Connect with us

Opinions

Reinach and Jantjies to revel up North

Published

on

With Faf De Klerk ruled out of the end-of-year tour, Cobus Reinach and Herschel Jantjies have an extended opportunity to flourish for the Springboks, writes Oliver Keohane.

De Klerk’s injury is another name on a long list of integral players that have gone missing for the Springboks come tour time this year. However, where the Boks struggled for depth at times in other positions, there is a reassuring insurance policy covering the scrumhalf position.

It comes in the form of Cobus Reinach and Herschel Jantjies, and for the first time in a while the two will be given a great opportunity to rotate and revel in an extended run at Test level.

Earlier in the year I wrote that Reinach’s straight swap to start in place of Faf De Klerk was no indictment on the qualities of Herschel Jantjies, but rather a recognition of the unique role that each could play in the context of a full 80 minutes, given their different individual strengths at scrumhalf.

Nothing should change come the end-of-year tour, and with Reinach consistently ripping it up for Montpellier, he is the obvious candidate to start for the Springboks in what will be typically Northern Hemisphere conditions.

However, Faf’s absence must be treated as an opportunity to provide both players with similar game time, and Jantjies needs to be utilised earlier in the second half. Jantjies is an incredibly dynamic, elusive and energetic rugby player, and the tempo at which he plays makes for a tough opponent as the game goes on.

He has been great from a playing perspective when given the chance for the Springboks this year, but an area that remains questionable is his decision making in decisive moments of matches. For example, the quick tap in the final penalty of the British & Irish Lions tour…

There needs to be a calm in Jantjies’ decision making to complement the energy and speed with which he dictates a game. But that calm only comes with consistent exposure to these high-pressure moments, and the quality of the opposition on the end-of-year tour presents the perfect environment for Jantjies to grow his game management.

The Springboks start their November tour against Wales, before taking on Scotland and then concluding the year against England. One would assume, given the structures that have been in place since the 2019 World Cup, that Reinach will come in straight for De Klerk to start against Wales and England. But hopefully there is trust given to Jantjies to take things away against Scotland.

The reality is, both players have performed at the highest level for the Springboks before, and if one is having an off day, the other should be able to step up and fill in. Reinach to start for the majority of the tour would make sense given his Northern Hemisphere experience and physical presence, but there needs to be room for Jantjies to start at least one of the matches and play out longer periods in the others.

It is a privileged position to be in to have the sort of depth that the Springboks do at scrumhalf, but that depth needs to be fully trusted and explored in moments like this end of year tour, where the first choice is unavailable.

Young talent Jaden Hendrikse suffered a horrible injury during the Rugby Championship, and Sharks teammates Sanele Nohamba or Grant Williams will likely be brought along as the third choice and blooded in their first end-of-year tour. Nohamba and Williams are both highly rated, but still just 22 and 25 respectively. Actual game time for them should not be a concern if Reinach and Jantjies are fit and performing, as the experience of just touring with the Springboks is invaluable.

The All Blacks have long had a system in place whereby players they believe will come through at Test level are brought on an end-of-year tour not to play, but mainly to absorb. Jordie Barrett and Ardie Savea are two of the most notable products of that system, and in 2021 – years after their inaugural tours – they are two of the most influential players in Ian Foster’s side.

Faf de Klerk’s injury may be a blessing in disguise for him and the Springbok team. De Klerk’s body takes a battering week in, week out be it for Sale Sharks or the Springboks, while Reinach and Jantjies have the quality to start every week for most other teams, but instead have to sit on that talent and hunger for the sake of a system that has been proving successful for the Springboks so far.

ASLO ON KEO:

Time to let these kids loose with the Boks

176 Comments

176 Comments

  1. 创建Binance账户

    26th September 2024 at 1:08 pm

    I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.

  2. binance

    4th March 2025 at 1:07 am

    Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.

  3. binance registration

    28th March 2025 at 1:47 am

    I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.

  4. Inscrivez-vous pour obtenir 100 USDT

    17th May 2025 at 12:11 pm

    Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.

  5. Charita Cormican

    16th December 2025 at 9:06 am

    I do believe all the concepts you’ve presented in your post. They are very convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are too quick for beginners. May you please prolong them a bit from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.

  6. fdertolmrtokev

    19th December 2025 at 4:15 pm

    I will right away snatch your rss feed as I can not to find your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please allow me understand in order that I may just subscribe. Thanks.

  7. diseño de stands ferias

    13th January 2026 at 5:59 pm

    Helpful information. Fortunate me I found your site accidentally, and I am stunned why this accident did not took place earlier! I bookmarked it.

  8. rateio concurso

    14th January 2026 at 3:20 am

    Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your website is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched everywhere and just could not come across. What a perfect web-site.

  9. rateios de cursos

    14th January 2026 at 6:37 am

    Excellent website you have here but I was curious if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same topics talked about in this article? I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get comments from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Thanks a lot!

  10. empresa de manutenção split

    14th January 2026 at 1:55 pm

    Excellent website. Plenty of useful info here. I am sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks for your sweat!

  11. supercar rental malaysia

    14th January 2026 at 10:22 pm

    When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Bless you!

  12. solar power water heater Malaysia

    15th January 2026 at 4:07 am

    You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for the subject and found most people will consent with your blog.

  13. gold today spot price

    15th January 2026 at 11:11 am

    I like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my site 🙂

  14. klia limo

    15th January 2026 at 3:34 pm

    Sweet blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Many thanks

  15. Techtrics Auto

    15th January 2026 at 6:50 pm

    Lovely just what I was searching for.Thanks to the author for taking his time on this one.

  16. airmatic air suspension

    16th January 2026 at 12:23 am

    You have noted very interesting points! ps nice site.

  17. tlover tonet

    16th January 2026 at 12:27 am

    Thanx for the effort, keep up the good work Great work, I am going to start a small Blog Engine course work using your site I hope you enjoy blogging with the popular BlogEngine.net.Thethoughts you express are really awesome. Hope you will right some more posts.

  18. kilat333

    16th January 2026 at 3:09 pm

    Would you be fascinated by exchanging hyperlinks?

  19. start square cloud

    16th January 2026 at 10:26 pm

    I like this blog so much, bookmarked.

  20. kostenloses búzios orakel

    17th January 2026 at 1:00 am

    I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the structure of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?

  21. miototo

    17th January 2026 at 7:33 am

    Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…

  22. lotto champ

    17th January 2026 at 7:03 pm

    I was reading some of your blog posts on this website and I conceive this site is really informative! Keep putting up.

  23. dkwinapp.com

    17th January 2026 at 8:30 pm

    I always was interested in this subject and still am, regards for putting up.

  24. neurodyne review

    17th January 2026 at 10:47 pm

    Thanks for another informative blog. Where else could I get that type of info written in such a perfect way? I’ve a project that I’m just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such info.

  25. kilat333

    18th January 2026 at 5:18 am

    Great site. Lots of useful info here. I am sending it to some pals ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you to your effort!

  26. kerassentials

    18th January 2026 at 7:12 am

    It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks

  27. gelatin trick

    18th January 2026 at 12:19 pm

    Its superb as your other content : D, appreciate it for putting up.

  28. high heels größe 43

    18th January 2026 at 3:13 pm

    Wow! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a entirely different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!

  29. pink salt trick

    18th January 2026 at 5:07 pm

    With the whole thing that appears to be developing throughout this specific subject matter, a significant percentage of points of view are generally very exciting. Having said that, I beg your pardon, but I do not subscribe to your whole plan, all be it radical none the less. It would seem to us that your comments are actually not totally rationalized and in fact you are generally yourself not even completely confident of the point. In any event I did enjoy reading it.

  30. kilat333

    18th January 2026 at 5:12 pm

    Only wanna tell that this is extremely helpful, Thanks for taking your time to write this.

  31. gelatin trick for weight loss

    18th January 2026 at 8:01 pm

    Yeah bookmaking this wasn’t a high risk determination great post! .

  32. pcxwin

    18th January 2026 at 8:15 pm

    Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! By the way, how could we communicate?

  33. gelatin trick

    18th January 2026 at 10:40 pm

    What i do not understood is actually how you are not really much more well-liked than you may be right now. You are so intelligent. You realize thus considerably relating to this subject, produced me personally consider it from a lot of varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it is one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. Always maintain it up!

  34. pcxwin

    18th January 2026 at 10:50 pm

    I like this post, enjoyed this one thanks for putting up.

