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All Blacks turn up volume ahead of first RGR Springboks Test

Adnaan MohamedNews, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on All Blacks turn up volume ahead of first RGR Springboks Test
By Adnaan Mohamed

The All Blacks have turned up the volume ahead of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR), with the Bulls bearing the brunt of a 50-19 demolition at Loftus Versfeld.

New Zealand ran in eight tries in Pretoria on Saturday, producing their most complete performance of the South African tour to date and finishing their provincial warm-ups unbeaten.

It was a statement built on scrum power, breakdown brutality and attacking freedom. Josh Moorby, Leroy Carter and captain Codie Taylor all crossed twice as the All Blacks raced into a 24-0 halftime lead.

The Bulls eventually found some life, scoring three tries, yet New Zealand kept the scoreboard ticking like a taxi meter on a busy Saturday night.

For Dave Rennie, the performance offered useful clues ahead of next Saturday’s first Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg.

“50 points against a very good Bulls side is a positive,” Rennie said.

“We played a team that was prepared to play and really took it to us. I thought our set piece was strong, especially the scrum.”

The All Blacks created 11 line breaks to the Bulls’ one and showed improved discipline, giving Rennie plenty of selection headaches with his Test squad now taking shape.

“That certainly wasn’t our Test side tonight, and so there will be a number of changes,” he said.

“There were some really good performances that will put pressure on us from a selection point of view.”

Rennie also knows the Bulls were not a Test-strength opponent. The Pretoria side had not played since June and had limited preparation following their URC final appearance.

That reality explains why Rennie was quick to sound the brakes on the victory parade.

“What we know is that the intensity levels and the quality we’re going to come up against next week are three, four, or fivefolds, but we’ve played reasonably well on tour, and we know we need to up the ante.”

The All Blacks could welcome back Will Jordan and Cam Roigard, who have progressed from their respective injuries. Damian McKenzie remains a concern with an ankle problem, while Rennie hopes he can train on Tuesday.

New Zealand captain Codie Taylor delivered his own warning.

“No disrespect to the Bulls but they [the Springboks] will lift the tempo and physicality. That’s what Test match footy is all about. It’s an exciting week ahead.”

Loftus was the dress rehearsal. Ellis Park is where the curtain rises.

And the Boks have heard the warning bell.

Bulls bolster pack and unleash overseas X-factor for All Blacks clash

Adnaan MohamedNews, Preview, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Bulls bolster pack and unleash overseas X-factor for All Blacks clash
By Adnaan Mohamed

The Vodacom Bulls are loading up for an All Blacks ambush at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, combining returning Springbok muscle with a pair of overseas-tested backs capable of injecting serious X-factor.

The recipe is clear: add international steel to the pack, then let Curwin Bosch and Thaakir Abrahams bring the fizz.

Bosch starts at flyhalf after two seasons with Brive in France, where the 29-year-old says he rediscovered the freedom that made him one of South Africa’s most naturally gifted attacking players.

“It’s amazing to be back in South Africa,” Bosch said. “The two seasons I spent in France were really good for me, but there’s no place like home.”

His French adventure was a mental reset.

“It was so good for me mentally to spend a bit of time in France and just get the shackles off and get back to doing what I do best, and that’s play rugby.”

Bosch believes the experience stripped away the noise and restored his instinctive game.

“There were no sideshows and no distractions. I could just focus on playing good rugby.”

“I just felt a lot more free. The last couple of seasons I spent in South Africa, I felt boxed a little bit.”

“That time in France freed me up. It took me back to how you play rugby at school. You see the space and you play the space. That’s when I’m at my best.”

Now the stage could hardly be bigger.

“It’s probably an opportunity of a lifetime to test yourself against the second-best team in the world,” Bosch said.

On the wing, Abrahams offers another attacking spark. The former Sharks and Munster winger returns to the Bulls with speed to burn and the ability to turn half-chances into highlight-reel material.

