Boland Live

21/07/2025

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21/07/2025

VODACOM BULLS 2025 CARLING CURRIE CUP SQUAD NAMED

No fewer than six of the players who starred for the Junior Springboks in winning the U-20 World Championship and four Springboks are among those named today in coach Phiwe Nomlomo’s
Vodacom Bulls squad for the Carling Currie Cup.

The robust health of the club’s junior pathways is further reflected in another 10 players being under 21, which signals both ambition and confidence on the part of Nomlomo and his coaching team.
Thus, more than 50 percent of the squad (excluding the injured list) is comprised of club and u-21 players.

Former SA u-20 player Nama Xaba, a flanker, will captain the side this season.
Ahead of this weekend’s start against Western Province in Cape Town, Nomlomo hailed South African rugby’s oldest competition as a “great opportunity for the players to go out and do their best
for themselves and the jersey”.
He said he was excited that incoming Vodacom Bulls URC coach Johan Ackermann would be able to
see the Currie Cup squad first hand, and to run the rule over the depth at Loftus Versfeld.

“They’ve put in the work,” said Nomlomo, who is under no illusions as to the strength of the competition. “There’s massive competition for places, so I’m looking forward to what unfolds.”
The world champion Junior Boks who will wear Vodacom Bulls colours are Esethu Mnebelele, Jacobus Grobbelaar, Jean Erasmus, JJ Theron, Cheswill Jooste and Demitre Erasmus.

Vodacom Bulls – 2025 Carling Currie Cup Final Squad
Forwards:
Abri vd Westhuysen; Cassie Badenhorst; Dylan de Leeuw; Dylan Smith; Esethu Mnebelele; Francois Klopper; Jacobus Grobbelaar; Jean Erasmus; Jeandre Rudolph; JJ Theron; Joe van Zyl; Junior
Pokomela; Lizo Gqoboka; Marco Ferreira; Marvin Orie; Nama Xaba (captain); Ruan Swart; Shaun Schurmann; Sintu Manjezi.

Backs:
Boeta Chamberlain; Brooklyn Newmann; Cheswill Jooste; Chris Barend Smit; Daimon O’Connell; Demitre Erasmus; Henry Immelman; Jaco vd Walt; Katlego Letebele; Liam Koen; PA van Niekerk;
Riyaad Bam; Stedman Gans; Steven Nel; Stravino Jacobs; Zak Burger

18/07/2025

The 2025 Carling Currie Cup Bulletin #11

All eyes will be on Kempton Park and Welkom at 15h00 on Saturday (before the focus shifts to Mbombela and the Springboks at 17h10) when the Carling Currie Cup First Division semi-finals take place on the East Rand and the Northern Free State.

The unbeaten and table-topping Valke host the fourth-placed Leopards at the Barnard Stadium, while the NovaVit Griffons, second on the log, take on the third-placed Eastern Province at the Down Touch Investments Stadium.

Match information – Semi-finals:

Valke vs Leopards
Date: Saturday, 19 July
Venue: Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
Kick-off: 15h00
Referee: Jonathan Lottering
Broadcast: SuperSport channel 247

Novavit Griffons vs Eastern Province
Date: Saturday, 19 July
Venue: Down Touch Investment Stadium, Welkom
Kick-off: 15h00
Referee: Hanru van Rooyen
Broadcast: SuperSport channel 245

If the scores are level after the completion of the playing time, the team to proceed to the final of the competition will be determined as follows:
The team to have scored the greatest number of points after the completion of extra time, and if the scores are still level;
The team to have scored the greatest number of tries after playing time and extra time, and if still level;
The team to have achieved the higher log position after the completion of the group stage matches.

18/07/2025

NEWLANDS – The Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) has continued its annual tradition of supporting Mandela Day by visiting the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.

WPCA management, the World Sports Betting (WSB) Western Province teams, staff, and representatives from title sponsor World Sports Betting united to deliver gifts and bring smiles to the faces of the children. In addition, our beverage partner, Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages, generously donated cool drinks to the hospital staff and nurses as a gesture of appreciation.

Dressed in the iconic Western Province colours, these players had a heartwarming morning witnessing the big smiles and excitement from so many beautiful faces in a player driven initiative.

17/07/2025

16/07/2025

JOHAN ACKERMANN NAMED HEAD COACH AT VODACOM BULLS

15/07/2025

Erasmus names uncapped front row as Kolisi returns against Georgia

Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe, and Neethling Fouche will all make their Springbok debuts against Georgia in Nelspruit on Saturday as double Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi returns from injury to take over the captaincy for first time this season in an exciting squad named by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus for the final Castle Lager Incoming Series match at the Mbombela Stadium.