  35. gelatin trick recipe

    19th January 2026 at 2:24 am

    Needed to write you this bit of word to help say thank you the moment again with your extraordinary principles you have shown here. It is so incredibly generous of you to offer publicly what a number of people would’ve offered for an electronic book to end up making some profit on their own, even more so given that you could have done it in the event you decided. The solutions in addition worked to be the easy way to understand that the rest have the same dream just like mine to figure out great deal more with regards to this problem. I am sure there are thousands of more enjoyable sessions in the future for individuals who scan your site.

  36. royal138

    19th January 2026 at 2:58 am

    I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?

  37. gelatin trick

    19th January 2026 at 6:32 am

    magnificent points altogether, you just gained a new reader. What would you recommend in regards to your post that you made some days ago? Any positive?

  38. ladang88 daftar

    19th January 2026 at 3:19 pm

    I have recently started a website, the information you provide on this web site has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work. “Quit worrying about your health. It’ll go away.” by Robert Orben.

  39. lgopro99

    19th January 2026 at 7:29 pm

    Very great post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing for your feed and I hope you write again soon!

  40. fashion sale

    20th January 2026 at 12:56 am

    Today, I went to the beach front with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  41. google tag assistant extension

    20th January 2026 at 7:30 am

    Thanks for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such magnificent info being shared freely out there.

  42. royal138

    20th January 2026 at 1:02 pm

    Hi would you mind letting me know which web host you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good internet hosting provider at a fair price? Thank you, I appreciate it!

  43. royal138

    20th January 2026 at 6:46 pm

    I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

  44. citrusburn review

    21st January 2026 at 11:09 am

    great post.Never knew this, thanks for letting me know.

  45. citrus burn

    21st January 2026 at 3:31 pm

    I’d constantly want to be update on new content on this web site, saved to bookmarks! .

  46. optivell

    21st January 2026 at 7:56 pm

    I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

  47. zabornatorilon

    21st January 2026 at 8:54 pm

    Wow! This could be one particular of the most helpful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Fantastic. I’m also a specialist in this topic therefore I can understand your hard work.

  48. optivell reviews

    22nd January 2026 at 12:39 am

    Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just too wonderful. I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it smart. I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is really a great web site.

  49. optivell

    22nd January 2026 at 2:56 am

    Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.

  50. kilat333

    22nd January 2026 at 7:55 am

    Awsome post and right to the point. I don’t know if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you guys have any ideea where to employ some professional writers? Thanks in advance 🙂

  51. best electric razor

    22nd January 2026 at 11:04 am

    Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.

  52. simple vision protocol

    22nd January 2026 at 2:44 pm

    Hello! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the outstanding work!

  53. toilet cleaning foam

    22nd January 2026 at 6:58 pm

    Wow! Thank you! I always wanted to write on my site something like that. Can I include a portion of your post to my site?

  54. fizzclean review

    22nd January 2026 at 10:56 pm

    You actually make it seem so easy along with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something that I feel I might never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I am looking forward on your subsequent post, I’ll try to get the cling of it!

  55. เว็บสล็อต

    23rd January 2026 at 5:17 am

    Hello this is kinda of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding expertise so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  56. flixy tv

    23rd January 2026 at 5:59 am

    I like this website very much, Its a really nice office to read and get info . “Do pleasant things yourself, but unpleasant things through others.” by Baltasar Gracian.

  57. flixy tv stick

    23rd January 2026 at 11:16 am

    Thanx for the effort, keep up the good work Great work, I am going to start a small Blog Engine course work using your site I hope you enjoy blogging with the popular BlogEngine.net.Thethoughts you express are really awesome. Hope you will right some more posts.

  58. nuro clean mold remover gel

    23rd January 2026 at 7:13 pm

    I really like your writing style, excellent info , thanks for posting : D.

  59. wellaheat heated socks

    23rd January 2026 at 9:29 pm

    I just could not depart your web site prior to suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard info a person provide for your visitors? Is going to be back often in order to check up on new posts

  60. lk21

    24th January 2026 at 12:33 am

    Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.

  61. wellaheat heated socks

    24th January 2026 at 1:33 am

    I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thank you again

  62. wellaheat socks review

    24th January 2026 at 6:15 am

    You should take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!

  63. wuffy ai puppy

    24th January 2026 at 3:28 pm

    I?¦ll right away clutch your rss feed as I can’t to find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please permit me know so that I may subscribe. Thanks.

  64. slot deposit 5000

    24th January 2026 at 4:10 pm

    Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

  65. iblbet login

    24th January 2026 at 5:50 pm

    I love it when people come together and share opinions, great blog, keep it up.

  66. wuffy robot puppy

    24th January 2026 at 7:35 pm

    Throughout this awesome pattern of things you receive an A+ just for effort. Where exactly you confused us was first in the particulars. You know, they say, details make or break the argument.. And that couldn’t be much more true right here. Having said that, let me tell you precisely what did work. Your text is actually rather convincing which is possibly the reason why I am making an effort to opine. I do not really make it a regular habit of doing that. Next, although I can certainly see the jumps in logic you come up with, I am not confident of how you seem to connect your details that produce the final result. For the moment I will yield to your issue however hope in the near future you link the dots much better.

  67. Credit vs driving record impact

    24th January 2026 at 11:47 pm

    We’re a gaggle of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with helpful information to paintings on. You’ve done an impressive activity and our entire community might be thankful to you.

  68. the brain song review

    25th January 2026 at 2:11 pm

    Very interesting subject , regards for posting.

  69. iptv gratis 2025

    25th January 2026 at 3:48 pm

    Hello there, I discovered your blog by the use of Google at the same time as searching for a related matter, your website came up, it appears good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

  70. kilat333

    25th January 2026 at 6:40 pm

    I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Reading this information So i am happy to convey that I have a very good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most certainly will make sure to don’t forget this web site and give it a look on a constant basis.

  71. lotto champ review

    25th January 2026 at 8:30 pm

    Im no longer positive where you are getting your information, however good topic. I needs to spend some time studying much more or working out more. Thanks for excellent info I used to be on the lookout for this information for my mission.

  72. team communication software

    26th January 2026 at 12:09 am

    Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research about this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such great info being shared freely out there.

  73. boostaro

    26th January 2026 at 2:44 am

    I have recently started a site, the information you provide on this website has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.

  74. slimburn review

    26th January 2026 at 9:02 am

    I must voice my respect for your generosity for persons that require assistance with this particular area. Your very own commitment to passing the message all over came to be really good and have without exception enabled men and women like me to attain their goals. The interesting key points indicates much a person like me and a whole lot more to my mates. Many thanks; from each one of us.

  75. optivell review

    26th January 2026 at 11:22 am

    I love it when people come together and share opinions, great blog, keep it up.

  76. bariatric gelatin trick

    26th January 2026 at 5:24 pm

    I’ve been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thank you, I¦ll try and check back more often. How frequently you update your web site?

  77. gelatin trick

    27th January 2026 at 12:31 am

    There is perceptibly a lot to know about this. I suppose you made various nice points in features also.

  78. kilat333

    27th January 2026 at 12:46 am

    Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this article is amazing, great written and come with almost all significant infos. I would like to look more posts like this .

  79. slot online

    27th January 2026 at 7:20 am

    Hello, you used to write fantastic, but the last few posts have been kinda boringK I miss your great writings. Past few posts are just a bit out of track! come on!

  80. kilat333

    27th January 2026 at 12:23 pm

    But wanna comment on few general things, The website layout is perfect, the subject matter is rattling superb : D.

  81. iptv 4k samsung

    27th January 2026 at 5:37 pm

    My partner and I stumbled over here from a different web address and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to looking into your web page yet again.

  82. iptv assinar

    27th January 2026 at 9:33 pm

    I am happy that I detected this weblog, just the right info that I was searching for! .

  83. cara jualan online di facebook

    28th January 2026 at 12:00 am

    I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Plz reply back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks

  84. royal138 pengacara korporasi

    28th January 2026 at 4:26 am

    This really answered my downside, thank you!

  85. wholesale jewelry

    28th January 2026 at 12:37 pm

    wonderful points altogether, you just gained a brand new reader. What would you recommend about your post that you made a few days ago? Any positive?

  86. igamble247 login

    29th January 2026 at 9:12 pm

    It?¦s actually a nice and useful piece of information. I?¦m happy that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  87. cheap flights to las vegas

    30th January 2026 at 7:15 am

    USA Flights 24 — search engine helps you compare prices from hundreds of airlines and travel sites in seconds — so you can find cheap flights fast. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a cross-country adventure, or an international vacation, we make it easy to fly for less.

