SA RUGBY August 2025

‘There’s no substitute for pace’, but coaches and selectors didn’t put their money where their mouth is until Grant Williams was almost 25 years old. That’s when he got his first start for the Sharks in a Rainbow Cup thriller against the Stormers in Cape Town. Williams made his Test debut against Wales the following year and, true to his status as a speedster, a half-gap is all that was required for him to accelerate into space. While a talented Bok scrumhalf room is loaded with options, Grant appears to have sprinted into the lead as the world champions chase an expansive style under attack coach Tony Brown. Attack Attack Attack is the name of Alan Zondagh’s coaching manual. The well-travelled rugby coach and his son AB (the Lyon attack…

JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS 23 NEW ZEALAND U20 15 South Africa ended a 13-year wait for the World Rugby U20 Championship title with a hard-fought victory over their archrivals in Rovigo. Each team crossed the tryline twice, but it was the Junior Boks’ resolute defence that proved decisive. SPRINGBOKS 55 GEORGIA 10 Hooker Marnus van der Merwe scored twice on his Test debut in Nelspruit and was matched by namesake Edwill. The Springboks racked up 22 tries and conceded just four across three July Tests. WALLABIES 19 LIONS 27 Lions flank Tom Curry justified his selection ahead of Jac Morgan in the first Test in Brisbane with a standout performance that included 10 tackles - among them a dominant hit on Wallabies centre Joseph Suaalii. SA SCHOOLS 49 SA SCHOOLS A 14…

MORNÉ ESBEN SAYS LUKE BURGER The Western Province outside centre looks to have all the makings of a United Rugby Championship breakout star. At 1.88m tall, 90kg and blessed with serious pace, Burger ticks the physical boxes and what potentially sets him apart is his ability to make sharp defensive reads, slick footwork in traffic and an ability to keep the ball alive in contact. He was a rare bright spark in WP’s otherwise underwhelming Currie Cup opener against the Bulls, delivering an assured and eye-catching performance. His rise has been anything but sudden. Burger was a standout over two seasons of U21 rugby and made his Currie Cup debut in 2023. Though he featured in most of Province’s 2024 campaign, consistently showing glimpses of his potential, a Stormers call-up…

BIG JOE GROWS UP Once the playboy of South African rugby, Joe van Niekerk had matured and become one of the senior members of the Springbok squad. ‘I am not going to apologise for enjoying myself as a youngster,’ the 24-year-old told SA Rugby magazine. ‘I’ve had good times and there have been moments I regret, but that’s all part of growing up.’ Van Niekerk said his transition from teenager to adult had been a natural one. ‘There was no defining moment. You do things and then one day you don’t do them. Your priorities change. Your outlook on life changes. Where going to a party may have been important when I was 21, investing in property is important now. I also accept rugby is now my job and not…

NEWLANDS ‘My first memory of Newlands was in 1992 when I played In the final Craven Week trials. I remember walking out of the tunnel, as a 13-yearold, and thinking how big and awesome Newlands Stadium was. Another was my Springbok debut against the All Blacks as a 21-year-old [in 2001]. Although it was short-lived due to an injury after just 25 minutes, the debut itself was special.’ ABOUT SARLA Slogan is ‘Passing on the Passion’. Biggest rugby development platform in the southern hemisphere. With the support of key sponsors, Sarla runs the Vuka rugby programme countrywide and stages the national Hollywood Foundation iQhawe Week for UlS development teams. The Cell C SA Rugby Legends team gives former players a chance to play classic matches in SA and around the…

HAASHIM PEAD ‘Champions’. - The star Junior Boks scrumhalf celebrated with fullback Gilermo Mentoe after winning the World Rugby U20 Championship final against New Zealand in Rovigo. EBEN ETZEBETH ‘What a privilege to know you and to have shared the field with yau for the last few years. You are a legend my friend, and an unbelievable person.’ - The Bok lock celebrated Willie le Roux’s milestone appearance alongside Duane Vermeulen and the Bok fullback’s father. SACHA FEINBERG-MNGOMEZULU ‘We did it.’ - The Springbok flyhalf exchanged jerseys with Italy No 8 and former schoolmate Ross Vintcent after their Test at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. SIPHOSETHU MNEBELELE ‘That one was special. JWC Champs 25.’ - The Junior Boks hooker posed with the World Rugby U20 Championship trophy alongside Oliver Reid.…