Town. He also had business interests in ADreach, a company specialising in street pole advertising in South Africa. A special player and a unique character, Small is undoubtedly one of the true legends of Springbok rugby. *Keep an eye on TheSouthAfrican as the five remaining articles in this remembrance content series will be published over the next few days Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking the uniforms in the Women's College World series
Ranking the uniforms in the Women's College World series The Women's College World Series gets underway on Thursday in Oklahoma City, with eight teams hoping to put their best foot forward in hopes of securing a national championship. The Oklahoma Sooners are hoping to become the first team to win five straight national titles but will face significant challenges from Texas, Florida, Texas Tech, Tennessee, Oregon, UCLA, and Ole Miss. It's one of the best events in college sports, as over the next week and a half, softball will take center stage. As the teams take the field, so will some iconic uniforms. From classics to alternates, there will be some fantastic fits on display in Oklahoma City. Who has the best? 8. Florida Gators When you think of the Florida Gators, this is what you picture. It's a uniform that looks like something you'd expect out of a team from Florida. It's a solid look but not quite as nice as some of the others in the Women's College World Series. 7. Oregon Ducks The Oregon football team has some of the best looks in college sports. This is the softball team's best uniform. It looks like a storm's brewing and with the way the Ducks have played this season, it's fitting. The only knock is that the all-green and all-yellow looks don't come together quite like some of the other solids in Oklahoma City. 6. Ole Miss Rebels Powder Blue There's a lot of blue on the list, but the Ole Miss Powder Blue is about as good as it gets. 5. UCLA Blue and Gold UCLA is one of the blue bloods of the sport and their UCLA Blue evokes memories of a long history of success in college softball. They get the blue bump over Ole Miss simply out of respect for what UCLA Blue and Gold have meant to the sport. 4. Texas Longhorns' Icy White The all-whites are a great look, and not only because it minimizes the amount of burnt orange one has to see, but it's reminiscent of their best football look as well. 3. Texas Tech's All Black Few athletic programs wear black as well as Texas Tech. With red script and accents, it's an ominous look, especially when the best pitcher in the game, NiJaree Canady, is standing in the circle. 2. Oklahoma Sooners All-Crimson The Oklahoma Sooners have a lot of really good looks, but none as clean as their all-crimson fit. It's strong and powerful, much like this team. 1. Tennessee Volunteers 'Summitt Blue' When you think of Tennessee, you may not think of the blue they wore to clinch their super regional over Nebraska, but their "Summitt Blue," named after the Lady Vols legendary women's basketball coach Pat Summitt, is fantastic. The white accents, along with the orange lettering, are a great look. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL schedule leak: Steelers Week 2, NFC West opponent revealed
NFL schedule leak: Steelers Week 2, NFC West opponent revealed New Steelers WR DK Metcalf will face off against his former team sooner rather than later, as Donny Chedrick of 93.7 The Fan reported that Pittsburgh will host the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 of the 2025 regular season. Metcalf was traded by the Seahawks to the Steelers in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick — and while Pittsburgh fans may not yet know who will be under center, DK provides the Steel City with a long-term solution at the wide receiver position. The Steelers last played the Seahawks back in December 2023, when Pittsburgh won the contest 30-23. Seattle's newest signal-caller, Sam Darnold, will look to continue his career resurgence at the Steelers' expense. The Seahawks and Steelers share many similarities on offense heading into 2025 — including uncertainty at both the wide receiver and quarterback positions — but the Black and Gold faithful will hold onto hope that Pittsburgh's revamped defense can lead them to victory over Seattle in Week 2 on September 14.