  88. gelatin trick

    30th January 2026 at 11:00 am

    The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.

  89. gelatin trick for weight loss

    30th January 2026 at 11:54 am

    I cling on to listening to the news bulletin lecture about receiving free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the most excellent site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i get some?

  90. gelatin trick recipe

    30th January 2026 at 1:51 pm

    I got what you intend, thanks for putting up.Woh I am glad to find this website through google. “The test and use of a man’s education is that he finds pleasure in the exercise of his mind.” by Carl Barzun.

  91. gelatin trick

    30th January 2026 at 6:12 pm

    Hello, i think that i saw you visited my site thus i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to improve my website!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

  92. gelatin trick

    30th January 2026 at 9:09 pm

    With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any ways to help prevent content from being ripped off? I’d definitely appreciate it.

  93. gelatin trick

    31st January 2026 at 2:03 am

    Loving the information on this site, you have done great job on the articles.

  94. gelatin trick

    31st January 2026 at 12:05 pm

    Hey there! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog. Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any points or suggestions? Thank you

  95. ghdrol

    31st January 2026 at 11:38 pm

    I was reading some of your articles on this internet site and I believe this website is really informative ! Keep on posting.

  96. ethical hackers in cybersecurity

    1st February 2026 at 1:09 pm

    Outstanding post, I conceive people should learn a lot from this web site its rattling user friendly.

  97. role of ethical hackers in network security

    1st February 2026 at 5:06 pm

    A lot of thanks for all your hard work on this web page. Kate really loves getting into research and it is obvious why. Almost all know all about the powerful ways you create very helpful guidelines through your website and as well as cause participation from the others about this article while our favorite princess is without question studying so much. Have fun with the rest of the year. Your conducting a great job.

  98. top up royal dream

    1st February 2026 at 10:36 pm

    Howdy this is kinda of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding skills so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!

  99. ethical hacking best practices

    1st February 2026 at 11:45 pm

    I like this post, enjoyed this one thankyou for posting.

  100. ethical hacking courses

    2nd February 2026 at 5:09 am

    Usually I don’t read post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to check out and do so! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thank you, quite nice article.

  101. play aviator

    2nd February 2026 at 6:45 am

    Whats Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively helpful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & aid different customers like its aided me. Good job.

  102. ethical hackers in cybersecurity

    2nd February 2026 at 9:31 am

    Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It in truth was a amusement account it. Glance complex to more brought agreeable from you! However, how could we communicate?

  103. blow molding machine

    4th February 2026 at 1:15 am

    There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain nice points in features also.

  104. cnc machining

    4th February 2026 at 3:26 am

    Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your weblog? My blog site is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my visitors would really benefit from a lot of the information you present here. Please let me know if this ok with you. Many thanks!

  105. pcxwin

    4th February 2026 at 5:53 am

    Hey! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to look it over. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Terrific blog and brilliant design.

  106. pcxwin

    4th February 2026 at 8:59 am

    Hi, Neat post. There’s an issue with your site in web explorer, may test this?K IE still is the marketplace chief and a huge section of other people will miss your fantastic writing due to this problem.

  107. flixy tv smart

    4th February 2026 at 5:31 pm

    Exactly what I was searching for, regards for putting up.

  108. flixy tv

    4th February 2026 at 7:31 pm

    I appreciate, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye

  109. tonic greens

    5th February 2026 at 1:03 am

    I’m curious to find out what blog platform you happen to be utilizing? I’m experiencing some minor security issues with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more secure. Do you have any recommendations?

  110. tesla begagnad

    5th February 2026 at 5:01 am

    F*ckin’ awesome things here. I am very glad to see your post. Thanks a lot and i’m looking forward to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?

  111. tonicgreens review

    5th February 2026 at 7:08 am

    Great write-up, I am normal visitor of one¦s site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.

  112. boostaro

    5th February 2026 at 5:10 pm

    Hello, you used to write fantastic, but the last several posts have been kinda boringK I miss your tremendous writings. Past few posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!

  113. tonic greens

    5th February 2026 at 8:03 pm

    Respect to website author, some good entropy.

  114. vigor long

    6th February 2026 at 3:42 am

    I like this site its a master peace ! Glad I detected this on google .

  115. Concurso ISS Porto Velho 2025

    6th February 2026 at 1:52 pm

    Hi there, I found your blog via Google while looking for a related topic, your website came up, it looks great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

  116. Concurso TJ DF-T 2025

    6th February 2026 at 6:05 pm

    I conceive this website has some very wonderful information for everyone. “It is easy enough to define what the Commonwealth is not. Indeed this is quite a popular pastime.” by Elizabeth II.

  117. Preparatório CREA Mato Grosso 2025

    6th February 2026 at 7:29 pm

    fantastic post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this. You must continue your writing. I’m confident, you’ve a great readers’ base already!

  118. Preparatório Ministério Público RJ 2025

    6th February 2026 at 11:55 pm

    hey there and thank you in your info – I have definitely picked up anything new from right here. I did on the other hand expertise several technical points the usage of this site, as I experienced to reload the web site a lot of instances prior to I may get it to load correctly. I were considering in case your hosting is OK? No longer that I’m complaining, but slow loading cases times will very frequently have an effect on your placement in google and can injury your high-quality score if ads and ***********|advertising|advertising|advertising and *********** with Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my email and can look out for a lot more of your respective fascinating content. Make sure you update this once more soon..

  119. kilat333

    7th February 2026 at 11:03 am

    There are some fascinating closing dates in this article but I don’t know if I see all of them center to heart. There is some validity however I’ll take maintain opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we wish extra! Added to FeedBurner as well

  120. aufstellbecken bestellen

    7th February 2026 at 8:21 pm

    This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.

  121. rolling accessories

    8th February 2026 at 12:28 am

    Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for your provided information.

  122. fornecedor iptv

    8th February 2026 at 6:13 pm

    There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain nice points in features also.

  123. kilat333

    9th February 2026 at 1:24 am

    Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research about this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such wonderful info being shared freely out there.

  124. fdertolmrtokev

    9th February 2026 at 6:05 am

    I got what you intend, appreciate it for posting.Woh I am glad to find this website through google.

  125. linetogel

    9th February 2026 at 2:32 pm

    You really make it appear so easy along with your presentation however I find this topic to be really something that I think I might never understand. It sort of feels too complex and very wide for me. I’m taking a look forward for your next submit, I will attempt to get the hold of it!

  126. pcxwin

    9th February 2026 at 5:18 pm

    As soon as I discovered this website I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.

  127. iptv plano

    10th February 2026 at 8:55 am

    Some really interesting info , well written and broadly speaking user genial.

  128. painel iptv

    10th February 2026 at 11:13 am

    I’d constantly want to be update on new content on this web site, bookmarked! .

  129. ativação ibo player

    10th February 2026 at 11:19 pm

    I’ve been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thanks, I’ll try and check back more often. How frequently you update your site?

  130. ar condicionado em guarulhos

    11th February 2026 at 1:46 am

    Howdy very cool website!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally…I’m glad to find numerous helpful info right here in the put up, we need work out more strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

  131. deposit 1000

    11th February 2026 at 5:09 am

    Wohh precisely what I was looking for, appreciate it for posting.

  132. 강남 좋아요 쩜오

    11th February 2026 at 3:03 pm

    You completed various fine points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found most folks will go along with with your blog.

  133. gelatin trick recipe

    11th February 2026 at 6:21 pm

    Very interesting topic, thank you for putting up.

  134. 송파가라오케

    11th February 2026 at 10:23 pm

    Very efficiently written article. It will be beneficial to anybody who usess it, as well as yours truly :). Keep up the good work – i will definitely read more posts.

  135. gelatin trick review

    11th February 2026 at 11:20 pm

    Admiring the hard work you put into your site and in depth information you offer. It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed information. Excellent read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  136. igm247 link alternatif

    12th February 2026 at 12:07 am

    Hey there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Superb blog and terrific design and style.

  137. gelatin trick recipe

    12th February 2026 at 1:44 am

    I like your writing style really enjoying this internet site.

  138. gelatin trick

    12th February 2026 at 5:31 am

    Really Appreciate this post, is there any way I can get an alert email when you make a new post?

  139. gelatin trick

    12th February 2026 at 10:21 am

    Hi, i feel that i noticed you visited my site so i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to in finding issues to enhance my web site!I assume its ok to make use of some of your ideas!!