Together, Bosch and Abrahams give the Bulls a backline with genuine unpredictability.

Up front, the Bulls have reinforced the pack with Springbok quality. Hooker Johan Grobbelaar and loose forward Elrigh Louw have been released from the Springboks after their Argentina tour and will provide fresh international experience from the bench.

Both have had a single training session with the Bulls.

“It’s great to have them with us, and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” coach Johan Ackermann said.

Jaundre Schoeman and Mpilo Gumede make way in the match-day squad.

Captain Marcell Coetzee leads a pack containing plenty of experience, while Hanro Liebenberg returns to South Africa after his stint with Leicester Tigers.

Willie le Roux adds another Springbok presence at fullback, with Embrose Papier and Jeandré Rudolph providing tempo and thrust.

The numbers make for sobering reading. New Zealand have won three of the four meetings since 1949. The Bulls’ solitary victory came in 1976, when Northern Transvaal edged the All Blacks 29-27.

Almost 50 years later, Loftus gets another crack at rugby folklore.

The Bulls have brought the Boks for ballast and the overseas returnees for fireworks.

Now they need the whole package to explode.

Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Thaakir Abrahams, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Alu Tshakweni.
Bench: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Khuta Mchunu, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Katlego Letebele, 23 Hakeem Kunene.

New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Anton Segner, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 Xavier Numia
Bench: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 George Bower, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Emoni Narawa

Date: Saturday, August 15
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT; 05.00 Sunday, August 16 NZST)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Matthew Carley (England)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

Bomb Squad powers Springboks past spirited Scotland

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Championship-winning teams often reveal their true character when momentum hangs in the balance. The Springboks did exactly that on Saturday, producing a clinical second-half display to defeat Scotland 42-28 in a gripping Nations Championship Test at Loftus Versfeld.

With the scores locked at 14-14 at halftime, South Africa leaned on the qualities that have become synonymous with the world champions. Physicality, depth and composure gradually wore down a fearless Scottish outfit that refused to surrender until the final whistle.

The Springboks crossed for six tries to Scotland’s four, although head coach Rassie Erasmus, who marked his record-breaking 55th Test in charge of the national side, will know there is still room for refinement.

South Africa’s defensive system leaked opportunities throughout the contest, allowing Scotland to build confidence with ball in hand. Gregor Townsend’s side arrived intent on playing ambitious rugby, keeping possession through multiple phases while stretching the Springbok defence from touchline to touchline.

Much of that enterprise stemmed from the influential partnership of Finn Russell and captain Sione Tuipulotu. Russell controlled the tempo with trademark vision and precision, while Tuipulotu consistently won the gainline and inspired the visitors with an outstanding all-round display.

The Springboks struck first through scrumhalf Embrose Papier. Making his first Test appearance in eight years, the Bulls playmaker spotted space around the ruck before skipping through for a memorable try in the 17th minute.

South Africa doubled their advantage moments later. Lock Cobus Wiese launched a powerful charge from the restart before No 8 Evan Roos finished the movement with authority. Handré Pollard converted both tries to establish what appeared to be a comfortable 14-0 lead.

Scotland’s response reflected the resilience that has become a hallmark of Townsend’s side.

Tighthead prop Zander Fagerson powered over after sustained pressure close to the line before Russell and Tuipulotu combined brilliantly to create space for fullback Kyle Rowe. Russell’s conversion levelled the scores as the halftime siren sounded.

The turning point arrived shortly after the restart.

Replacement lock Ben-Jason Dixon received a yellow card for dangerous head contact, leaving South Africa temporarily reduced to 14 players. Erasmus responded by introducing his renowned Bomb Squad earlier than anticipated.

The impact was immediate.

The Springbok pack tightened its grip through relentless carries and dominant set-piece play. Replacement loose forward Elrigh Louw crashed over before Damian Willemse finished a flowing attack following excellent interplay with Edwill van der Merwe.