The match kicks off at 17h10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Springbok team to face Georgia in Nelspruit:
15 – Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 11 caps, 35 points (7t)
14 – Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 2 caps, 15 pts (3t)
13 – Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) - 13 caps, 30 pts (6t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 88 caps, 55 points (11t)
11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 25 caps, 95 points (19t)
10 – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) - 9 caps, 52 points (14c, 8p)
9 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) - 17 caps, 25 pts (5t)
8 – Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls) – 1 cap, 0 pts
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) - 87 caps, 40 pts (8t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 92 caps, 60 points (12t)
5 – Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls) - 7 caps, 0 pts
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 132 caps, 35 points (7t)
3 – Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers) - uncapped
2 – Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets) - uncapped
1 – Boan Venter (Edinburgh) - uncapped
Replacements:
16 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 78 caps, 70 points (14t)
17 – Thomas du Toit (Bath) - 24 caps, 5 pts (1t)
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 62 caps, 5 points (1t)
19 – RG Snyman (Leinster) – 41 caps, 10 points (2t)
20 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 52 caps, 45 points (9t)
21 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 59 caps, 50 points (5t, 5c, 5p)
22 – Handré Pollard (Vodacom Bulls) - 81 caps, 784 points (7t, 115c, 168p, 5dg)
23 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 40 caps, 56 points (4t, 9c, 4p, 2 dg)

Facts and Stats

Head-to-head v Georgia
Played: 2, Won: 2; Points for: 86; Points against: 26; Tries for: 12; Tries against: 1; Win%: 100%

Miscellaneous
It will be the Georgians’ second trip to South Africa to face the Springboks – the same number of times the nations have met to date. Their first outing was in the pool stages of the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia where the Springboks won 46-19, and the second time in Pretoria in 2021 when the Boks registered a 40-9 victory.

Eben Etzebeth will extend his record as the most capped Springbok of all time to 133 Test matches when he takes the field.
This match will mark Siya Kolisi’s first match back in the green and gold in the 2025 season.
Kurt-Lee Arendse requires only five more points to score 100 Test points for the Springboks.

Kolisi will require only seven more Test appearances after this match to become the ninth Springbok in the history of South African rugby to earn 100 Test caps.
The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 484.
There are 165 caps in the backline, with 319 caps amongst the forwards. On the bench, there are a further 437 caps.
The average caps per player in the backline are 24, the forwards 40, while the players on the bench average 55.

15/07/2025

Four-Match Suspension for Springbok Jasper Wiese Springbok.

No 8 Jasper Wiese has been suspended for four matches following a World Rugby disciplinary hearing on Tuesday for the red card he received in last week's 45-0 victory against Italy.

Wiese will be back in contention for selection for the last three Castle Lager Rugby Championship matches in September and October. The ban will rule him out of the closing Castle Lager Incoming Series match against Georgia in Nelspruit on Saturday, as well as the first three Castle Lager Rugby Championship Tests against Australia in Johannesburg and Cape Town respectively (16 and 23 August), and the first game against New Zealand in Auckland (6 September). He will be eligible to play the second All Blacks Test in Wellington (13 September), and the two matches against Argentina in Durban and London (27 September and 4 October).

12/07/2025

WP ground Eagles to win FNB U18 Craven Week finale

DHL Western Province powered past South Western Districts to win the final match of the FNB U18 Craven Week in Middelburg while the Blue Bulls, Obaro Golden Lions and Free State finished their respective campaigns on a high.

The FNB Youth Weeks programme came to an eventful conclusion on Saturday, with all 16 teams featuring in the final round of the FNB U18 Craven Week tournament staged at Hoërskool Middelburg

FNB U18 Craven Week day five results (Saturday, 12 July):
EP 24 (17) Bulls 76 (26)
Sanlam Boland 38 (12) Griffons 36 (12)
Obaro Golden Lions 27 (17) DHL WP XV 26 (7)
Limpopo Blue Bulls 7 (0) Leopards 54 (40)
Sharks 12 (0) Free State 34 (13)
Suzuki Griquas 26 (12) Valke 19 (12)
Hollywood Foundation Pumas 48 (24) Border 12 (7)
DHL WP 27 (17) SWD 21 (9)

12/07/2025

SA Schools squads announced after successful FNB U18 Craven Week

Eight players who were part of the two SA Schools squads last year have been included in the two groups again this year when the teams do battle in Middelburg in Mpumalanga on Thursday, 17 July.

Western Province’s Josh Neill, Markus Muller, Briint Davids, and Jordan Jooste, as well as Ethan Adams and AJ Meyer from Free State, the Sharks’ Zekhethelo Siyaya, and André Poulton of the Golden Lions, all of whom featured in 2024, were again included in the two squads of 26 players each.