  140. 강남가라오케

    12th February 2026 at 11:56 am

    You are my inspiration, I have few web logs and occasionally run out from brand :). “‘Tis the most tender part of love, each other to forgive.” by John Sheffield.

  141. gelatin trick

    12th February 2026 at 1:11 pm

    Respect to op, some fantastic information .

  142. casimon

    12th February 2026 at 3:26 pm

    Wow! Thank you! I continually wanted to write on my website something like that. Can I take a portion of your post to my website?

  143. 선릉가라오케

    12th February 2026 at 3:59 pm

    I was examining some of your blog posts on this website and I believe this website is very instructive! Keep putting up.

  144. 송파가라오케

    12th February 2026 at 8:17 pm

    Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossips and web and this is really annoying. A good web site with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for keeping this web-site, I will be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can’t find it.

  145. teslatoto login

    13th February 2026 at 1:26 am

    Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…

  146. boostaro

    13th February 2026 at 2:28 am

    Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!

  147. david hoffmeister spotify

    13th February 2026 at 12:12 pm

    Great – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Nice task.

  148. farmacias similares en linea

    13th February 2026 at 3:16 pm

    Howdy very nice blog!! Guy .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally…I’m glad to search out a lot of helpful info here in the publish, we want develop extra techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing.

  149. 제주가라오케

    14th February 2026 at 11:59 am

    Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea

  150. Curso Pós-Edital Estratégia 2025

    14th February 2026 at 5:18 pm

    Nice blog right here! Also your site so much up very fast! What web host are you the usage of? Can I am getting your affiliate hyperlink in your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol

  151. Preparatório ALE RJ 2025

    14th February 2026 at 8:55 pm

    You really make it seem really easy together with your presentation however I to find this matter to be actually one thing that I think I would never understand. It kind of feels too complex and extremely wide for me. I’m looking forward on your next post, I will try to get the hold of it!

  152. luckydf

    15th February 2026 at 11:40 am

    Good – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs and related information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Nice task.

  153. lucky df apk

    15th February 2026 at 11:59 am

    I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…

  154. xciptv android tv

    16th February 2026 at 7:15 am

    I’m impressed, I must say. Really not often do I encounter a weblog that’s each educative and entertaining, and let me inform you, you might have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is excellent; the problem is one thing that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I’m very completely satisfied that I stumbled across this in my seek for something regarding this.

  155. toto togel

    16th February 2026 at 10:49 pm

    I?¦m not positive the place you’re getting your information, however great topic. I needs to spend a while learning more or working out more. Thanks for great information I used to be in search of this info for my mission.

  156. jackwin77

    17th February 2026 at 1:15 am

    You are a very intelligent person!

  157. depo 5k

    17th February 2026 at 2:23 am

    Rattling instructive and fantastic body structure of content, now that’s user genial (:.

  158. mantap555

    17th February 2026 at 4:25 am

    I like this blog so much, bookmarked.

  159. tlover tonet

    18th February 2026 at 9:52 pm

    Wow! This could be one particular of the most beneficial blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Magnificent. I’m also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your hard work.

  160. regularizacao tributaria

    18th February 2026 at 10:47 pm

    Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site so i came to “go back the choose”.I’m trying to to find issues to improve my web site!I assume its adequate to use some of your ideas!!

  161. gelatin trick

    19th February 2026 at 11:56 am

    I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thank you again!

  162. keluaran macau

    20th February 2026 at 1:26 am

    Some truly excellent information, Sword lily I detected this. “Genuine goodness is threatening to those at the opposite end of the moral spectrum.” by Charles Spencer.

  163. rajabandot

    20th February 2026 at 1:58 am

    Valuable information. Lucky me I found your site by accident, and I am shocked why this accident didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.

  164. mantap555

    20th February 2026 at 4:02 am

    Thank you, I’ve recently been searching for info about this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I’ve came upon so far. However, what about the bottom line? Are you positive about the supply?

  165. top up royal dream

    20th February 2026 at 7:53 am

    Great write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s site, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.

  166. gelatin trick

    20th February 2026 at 11:09 am

    Everyone loves what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and coverage! Keep up the fantastic works guys I’ve you guys to my blogroll.

  167. gelatin trick

    20th February 2026 at 1:22 pm

    Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.

  168. gelatin trick

    20th February 2026 at 7:13 pm

    Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s challenging to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appeal. I must say that you’ve done a awesome job with this. Additionally, the blog loads very quick for me on Safari. Outstanding Blog!

  169. ice gelatin trick

    20th February 2026 at 9:39 pm

    You got a very good website, Gladiola I noticed it through yahoo.

  170. https://odougkp.ru/obzor-kazino-riobet/

    20th February 2026 at 10:25 pm

    Thanks , I have recently been looking for info approximately this subject for ages and yours is the best I’ve discovered so far. But, what concerning the bottom line? Are you sure concerning the source?

  171. gelatin trick

    21st February 2026 at 12:50 am

    Very interesting info !Perfect just what I was looking for!

  172. gelatin trick

    21st February 2026 at 1:30 am

    so much wonderful information on here, :D.

  173. gelatin trick

    23rd February 2026 at 7:10 am

    I have been browsing on-line greater than three hours lately, yet I by no means found any fascinating article like yours. It’s pretty value sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made just right content as you did, the net will probably be a lot more helpful than ever before. “Learn to see in another’s calamity the ills which you should avoid.” by Publilius Syrus.

  174. orange peel trick recipe

    23rd February 2026 at 10:07 am

    You need to participate in a contest for top-of-the-line blogs on the web. I’ll advocate this web site!

  175. bariatric gelatin trick

    23rd February 2026 at 3:56 pm

    Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your site is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this blog. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched all over the place and simply couldn’t come across. What an ideal web site.

  176. gelatin trick recipe

    23rd February 2026 at 11:30 pm

    With everything that appears to be developing inside this area, a significant percentage of perspectives are quite refreshing. Having said that, I am sorry, but I can not subscribe to your entire suggestion, all be it radical none the less. It looks to everybody that your opinions are actually not completely validated and in reality you are generally yourself not really totally confident of your point. In any event I did enjoy reading it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

KEO News Wire

England slice and dice blunt Razor and his frail Fall Blacks

Published

on

By

Razor Robertson’s players may have worn black at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, but they were an insult to the great All Blacks teams that have visited Rugby’s headquarters, writes <strong>Mark Keohane. </strong>England crushed them.

The coach feted as the Knight in Shining Armour never arrived on a stallion. Instead he has come on a donkey, such has been his lack of impact with the All Blacks.

The Springboks, in Johannesburg and Cape Town, showed up the conservative lack of intent with Robertson’s selections and game plan in winning back to back Tests in 2024.

In 2025, the Boks humiliated the All Blacks 43-10 in Wellington, New Zealand, scoring 36 unanswered points.

Argentina also felled Robertson’s All Blacks , in Wellington in 2024 and winning easily in Buenos Aires in 2025.

At Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, every critique of Robertson’s conservatism in selection and indifference in style of play and consistency in performance, was again on display.

The All Blacks scored two early tries to lead 12-0 before 20 minutes, but lost the last hour 33-7. It could – and should – have been more.

This was a dominant England and the only time I can recall England being so in control was in the 19-7 World Cup semi-final in 2019. Back then the only question was how did the All Blacks get seven points and how did England only get 19?

On Saturday, how did England only get 33?

Robertson was gifted the All Blacks job on the basis of seven successive Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders, but Test rugby is not Super Rugby, and Robertson has been the biggest disappointment in his lack of vision and lack of delivery in the biggest Tests.

Since his opening Test in 2024, a one point win against England in Dunedin, his teams have underwhelmed and scraped wins.

The highlight was the 24-17 win at Eden Park against the Springboks in 2025, when the All Blacks led 14-0 after 15 minutes and then hung on for the last 65 minutes. A week later they lost in record-breaking fashion.

Robertson’s All Blacks have gone nowhere in two seasons and walloping Wales next Saturday won’t mask the stagnation of the All Blacks under Robertson.

England’s win was just their ninth in history against the All Blacks in 47 starts, but given the state of the All Blacks they should demand playing them a few times every year while Robertson is in charge. They will quickly move that figure into double figures.

England, 10 wins in succession, are easy on the eye and look very good.

They will be tested more in the Six Nations than they were by Australia, Fiji and the All Blacks, but unlike Robertson’s All Blacks, their graph is on the up.


