CAPTAIN NOLUSINDISO BOOI

On RWC return after eight years

"I am very proud of them, even though it was not the result we were expecting because we are coming up with a young team and they gave it all and they pushed so hard for that scoreboard. That doesn’t mean so much when you know that you gave your heart and we gave our best."

On captaining South Africa on their Rugby World Cup return

"I’m thankful for the opportunity. For me, it was a great pleasure to lead these youngsters and see them play to the last whistle and see their faces that never gave up and kept on playing."

On South Africa's performance in defeat

"Everything that we were doing great, it was giving me goosebumps. It takes me back to the previous World Cup - how bad things were - and shows that we are coming up with a better team. That scoreboard doesn’t mean anything for now, but we are looking forward to the next game."

On young players in the South Africa squad

"Each and every one who is supporting us, even back at home, they give us that support and we are really appreciative to be here and make sure that we are making our statement. For sure things won’t be the same in the next game."

A message to young girls in South Africa

"For the girls at home and the young girls who are behind us we know that we are here to make you guys proud and that we’re know that we’re here to inspire you. We’ll work so hard to make you guys proud of us."

On the 50th-minute try scored by Nomawethu Mabenge

"It was a very beautiful and nice moment for everyone - and for our supporters at home, knowing we’d been working so hard."

On the challenges of playing France

"They read our game in the second half because we had managed to stop them in front of our try-line. They analysed that and changed their plan. And also looked for the mistakes and when we made a mistake they took it as a positive. If we can be more organised and try to eliminate the mistakes, the errors, we’ll be in a better position than now."

Looking ahead to the next match against Fiji

"It will be a different challenge, but we just want to take each game as it comes. So for next week we will prepare for Fiji and make sure we give everything that we have."

COACH STANLEY RAUBENHEIMER

On his side’s performance

"Very happy with my team. From an effort point of view, we were measuring our effort. We knew what team we were playing. That first 20 minutes, if we’d done a little bit better there, who knows? Maybe a different result."

On the game plan against France

"The key thing was to keep ball. I think our first phase did very well - our backs didn’t compliment that too well today. But overall I’m pleased with the effort of our team. This was our plan, really, to give it to France and show them that they had to play against us and I think our team did it well today."

Looking ahead to the match against Fiji

"Our plan has always been to look for something against Fiji. We understand a lot of their players play in NZ club rugby. If we can replicate this performance from today from an effort point of view and just notch up on one or two things, maybe we can get a result - but I can’t ask for more than what I got today."
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

A World Cup winner, a seasoned club cricketer and a man that has shared the same changeroom on tour with some of the most recognised Proteas of the 21st century – in Non-Independent Director Simphiwe Ndzundzu, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has a real gem sitting on its Board.

Apart from his achievements in the game, this individual is a former policeman with special expertise in forensics and labour law, someone that understands all the dynamics of fraud, corruption, and maladministration, to name a few of his distinguished attributes.

Yet, Border Cricket President Ndzundzu, who celebrates his 52nd birthday this Saturday, October 1, has a whole different side to him that not many know about.

He was born and raised in the township of Kwa Masingatha, close to King William's Town, in the Eastern Cape – an area recognised as a hotbed of South African sportsmen and women.

“I came from a village where only two sporting codes were played, rugby and cricket,” he recounts.

“So I grew up playing the game with a tennis ball in the streets. From there I moved to playing with a hard ball in rural cricket and that was the way things started for me.

“If you look at the history of black cricket, you will find that it was introduced early and it was a well-established code in the Eastern Cape when I grew up. I also come from a family that played the game.

“Peter Bacela, a Protea himself and one of the best coaches ever, mentored us for a long time and my brother Brian was the first black African to play for Border. He was extremely talented.”

As Ndzundzu grew older, he became a key figure at Good Hope Cricket Club, first as a player and later as an administrator.

A top-order batsman, he represented the club in the Eastern Cape Premier League for many years, and whilst at the University of Fort Hare during the early 1990s, was part of a South Africa Students team that toured Zimbabwe and Kenya. Amongst the touring party were the likes of Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener, players who would go on to become iconic figures for the Proteas.

For Ndzundzu, though, life had other callings and he went on to serve his country in a completely different form, via the South African Police Services (SAPS). He nonetheless continued playing and even went on to win the Police Cricket World Cup in Australia during his four-year stint in the force either side of the year 2000.