Western Province have the most representatives in the two groups – eight players in the SA Schools team, and 12 in the SA Schools ‘A’ squad. The annual showpiece between the two sides will kick off at 15h00 at Hoërskool Middelburg, hosts of the FNB U18 Craven Week.

Mr Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, congratulated all the players selected for the SA Schools and SA Schools ‘A’ teams.

“Your hard work, dedication, and performance have earned you this honour, and we celebrate your achievement today,” said Mr Alexander.

“We also acknowledge those who missed out, and remind you that your journey is far from over. Today we celebrate not only the selection of these teams, but the promise of a pathway that nurtures excellence, resilience, and opportunity.

“These young athletes represent the future of South African rugby, and while we honour those selected, we encourage every player to remain committed to their journey. The road ahead is filled with possibilities.”

Lwazi Zangqa from Border has been named as the head coach of the SA Schools side, and he will be assisted by the Bulls’ Cobus van Dyk, while the SA Schools ‘A’ team will be coached by Flash Malinga of the Sharks, with Clinton van Rensburg of Western Province named as his assistant.

SA Schools squad:
1 Kai Pratt (SWD / Oakdale)
2 Altus Rabe (Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium)
3 Luan van der Berg (Blue Bulls / Garsfontein)
4 Lwandile Mlaba (Sharks / Westville Boys High)
5 AJ Meyer (Free State / Grey College)
6 Chinedu Amadi (Golden Lions / King Edward VII)
7 Josh Neill (Western Province / Rondebosch Boys High)
8 Jacobus de Villiers (SWD / Oakdale)
9 Morne Noble (Western Province / Wynberg Boys High)
10 Liyema Nela (Sharks / Hilton College)
11 Jadrian Afrikaner (Sharks / Westville Boys High)
12 Markus Muller (Western Province / Paarl Gimnasium)
13 Ethan Adams (Free State / Grey College)
14 Junaide Stuart (Blue Bulls / Garsfontein HS)
15 Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks / Westville Boys High)
16 Clinton Agu (Golden Lions / Noordheuwel HS)
17 Jordan Jooste (Western Province / Paarl Boys High)
18 Matthew van der Merwe (Western Province / Rondebosch Boys High)
19 Jayden Joubert (Western Province / Paarl Boys High)
20 Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks / Maritzburg College)
21 Gert Kemp (Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium)
22 Zirk Meyer (Blue Bulls / Affies)
23 Ruben Groenewald (Blue Bulls / Affies)
24 Nathan Aneke (Sharks / Durban High School)
25 Lamla Mgedezi (Free State / Grey College)
26 Thabiso Simelane (Blue Bulls / St. Albans College)

SA Schools ‘A’ squad:
1 Andre Poulton (Golden Lions / Jeppe)
2 Keenan Myners (SWD / Outeniqua HS)
3 Bernhard du Toit (Western Province / Paarl Boys High)
4 Diaan Augustyn (SWD / Oakdale)
5 Juvan Burden (Western Province / Stellenberg HS)
6 Caleb Koeberg (Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium)
7 Quintin Potgieter (Western Province / Paarl Gimnasium)
8 Stefan McDonald (Blue Bulls / Affies)
9 Jayden Brits (Western Province / Boland Landbou)
10 Jeandre Uithaler (Golden Lions / Noordheuwel HS)
11 Ncuthu Kepe (Border / Queens College)
12 Christian Vorster (SWD / Oakdale)
13 Erin Nelson (Eastern Province / Graeme College)
14 Lucritia Magua (Eastern Province / Graeme College)
15 Junade Pasensie (Blue Bulls / Garsfontein HS)
16 Thomas Muller (Western Province / Paarl Boys High)
17 Jeffrey Singo (Blue Bulls / Pretoria Boys High)
18 JG Badenhorst (Free State / Grey College)
19 Lian Terblanche (Sharks / Northwood HS)
20 Briint Davids (Western Province / Milnerton HS)
21 Mickyle Booise (Western Province / Paarl Gimnasium)
22 Ethan van Biljon (Western Province / Stellenberg HS)
23 Jeneall Davids (Western Province / Paarl Boys High)
24 Pieter Cilliers (Western Province / Paarl Gimnasium)
25 Toriq Schambreel (Free State / Grey College)
26 Jadon Ocks (Western Province / Boland Landbou)