KEO’S ACCUMULATOR: I GAVE ALL BLACKS HISTORY TOO MUCH CREDIT

Continue Reading

KEO News Wire

Fans’s View: Springboks coaches Rassie & Jacques rock!

Published

on

By

Give Springboks coaches Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber credit. They have made Springboks rugby lekker rugby, writes Shaheen Daniels.

Erasmus, as head coach and Nienaber as his defensive coach, won the 2019 World Cup. The Springboks were sensational hammering England 32-12 in the final in Japan.

The duo changed roles after the 2019 World Cup. Erasmus invested his core energy into the game as National Director of Rugby and Nienaber was made head coach.

The duo masterminded a brutal 2-1 series win against the British & Irish Lions in 2021 and they have won at Twickenham against England and beat the All Blacks on the Australian Gold Coast and were brilliant in beating the New Zealanders 26-10 in Nelspruit in 2022.

There were narrow defeats to Ireland in Dublin and to France in Marseilles, but Daniels’s view is that as a rugby supporter the duo have built one of the strongest and most enjoyable Springbok squads, and that it was right that they were given six years to do so.

‘I just feel that a lot of people are not giving Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber enough credit for their efforts and commitments. In the past coaches only had four years to prove themselves and the sad thing was that a coach was always told that this is “the previous coaches’ players”. Therefore, I have never enjoyed the rugby as much as I do now, because a group of players are involved and understand their roles. The coaches have faith and trust in the players and want to win a World Cup title back-to-back, because in the past it was difficult due to a one-off four year tenure.

‘Their faith in Manie Libbok speaks for itself, because of the defensive structures and DNA in the current Springbok setup. Rassie did mention in the past it does not help to play expansive rugby and score many tries, whereas you are also leaking tries. Therefore, Manie is needed for the expansive style of play.

‘Not to bad mouth Handré, because he is rock solid and likes to attack the line, however I really thought that they might take a consultant like Swys De Bruin and a kicking coach like Percy Montgomery. However I am just a fan and Rassie and co knows far better. And they have my unconditional support.

‘Springbok rugby is lekker rugby!’

Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Continue Reading

KEO News Wire

Fans’ view: Is 2019 Springboks player loyalty a gift or a curse?

Published

on

By

Springboks supporter Klein Strydom fears that too many of the 2019 South African Rugby World Cup winners are past their sell-by date.

Strydom, in his Fans’s view, does not know whether to applaud the loyalty Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber have shown to the 2019 World Cup winning players or to fear it.

Loyalty: Surely a trait that most people would admire? Will it win the World Cup for South Africa this year? Is there room for loyalty in professional rugby?

Nienaber and Erasmus have shown unwavering loyalty to largely the same group of players who won the Webb Ellis trophy in 2019. This despite players being injured, playing poorly and lacking sharpness.
It has clearly made little difference how well the fringe players have performed- the squad was selected long before the recent Internationals. There are numerous examples of this, but it is unfair to single out the players concerned – they don’t select themselves.
This may, come the end of the World Cup, prove to be a masterstroke. We shall see.
Nick Mallett showed no loyalty to his captain, Gary Teichmann, in 199 and it cost the country dearly as well as denying one of our greatest captains the opportunity of playing in a World Cup.
I fervently hope that Rassie and Jacques prove to be right in their loyalty towards certain players and that South Africa will rejoice again like we did in 2019. I fear, however, that too many of the chosen ones are past their best and that 2023 will prove to be a bridge too far for them.
I hope I am wrong.
*The survivors of the 2019 final win against England are: Backline: Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian de Allende and Faf de Klerk. Flyhalf Handre Pollard and inside centre Lukhanyo Am have been given more time to recover from injury and will be drafted into the World Cup squad if fit enough next month. Forwards: Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe and Bongi Mbonambi. Lock Lood de Jager was not considered because of injury and loose-head prop Tendai Mtawarira has retired. All the available players from the famed Bok Bomb Squad (substitute’s replacements) have been included, with the only absentees being the retired loose-forward Francois Louw and utility back Frans Steyn.
Photo: Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images
Continue Reading

KEO News Wire

Fans’ view: Frank’s fed up with Farrell favouritism

Published

on

By

Keo.co.za will bring you a daily Fans’ view as we head into the World Cup. The first up offering is aimed at England flyhalf Owen Farrell and Frank Montgomery writes it is time to red card Farrell for good.

Now I know that the issuing of a red card, especially early on in a contest, is a very contentious issue – the feeling is that it robs spectators from a fair contest, when you have 15 playing against 14. The other side of the coin is that player safety is considered paramount these days, so one has to act and address foul play.

So will it be considered fair if Mr Owen “No Hands” Farrel takes out one of your key players during the World Cup final, but the team is allowed to replace him after a certain period of time? He clearly has no intention to address and correct his style of tackling, but keeps on escaping punishment, yet can have an impact on final outcomes of vital games.

In my opinion the issue of a yellow card, to be reviewed during the 10 minutes the player is end off, is a great new addition – I just feel that if the decision is overturned to a red, the player in question should be called back on to the feel and presented with a red card in his face and the team should not be allowed to replace him at all!

*Farrell was yellow carded for an illegal tackle against Wales at Twickenham, and this was upgraded to a red card by the TMO. The England captain will face a disciplinary on Tuesday and by all accounts should get a six demerit point suspension.

Farrell earlier in the season was suspended for four matches because of head high, no arms, tackle. It was reduced to three matches because Farrell attended a one-day ‘Tackle School Clinic’.

World Rugby confirmed that a player can only attend one such clinic in his professional career as part of mitigation, so Farrell can’t rely on that luxury on Tuesday.

An all Australian Disciplinary Committee will oversee Farrell’s Disciplinary in what could be described a Kangaroo Court, which if effective could ban Farrell for the last England warm-up against Ireland and at least two of the first Group matches in the World Cup.

WATCH: OWEN FARRELL’S RED CARD TACKLE

Photo: Ashley Western/MB Media/Getty Images

 

Continue Reading

KEO News Wire

Snubbing Etzebeth and Savea cheapens World Rugby’s Player of the Year award

Published

on

World Rugby for the second year in a row have released a nomination list for World Rugby Player of the Year that screams oversight and apathy, and Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth and dynamic All Black Ardi Savea are again victims of this shocking selection process, writes Mark Keohane. (more…)

Continue Reading

KEO News Wire

Why Williams is the way forward at scrumhalf

Published

on

On a disappointing night in Cork, after a dire display from South Africa’s “A” side, there was one shining light in Sharks scrumhalf Grant Williams, writes Mark Keohane.

SA “A” conceded four tries in the first half to lose 28-14 to Munster. It’s 80 minutes every South African supporter will really feel they can never get back, but if there was one positive to take from a game otherwise not worth even dissecting, it was that Grant Williams has shown again that he needs to be backed in Springbok colours.

When the Boks finally backed Jaden Hendrikse to start, there was a notable difference in their attacking energy, with the half-a-second extra time on the ball that Hendrikse’s service allowed. Hendrikse was a huge improvement on the notoriously slow passing of Faf de Klerk, but the scrumhalf with the quickest service in South African rugby at the moment is Grant Williams.

Pick him.

Faf de Klerk was perfectly suited to the 2019 Springbok team, whose pack dominated every set piece and allowed him to drop bomb after bomb on the opposition back three. That has not quite been the case over the last year, and the Bok set piece – especially the lineout and the maul – has been a shadow of its previous presence. As has De Klerk, whose sluggish style of play has proven costly and predictable.

Watch: Boks to boss Les Bleus in Marseille

Entrusting Damian Willemse at 10 is making a statement of intent and accepting that the Springboks will be playing a different style of rugby. Imagine how Willemse would thrive off the sort of delivery that Williams could give him from the base of the ruck.

What has become very apparent is that after storming onto the scene prior to the 2019 World Cup and making a few good cameo appearances here and there, Herschel Jantjies just is not up to scratch anymore. He hasn’t been for the Stormers and he most certainly was not for the Springboks last year or SA “A” last night. Jantjies’ kicking game has proven more an asset to the opposition than an attacking weapon for his own team, and his decision-making remains erratic.

The Boks have picked Faf de Klerk to start against France this weekend, and what we can expect – once again – is a fairly one-dimensional approach, that is no longer suited to this current Springbok team. There seems to be a bizarre lack of foresight in the decision-making of the Springbok management, and where steps were taken in the right direction by backing Willemse and Hendrikse as a combination, there is an immediate regression to conservative old ways as soon as pressure put on them by a loss.