Ndzundzu then moved on to work for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in various divisions, Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, Eastern Cape Department of Health, the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury, Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform and SOLA Forensic and Labour Consulting where he is today. He is also an independent contractor at the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration.

After leaving SAPS, time became a factor and he opted to move away from the cricket field and into the cricket boardroom at his club.

“Our president at Good Hope Cricket Club said to us that one of us needs to join the administration so that there was succession planning, and I was the one that was invited, that was the start of a different journey for me,” Ndzundzu says.

Nearly 20 years later, the 51-year-old is still going strong. He has been a selector for Border, a board member for both Border and Eastern Cape and been part of the CSA Members’ Council.

And now occupying another key position within the game’s mother body, he is trying to make a difference in terms of governing cricket better. Ndzundzu has a few matters he is trying to address.

“For me the major issue that needs to be looked at within CSA is to ensure that all affiliates are sustainable,” he explained. “There has to be a well-directed effort in order to achieve this target.

“What will guide is equity and inclusivity and when I say this, I mean we must show that in terms of action of decision-making, in terms of contents, in terms of the programs, there is inclusivity and diversity as well. This needs to be done to show that cricket is not an elite sport; it is played all over the country. These are key things that need to be achieved.

“Over the years we’ve had the elite side and then what I can call the ‘B’ affiliates. This is not sustainable. To be sustainable, we need to make all the affiliates strong. To me that will be the game-changer for CSA and that is key to development of the game, something that will show that it is accessible to all.”

So how does Ndzundzu plan to achieve these goals?

“To get there I would say we need to drive certain policies,” he adds. “There has to be a policy that speaks to content, there has to be a policy that speaks to recognition of development. You’ll find that the so-called top teams, take talent from these so-called ‘B’ affiliates.

“They are stripping their talent and not producing their own. This is a problem for me and are amongst important policy decisions that have to be taken. Others also need to recognise the unique circumstances that makes up each affiliate, like their rural nature. These are realities and priorities that should be addressed in order to take the game forward.

“I really am not happy with the pace of transformation. We need to see more being done within the rural areas, not just promising players being taken out from these townships and villages and sent to fancy schools. No…that is not transformation. I want to see more being done in that respect. Yes, the leadership may be transformed, but is the mind transformed to make sure that we’re driving this whole program correctly? That is where we are lacking.”

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Cricket South Africa (CSA) are pleased to announce their extended commitment to bowl and bat against gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa with an all-encompassing #SummerOfCricket campaign titled #ENDGBV to be amplified throughout the 2022 / 23 cricket season.

The #ENDGBV campaign was born out of the annual effort from the national women’s cricket team, the Momentum Proteas, and their Black Day movement where the team don their unique all-black kit in an international match to shed light on a critical societal issue facing South Africans today.

GBV, an inexcusable act that leaves an ever-lasting psychological scar on the victim, does not discriminate, and can affect or be committed by any person regardless of their race, age, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

The most prevalent form of GBV in South Africa is abuse against women and children. According to UNICEF South Africa, 243 children and 855 women were murdered between April and June this year, while a further 1 670 children were victims of grievous bodily harm, a 58% increase from the same period in 2022.

CSA’s #ENDGBV campaign has initially been commissioned internally for staff members at the head office and at the Centre of Excellence in the form of a unique email signature with the official logo as well as a QR code that takes those intrigued to the official pledge to #ENDGBV.

On the field, all 31 senior domestic sides across men and women’s cricket will proudly showcase the hashtag on the back of their 2022 / 23 kits. The senior teams will be joined by the entire CSA cricketing pipeline teams before end of the season. These will be worn during all of CSA’s domestic competitions, beginning with the start of the CSA Women’s Provincial One-Day and T20 Cup this past weekend.

CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki commented:

“Gender-based violence is a scourge that has affected many South Africans from all walks of life for far too long in our society and as the custodians of the multicultural and diverse cricketing community, the #ENDGBV campaign is of huge importance in ensuring cricket is a safe and accessible environment.

“It’s going to take a joint drive from the entire cricketing family to not only raise awareness of this plague but to also commit to playing a crucial role in helping to eradicate GBV from our communities and the pledge speaks precisely to that.

CSA’s Chief Marketing Officer, Wanele Mngomezulu said:

“At Cricket South Africa, we are determined to use all avenues available to the organisation to raise awareness and the talkability around gender-based violence ahead of a momentous #SummerOfCricket season where we will be hosting the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup and the Women’s T20 World Cup.

