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."
Mzwandile Stick: “Win or lose tomorrow, the Boks will still be world champions. The argument of who is the best team in the world was already settled by winning the World Cup.” 🇿🇦🏉
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."
Just on Malcolm Marx. I walk passed him in the hotel yesterday. He did not look in any noticeable discomfort. He is struggling with a fracture in his tibial plateau. He will be back in two or three weeks time. Good news before the Rugby Championship.
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. 🙏
Opening my X this morning most of the attention is on Rassie Erasmus and not his players. His players can solely focus on Saturday’s test. I suppose it is first goal achieved. 🇿🇦🏉
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."
Ruan Pienaar is the last member to retire of the Bok team that played in the 2007 World Cup final. To play his last game Friday at Shimlapark at the age of 40 shows that he is pretty competitive. Congrats on a great career, Ruan.
@CheetahsRugby
@Springboks
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.
Park the emotion and result aside. What Jake White, Willem Strauss and Edgar Rathbone achieved at the Bulls must be applauded. They are a force to be reckoned with again which is good for South African rugby.
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.”
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. 🇿🇦
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.
Rassie Erasmus said on Saturday that he plans to name his touring squad for the two Wallaby tests tomorrow. He said that Pieter-Steph du Toit is clear now. Also Steven Kitshoff. Rassie expects Malcolm Marx to be available for the second Oz test on 17 August in Perth.
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.
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
It is all happening outside the Stade de Marseille. Plenty of Bok supporters warming up for the big test later on today.
#Springboks
#RWC2023
🇿🇦🏴🏉
Rassie Erasmus played for the Boks in the only test that Ireland ever played at Loftus Versfeld. Rassie, André Venter and Gary Teichmann formed the loose trio on 20 June 1998. The Boks beat Ireland that day 33-0.
Unbelieveable performance by the Bulls. I will be surprised if Cameron Hanekom and Wilco Louw are not involved against Ireland. Elrigh Louw, Willie le Roux and Johan Goosen also had massive games. Sergeal Pietersen also had a brilliant day at the office.
After leaving Bloemfontein yesterday for Durban I have felt an unbelievable Bok vibe. The atmosphere in Umhlanga last night with all the Bok supporters was next level. Strolling through Gateway centre now every second or third person is wearing a Bok jersey. Durban is Bok-bevonk.
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.