Stormers bolster pack for Pumas battle

Coach Tom Dawson-Squibb has made five changes to the Stormers XXIII’s starting lineup for Saturday’s Currie Cup clash against the Pumas in Nelspruit.

Four of the changes come in the forward pack, with props Mhleli Khuzwayo and Herman Lubbe, and loose forwards Wandile Mlaba and Keke Morabe coming in.

In the only backline change, wing Joel Leotlela makes his first appearance of the season, in place of Suleiman Hartzenberg, who picked up a minor injury against the Cheetahs at Athlone Stadium on Sunday. chickenroad-game.rodeo

JC Mars is included on the bench, providing backline cover along with halfbacks Ezekiel Ngobeni and Kyle Smith.

MORE: Stormers locked in for Pumas challenge

“We are very happy to have the likes of Wandi, Keke and Herman back in the starting lineup after featuring in the match against New Zealand last week, and we expect them to add some grunt up front,” said Dawson-Squibb.

“It is always tough to go to Mbombela Stadium, and we will need to be on the money throughout to secure the win, but it is a challenge that we are looking forward to.”

STORMERS XXIII – 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Joel Leotlela, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis (c), 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Keke Morabe, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Mhleli Khuzwayo.
Bench: 16 Altus Rabe, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Danie Kruger, 19 Luan Botha, 20 Xola Nyali, 21 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 22 Kyle Smith, 23 JC Mars.

Weekend teams

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

The post Stormers bolster pack for Pumas battle appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

La composition du dernier carré de la CAN féminine illustre parfaitement le renouvellement qui s’opère au sommet du football africain.

Parmi les quatre prétendantes au sacre continental, l’Algérie et le Malawi incarnent cette nouvelle dynamique. Les deux sélections ont réussi à bousculer la hiérarchie et à s’inviter à un stade de la compétition où elles n’avaient encore jamais évolué. Pour les Algériennes, cette qualification constitue déjà une première historique. Après avoir franchi avec succès l’obstacle ivoirien en quarts de finale, les joueuses de Farid Benstiti ont décroché leur billet pour le dernier carré pour la première fois de leur histoire. Une performance qui a également permis aux Vertes de valider leur qualification pour la Coupe du monde féminine 2027 au Brésil, autre grande première pour le football féminin algérien.Face à elles,
le Malawi écrit lui aussi une page exceptionnelle de son histoire.

Carré d’as dès la première participation Pour sa toute première participation à une phase finale de la CAN féminine, la sélection malawite s’est directement hissée dans le dernier carré. Un parcours remarquable qui confirme que les frontières de la hiérarchie africaine sont en train de bouger. Cette demi-finale prendra donc une dimension particulière. Au-delà de l’enjeu sportif, elle offrira à l’une des deux sélections une occasion unique d’accéder à une finale de CAN pour la première fois. Algérie ou Malawi, une nouvelle nation s’installera ainsi au sommet du football féminin africain. Les deux équipes ont déjà décroché leur billet pour le Mondial, mais aucune ne compte s’arrêter là. Le rêve est désormais permis, avec une finale historique en ligne de mire.

DJAMEL O.

L’article CAN (F) : Algérie-Malawi, pour une finale historique ! est apparu en premier sur Foot Afrique.

TS Galaxy head coach Bernard Parker praised his side’s performance despite their narrow defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Rockets suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat to the Brazilians at the Mbombela Stadium in the Betway Premiership.

However, Parker believes a brief lapse in concentration ultimately proved costly, but remains confident Galaxy can learn from the setback and build on their promising display as the season progresses.

“Tough one, hard one to swallow, we had a game-plan, stuck to the game-plan, we showed tenacity, we showed the unity, and the main objective for us was to attack the space behind which we did well, got a couple of chances,” Parker told SuperSport after the game.

“We managed to get a goal, managed to get another goal on set-plays, which we worked a lot on, we scored last week on set-plays, we continue to get a goal again on set-plays but overall I’m proud of the boys in terms of how they conduct themselves.

“Just a lapse of concentration after being in front, we put in an extra defender to make sure we keep it solid in the central space of the field and then Sundowns added more attackers as well and they overloaded the sides and that’s where the two goals come on the right side for them to win the match.

“But I’m happy with the boys, the way they conduct themselves, just a little bit of lapse of concentration. I hope we will learn from this, there’s still a long season ahead and for us to build on this in terms of the way we want to play and how we play,” he concluded.

The post Parker Proud of Galaxy Despite Painful Sundowns Defeat appeared first on SportsClub.

The Springboks wrapped up their pre-All Blacks series buildup at the weekend with a hard-fought win against Argentina in Buenos Aires. They now turn their attention to the four Tests they will play against New Zealand, starting next weekend at Ellis Park.