“With the world watching, it was important for CSA to ensure a salient cause such as the education and battle around ending the plight of gender-based violence is placed on the forefront of our messaging throughout the cricketing ecosystem for the duration of the season and beyond. The entire 2022 / 23 CSA cricket season is dedicated towards ‘bowling and batting’ against gender-based violence” he concluded.

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

South African tennis fans will be excited to hear that the Africa Cares Tennis Challenge event is back after being postponed due to the discovery of the Covid-19 omicron variant causing travel restrictions just weeks before the event was set to take place last year.

The event is set to take place from 3 to 4 December at Wanderers stadium. This will be a two-day tennis tournament that will see both international and local tennis sensations showcase their talent, for a good cause. The players participating will be announced over the next couple of weeks through the Africa Cares Tennis social media platforms

The event aims to not only promote tennis in South Africa but is also a vehicle in the fight against Gender-Based Violence through campaigns and activations leading up to the main event. Therefore fans can expect to enjoy and embrace the concept of tennis whilst also highlighting the issue of gender-based violence in South Africa which has now been perceived as a threat to humanity and the CEO of TR Brand and Communications & Events and Representative of Africa Cares highlighted the importance of this event. “Women in South Africa are 5 times more likely to be killed as a result of gender-based violence. As a protest and plea to stop GBV in South Africa we saw it fit to host the Africa Cares Tennis Challenge.

We want to use the impact of sport to help inspire positive change” – Tendai Rukwava, CEO of TR Brand Communications &Events. Earlier in the year in partnership with Mercedes Benz Sandton, Africa Cares Tennis Challenge hosted the Gender-Based Violence Power Breakfast. It was held under the theme ‘How industry leaders can play their part in the fight against GBV’. Leading up to this event was also a Tennis Masterclass that was hosted by Miles Maclagan in May at the University of Pretoria in South Africa where he shared his knowledge on how South African tennis coaches can better their coaching skills. Not only did the coaches benefit from this clinic but young and aspiring future professional tennis players engaged with Miles Maclagan.

Tendai Rukwava, CEO of TR Brand Communications & Events and Representative of the Africa Cares Tennis Event said, “After having to postpone the Africa Cares Event, we are very excited for December.
Some organizations supporting the event include Unicef South Africa, MOT, Sun International, Mercedes Benz Sandton, Dunlop, SABC Sport and Gauteng North Tennis Development”.

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said his team had to break out of the blocks with intensity from the get-go in their Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against Argentina at Estadio Libertadores De América in Buenos Aires in their penultimate match of the competition on Saturday.

The Springboks need to win the match and preferably with a bonus point to remain in the title race and Kolisi and Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick were bracing themselves for a big battle.

“It helped a lot in our preparation that we could adapt to the conditions and time zone in Argentina over an extended time and also to have time to explore and experience the similarities between South Africa and Argentina,” said Kolisi.

“We are expecting a tough battle against the hosts, and we know have to bring as much intensity as possible from the outset because they start games strongly.”

Kolisi added: “We had a good week-and-a-half of training and a few days off as well last week, so we are looking forward to the clash.”

Stick spoke equally highly of Los Pumas and said: “Argentinean people are very passionate about their country, and there is a lot of motivation around what they do. They also play for their supporters so we know that if we don’t pitch up on the day we can get punished. We saw what they did against Australia.

“There are no easy games in this competition, so we must be switched on. They selected a strong team, and we know what we have to be prepared for.”

Stick was excited to see the same backline in action with Damian Willemse earning another start at flyhalf and said building momentum was vital for the team.

“The main thing for us is to get better in the way we play,” said Stick. “It is also good to have players such as Damian and Willie (le Roux) that like to take opportunities, so if Argentina lifts the intensity, we’ll be able to adapt to that world.”

Stick said he was excited to see Willemse getting another run at flyhalf: “I’m happy to see him get another chance to play No 10. He’s a special player and he is becoming more mature in his game. I’m happy to see him grow as a player and hopefully he’ll get even better.”

Kolisi emphasised the importance of protecting the ball at the breakdowns against a strong Argentinian loose trio and said: “It will be important to stick to our game plan. Their loose forwards are all good and off the ball, so we need to look after the ball at the breakdowns and make sure we make use of the opportunities we create in the match.”





[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

The Vodacom Bulls will go into their Vodacom United Rugby Championship season-opening match against the Emirates Lions with a strong match-day squad which includes three debutants in the starting XV.

