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Eben Etzebeth celebrates with the Sharks MARK KEOHANE commends the resilience of South Africa’s star players, as they transition from a triumphant Springbok tour to the start of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup. Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane highlights the intense demands on South African players in a December schedule devoid of a summer break. This month’s EPCR and Vodacom URC schedule requires players and coaches to tackle four consecutive weekends of high-stakes games across two vastly different competitions and climates. Keohane notes the Vodacom Bulls, Sharks, and DHL Stormers competing in the Champions Cup, facing tough European…

Springboks skipper and icon Siya Kolisi endured a rollercoaster year but don’t forget the huge highs he experienced individually and collectively. Siya Kolisi earns TIME Magazine recognition after making Springboks history Siyamthanda Kolisi etched his name into the record books in 2023 when he became only the second man to captain his country to back-to-back Rugby World Cup triumphs. This is what he said in an Instagram caption to address this honour: “Being named to the 2024 #TIME100 list is an incredible honour, one that deeply humbles me. It’s a profound responsibility to stand alongside individuals who dedicate their lives to enriching others. This…

 It was clear for all to see that the all-conquering Springboks played with a lot more attacking intent with ball in hand in 2024. It started way back in the first Test of the year in June against Wales at Twickenham in London, and ended against the same opposition under the roof of the Principality Stadium in Cardiff in November. Former All Blacks flyhalf Tony Brown, considered one of the best attack coaches in the world, joined the Springboks’ management team this year to try and evolve the Springboks’ play. After winning the previous two World Cup with a “skop,…

Kaizer Chiefs legend Lifa Gqosha says Amakhosi need a player like Oswin Appollis who is not an afraid to take responsibility. He believes the current players in Nasreddine Nabi’s squad lack “commitment and belief” within themselves. Gqosha feels the team that many commended at the start of the season, has yet to gel together. GQOSHA SAYS CHIEFS PLAYERS LACK BELIEF IN THEMSELVES ‘He’s a quality player,” he told KickOff. “What is lacking among the current Kaizer Chiefs players is commitment. They need to believe in themselves You need a player who is not afraid to take responsibility. Right now, the…

Rassie Erasmus came agonisingly close to equalling a Springboks record in 2024 which was set by Jake White and has stood for 17 years. Following South Africa’s back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories, Erasmus has expressed the need to usher in the next generation of Springboks players and he certainly did that in 2024. He issued 12 Test debuts in his first year back in charge and recalled several players who had been on the fringe of the squad throughout the last Rugby World Cup cycle. This meant that Erasmus used a mind-boggling 50 players over 13 Test matches in 2024.…

John Williams, the first Springbok coach post-isolation, has died John Williams, who was the first Springbok coach post-isolation, died at the age of 78 on Thursday morning. Williams coached the Springboks in 1992, the year they were allowed back into the international fold after being excluded because of apartheid. Bulls president Willem Strauss confirmed the news of Williams’ death to News24. Williams died in a Pretoria hospital after being in a coma the past 10 days. The Boks won only one of their five Tests in 1992, with Williams replaced as head coach by Ian McIntosh the following season. Williams…

SA Rugby backs equity deal in Parliament SA Rugby has defended its proposed equity deal with the Ackerley Sports Group (ASG), describing the R1.4 billion investment as vital for the sport’s sustainability in South Africa. The deal would grant ASG a 20% stake in SA Rugby’s commercial arm but requires a 75% majority vote from South Africa’s 13 rugby unions to pass. Speaking to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture on Wednesday, SARU president Mark Alexander emphasised that the deal was not for personal gain but to secure rugby’s future amid economic challenges. News24 reports that alternative investment…

The proposed equity deal between SA Rugby and US-based private equity company Ackerley Sports Group (ASG) has suffered another setback after the president of another provincial union has spoken out against it. According to a Netwerk24 report, South Western Districts (SWD) Rugby Union president Ben Brinkhuis has confirmed that his organisation’s management has decided not to vote in favour of the ASG transaction. Friday is D-Day for the equity deal to go through as the South African Rugby Union’s (SARU) main council, which consists of the 14 full member unions’ presidents and chief executives, will have to vote on the…

The Sharks will be determined to replicate their impressive United Rugby Championship (URC) form when they kick off their Champions Cup campaign against Exeter Chiefs in Durban on Saturday. Despite suffering a home defeat in their season opener against Connacht and also losing away at Benetton in Round Four of the URC, John Plumtree’s troops soon hit their straps and are currently in sixth position in that tournament’s standings. Since that lose to the Italian outfit, the Sharks have clinched successive victories over defending URC champions Glasgow Warriors and the competition’s previous winners Munster and the Stormers. Sharks and one-Test Springbok loose…

 Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande has advised coach Nasreddine Nabi to find what he terms a “hard man” in midfield and a reliable goal scorer to take the team forward. Nabi has experienced mixed fortunes during his stint at Chiefs with his side putting in some inconsistent performances to leave them seventh on the PSL table on 11 points, 10 behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. The problems at Chiefs were laid bare again last weekend when they blew away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Magesi FC in a performance that Nabi termed “lack of professionalism.” Katsande wants to see leaders at Chiefs…