SA Schools Management:
Head Coach: Lwazi Zangqa (Border)
Assistant Coach: Cobus van Dyk (Blue Bulls)
Team Manager: Dean Moodley (Sharks)
Physiotherapist: Robin Williams (Sharks)
Conditioning Coach: Yaw Fosu-Amoah (Eastern Province)
Team Doctor: Dr Gershwin Kortje (Boland)

SA Schools ‘A’ Management:
Head Coach: Flash Malinga (Sharks)
Assistant Coach: Clinton van Rensburg (Western Province)
Team Manager: Mandla Madaka (Blue Bulls)
Physiotherapist: Rob Sims (Western Province)
Conditioning Coach: Adriaan Jansen (SWD)
Team Doctor: Dr Gershwin Kortje (Boland)

12/07/2025

Junior Boks name powerful line-up for WRU20 semi-final

After making a few rotational changes for their last Pool A match against Scotland, which the SA U20s won by 73-14 in Calvisano, Foote has selected mainly the same combination that defeated Australia and England in their first two group games.

For Monday’s important knockout match with Los Pumitas, Demitre Erasmus is back at outside centre after missing the England clash due to illness and coming off the bench against Scotland.

Jaco Williams is retained at left wing for his second start in a row since replacing Siya Ndlozi, who returned home with a hamstring injury sustained against England.

The Junior Bok pack remains the same as the combination that faced Australia and England, with Norton leading a starting team that have impressed with their physicality and ability to create plenty of scoring opportunities with their speedy outside backs.

However, Foote has opted for six forwards and two backs on the bench for the semi-final in a bid to use their explosive forwards and attack the Argentina pack, with No 8 Stephanus Linde now the extra forward among the replacements.

Foote said it was a tough task to select the team to face Argentina: “It was so difficult to leave out anybody because the players did so well against Scotland. My message to those who weren’t selected for the match-23 is to help us prepare the starting team as best as we can.”

According to Foote, Argentina’s forward prowess will be a huge test for the SA U20s, which is one of the reasons why he has decided to go with a six-two split on the bench.

“The Argentineans are very confrontational and physical, and they play with lots of passion,” he said. “We know we are in for a fight which is why we went for six forwards on the bench, because we have so much respect for them.”

The SA U20s are one of three southern hemisphere teams in the world championship semi-finals, alongside Argentina and New Zealand, who face France in their playoff at 18h00.

The Junior Boks’ match will kick off at 20h30 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

The Junior Springbok team to face Argentina in Viadana:
15 Gilermo Mentoe
14 Cheswill Jooste
13 Demitre Erasmus
12 Albie Bester
11 Jaco Williams
10 Vusi Moyo

9 Haashim Pead
8 Wandile Mlaba
7 Bathobele Hlekani
6 Xola Nyali
5 JJ Theron
4 Riley Norton (captain)
3 Herman Lubbe
2 Siphosethu Mnebelele
1 Simphiwe Ngobese

Replacements:
16 Jaundré Schoeman
17 Oliver Reid
18 Jean Erasmus
19 Jaco Grobbelaar
20 Matt Romao
21 Ceano Everson
22 Dominic Malgas
23 Stephanus Linde

12/07/2025

The 2025 Carling Currie Cup Bulletin #10

The Valke and NovaVit Griffons will host the Carling Currie Cup First Division semi-finals next weekend after the top two teams finished the league phase of the competition with solid victories, while the Leopards edged into the top four with a bonus-point victory over the Phangela SWD Eagles in George.

The men from North West will now travel to Kempton Park for their semi-final against the table-topping Valke, while Eastern Province will be in action in Welkom against the Griffons, who finished second on the log.

Venues and kick-off times of the two semi-finals will be confirmed in due course.

Scorers:

Eastern Province 3 (0) Valke 22 (17)
EP – Penalty goal: Shirwin Cupido.
Valke – Tries: Mbembe Payi (2), Wernich Aucamp. Conversions: Ezrick Alexander, Keagan Fortune. Penalty goal: Fortune.

NovaVit Griffons 80 (40) Border Bulldogs 21 (14)
Griffons – Tries: Willem van den Hever (3), Quan Eymann (3), Jandre de Beer, Andrew Kota (2), Simon Westraadt, Mango Ngundue, Kyle Cyster. Conversions: Kota (10).
Border – Tries: Soso Xakalashe, Hlumelo Pantyo, Ryan Maree. Conversions: Maxwell Klaasen (3).

Phangela SWD Eagles 19 (7) Leopards 26 (19)
SWD – Tries: Marquit September, Hlomla Zondani, Clive Kruger. Conversions: Keegan Schaefer (2).
Leopards – Tries: Ghudian van Reenen, Zack Serfontein, Indiphile Tyeda, Andre Grobler. Conversions: Shaun-Christian Baxter (3).