Grant Williams needs to be in that Springbok side. He possesses such a dynamic, fast style of play at scrumhalf, and is equally comfortable on the wing – a necessary consideration for a Bok team that needs a back-up kicker on the bench more so than an extra outside back (given Willemse can play fullback too).

The Springboks’ lack of domination at set-piece is a real concern, but what is more concerning is the inability to situationally adapt. The Bok coaches continue to pick a team that plays a direct, confrontational and conservative style of rugby, but then are found scrambling when that approach does not work and these players are expected to try and play expansively and score tries come the second half.

Willemse is not a flyhalf who sits deep in the pocket and slowly moves a team forward by potting long-range territorial punts, so he needs a scrumhalf intent on playing to his fluid, elusive style. Hendrikse has begun to offer him that, but Grant Williams is the way forward if the Springboks are serious about embracing a stylistic change to their backline’s attack.

Watch: Zels and my predictions for Saturday’s clash

Continue Reading

Opinions

Bok coaches have backed the right horses for All Black opener

Published

on

For their opening Test against the All Blacks, the Springboks need the experienced halfback pairing of Faf De Klerk and Handre Pollard to fire, and the Bok coaches have got it spot on by bringing De Klerk back into the starting lineup, despite his indifferent form over the Welsh series, writes Mark Keohane.

Certain players within your system you trust, and for the Springboks Faf De Klerk is one of those. De Klerk’s kicking game and disruptive style of play is an important element in allowing the Springbok gameplan to thrive, and it is all the more important against a side like the All Blacks, who struggle when against sides and players who are able to disrupt their continuity.

Read: Marx strikes 50, Faf back for Boks

Jaden Hendrikse had a fantastic few games against Wales, and his passing game along with the speed at which he plays will be a welcomed factor from the bench. But in a game as big as the All Blacks, it would be silly to simply ignore the years of experience between De Klerk and Pollard, based on an indifferent start to the season.

Yes, De Klerk was neither here nor there and yes, Pollard was far from his best against Wales, but does that mean they should be discarded so quickly when we have seen what they are capable of in the biggest moment? According to the rugby public, yes. For me, it’s a hard no, and I’m relieved to see that the Springbok coaches have backed the horses who have come through for them time and time again for this opening Test.

One hopes that the Welsh series offered a chance for the likes of Pollard and De Klerk to shake off the cobwebs and come fresh into what will be a non-stop international season from Saturday’s Test to the end of year tour where the Boks will face France, Ireland and England.

I believe the two will come good against New Zealand, and they will do so emphatically. What Faf’s lack of form allowed for against Wales was for Hendrikse to be given an opportunity, and his success has just strengthened South Africa’s stocks at scrumhalf. Building to the World Cup it does not have to, and must not be, a case of De Klerk or Hendrikse, it very much should be a case of both. We have seen the success of similar stories in our front row!

When it comes to Saturday, Handre Pollard needs to be kicking at 80%. No team cannot afford penalty and conversion misses against the All Blacks.

Nienaber and Erasmus have picked the right generals for Saturday, but the onus is on De Klerk and Pollard to capitalise on forward dominance and marshall the match in a manner that truly represents their class as players.

In terms of the decision to stick with Jasper Wiese at number 8, it is one that will ring unpopular with much of the South African public, but one that despite my own fondness for Evan Roos and Elrigh Louw, I can understand tactically. Roos and Louw will feature against Australia, and it is very likely a case of the Springbok coaches believing this is the environment in which their skillsets will be best put to use in their debut seasons of Test rugby. Both Louw and Roos should have long Bok careers ahead of them, and their absence from the squad for the first Test against the All Blacks should be no cause for concern. There is still a whole Rugby Championship and end of year tour to be played.

Damian Willemse finally asserted himself at Test level in the Boks home series victory against Wales, and I’m happy to see him backed again at fullback, where he thrived over the three Tests. Willemse’s role is becoming more and more integral to the Boks’ selections and tactical approach, as he offers a great option at inside centre later on in the match, and acts as flyhalf cover.

Willemse’s shift into the starting XV has also very naturally allowed for Willie Le Roux’s transition to the bench, where we are seeing a much more comfortable and natural role for Le Roux. The fullback’s experience has proven handy in the final thirty minutes, and where last year it felt like the Boks were losing something by starting him and pulling him off at half time, they’ve gained so much by having him as a second-half safety option from the bench. Le Roux, if need be, can also come in at flyhalf.

The Boks are well covered by their bench for Saturday, and the versatility of the starting players. As always, their pack is interchangeable and regardless of who starts they boast the best in the world from 1-5. Malcolm Marx starts what will be his 50th Test and we can expect a huge shift from the man who marked his arrival on the Test scene with a performance against the All Blacks in 2017 that the New Zealand Herald gave a 10/10.

The Boks are positioned perfectly to welcome the All Blacks to South Africa by beating them. The coaches have been clever in their selections, and avoided public sensationalism to field close to their best possible side. Not just in terms of who starts where, but how the combinations unfold throughout the game between starters and substitutes.

The Springbok pack needs to dominate the All Black forwards in much the same way that a Leinster-dominated Irish pack did over the course of their 2-1 series victory in New Zealand. Based on the selections made for Saturday, they should.  Off the back of that, De Klerk and Pollard can do some serious damage with a backline that, bar two players, remains the same as the one that won the World Cup in 2019 and inspired a series win against the British & Irish Lions.

Continue Reading

Opinions

Mark Keohane picks his July internationals World XV

Published

on

By

Only three Springboks make my World XV from the July internationals, writes Mark Keohane. What is your best XV this past month?

A disclaimer, I have not considered any French players from their two-Test series win against Japan and none from the Argentina v Scotland three-Test series impressed me enough to crack the World XV.

I focused primarily on the Big Three Test series’s in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

I’ve also considered the comparative strengths of the sides, in terms of opposition, which has influenced my decision-making.

Ireland were outstanding in the first 20 minutes of the opening Test defeat in Auckland and transferred those 20 minutes into 160 minutes in the final two Tests, which they won.

But as good as the Irish played, this is the worst coached and selected All Blacks match-day squads I have reported on since the game turned professional in 1996. They are imposters the Mighty McCaw World Champion Class of 2011-2015.

I felt Wales had the toughest assignment of the northern hemisphere teams and Ireland had the easiest, given who they actually played and not being seduced by the history of who they were playing. When I say easiest, not to be misinterpreted as easy.

Historically, there is no tougher assignment that the All Blacks in New Zealand but in the context of the current fragility of the men in black and the sub-standard pedigree of their head coach Ian Foster, this was a series out of kilter with the quality of what the All Blacks have traditionally produced at home.

Australia and England were very evenly matched and it showed with one score basically separating the two teams in all three Tests.

Wales surprised me and were better than I thought they would be and the Boks overall disappointed me and were not as convincing as I thought they would be, although they showed enough in the third and final Test to give me comfort they will improve at home against New Zealand in August.

Ireland, with seven, provide the most from one country.

So, here’s my July World XV and there will be a few honourable mentions as well. 

15. Damian Willemse (SA)

14. Will Jordan (NZL)

13. Robbie Henshaw (Ire)

12. Owen Farrell (Eng)

11. James Louw (Ire)

10. Jonny Sexton (Ire)

9. James Gibson-Park (Ire)

8. Ardi Savea (NZL)

7. Tommy Reffell (Wales)

6. Peter O’Mahony (Ire)

5. Lood de Jager (SA)

4. Tadhg Berne (Ire)

3. Tadhg Furlong (Ire)

2. Malcolm Marx (SA)

1. Ellis Genge (Eng)

*Henshaw can play 12 and 13 and De Jager is comfortable at 4 or 5.

England’s Freddie Steward gets an honourable mention at fullback. Other honourable mentions, every player in the Irish match-day 23 for those final two Tests, especially flanker Josh van der Vlier, Eben Etzebeth (SA, lock) and Siya Kolisi (SA, flank) for their third Test performances, Steven Kitshoff (SA, prop), Frans Malherbe (SA, prop), Damian de Allende (SA, centre), Louis Rees-Zemmit (Wales, wing), Dan Biggar (Wales, flyhalf), Courtney Lawes (Eng, flank), Jack van Poortvliet (Eng, scrum half), Jack Nowell (Eng, wing), Samu Kerevi (Aus, centre), Michael Hooper (Aus, flank), Tom Wright (Aus, wing), Beauden Barrett (NZL, flyhalf) and Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland, wing).