Young prop Zachary Porthen then celebrated a dream Test debut by powering over for his maiden international try, underlining South Africa’s remarkable production line of forward talent.

Scotland continued to fight with admirable determination. Russell sparked another attacking wave that produced quickfire tries from Josh Bayliss and Ben White, briefly reducing the deficit to seven points and ensuring a tense finale.

The Springboks, however, responded like champions.

Centre Jesse Kriel crossed for the decisive sixth try, allowing South Africa to close out another important Test victory in front of an appreciative Pretoria crowd.

Pollard added five conversions before Quan Horn completed the scoring.

The result extended South Africa’s winning momentum while highlighting both the squad’s enviable depth and its appetite for improvement. The Bomb Squad once again demonstrated why it remains one of the most influential tactical weapons in international rugby, transforming a finely balanced contest into another memorable Springbok triumph.

Point Scorers

South Africa 42 (14): Tries: Embrose Papier, Evan Roos, Elrigh Louw, Damian Willemse, Zachary Porthen, Jesse Kriel. Conversions: Handré Pollard (5), Quan Horn.

Scotland 28 (14): Tries: Zander Fagerson, Kyle Rowe, Josh Bayliss, Ben White. Conversions: Finn Russell (4).

Eight years later, Papier gets his Scottish sequel

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, News, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Eight years later, Papier gets his Scottish sequel

There are few better storytellers than rugby. Eight years after making his first Springbok start against Scotland on a wet Murrayfield evening, Embrose Papier is preparing to face the same opponents again. This time, the stage is Loftus Versfeld. The jersey still carries the same weight. The man wearing it has changed completely.

The Clanwilliam-born scrumhalf returns to the Springbok starting line-up carrying far more than seven Test caps. He brings eight seasons of perseverance, frustration and relentless self-belief after watching South Africa conquer the rugby world from the outside.

When Papier burst onto the international scene in 2018 as a fearless 21-year-old, he appeared destined to become the Boks’ long-term No 9. Rugby, however, had other ideas.

A conveyor belt of elite scrumhalves, including Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach and Jaden Hendrikse, kept the Bulls playmaker waiting while the Springboks collected back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles.

Instead of fading into the background, Papier rebuilt his game.

His outstanding United Rugby Championship campaign left Rassie Erasmus with little choice. Twelve tries, six assists, 15 clean breaks, 27 defenders beaten and more than 500 metres gained transformed him from an outside contender into an irresistible selection.

The timing could hardly be more fitting.

Papier will reunite with Handre Pollard, his halfback partner on that memorable Murrayfield night when South Africa defeated Scotland 26-20.

Handre Pollard and Embrose Papier will start for the Boks against Scotland again on Saturday at Loftus after eight years. Photo: Springboks

“I think there are always nerves before a Test match, but I’m super excited for the opportunity,” Papier said this week.

“We all know Handre has a lot of experience. We’ve spent a lot of time together on the pitch and I’m excited to go into this game with him.

“We need to pitch up on the day and give it everything.”

His familiarity with Scotland stretches beyond international rugby.

After five United Rugby Championship seasons with the Bulls, Papier knows many of Scotland’s players through bruising encounters with Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh. He even crossed for a crucial try against Glasgow in last season’s URC semi-final.

For Erasmus, the recall is built on form rather than sentiment.

“Firstly, I thought he played really well this season,” the Springbok coach said.

“Sometimes it’s not because the player is not playing well enough or is not Springbok class. There are other players performing really well.

“He gathered form and now gets the opportunity at home with Handre, where they’ve played a lot of rugby.”

Paper occasionally writes the perfect ending.

Papier still has to do that himself.

Saturday offers more than another Test appearance. It is an opportunity to show that careers are rarely defined by the doors that close, but by the courage to keep knocking until one opens again.

Images: x.com/springboks

Deon Fourie set for emotional Stormers return in Bulls showdown

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Veteran Springbok loose forward Deon Fourie is poised for a welcome return for the Stormers after a gruelling two-year battle with injuries, with the Cape side hoping his presence can spark a response against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.