New No8, Mihlali Mosi, the only new face in the forwards pack, will make his Vodacom Bulls and Vodacom URC debut when he scrums down alongside captain Marcell Coetzee and Ruan Vermaak to complete the starting loose trio.

Springbok winger, S’bu Nkosi, and fullback, Wandisile Simelane, will also don the Vodacom Bulls’ blue jumper for the first time.

Off the bench, Marco van Staden will make his much-anticipated return for the Vodacom Bulls, making his first appearance in the Vodacom URC alongside tighthead prop cover, Francois Klopper.

All the hard work the Vodacom Bulls have put in over their six-week pre-season period will be put to the test against a strong and determined Emirates Lions side in their own back yard.

“We have had a great six weeks of pre-season training where we have worked on areas we felt we needed to improve on from last season. This has also been a great opportunity for our new recruits to acclimatise in their new environment,” said Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White.

“A lot of hard work went into the past few weeks, and we are pleased with where we are ahead of the start of the season. We now have a tough encounter against a strong Emirates Lions team that will want to begin their season campaign on a positive note. Even though we expect a slow start, given that it is the first game of the season, we are looking forward to the lads giving their all to set the tone for the rest of the season.”



The Vodacom Bulls team to face the Emirates Lions on Saturday is:

STARTERS (15-1): Wandisile Simelane (Betway Centurion), Cornal Hendricks (Northam Rhinos), Lionel Mapoe (Pretoria), David Kriel (Tuine), S’bu Nkosi (Harlequin), Chris Smith (Harlequins), Embrose Papier (UP Tuks); Mihlali Mosi (Pretoria), Ruan Vermaak (Harlequins), Marcell Coetzee (CAPT, ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Ruan Nortje (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Walt Steenkamp (Betway Centurion), Mornay Smith (Betway Centurion), Johan Grobbelaar (UP Tuks), Gerhard Steenekamp (ABE Midas Naka Bulle).

IMPACT (16-23): Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Pretoria), Dylan Smith (Tuine), Francois Klopper (UP Tuks), Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria), Marco van Staden (ABE Midas Naka Bulle); Zak Burger (Tuine), Morne Steyn (Tuine), Stedman Gans (Northam Rhinos).



Photo credit: Johan Rynners/Vodacom Bulls

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) National Selection Committee has today named the squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. The 15-player squad and three travelling reserves will also make the trip to India ahead of the tournament for the three-match T20I series later this month.

White-ball captain Temba Bavuma will make his return to the national fold after demonstrating a full recovery from a left elbow injury suffered in the T20I series against India in June.

Rassie van der Dussen has been ruled out of the tournament due to a fracture of his left index finger that he sustained during the second Test against England in Manchester. He will require surgery and is expected to take up to at least six weeks to recover.

All 15 players are capped, with 22-year-old Tristan Stubbs receiving his maiden World Cup call up following an impressive outing in the recent T20I series against England. Other notable selections include Rilee Rossouw and Wayne Parnell, with the selectors naming three travelling reserves in Bjorn Fortuin, Marco Jasen and Andile Phehlukwayo.

All 18 players are available to play in T20I series against India from 28 September – 04 October, while a 15-strong player squad has been named for the proceeding three-match 50-over series.

The squad departs for India on 23 September.

South Africa squad - ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022 and T20I series against India
Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Gbets Warriors), Wayne Parnell (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Dwaine Pretorius (North West Dragons), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Rilee Rossouw (ITEC Knights), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tristan Stubbs (Gbets Warriors).

Travelling Reserves
Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Gbets Warriors) and Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).

South Africa ODI squad against India
Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Janneman Malan (Gbets Rocks), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Gbets Warriors), Wayne Parnell (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dwaine Pretorius (North West Dragons), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans).

CSA Convenor of Selectors Victor Mpitsang said: “This has been a really tough squad to select, simply because we had so many players in excellent form over the past few months and performing at a level that made the selectors sit up and notice them.

“Someone like Tristan Stubbs who was not in the frame a year ago has done incredibly well to force his way into the mix based on his performances and his selection should be an inspiration for every young player out there. We are also delighted to welcome back our captain Temba Bavuma from injury and we have no doubt his return will further galvanise the team.

“This group of players showed off their brilliant skill and talent when they overcame England in England recently. These sort of performances only bode well for us heading to the World Cup. Overall we are delighted with mix of players that have been chosen and look forward to watching them represent the country in Australia.”

Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe added: “I would like to congratulate all the players who have made the final cut for the World Cup; every single one of them deserve their place on the plane to Australia. The squad covers all bases and provides us with multiple options in every area whether it batting or bowling. I am confident this group will make South Africans proud when they begin their campaign next month.

“Before that we have an important tour to India beginning in the coming weeks and this will provide some valuable game time for Head Coach Mark Boucher and his team to finalise their preparations for the tournament.”

Management
Mark Boucher (Head Coach), Khomotso Volvo Masubelele (Team Manager), Charl Langeveldt (Bowling Coach), Justin Ontong (Fielding Coach), Justin Sammons (Batting Coach), Rivash Gobind (Performance Analyst), Craig Govender (Physiotherapist), Tumi Masekela (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Dr Hashendra Ramjee (Team Doctor), Lucy Davey (Media Manager), Kyle Botha (Masseur), Zunaid Wadee (Security).


South Africa Group Stage Itinerary - ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022

Monday, 24 October – 19:00 (10:00 SAST)
South Africa vs Qualifier B1 - Bellerive Oval, Hobart

Thursday, 27 October – 14:00 (05:00 SAST)
South Africa vs Bangladesh – SCG, Sydney

Sunday, 30 October – 19:00 (13:00 SAST)
India vs South Africa – Perth Stadium, Perth

Thursday, 03 November – 19:00 (10:00 SAST)
Pakistan vs South Africa – SCG, Sydney

Sunday, 06 November – 10:30 (02:00 SAST)
South Africa vs Qualifier A2 – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Semi-finals

First semi-final
Wednesday, 9 November – 19:00 (10:00 SAST)
TBD vs TBD – SCG, Sydney

Second semi-final
Thursday, 10 November – 18:30 (10:00 SAST)
TBD vs TBD Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Final

Sunday, 13 November – 19:00 (10:00 SAST)
TBD vs TBD – MCG, Melbourne

South Africa Tour to India Itinerary

T20Is
Wednesday, 28 September
India vs South Africa – Thiruvananthapuram

Sunday, 2 October
India vs South Africa – Guwahati

Tuesday, 4 October
India vs South Africa – Indore

ODIs

Thursday, 6 October
India vs South Africa – Ranchi

Sunday, 9 October
India vs South Africa – Lucknow

Tuesday, 11 October
India vs South Africa – Delhi

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

The Vodacom Bulls have acquired the services of loose-forward, Marco van Staden, who will make a much-anticipated return to Loftus Versfeld.

The spectacular openside flanker is the latest player to join the Vodacom Bulls ahead of the 2022/23 season, signing a two-year contract that will see the 27-year-old remain at Loftus Versfeld until the end of June 2024.

“Eskom”, as he is affectionately known (for putting a few lights out over his career), spent his junior years at the Vodacom Bulls before graduating to the senior team in 2017. In 2021 he signed with English Premiership side, Leicester Tigers.

Van Staden’s sensational performances, intense work rate and physicality on the field saw him earn a national call-up to the Springboks and subsequently earned no less than nine international appearances in the green and gold jersey.

Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, said: “We are ecstatic to welcome Marco back to Loftus Versfeld. We were gutted to see him go a year ago, but we are pleased to have been able to lure him back ahead of the upcoming season.

“Marco is a phenomenal player who has proven himself over the years. We know what he can bring to the team on and off the field. We are looking forward to him contributing to our cause in a busy 2022/23 season where his experience and talent will prove invaluable.”

Van Staden joins the Vodacom Bulls on the back of recent signings that include S’bu Nkosi, Mihlali Mosi, Phumzile Maqondwana, Wandisile Simelane and Chris Smit.

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

With the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens only a few weeks away, rugby fans will be thrilled to hear that the Legendary All Blacks player Dan Carter is coming to South Africa! TR Brand Communications and Events is excited to announce that it will be bringing the rugby superstar and the world’s best fly-half Dan Carter to South Africa this coming September for an unforgettable fan experience in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The New Zealand now former rugby player is set to share a few tips and tricks on his coaching clinics on how rugby players can improve their skills while also sharing some of his greatest insights in the world of rugby. Fans can look forward to an inspiring, entertaining, and educational experience with one of rugby’s ‘Greatest of All Time. Dan Carter is well known by fans and rugby experts as the best fly-half in rugby history and as a three-time World Rugby Player of the Year. The rugby player has played for rugby union clubs such the Crusaders in New Zealand and New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks.

