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Boks back Asenathi Ntlabakanye despite doping probe

Adnaan MohamedNews, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Boks back Asenathi Ntlabakanye despite doping probe
By Adnaan Mohamed

Asenathi Ntlabakanye’s rugby journey has taken another dramatic twist. Just a week ago, the Lions prop was bulldozing defenders in a Barbarians jersey. Now he’s back in Springbok green and gold right in the middle of a media storm.

The 26-year-old has been called up to replace the injured Ox Nche, who limped off during South Africa’s 61–7 demolition of Japan at Wembley on Saturday.

But Ntlabakanye’s recall comes with added scrutiny, he’s still awaiting an anti-doping hearing in December after testing positive for a non-performance-enhancing substance earlier this year.

Ntlabakanye, who disputes the finding, missed the Boks’ September tour of New Zealand after returning the adverse result. Despite the pending case, he remains eligible to play, and the Bok coaches haven’t hesitated to bring him back into the front-row mix.

“I’m not going to comment on a case that’s ongoing at the moment,” said assistant coach Felix Jones when asked about the issue.

“I’m not sure the world knows about it yet, but his skill set is incredibly impressive. He’s a very dynamic player who can get around for a guy who can handle himself in the scrum or on the ball.”

The timing of his recall couldn’t have been tighter. Ntlabakanye scored a second-minute try for the Barbarians against the All Blacks XV at Twickenham on Saturday, before flying across London to rejoin the Bok squad the very next morning.

A few hours later, he was en route to France, ready to line up against Les Bleus in the Autumn Nations Series this weekend.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus said the call-up was an easy decision:

“We feel for Ox and wish him well in his recovery. Asenathi has been with us for a big part of the season, he knows our systems, and he was already on standby. The fact that he was in London made it an easy fit to slot back in straight away.”

At 141 kilograms, Ntlabakanye brings raw power and energy to the Bok front row. And he’ll need all of it as he battles Gerhard Steenekamp and Boan Venter for a spot against France.

It’s been a whirlwind few months for the Johannesburg-born prop. From Test debut, to controversy, to this sudden recall.

But now, under the bright lights of Paris, he has a shot at redemption and a chance to remind everyone what he does best: dominate the scrum, not the headlines.

Zach Porthen set for Bok Debut against Japan

Adnaan MohamedRugbyLeave a Comment on Zach Porthen set for Bok Debut against Japan
Adnaan Mohamed

Zachary Porthen will wade straight into the Test rugby surf this weekend and there’s no lifeguard on duty.

The 21-year-old former Junior Springbok captain is set to become the youngest prop of the professional era to debut for South Africa when the Springboks face Japan at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Coach Rassie Erasmus has named a largely settled side for the November International opener, sticking with 16 players from the team that edged Argentina 29–27 to clinch the Rugby Championship title.

“He proved at Vodacom URC level and with the Junior Springboks what he can do,” said Erasmus.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what he offers in his first Test. At this level, you have to sink or swim.”

Porthen joins Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx in a heavyweight front row, with Lood de Jager and RG Snyman locking the scrum. Siya Kolisi leads a loose trio alongside Franco Mostert and Jasper Wiese.

Kurt-Lee Arendse, De Jager, and Mostert return after time out, while Gerhard Steenekamp and Johan Grobbelaar bolster the bench.

The backline sees Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback, Arendse and Ethan Hooker on the wings, and Cheslin Kolbe shifting to fullback.

Erasmus highlighted the value of experience within the squad:

“It’s great to have players back. You can feel their hunger. This is the best team we could field against a quality Japan outfit who’ll want to make a strong statement.”

With six Japan-based Boks in the mix, Erasmus expects a tactical arm wrestle.

“Their experience in that league helps, but Japan will also know them well,” he said.

“They’re well-coached by Eddie Jones and won’t hold back.”

For Porthen, it’s a baptism in Bok green, a plunge into the roaring scrum where the brave either sinks or rise like foam.