The 39-year-old has endured a frustrating stretch on the sidelines after a sequence of injuries that kept him out for most of the past two seasons.

Speaking to journalists at the Stormers High Performance Centre in Bellville on Wednesday after a training session in searing heat, Fourie said he was grateful to be back in contention.

“Yeah, feeling fresh,” Fourie said. “I think next month, almost exactly two years ago, I started the injury route. I’m back now and I’m very, very grateful to be back. I worked hard and credit to the physios and management that got me lucky.”

His recovery journey included an ACL injury followed by further setbacks.

“After my ACL I did four games and then my ankle, then one game and then my biceps,” he explained.

Fourie’s comeback could hardly come in a bigger fixture, with the Stormers travelling to Pretoria for one of South African rugby’s fiercest rivalries.

“It’s always special,” he said. “Playing against the Bulls, all the history involved in that and all the times I’ve played against them. It’s a great game to come back to. It gets the best out of everyone.”

Match fitness remains an unknown after such a lengthy absence, though Fourie believes the team’s demanding preparation will help.

“Game fitness and running fitness aren’t the same,” he said. “But after this week in 40 degrees for two days I think I’ll be fine. We’ll see. It’s up at Loftus with a bit of altitude as well, but luckily we’ve got a great player in Paul de Villiers on the bench who can step in.”

The veteran admitted the latest injury tested him mentally, even raising thoughts about retirement.

“Especially the last injury it was quite tough,” Fourie said. “There were a lot of emotions and a lot of questions running through my mind. But that was always my motto. I like to prove people wrong.”

For now, the focus is on simply getting through his return match.

“My first objective is to get through the first game injury free and do it well. Then we’ll see how the body is,” he said. “In two years I’ve only played about five games so maybe my age turned back two years. I’m only 38 now,” he quipped.

The Stormers head to Pretoria seeking to halt a three-match losing run, a stretch that has frustrated the squad.

“It’s important for morale and confidence,” Fourie said. “You need that W again. The frustrating thing the last three weeks was the quality of how we played. We’ll try to rectify that this weekend.”

Despite the pressure, Fourie expects the squad to embrace the occasion at Loftus, a venue known for its intimidating atmosphere.

“That’s why you want to go play there,” he said. “The atmosphere builds you, motivates you. That’s why we play rugby, to enjoy it as well and to win there.”

The Stormers will hope their returning veteran can bring the type of grit and breakdown steel that has defined his long career as they attempt to wrestle momentum back in the United Rugby Championship.

Bulls lose Serfontein, Jooste for Leinster clash

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By Adnaan Mohamed

The Vodacom Bulls will face Leinster in a United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday without two of their backline sparks, Jan Serfontein and Cheswill Jooste, both injured in last week’s 53–40 shootout against the Ospreys.

Harold Vorster steps in at inside centre, with Sebastian de Klerk moving to the wing and Stravino Jacobs recalled. In the pack, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg retains the No 4 jersey after covering for Cobus Wiese’s HIA, while Sintu Manjezi joins the bench.

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann expects Leinster to arrive wounded but dangerous after their 35–0 defeat to the Stormers.

“Credit to the Stormers, but that was probably a Leinster performance we won’t see again,” he warned.

“They’ll want to rectify it and we expect a lot more pressure.”

Ackermann also bristled at his side’s soft defence in Swansea:

“It wasn’t good to concede that many points. Leinster will punish us if we repeat that.”

And he has no illusions about the defensive stranglehold Jacques Nienaber’s Leinster side usually applies.

“Jacques Nienaber’s defensive setup seldom gives a team as many opportunities as they did against the Stormers,” Ackermann said.

“That’s why we aren’t taking anything from that loss and focusing on improving ourselves.”

BULLS – 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 JJ Theron, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 N Janse van Rensburg, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Bench: 16 Juann Else, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Willie le Roux.