New Zealand Herald Sport’s World XV

15. Freddie Steward (ENG)

14. Tom Wright (AUS)

13. Samu Kerevi (AUS)

12. Robbie Henshaw (IRE)

11. Marika Koroibete (AUS)

10. Johnny Sexton © (IRE)

9. Nic White (AUS)

8. Ardie Savea (NZL)

7. Josh van der Flier (IRE)

6. Peter O’Mahony (IRE)

5. Eben Etzebeth (RSA)

4. Tadhg Beirne (IRE)

3. Tadhg Furlong (IRE)

2. Dan Sheehan (IRE)

1. Ellis Genge (ENG)

Simon Thomas – Wales on Line World XV

15. Freddie Steward (Eng)

14. Damian Penaud (Fra)

13. Lukhanyo Am (RSA)

12. Robbie Henshaw (IRE)

11. Emiliano Boffelli (ARG)

10. Johnny Sexton (IRE)

9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ire)

8. Ardi Savea (NZL)

7. Josh van der Flier (IRE)

6. Courtney Lawes (ENG)

5. Eben Etzebeth (RSA)

4. Tadhg Beirne (IRE)

3. Tadhg Furlong (IRE)

2. Malcolm Marx (SA)

1. Ellis Genge (ENG)

Continue Reading

Opinions

Bullish Marcell Coetzee must be a Springboks discussion

Published

on

By

Marcell Coetzee will not be picked for the Springboks. The current coaches just don’t rate him. Siya Kolisi will be picked. The current coaches will never leave him out, writes Mark Keohane.

Coetzee was colossal in the Vodacom Bulls quarter-final win against the Cell C Sharks in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

Kolisi was noticeably absent in his influence.

Both players know the national situation. Coetzee knows he won’t be picked and Kolisi knows he will never be dropped. It doesn’t mean there can’t be a discussion about Kolisi’s limited impact in his first season at the Sharks and Coetzee’s monumental contribution to the Bulls since he returned to South Africa from Belfast, Ireland.

Kolisi was my South African player of the season in 2021. He was colossal for the Springboks and he is a player who saves his best performances for the national team, so this is not a point made about whether it should be Kolisi or Coetzee in the Springbok squad.

This is a statement about pre-determined merits, where no matter what the one player does not do, there is no consequence and no matter what the other player does, there is no reward.

I understand Coetzee has accepted that while the incumbent Springboks coaching duo of Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber are in charge, he will not play for the national team. It is also accepted that Kolisi’s position, as a starter and captain, would never be a discussion.

The Bok coaches will always justify an omission with a question of ‘who do I leave out?’ But in this case, it should not warrant a question but an acknowledgement. You don’t have to leave out anyone but you you can add someone.

The Bok coaches will be judged by their results and since taking charge in 2018 Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber have won a World Cup, a Rugby Championship and a British and Irish Lions series. For some, they are beyond a question given they’ve won the big three.

But for others, like myself and possibly every Bulls fan, the question can still be asked, why the disdain for Coetzee?

It surely can’t be performance!

Coetzee is the stand out forward in South Africa, in presence and consistency.

It is one of those unfortunate situations when a player knows that all he can control is his display and the reward will be exclusive to his regional team’s position.

Coetzee has never publicly bemoaned his absence from the national squad and he has never taken to social media or traditional media to trash talk the national coaches. Each week he just goes out and delivers for himself, his teammates and his coach at the Bulls.

It is this type of attitude that got the Bulls into the URC’s semi-finals and it is this type of attitude that means Coetzee, at club level globally, always commands interest and gets so many offers. It isn’t quite the same at the Sharks where 10 of their players can get invited to the national squad, but they can’t advance beyond a quarter-final or finish in a top four.

As it is, the one Sharks player who should be training with the Springboks, No 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, didn’t get an invite.

The 17 players invited to train with the Springboks were predictable in the announcement, but again I felt something was missed in not having Lions flyhallf Jordan Hendrikse a part of the squad.

I don’t know what Hendrikse gains from a flirtation with the Blitzboks when clearly his future is as a No 10 in XVs.

Evan Roos was not in the first Springboks camp alignment. Just how he wasn’t is disconcerting but ultimately he got recognition for his performances.

The Bulls and DHL Stormers advanced to the semi-finals of the URC as the two best South African teams.

Very few Bulls players will be added to the Springboks squad for the three-Test series against Wales, but the Stormers will have greater representation.

It is an odd one when you consider the Bulls beat SA ‘A’ or a midweek Springboks XV in Cape Town last year and at Loftus on Saturday beat a Sharks team with 10 current Springboks squad members.

It should be a discussion but unfortunately it is just an accepted situation – a situation that should never be accepted.

So, people let’s discuss …

Mark Keohane in the Sunday Times on South Africa’s European invitation 

How Mark Keohane and SA Rugby Magazine editor Zelim Nel called a Bulls and Stormers quarter-final win

Continue Reading

Opinions

Fired up Fourie would be fantastic for Springboks

Published

on

By

I would pick Deon Fourie for the Springboks this season and view him as an insurance policy for the 2023 World Cup in France, writes Mark Keohane.

The DHL Stormers veteran will be 37 years-old when the Springboks arrive in France next September to defend the World Cup won in Japan in 2019.

The DHL Stormers play Edinburgh in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town this weekend and another big performance from Fourie is a given.

Each week on social media I applaud the qualities of the Stormers and Western Province senior statesman, and each week I cop abuse from the very same ignorant mob who mocked me when I suggested Schalk Brits could add value to the Springboks in the build-up to the 2019 World Cup. That same mob was out in full force when I made a case for Morne Steyn to be part of the Springboks Test match squad for the three-Test series against the British & Irish Lions.

‘What?’ screamed the mob. ‘Move on man …’

Typically, the response was to get in a 19 year-old as part of the youthful cheerleading.

Kids don’t win teams World Cups and they don’t win teams big series’ like the British & Irish Lions.

There is nothing in sport that can compare with a veteran, with global experience, still playing with the enthusiasm of a teenager and producing player of the match performances with great regularity.

Fourie, in 2022, has been that player for Western Province and significantly for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship.

Brits, primarily a hooker but blessed with such a range of skill that he could comfortably have played in the midfield, was massive for the Springboks at the 2019 World Cup, even though he did not play in the final. 

Brits was part of the leadership group, captained the Springboks at No 8 as a 38 year-old and added a dimension to the well-being of those players not in the play-off match day squads. His influence was immense and the Springboks were beneficiaries of a professional career that totalled 380 matches.

Equally influential was Steyn in the Springboks winning the Test series against the Lions.

Steyn, having retired from Test rugby at the end of 2021, is still playing for the Bulls in the URC and Currie Cup and will end the season having taken his professional first class match total past 420.

Fourie, who has played 96 times for Western Province, 91 for Lyon, 84 for the Stormers and 42 for Grenoble, will end the domestic season on 350-plus matches. He shows no sign of letting up and still leads from the front.

Fourie’s URC form would have everyone raving if he was 20 years-old. The fact that he is 35 years-old should be of no consideration. His numbers are tangible and his off-field influence are intangibles with possibly even more currency.

But for the purposes of the ill-informed and ignorant, it is worth repeating just this one URC statistic: Fourie, in the League was among the leading turnover specialists.

The Springbok coaching duo of Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber have never been afraid to invest in veterans, and hopefully in the next few months they will also acknowledge the form of Fourie.

SA Rugby Magazine: For Fourie Age is Just a Number

Watch: SA Rugby Magazine editor Zelim Nel and Mark Keohane preview the Vodacom URC Play-offs

 

Continue Reading

Opinions

Dobson’s delightful Stormers dominate SA’s URC Team of Season

Published

on

By

The DHL Stormers are South Africa’s best Vodacom United Rugby Championship team and that is why their players dominate my SA team of the season, writes Mark Keohane. John Dobson is also my SA coach of the league.

DHL Stormers coach John Dobson has had to overcome the departure of some of the most prominent and experienced World Cup-winning Springboks in Damian de Allende, Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Bongi Mbonambi and Springboks captain Siya Kolisi. He, at the beginning of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship was also dealing with a failing executive that was subsequently put under administration.

Dobson, once freed up to coach thanks to the quality of the administration job done by former SA Rugby Union CE Rian Oberholzer and a new interim Board, trusted his instincts to persist with his pursuit of a flamboyant and expressive playing style that he felt spoke to the cross cultural make-up of rugby in the Western Cape.