Source: SA Rugby

Japan looking to repeat history against Springboks

Adnaan MohamedNews, RugbyLeave a Comment on Japan looking to repeat history against Springboks
Adnaan Mohamed

Springbok assistant coach Jerry Flannery says the Boks are bracing for a fired-up Japanese side eager to repeat history when the teams clash at Wembley on Saturday, the opening Test of South Africa’s gruelling five-week European tour.

Japan beat South Africa 34–32 in their first match of pool play at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in Brighton in England. At the time it was described as the “greatest Rugby World Cup shock ever”.

With stops in Paris, Turin, Dublin, and Cardiff to follow, the Boks are kicking off what Flannery likened to a “mini–World Cup”, facing fresh opposition each week.

“Japan showed resilience in the first half despite picking up yellow cards, and they showed how well they can defend against one of the best attacking teams,” said Flannery.

“Australia scored six tries against us in the first game in the Rugby Championship, so we are aware that Japan are not just a good attacking side; they can defend well too, and in the last quarter, they came back into the game. They would be disappointed that they didn’t win.”

Japan, smarting from a 19-15 defeat to the Wallabies, will arrive in London hungry and dangerous, and Flannery knows it.

“I’m expecting that Eddie [Jones] will be building up his team all week and they’ll believe that they can win and rewrite history by beating the Boks at Wembley,” he said.

“We need to ensure that we are as well prepared as we can be.”

The vastly experienced Jones, now 65-years old, has already turned up the heat, boldly declaring his current squad “better than the 2015 side” that stunned the rugby world in the ‘Miracle of Brighton’, when Japan famously toppled the Boks at the World Cup.

Flannery, the Bok defence guru, believes that controlling the team’s rhythm after the Rugby Championship remains a key priority, keeping the game plan tight and composed rather than loose and frantic.

And while the road ahead is long, the Irishman sees opportunity in the challenge.

“It’s a great challenge for us,” Flannery said.

“For this tour, we have five different opponents from week to week. That’s how the World Cup will work as well, with a short turnaround between matches, so your ability to stay mentally fresh and keep bringing energy all the time will be good for us.”

As the Boks prepare to charge out under the Wembley lights, they know the Brave Blossoms won’t be mere spectators.

The men from the Land of the Rising Sun are champing at the bit, ready to test South Africa’s mettle in a match that promises sparks, steel, and perhaps another chapter in rugby folklore.

Kick-off is at 4:10pm.

Ox Nche back for Rugby Championship ‘Final’

Adnaan MohamedNews, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Ox Nche back for Rugby Championship ‘Final’

By Adnaan Mohamed

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has recalled powerhouse prop Ox Nche for Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider against Argentina at Twickenham in London.

Nche, a late withdrawal in Durban last week, returns to the front row alongside Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit. Grant Williams, Jesse Kriel and Bongi Mbonambi are back on the bench in the only other changes to the match-day 23.

“This match is a Final for us, and we know how dangerous Argentina can be, so we selected combinations we feel will be best suited for this game,” said Rassie.

“There are minimal personnel changes, with the bulk of the team having done the job for us last week against the Pumas in Durban and our other Rugby Championship matches.

“Ox and Grant could have played last week if we really needed them, but Boan (Venter) and Morne (van den Berg) did really well, while Jesse was rotated in the last two matches and is raring to go.

“The same applies to Bongi, who last played against Australia, and who is excited for this opportunity.

“Their experience, combined with the younger players in the team, makes this an exciting squad, which is exactly what we need in a match that will essentially be the Rugby Championship decider.”

Eben Etzebeth wins his 138th cap in the second row, while Siya Kolisi will lead the side in his 98th Test.

The rest of the starting XV is unchanged, with Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu again at halfback and Damian Willemse at fullback.

Erasmus warned of a backlash from the Pumas:

“They may be out of the title race, but they have beaten the All Blacks, Wallabies, and British & Irish Lions this season. It’s going to be another hard grind.”

The Boks will know exactly what result is needed after Australia face New Zealand earlier in the day.

Kick-off is at 15:00 (SA time).

SPRINGBOKS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Jesse Kriel.

Source: SA Rugby