Manie Libbok on being able to kick with both feet:
"That is a skill I have worked on since I was little. I grew up kicking with both feet and it's something I have done for years now. I am happy to be in the position I can kick with both feet."
In 2012 Pierre Schoeman was RG Snyman’s captain of Affies first team. Today they will be playing against each other in Marseille. A special occasion for both.
Rugby World Cup-winning coach and South African director of rugby, Johan “Rassie” Erasmus, is to be awarded an honorary doctorate by the North-West University (NWU).
South Africa’s Bella Kruger, daughter of former Bok flanker Ruben Kruger, just crushed the number 4 seed at Junior Wimbledon.
#superproud
#Krugersisters
👏
The Boks are having a kicking compo just before their training session in Paris. There is some nice energy on the training field. 🇿🇦🏉
#Springboks
#RWC2023
The weather is finally changing in France. It is 17° degrees here in Paris and we had a bit of rain. It is still humid. Duane and Ox are enjoying the weather.
#Springboks
#RWC2023
🏉🇿🇦
Look the Morné Steyn story is a fairytale but don’t forget about Trevor Nyakane’s scrum penalties and the vital turnovers Damian de Allende and Siya made. Great team effort. Eben won a vital line-out. Marco won an important turnover. Cheslin’s try. So many big moments.
What an awesome achievement with reaching the milestone of 50 tests as the Bok captain this weekend. Well done, Siya. This photo was taken after this morning's presser. 🏉🇿🇦
#Springboks
#RWC2023
Jean Kleyn on Siya Kolisi:
"It is something from the outside you don't necessarily understand. His entire journey epitomises the South African dream, striving through the difficult things, what other people would call impossible."
South Africa’s Cheslin Kolbe has averaged 16.7 metres per carry from his 19 carries at this year’s Rugby World Cup, more than any other player to have run with the ball on 15+ occasions.
Rassie Erasmus arriving at the Boks last training session for the 2023 World Cup in France. Minister Zizi Kodwa is here to support the Boks.
#Springboks
#RWC2023
🇿🇦🏉
It is such sad news to hear about the drowning of Jannie du Plessis’s youngest child yesterday on Jannie’s birthday. It is heartbreaking news. I will keep Jannie and his family in my prayers. 🙏
The Gwijo squad is here to support the Boks. Although more than 60 000 French supporters are expected on a cool night, there are plenty of Bok supporters here.
#Springboks
#RWC2023
🇿🇦🏉
Pieter-Steph du Toit on getting through the WC drama:
"I guess as a team we like drama. We have had drama for the last few years. It helped us a lot as a team to get through the drama and cope with it and it shows the resilience of the team and the whole of South Africa."
Congrats to Bafana Nhleko who did a tremendous job as coach of the Junior Boks. I enjoyed the brand of rugby that they played. It is also worth mentioning the name of one of his backroom staff, Chean Roux, for his contributions.
Cheslin Kolbe helping his old mate, Damian Willemse, out on how to fasten his heart rate monitor before today’s training session at Stade Mayol in Toulon. 😁
#Springboks
#RWC2023
🏉🇿🇦
Kwagga Smith made the most turnovers by any player in this year’s World Cup. Deon Fourie’s name is also on the list. Two of the best off the bench in this year’s tournament.
Deon Fourie: On Pieter-Steph du Toit making 28 tackles and him (Deon) making 21 tackles:
"I haven't seen the stats, but it felt like it. I was tired and I was in a dark place.”
So the Boks are without Pieter-Steph du Toit, RG Snyman, Cobus Reinach, Handré Pollard (late arrival, Top14 winner), Trevor Nyakane, Sbu Nkosi, Marco van Staden, Johan Goosen (not available yet) and Duane Vermeulen for the first test against Wales.
I still can’t believe SA Rugby managed to pull off the series during the Covid pandemic. Congrats to Jurie Roux and his team.
After losing a classmate and friends due to Covid and myself fighting the battle recently, all I can say to the Boks is that pressure is a privilege. 🇿🇦
Rassie confirmed that Siya is still available for the Boks. Rassie is still deciding about the captaincy as Siya is now playing abroad and Saru always wanted the captain to play his rugby in SA. Rassie is however impressed with Siya’s form for Racing92.
#Springboks
#capetown
The Viking was on 🔥 last night. He described that feeling just before running on the field with that 7/1 bench against the All Blacks as very special. He also said that he got into Mongolian throat singing. Watch out for Rudolf Gerhardus Snyman.
It is all happening outside the Stade de Marseille. Plenty of Bok supporters warming up for the big test later on today.
#Springboks
#RWC2023
🇿🇦🏴🏉
World Rugby has today released the official trailer for Whistleblowers, a ground-breaking film documenting the lives and experiences of the Emirates World Rugby Match Officials at the men’s Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.
Caroline Grace Brüssow, wife of former Bok Heinrich Brüssow, will be singing the National Anthem before Saturday’s second test between the Boks and Wales in Bloem.
Duane Vermeulen and Jasper Wiese are working on their skills under the high ball. Damian de Allende did not train with the team.
#Springboks
#RWC2023
🇿🇦🏉
Great win in Oz without injured players like Bongi Mbonambi, RG Snyman, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Handré Pollard, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am and Sbu Nkosi. Kurt-Lee Arendse also suspended. Building depth. 🇿🇦🏉
There is an explosion of talent in SA rugby. Players like Sacha Mngomezulu, Canan Moodie, André-Hugo Venter, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Henco van Wyk, Ruan Venter, Quan Horn and Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Spare a thought for Lood de Jager who is hoping to get the clearance from his cardiologist middle October to start training again. It must be difficult not to be part of this World Cup. 🏉🇿🇦
#Springboks
#RWC2023
Siya Kolisi on the iconic Xhosa commentary from the late Kaunda Ntunja in which he introduced him as the first black captain in 2018, and what it means to him to hear Xhosa commentary on television in South Africa:👇
Just for some perspective. Scotland played France twice in August beating them 52-51 (winning 25-21 at Murrayfield and losing 30-27 in Saint-Etienne). One can therefore understand the relief in the Bok camp after beating Scotland 18-3 in Marseille. 🇿🇦🏴🏉
Marco van Staden working on his line-out throwing at today’s training session in Toulon. He will play hooker for the Boks in the case of an emergency.
#Springboks
#RWC2023
🇿🇦🏉
A massive task awaits the Bulls. They depart Loftus today 5:30 pm. Economy class via Doha to London then 4 hour bus trip. Arrive in Exeter tomorrow evening 6 pm. 24 hour journey.
Watching Chasing the Sun2 really brought back very special memories of France2023. What a special bunch of coaches and players. The Boks mean so much to our nation. 💚🇿🇦
Eben Etzebeth will have to wait until next season before he can join the exclusive club 100. At age 30 he is however set to smash Victor Matfield’s Bok record, in +~ 3 years time.
Jacques Nienaber hinted this morning in Bordeaux that they will watch Handré Pollard’s performance tonight for the Leicester Tigers against Sale Sharks with interest.
#Springboks
#RWC2023
No doubt that Malcolm Marx is a massive loss. He is a special player. A key player. I however have no doubt that Bongi Mbonambi and Deon Fourie will step up to the plate. Deon can add value in some other ways to the Bok team.
Expect a smoke cloud over Manguang today with Cheetah supporters celebrating their favourite rugby team inclusion in the European Challenge Cup from later this year. 🏉