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☆ Springboks start with Pollard, go 7-1 on the bench
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In the end, Pollard proved the match winner again as he kicked over a 48 metre penalty to hand South Africa a place in the final. South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber surprised with his choice of replacements, going with seven forwards and a single back for the third time in the last two months. It means South Africa are gambling on fresh forward power winning them the game but risking having no cover should there be any injury among the backs. New Zealand, who like South Africa have won three previous World Cups, will name their team later on Thursday. South Africa: 15-Damian Willemse, 14-Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Damian de Allende, 11-Cheslin Kolbe, 10-Handre Pollard, 9-Faf de Klerk, 8-Duane Vermeulen, 7-Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6-Siya Kolisi (capt.

Persons: Handre Pollard, Pollard, Faf, Klerk, Jacques Nienaber, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter, Steph du Toit, Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Steven Kitshoff, Deon Fourie, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Willie Le Roux, Mark Gleeson, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Rugby, Springbok, New Zealand, South, England, Libbok, Blacks, Twickenham, Ireland, Leinster, Thomson Locations: COURCELLES, France, South Africa, Japan, flyhalf, scrumhalf, Africa, South Africa’s, Zealand

☆ Pollard gamble pays off for South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Oct 21 (Reuters) - An injury to hooker Malcolm Marx early in the Rugby World Cup threatened a major blow to South Africa’s hopes of retaining the title but the opportunity to call up Handre Pollard was a gamble that paid off handsomely in Saturday’s semi-final. Pollard, who kicked South Africa to the title at the last World Cup in Japan, was left out of the original 33-man squad after failing to prove his fitness. "We needed some energy and that's why we decided to bring on the bench early," the Springbok coach said. When South Africa won a scrum penalty two metres inside the England half with two minutes to go, the stage was set for Pollard. "Firstly the scrum penalty, that is what got us the opportunity," said Pollard.

Persons: Malcolm Marx, Africa’s, Handre Pollard, Pollard, Libbok, Jacques Nienaber, Siya Kolisi, ” Kolisi, It’s, Ed Osmond Organizations: Rugby, Springboks, New Zealand, Stade de France, Tonga, France, Springbok, South Africa, England, Leicester, Thomson Locations: Saturday’s, England, South Africa, Japan, Yokohama, France

☆ Springboks delay naming team as they ponder bench options
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Springboks have been regimented in naming their team four days before a test, but director of rugby Rassie Erasmus says there are still deliberations over whether to go with a 5-3, 6-2 or 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench. In some cases we are not even sure who is the best," Erasmus told reporters on Tuesday. "We are keeping our options open for a 7-1, 6-2 or 5-3 (bench split) with both Handre and Manie being available. I think having everybody fit and seeing what the French team looks like may influence us going 7-1 or 6-2." "I have been in World Rugby meetings where we break into little groups and he's a very interesting character with the way he looks at the game," Erasmus said.

Persons: Rassie Erasmus, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo, Erasmus, Antoine Dupont, Shaun Edwards, Andy Farrell, Nick Said, Toby Davis Organizations: France, Springboks, Namibia, Rugby, Rugby League, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Paris, France, Ireland

☆ Ireland come out on top of bruising clash with South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

PARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Top-ranked Ireland claimed a 13-8 statement victory over defending champions South Africa in a high-octane heavyweight World Cup clash that lived up to the hype at a sweltering Stade de France on Saturday. Scotland and Tonga, who both lost their opening game in Pool B, face each other in Nice on Sunday. South Africa captain Siya Kolisi hailed his team's performance despite the loss. South Africa came into the contest with a 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench and Ireland boldly looked to keep the ball in play as much as possible, going for the corner instead of kicking early penalties. South Africa got onto the scoreboard first in a brutal start with a Libbok penalty as huge tackles and collisions drew oohs and aahs from the 78,542 crowd.

