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‘It’s a dream come true,’ says Krappie after stellar performance against All Blacks
A blinding performance from Springbok scrumhalf Morné van den Berg against the All Blacks in Baltimore on Saturday has likely catapulted him to the front of the Boks’ No 9 queue, after years of being a fringe player. betsport.cv
Krappie, as he is affectionately known, has been part of the Bok setup since making his debut in 2024, and has travelled extensively with them over the years as part of the wider squad, but up until last month had only made six appearances.
But he has gone on to play four games over the past month, coming off the bench against Argentina and in two Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tests against the All Blacks, before earning his first ever start against the Boks’ biggest rivals in the USA at the weekend.
What followed was a superb all-action showing from the 28-year-old, as he played the full 80 minutes, provided crisp service and a competitive kicking game, while he sniped over for a try after pulling the ball out of a maul.
His efforts were rewarded with the man-of-the-match award, as he helped the Boks to a 43-28 win and 3-1 series triumph over their biggest foes, and backed up his brilliant cameo off the bench in the third Test in Soweto a week earlier.
‘Speechless’
“I’m so emotional. I just want to thank the Lord. It looked impossible that I would play in this series (due to picking up an injury late in the URC season), but his miracle hand touched me,” said Van den Berg in a television interview after the match .
“It’s been such a massive honour to play for this team, for this jersey, for our country, and for my family back home. I am so proud of the boys that we could pull it through. It was special (scoring a try). It’s always good to score tries, but a bit more special to score in this game.
“It’s a dream come true (playing against the All Blacks). You honestly dream of this when you’re a young boy playing (rugby) in the garden. Scoring tries in the corner of the garden. And then to be on this field in America, in Baltimore, in front of this amazing crowd. I am speechless.”
Decisions, decisions
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus will now have some tough decisions on his hands, as Van den Berg is arguably the form Bok scrumhalf now, and has proven he has what it takes to play in the big games. Could he now be ahead of Grant Williams and Cobus Reinach in the pecking order?
It will be interesting to see if he will be given a bit of a run in the starting jersey when the Boks continue their Nations Championship campaign during the November internationals.
Next up though, in two weekend’s time, is the one-off Test against Australia, but like the rest of the Bok squad who have been in action in recent weeks, Van den Berg might be rested for the trip Down Under.
Williams, if fit, Herschel Jantjies, Faf de Klerk and even Hashim Pead could come into the reckoning for that Test against the Wallabies.
Springbok Women Name Settled Squad for WXV Global Series Tour of Europe
The Springbok Women will embark on their three-match European tour to kick-start the new WXV Global Series with a settled squad, including former Junior Springbok Women centre Naima Hlatshwayo in place of the injured Zintle Mpupha, when they face Wales at the Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales on Friday, 18 September 2026.
The experienced Mpupha picked up an ankle injury against the Black Ferns on Saturday, 5 September 2026, which ruled her out of the tour, and Bok Women co-coaches Franzel September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt selected Mpupha’s Isuzu Bulls Daisies team-mate Hlatshwayo as her replacement.
Hlatshwayo is the only player in the tour squad who was not involved in preparations for the Test against New Zealand, but the 20-year-old centre from the Nellmapius Rugby Club made her Test debut at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Nairobi earlier this year, scoring tries in two of her three Tests. Injury ruled her out of the two-Test series against the USA in July.
The rest of the squad is well accustomed to the rigours of Test rugby, with captain Babalwa Latsha (44 caps) one of three players with more than 40 caps, while a core group of eight players sits in the 30 to 40 caps bracket.
Following the final training session in Stellenbosch on Friday, 11 September, September expressed satisfaction with the durability and experience of the selected squad.
“We have been building towards this tour for a while now, first with the introduction of new players at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, then the USA incoming Tests, the tour to Fiji, and last weekend’s match against the Black Ferns.”
Springbok Women Co-Coach, Franzel September
“It was a pity to lose Zintle, but at the same time, this creates a great opportunity for Naima, who was part of our squad in Kenya and was in the USA squad, but unfortunately injured at the time.
“The core of our squad has more than 20 caps, which reflects on our wider plan to build experience towards the next World Cup in 2029, while those with 10 caps or fewer point to our plans to bring in players that have been knocking on the door.”
September believes the squad can continue the good form shown this year: “We have won six of our eight Tests played this year, but we now step into the WXV Global Series, where you are playing the best of the best.
“We welcome that challenge too. Every fixture matters and will be delivering meaningful international rugby every year and that is what makes it so exciting to be part of this global spectacle.”
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The squad departed from Cape Town on the afternoon of Saturday, 12 September. After the Cardiff opener, the tour continues with Tests against Italy in Pordenone on Saturday, 26 September and Spain in Seville on Sunday, 4 October, before the South Africans return home for two matches against Ireland in Cape Town on Saturday, 24 October and Saturday, 31 October.