The DHL Stormers, with just one win from their opening five matches, revelled post Oberholzer’s arrival, which allowed Dobson to get back not the field and apply his mind exclusively to the task of coaching and leading the Stormers. The results were incredible, with the DHL Stormers doing the double over Jake White’s Vodacom Bulls in two bruising encounters and coming from 22-7 down in Durban to draw 22-all against the Cell C Sharks and then beating the Durban’s Galacticos 20-10 at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

Pick your SA URC Team of the Season: Back three

The DHL Stormers won eight in succession, seven in a row at the DHL Stadium, and only lost one of their final 13 league matches to be crowned SA’s first ever Shield Winners. #ALLFOR1

Hats off to Dobson. His team have a delight to watch and they deservedly will host a home play-off on 4th June.

DHL Stormers make ups 10 of my XV, Cell C Sharks get two players, Vodacom Bulls two players and the Emirates Lions get one on a wing and a prayer.

Mark Keohane’s SA Vodacom United Rugby Championship Team of the Season

15. Aphelele Fassi (Cell C Sharks)
14. Madosh Tambwe (Vodacom Bulls)
13. Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks) – v/capt
12. Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers)
11. Edwill van der Merwe (Emirates Lions)
10. Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers)
9. Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks)
8. Evan Roos (DHL Stormers)
7. Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls)
6. Marcell Coetzee (Vodacom Bulls)
5. Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers)
4. Adre Smith (DHL Stormers)
3. Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers)
2. Scarra Ntubeni (DHL Stormers)
1. Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – capt
Coach: John Dobson (DHL Stormers)

SA RUGBY MAGAZINE’S Vodacom United Rugby Championship SA Team of the Season

Photo: Ben Evans/Huw Evans/Shutterstock/BackpagePix

Pick your URC Team of the Season: Centres

Continue Reading

Keo TV

Scott Gibbs: South Africa the greatest place in the world to play rugby

Published

on

SA Rugby Editor Zelim Nel and I spoke with legendary Welsh and British & Irish Lions centre Scott Gibbs about the United Rugby Championship, the state of the South African franchises and how the tournament has begun to take shape and where it will go in the future, writes Mark Keohane.

Reflecting on the South African teams’ recent hot run in the URC, Gibbs spoke of being amazed by the wonderful generation of South African player coming through the ranks. We were all in agreement that the four South African franchises would again dominate with results this coming weekend, as has been the trend since the northern sides began coming down south a month ago.

Only now has the tournament begun to really take shape and Gibbs, impressed by the quality of rugby being played, believes that come next year the URC, with the return of crowds a much more settled calendar, will emerge as one of the best domestic tournaments in world rugby.

Gibbs, who in many respects led the charge of the 1997 British & Irish Lions team that beat the Springboks, said he believes that touring South Africa will become one of the biggest experiences for the teams from the Celtic nations, as it is the greatest country in the world to play rugby and one of the most enjoyable to experience as a tourist.

For our full conversations, as well as our predictions for the four South African URC fixtures this weekend, watch below:

Continue Reading

Opinions

Robust Roos makes a statement for Springboks

Published

on

By

Stormers No 8 Evan Roos put down a marker for the Springboks, but as much fun as it is to watch South African teams hammering those from up north in the United Rugby Championship, there isn’t one South African team good enough to beat Leinster in Dublin and win the competition, writes Mark Keohane. (more…)

Continue Reading

Opinions

Lukhanyo Am; World’s best 13 and SA’s best player

Published

on

Find me a 13 in world rugby better than Lukhanyo Am , and find me a player better than him in South Africa at the moment. Am is currently South Africa’s most impactful player, and his performance both at Test and domestic level puts him in rare class of consistency among world rugby’s elite, writes Oliver Keohane. 

There are very few players who are capable of bouncing between the pressure of Test level to the physical rigour of a domestic season and maintaining the standard of performance expected of them. But aside from the physical demands of what has effectively become a year-round rugby season, there is something to be said of the ability of a player to switch on mentally for a domestic season, after coming off a few months of Test rugby. Conversely, to handle the step up from domestic to Test level is an equal mental effort that many do not handle with such ease.

Lukhanyo Am is not many, he is in the special class of player that is seemingly incapable of a poor performance either at Test or domestic level.

Am’s trajectory has been such that where he was lauded initially for his understated organisation of defence and low error-rate, public perception has widened to appreciate his incredible attacking flair, leadership skillset and domineering presence on n the field. While Am is consistently one of the best at Test level, it has become glaringly obvious in both the Currie Cup and URC that he is often the most impactful player on the pitch.

Lukhanyo Am was a late Test find, so to speak, but since his first selection it has become obvious that the Springboks have found the solution to the outside centre issue that Jacques Fourie’s absence left for many years. Am has started in 25 of his 26 tests, of which he has won 17. He’s contributed 25 tries, including one against the British & Irish Lions, which was nominated for World Rugby Try of the Year. More importantly perhaps, have been those that he has assisted… Look no further than Mapimpi’s World Cup final try against England, and Damian De Allende’s in the Springboks win over the All Blacks last year, which started with an incredible offload from Am.

Am has won a British & Irish lions series, won a World Cup and won a Rugby Championship. He has done that in under 30 Tests. Those statistics are phenomenal, and they given added weight by the fact that Am was an integral figure in every one of those accomplishments.

What has been incredibly refreshing and inspiring, in light of his superb three years with the Springboks, is his immediate impact as Sharks captain since the domestic season kicked off. In December Am helped the Sharks to a win over the Bulls, with a stunning intercept try, and in his most recent game ran in the most ridiculous of tries against the Bulls again, straight from the kickoff, to help the Sharks secure another win over them.

Sharks coach Sean Everitt, after their most recent win, lauded Am as the best centre in the world, and I doubt there are many arguing with him. I certainly am not, and his consistency for both the Sharks and the Springboks is a rarity and a commodity.

Continue Reading

Opinions

Stormers in for a shock, Ireland set to rock

Published

on

I sat down with The MoneyMan and SA Rugby Mag editor Zelim Nel to make our picks for this weekend’s URC and Six Nations. I’m expecting the Lions to shock the Stormers in Johannesburg, and Ireland to show why they are the number 2 team in the world at the moment, against a much-hyped French side.

WATCH: URC Preview

WATCH: Six Nations Preview

ALSO ON KEO:

Rassie; pick Ruan Ackermann before it’s too late

Continue Reading

Opinions

Rassie; pick Ruan Ackermann before it’s too late

Published

on

Rassie Erasmus, please give Ruan Ackermann a call and let him know that he will be a Springbok. Before England pick him up to play international rugby, says Mark Keohane.

South Africa needs to secure the services of Ruan Ackermann before he becomes another foreign import who instead of aiding the Springbok cause, becomes a South African competitor. In our latest show for SA Rugby Magazine, myself, Zelim and Ollie discuss Ackermann’s situation and look at the rest of the South African talent taking over the northern hemisphere.

Saffas Abroad: Ackermann, Du Preez steal the show in England

Ruan Ackermann in his time at Gloucester has grown as a player, and grown in an environment without his father as head coach. His growth and success has also come in one of rugby’s toughest domestic competitions globally in the English Premiership. Since leaving the Lions and embracing England as home base, Ackermann has consistently been a standout loose forward among the many internationals who play across the Premiership.

And while South African locals forget with such ease the likes of Ackermann (a talented player who went overseas early), he has not for a moment forgotten his dream of playing for the Springboks. Ackermann, in chatting to SA Rugby Magazine, said that while it would be an honour to play for England, he has never stopped wanting to be a Springbok. The fact that he has come into his best rugby in England does not mean that he should be written off for international inclusion in South Africa, and it would be terribly amiss in a season in which Ackermann is in the form of his life, to risk losing him to England. Especially when he is explicit in his desire to still represent his home country.

Ackermann is among a host of South African players performing in the top ten percent in the northern hemisphere, especially as a loose forward – just think the Du Preez brothers, Jasper Wiese and Marco Van Staden. But all these players have already been blooded as Springboks, and South Africa can rest easy knowing that they will offer their services to the Boks for what should still be long and illustrious careers. That comfort isn’t there yet with Ackermann, who has qualified for England via World Rugby’s residency law, and at any minute could get a call from Eddie Jones and be lured by the lights of Twickenham because South Africa never bothered to call.

Rassie, Jacques, don’t let that happen. Get on that phone to Ackermann as soon as possible to let the kid know that he is in the mix.

WATCH:

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025 Keo.co.za