Persons: Andy Farrell's, Mack Hansen, Johnny Sexton, Jack Crowley, Cheslin Kolbe, Manie, Klerk, Farrell, Siya Kolisi, Hugo Keenan ghosted, Sexton, Robbie Henshaw, Hansen, James Lowe, Kolbe darted, Libbok, Crawley, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Julien Pretot, Ken Ferris Organizations: Ireland, South, Stade de France, Springboks, Scotland, Wales, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Tonga, Nice, Africa, Ireland, France

☆ Springboks still on track to win World Cup - coach Nienaber
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - South Africa's lack of accuracy close to the Ireland tryline and off the kicking tee were major contributors to their epic 13-8 loss in a Rugby World Cup Pool B showdown on Saturday but the belief that they can win the World Cup still burns bright. By contrast, South Africa had numerous entries into the Ireland 22 but a mixture of excellent defence and their own inaccuracy proved costly as they slipped to a first World Cup defeat in nine games. "Hats off to Ireland, we missed a couple of points off the tee but I won't say it's only goal-kicking (that was the problem)," coach Jacques Nienaber said. "We lost two balls close to the Ireland tryline and we had another opportunity late on in the game. Nienaber said the defeat did not in any way diminish their belief that they could retain their World Cup crown.

Persons: Manie Libbok, scrumhalf Faf, Klerk, Jacques Nienaber, Nienaber, Siya Kolisi, haven't, Kolisi, Nick Said, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Marine Strauss, Clare Fallon Organizations: Ireland, Rugby, Springbok, Thomson Locations: Ireland, South Africa, Tonga, Marseille

☆ 'Sad' Springboks mull over Marx replacement in World Cup squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It was in a contact session, it was a team run and it was just unfortunate," Nienaber told reporters on Friday. Rugby players work incredibly hard for four years to come to a World Cup, the players sacrifice a lot and their families sacrifice a lot. "Every individual in our team adds something to the Boks, so we lose that (with Marx). The Boks are holding off naming a replacement until after their Pool B clash with Romania in Bordeaux on Sunday, with Nienaber saying all options remain open. We will discuss it after the game, we are fully focused on Romania because we should show them that respect."

Persons: Malcolm Marx, Jacques Nienaber, Marx, Bongi, Nienaber, Malcolm, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Manie Libbok, Pollard, Malcolm wouldn't, Nick Said, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Rugby, Springboks, Leicester Tigers, Thomson Locations: BORDEAUX, France, Toulon, Bordeaux, Romania

☆ Captain Kolisi backs flyhalf Libbok to lead Springbok attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Nick Said | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But Kolisi said his side have no concerns around Libbok in potentially tight knockout contests and there were others who could take over kicking duties if required. "We play as a team and sometimes you are not good at one thing on the day," Kolisi told reporters. "But the way he attacked and the way he takes control of the team, people forget that and remember only the other stuff. "Faf (de Klerk) can kick, Cheslin (Kolbe) can kick, there are a lot of guys we can call upon. South Africa led 6-3 at halftime but Kolisi was not happy with the intensity they showed.

Persons: Siya Kolisi, Libbok, Kolisi, de Klerk, Cheslin, Kolbe, Duane, Vermeulen, Eben, Etzebeth, Libbok’s, Lee Arendse, Nick Said, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Rugby, Scotland, Springboks, Kurt, Thomson Locations: MARSEILLE, France, South Africa, Marseille, Africa

☆ Springboks include injured skipper Kolisi in World Cup squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 8 (Reuters) - South Africa captain Siya Kolisi was included in the squad for next month’s Rugby World Cup but other key players left out because of injury, including influential flyhalf Handre Pollard and World Cup-winning centre Lukhanyo Am. There are 12 World Cup debutants but the Boks kept the bulk of the side that won the tournament in Japan four years ago. Also out is Lood de Jager, the giant lock who was also part of team four years ago. He heads a list of players who compete at a third World Cup tournament. South Africa play in Pool B at the World Cup where they also meet Romania, Ireland and Tonga.