The Springbok Women WXV Global Series European Tour from 18 September to 4 October 2026
Fri 18 Sept: Wales vs. South Africa (Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff)
Sat 26 Sept: Italy vs. South Africa (Stadio Omero Tognon, Pordenone)
Sun 4 Oct: Spain vs. South Africa (Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja, Seville)
Springbok Women WXV Global Series Squad
Backs (13)
Byrhandré Dolf (SA Rugby contracted): 30 caps, 81 points (8 tries, 19 conversions, 1 penalty goal)
Jakkie Cilliers (Rugby Club Toulon Provence Méditerranée): 26 caps, 157 points (11 tries, 42 conversions, 6 penalty goals)
Alichia Arries (DHL Western Province): 10 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames): 11 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies): 36 caps, 85 points (17 tries)
Shiniqwa Lamprecht (Sanlam Boland Dames): 3 caps, 0 points
Naima Hlatshwayo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies): 3 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Patience Mokone (SA Rugby contracted): 5 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Maria Tshiremba (SA Rugby contracted): 1 cap, 15 points (3 tries)
Ayanda Malinga (SA Rugby contracted): 20 caps, 85 points (17 tries)
Libbie Janse van Rensburg (SA Rugby contracted): 35 caps, 221 points (14 tries, 56 conversions, 12 penalty goals, 1 drop goal)
Unam Tose (Isuzu Bulls Daisies): 32 caps, 17 points (3 tries, 1 conversion)
Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens): 9 caps, 3 points (1 penalty goal)
Forwards (17)
Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women): 14 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Sanelisiwe Charlie (Isuzu Bulls Daisies): 33 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Yonela Ngxingolo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies): 47 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies): 16 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Babalwa Latsha (captain, DHL Western Province): 44 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
Lindelwa Gwala (Sharks Women): 41 caps, 90 points (18 tries)
Anushka Groenewald (DHL Western Province): 11 caps, 0 points
Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers): 18 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women): 25 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Vainah Ubisi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies): 27 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province): 20 caps, 0 points
Catha Jacobs (Golden Lions Women): 31 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Sizophila Solontsi (SA Rugby contracted): 36 caps, 50 points (10 tries)
Sinelitha Noxeke (Isuzu Bulls Daisies): 9 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Lerato Makua (SA Rugby contracted): 20 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Logan Welman (DHL Western Province): 6 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames): 35 caps, 85 points (17 tries)
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The Springbok Women take a settled and experienced squad of 30 players on a three-match European tour that launches the new WXV Global Series, with captain Babalwa Latsha leading a group built around a core of seasoned Test campaigners ahead of the opening Test against Wales at the Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales on Friday, 18 September 2026. Photo: SA Rugby / Gallo Images
The post Springbok Women Name Settled Squad for WXV Global Series Tour of Europe appeared first on gsport4girls.
Duan Jansen replaces injured Baartman for Australia ODIs
The left-arm seamer earns a call-up after impressing during South Africa’s tour of Namibia.
Duan Jansen has replaced the injured Ottneil Baartman in the Proteas squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia.
Baartman sustained a left hamstring injury during the Dolphins’ opening match of the first-class season against the Titans. He bowled only five overs before leaving the field and has subsequently been ruled out of the series.
Jansen will join the Proteas squad when they assemble in Durban on 19 September.
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The 26-year-old has strengthened his case during South Africa’s ongoing tour of Namibia. He claimed four wickets in the second ODI in Windhoek, helping the Proteas secure a 157-run victory and an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
Jansen made his T20I debut during the preceding tri-series before receiving his first ODI cap against Namibia. He will now link up with twin brother Marco in the Proteas squad.
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Baartman is the second fast bowler ruled out of the Australia ODIs. Kagiso Rabada will also miss the series because of a right hamstring strain, with Gerald Coetzee previously recalled to the squad.
The series begins at Kingsmead on 24 September before matches at the Wanderers on 27 September and the JB Marks Oval on 30 September.
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Photo: Proteas Men/X
The post Duan Jansen replaces injured Baartman for Australia ODIs appeared first on SA Cricket Mag.
ASEC Mimosas-ASC Kara : les Ivoiriens visent le deuxième tour
L’heure de vérité a sonné à Abidjan. L’ASEC Mimosas accueille l’ASC Kara ce dimanche 13 septembre 2026 au stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny, à partir de 17h00, pour la manche retour du premier tour préliminaire de la Ligue des champions de la CAF.
Après avoir obtenu un nul 1-1 à l’aller au Togo, le club ivoirien est en position favorable pour décrocher sa qualification au tour suivant.
Un résultat à confirmer à domicile
Les Mimosas ont ramené un précieux match nul de leur déplacement à Kara. Avec ce 1-1, les Ivoiriens abordent le retour avec un léger avantage, mais savent qu’ils devront rester concentrés jusqu’au bout.
Devant leur public du « Félicia », les Jaune et Noir veulent faire la différence et éviter toute mauvaise surprise. Une victoire leur ouvrirait évidemment les portes du deuxième tour, tandis qu’un match nul sans but leur permettrait également de poursuivre leur parcours continental.
L’ASC Kara veut renverser la situation
De son côté, l’ASC Kara se présente à Abidjan avec l’ambition de créer la surprise. Après le résultat de l’aller, les Togolais sont dans l’obligation de marquer s’ils veulent prendre une option sur la qualification.
Les joueurs de Kara comptent ainsi jouer leur chance à fond et « mouiller véritablement le maillot » pour renverser la situation. Cette obligation offensive pourrait toutefois offrir des espaces à l’ASEC, qui devra se montrer efficace dans les transitions.
L’ASEC vise le deuxième tour
Pour l’ASEC Mimosas, cette rencontre constitue une étape importante dans sa campagne africaine. Une qualification permettrait au club ivoirien de poursuivre son parcours continental et de se rapprocher de son objectif : atteindre la phase de groupes.
Favoris sur le papier et soutenus par leur public, les Mimosas devront néanmoins se méfier d’une équipe togolaise qui n’a plus rien à perdre. Avec un seul but d’écart entre les deux formations sur l’ensemble des deux manches, la qualification reste totalement ouverte.
The post ASEC Mimosas-ASC Kara : les Ivoiriens visent le deuxième tour appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.