During his time with the All Blacks, Dan Carter won two World Cups in matches in 2011 and 2015, and has also earned himself The Rugby Championship nine times.

About Dan Carter

Daniel William Carter, born 5 March 1982 is a retired New Zealand rugby union player. Dan carter began playing football at the age of five and continued to play throughout his high school and college years.
Carter played for Crusaders -Super Rugby in New Zealand and played for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks. He is the highest point scorer in test match rugby and is considered by many experts as the greatest ever first five-eighth (fly-half) in the history of the game.

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber on Monday named a 34-man squad for the Australian leg of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, with the uncapped Canan Moodie earning a call-up for his first tour in a settled national squad.

Nienaber said the touring squad, which features a good mix of youth and experience, was in line with the standard travelling squad for the Rugby World Cup and he believed that they were the right group of players to achieve what they set out to do in the two Tests against Australia in Adelaide (Saturday, 27 August) and Sydney (Saturday, 3 September).

Nienaber said he would make changes to the squad for the two Tests against Argentina in Buenos Aires and Durban as he looks to give his expanded group of players a chance to prove themselves with an eye on the Rugby World Cup which will be hosted in France next year.

“We have been working with a large group of players for the last few months and we believe this will pay off in the long run as we look to expand our depth for the Rugby World Cup and beyond,” said Nienaber.

“Since we are going on tour, however, we will take a group of players that is more in line with the size of a Rugby World Cup squad, and our thought process is that we will have two groups of players – one who will participate in the Australian leg of the competition and another for the Argentina matches.

“This way we can manage the players as well as possible on tour, while at the same time ensuring we continue to develop our depth and give the players opportunities to prove themselves with a little over a year to go before the Rugby World Cup kicks off.”

Moodie, who was called up to the squad as utility back cover following the suspension handed to wing Kurt-Lee Arendse for a dangerous tackle, is the only uncapped player in the group and will travel with the Springboks for the first time, providing cover at wing and fullback. His presence also fills the void left by Cheslin Kolbe, who is on the road to recovery from a broken jaw, which will see him only return for the last Test against Argentina.

With Bongi Mbonambi (hooker) ruled out for four weeks after suffering a knee injury at training last week, Deon Fourie will serve as back-up to Malcolm Marx and Joseph Dweba, while Damian Willemse’s versatility in the backline will see provide cover at flyhalf, centre and fullback.

“Bongi has been ruled out for four weeks, but Deon, who is an experienced hooker and flank, has been practicing his lineout throws with us, so we are confident that he will be able to fill that void for us in these matches,” said Nienaber.

“We are also excited to see how Canan slots in during the next few weeks and to see how he adapts to our structures and systems, and we believe he has the skills to slot in for Kurt-Lee and Cheslin.

“This is a settled group of players and includes a wide spread of experience and young players who have made their presence felt, and we believe that they have what it takes to guide us back on track in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship in the matches against Australia.”

The Springboks are currently on a short break and will depart on Thursday for the tour to Australia and Argentina.

“We are bitterly disappointed about the defeat against New Zealand last weekend, and we know that we have to be at our best to fight back in the next four matches of the competition to keep us in contention to win the tournament,” said Nienaber.

“We saw what Australia are capable at home last year and we know that we will be tested thoroughly.

“The last time we beat the Wallabies in Australia was in 2013, so we have a big mountain to climb over there, but that said, we have looked at our game against New Zealand and we know what areas we need to improve on, and we will put in the hard work on the field to iron out those aspects when we arrive in Australia.

“It is going to be a tough tour, but we know what our players are capable of, and we are determined to make our nation proud.”

Springbok touring squad:
Props
Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers)
Vincent Koch (Wasps)
Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers)
Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks)
Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92)

Hookers
Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers)
Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears)

Locks
Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks)
Lood de Jager (Wild Knights)
Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers)

Loose forwards
Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz)
Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks)
Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls)
Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs)
Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers)
Duane Vermeulen (Ulster)

Utility forwards
Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers)
Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)

Scrumhalves
Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles)
Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks)
Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers)
Cobus Reinach (Montpellier)

Flyhalves
Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes)
Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers)

Midfielders
Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks)
Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)
Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins)

Outside backs
Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks)
Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz)
Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls)
Warrick Gelant (Racing 92)

Utility Backs
Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers)
Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)
Frans Steyn (Toyota Cheetahs)





[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]