Persons: Siya Kolisi, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Kolisi, Pollard, de Jager, Jacques Nienaber, De Jager, Nienaber, Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, Eben Etzebeth, Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Jaden Hendrikse, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Cobus Reinach, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams, Pieter, Deon Fourie, Steven Kitshoff, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Malcolm Marx, Kubota Spears, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Nche, Marvin Orie, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Rugby, Lukhanyo, Scotland, Argentina, SA Rugby, Wales, New Zealand, Twickenham, Romania, Tonga, Squad, Panasonic, Knights, Canon Eagles, Harlequins, Suntory, Eagles, Toyota, Honda, Snyman, Leicester Tigers, Thomson Locations: JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Marseille, Japan, Cardiff, New, Ireland, Montpellier, Ulster, Munster, Stormers

☆ Springboks overcome scrappy first half to beat Argentina 24-13
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I’m just very happy, we worked very hard," South Africa’s stand-in captain Bongi Mbonambi said. "It is always tough to come and play here in Argentina. It was a proper test match but this was a good game for us before the World Cup." And they got another shortly afterwards as Libbok’s cross-kick was collected by wing Moodie and he had an easy run-in to score. The win may have come at some price after the Boks' experienced centre Lukhanyo Am was forced off at halftime with a knee injury.

Persons: Canan Moodie, Agustin Creevy, Jacques Nienaber, Mapimpi, Moodie, Manie Libbok, Bongi Mbonambi, scrumhalf Gonzalo Bertranou, Creevy, Libbok, Franco Mostert, Nick Said, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Argentina, Rugby World, Springboks, Lukhanyo, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Argentine, Bertranou, Mapimpi

☆ Springboks change 14 for Argentina rematch in Buenos Aires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

He has continued to cast his net wide and manage the minutes of the players with a further 14 changes for Saturday’s test. The only one to retain their place is flyhalf Manie Libbok, with regular starter Handre Pollard still working his way back from injury. Jasper Wiese is in at number eight, with versatile loose-forwards Franco Mostert and Deon Fourie on the side of the scrum. "There is not a player in our enlarged squad who is fully confident that he will be in the World Cup squad, so the competition for places is intense." The Boks scraped a barely deserved win at Ellis Park on Saturday as they withstood intense pressure from Argentina, and will expect a backlash from the home side.

Persons: Manie Libbok, Andrew Boyers, Hooker Bongi Mbonambi, Gerhard Steenekamp, Jacques Nienaber, Handre Pollard, Fullback Damian Willemse, Canan Moodie, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo, Andre Esterhuizen, Cobus Reinach, Thomas du Toit, Trevor Nyakane, Marvin Orie, Jean Kleyn, Jasper Wiese, Franco Mostert, Deon Fourie, Nche, Nienaber, Damian Willemse, – Jasper Wiese, – Deon Fourie, Mbonambi, Joseph Dweba, – Vincent Koch, Jean, Luc du Preez, Evan Roos, Herschel Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Nick Said, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Rugby Union, International, England, South Africa, Twickenham, Rugby World, Argentina, Springbok, Rugby, Fullback, Ireland, South African Rugby, World, Ellis, Thomson Locations: South, London, Britain, Africa, Buenos Aires, New Zealand, Johannesburg, Mbonambi, France, Argentina

☆ S Africa's Libbok eager to press World Cup claims against Italy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Apart from flyhalf, I can also cover fullback and centre, both inside centre or outside," Libbok told reporters on Wednesday. "I am pleased I can do that as it means I can help out the team if I am needed there. "It was something I dreamed of since I was a little kid, so it was very special for me," he said. If I got the ball from the kick-off when I came on I would probably just have run with it. "Last week we had a plan against France, as we knew there would be opportunities (to keep ball in hand).

☆ Boks shuffle pack ahead of Italy test as Wiese returns
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 15 (Reuters) - South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber has made several changes to his pack with the return of number eight Jasper Wiese and a new lock pairing for the autumn international test against Italy in Genoa on Saturday. He replaces Kwagga Smith, while Salmaan Moerat and Marvin Orie make up the second row with Eben Etzebeth rested on the bench and Franco Mostert moving to flank in place of Pieter-Steph du Toit. "It’s also good to have Jasper back against the physical Italian pack, and we know that Kwagga will spark something different when he takes the field. "Evan (Roos) also gets a chance off the bench and his skills will work well with Kwagga’s in the loose trio." Italy have had some past joy against the Springboks, beating them for the first time 20-18 in Florence six years ago.

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