Having seen his team in action against the Barbarians, England, Scotland, Wales and Argentina, and an SA A team take on Zimbabwe, coach Rassie Erasmus has cast his net wide this season.

Here we take a look at all his options for next week’s first Test in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry and who could get the nod for the starting XV.

Fullback

While Aphelele Fassi has played a fair bit for the Boks in recent weeks, there can be no doubt Damian Willemse will wear the No 15 jersey at Ellis Park. He is the best fullback in the country and has shown over the last few years he is sound defensively and excellent on attack.

Wings

Because of his height Ethan Hooker would be a consideration, but Erasmus is likely to stick with Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse. They are proven performers at Test level and have an X-factor with ball in hand. They’re also strong in the air and solid in defence. Edwill van der Merwe will also have to wait for his chance.

Centres

Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel will continue their partnership in the Bok midfield. There is simply no reason to go with anyone else; they’re experienced operators who command respect from the opposition. Andre Esterhuizen might find himself on the bench, while Canan Moodie plays a back-up role for now.

Flyhalf

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is back after an injury layoff, but he looked a little rusty against the Pumas. Handre Pollard is the experienced Test star, while Manie Libbok brings something different to the setup. Don’t be surprise if Erasmus goes with Libbok and puts SFM on the bench. Quan Horn meanwhile will have to wait for his turn.

Scrumhalf

Grant Williams and Cobus Reinach are the two best options at this stage; it just depends who starts and who plays off the bench. Morne van den Berg, because of his limited game time, and Herschel Jantjies are unlikely to feature in the first Test. It remains a pity Embrose Papier isn’t in the mix.

Eighthman

Cameron Hanekom enjoyed a fabulous outing against the Pumas, but he, too, will have to sit back and cheer on the Boks from the stands, like so many squad members. Jasper Wiese is the first-choice No 8, and rightly so. He’s done it all before and is exactly the kind of eighthman Erasmus likes.

Flanks

Pieter-Steph du Toit will wear the No 7 jersey but who plays openside depends on the severity of Siya Kolisi’s hamstring injury. Young Paul de Villiers is now a real option, but so, too, is veteran Deon Fourie. Marco van Staden will no doubt fill a spot on the bench. Ben-Jason Dixon will miss out for now.

Locks

Does Erasmus risk Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager, who both returned just last weekend? Probably. However, Ruan Nortje has always played well in his few appearances at Test level and could slot in at No 5 lock, while Cobus Wiese might have to be happy with a bench spot, at best. Franco Mostert is yet to play this year.

Props

A seriously stacked department, but expect Thomas du Toit and Ox Nche, if he’s fit, to start. If not available, Gerhard Steenekamp will start at No 1. Wilco Louw is likely to play off the bench, with Zachary Porthen or Carlu Sadie also set for an impact role. Boan Venter will miss out on the matchday-23.

Hooker

Malcolm Marx will wear the No 2 jumper and could play deep into the match. Johan Grobbelaar has a case to be the back-up on the bench, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Erasmus named Jan-Hendrik Wessels as his bench man. Van Staden could also cover hooker and now, too, Fourie.

Eathan Bosch hammered 33 from only 10 deliveries as Middlesex beat Sussex by 92 runs in the One-Day Cup.

Bosch struck one four and four sixes during his late assault, helping Middlesex reach 354-8. The all-rounder also took two catches and conceded 30 runs from six overs.

Kyle Verreynne finished unbeaten on 57 from 46 balls as Nottinghamshire chased down Surrey’s 298 with 13 deliveries remaining. The Proteas wicketkeeper struck five fours and a six, having earlier completed a catch behind the stumps.

Johannesburg-born Adam Thomas made 43 from 44 balls for Surrey and conceded only 13 runs from three overs.

READ: Rickelton cameo in vain against Super Giants

Beyers Swanepoel claimed 2-43 and scored 16 as Worcestershire beat Durham by 77 runs. He dismissed fellow South Africans David Bedingham for 17 and Colin Ackermann for eight.

Elsewhere, Kyle Abbott returned with figures of 0-43 before hitting 18 from 12 balls in Hampshire’s eight-run defeat to Derbyshire.

Migael Pretorius took 2-78 and made 11 as Somerset lost to Lancashire, while Marchant de Lange claimed 1-47 in Gloucestershire’s three-wicket win over Northamptonshire.

Simon Harmer finished with 1-26 as Essex suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Yorkshire.

Photo: Ben Hoskins/Getty Images

The post Bosch blitz and Verreynne fifty lead SA charge appeared first on SA Cricket Mag.