The Emirates Lions play their first Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked home match on Friday evening when they face the Tafel Lager Griquas in a testing encounter in Johannesburg.
 
Kick-off at Emirates Airline Park is at 19h00.
 
Last weekend the Phakisa Pumas came very close to an upset against the DHL Stormers in Nelspruit, and on Saturday Jimmy Stonehouse and his team are involved in another big home fixture when they face the visiting Cell C Sharks. Kick-off in the Mbombela Stadium is at 16h30.
 
The final fixture of the weekend is a traditional North/South battle between the Vodacom Bulls and the DHL Stormers. The two big rivals face each other on Saturday evening in Pretoria, where the starting time is 19h00.
 
The Toyota Cheetahs have a bye this weekend. All the matches are live on the SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby channels.
 
Full team announcements available at the links below.
 
Jantjies resumes captaincy for Emirates Lions’ first home clash
 
Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies has recovered from the calf injury he picked up during a training session last week and will captain the Emirates Lions in their Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked clash with Tafel Lager Griquas in Johannesburg on Friday evening.
 
The Emirates Airline Park fixture starts at 19h00 and is the Emirates Lions first home match of the new campaign, 258 days since their previous match on home turf before the season was suspended due to COVID-19.
 
Jantjies was not considered for his side’s encounter last weekend against the Toyota Cheetahs because of the leg injury, but the match was eventually called off in line with COVID-19 protocols. It was confirmed that Friday evening's clash would go ahead following consultation between SA Rugby and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NCID).
 
Other changes to the Emirates Lions side include the selection of a brand new back trio of Gianni Lombard, Stean Pienaar and Courtnall Skosan. Lombard comes into the side in place of EW Viljoen at fullback, while speedsters Pienaar is preferred over Jamba Ulengo, and Skosan starts instead of Rabz Maxwane.
 
Tafel Lager Griquas coach Scott Mathie has named a much-changed team for their Friday evening encounter.
Only six players from their last match – a home defeat to the Phakisa Pumas almost a fortnight ago – have retained their positions in the starting line-up, while there are two positional changes.
 
The six players who will start in the same positions as two weekends ago, are the midfield pairing of Harlon Klaasen and Andre Swartz, the halfbacks George Whitehead and Zak Burger, Stefan Willemse (flank) and HJ Luus (hooker).
 
The teams:
 
Emirates Lions: 15 Gianni Lombard; 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan; 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Morné van den Berg; 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 MJ Pelser, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16 PJ Botha, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Jannie du Plessis, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Burger Odendaal, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.
 
Tafel Lager Griquas: 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 Harlon Klaasen, 12 André Swarts, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 George Whitehead (captain), 9 Zak Burger, 8 Carl Els, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Adré Smith, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 HJ Luus, 1 Andrew Beerwinkel. Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Mox Mxoli, 18 John-Roy Jenkinson, 19 Johan Momsen, 20 Ewan Coetzee, 21 Theo Maree, 22 Tinus de Beer, 23 Masixole Banda, 24 Bandisa Ndlovu, 25 CJ Velleman, 26 Johnathan Francke.
 
Match information – Emirates Lions v Tafel Lager Griquas
Date: Friday, 30 October 2020
Time: 19:00
Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg                                        
Referee : Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Stuart Berry
Television Match Official: Jaco Peyper
TV: SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby
 
Phakisa Pumas tweak starting side for Cell C Sharks encounter
 
Phakisa Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse made just two changes to his starting 15 for their round four home clash against the Cell C Sharks in Nelspruit on Saturday afternoon.
 
Stonehouse kept his side that tested the DHL Stormers to the limit last week at the Mbombela Stadium largely intact, making only one change in the front row and another at flyhalf.
 
Front ranker Liam Hendricks comes into the side as a rotational switch with Morgan Naude, while Fiela Boshoff earned the nod at flyhalf in place of Eddie Fouche.
 
Meanwhile, Cell C Sharks head coach, Sean Everitt, has had to make a few changes due to injury, while also using rotation to keep the squad both fresh but also battle-hardened.
 
Springbok prop Thomas du Toit is out because of injury and he’s replaced by John-Hubert Meyer.
 
The loose-forward trio has been rejigged; with James Venter having injured his ankle against the Vodacom Bulls, he is replaced by Dylan Richardson while Sikhumbuzo Notshe is out with a hamstring strain although it is hoped he will be available next week.
 
Madosh Tambwe (wing) will also get his first run in the competition in place of Werner Kok.
 
“We weren’t happy with our set-piece, but fortunately it is something we can fix and we’ve worked hard to rectify that. We’re looking forward to redeeming ourselves this weekend,” Everitt explained.”
 
The teams:
 
Phakisa Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Neil Maritz, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Wayne van der Bank, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Fiela Boshoff, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Pieter Jansen van Vuren (captain), 4 Darrien Landsburg, 3 Ruan Kramer, 2 AJ le Roux, 1 Liam Hendricks. Replacements (from): Marko Janse van Rensburg, Stepan de Jager, Brendon Valentyn, Phumzile Maqondwana, Chriswill Willemse, Neil Marais, 22 Ali Mgijima, Dewald Maritz, Daniel Maartens, HP van Schoor, Kwanda Dimaza.
 
Cell C Sharks: 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Yaw Penxe.
 
Match information – Phakisa Pumas v Cell C Sharks
Date: Saturday, 31 October 2020
Time: 16h30
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Egon Seconds
Television Match Official: Marius Jonker
TV: SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby
 
Nyakane to anchor Vodacom Bulls’ scrum against DHL Stormers
 
Springbok Rugby World Cup winning prop Trevor Nyakane will anchor the scrum in the only change to the Vodacom Bulls starting team for their outing against the DHL Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday evening.
 
The starting team will no doubt lean toward the abrasive yet dynamic style of play that former Junior Springbok lock forward Ruan Nortje brings to the table. The talented youngster has made 20 carries and 21 tackles thus far and is one of only two players to do so after three rounds of action.
 
The only change amongst the replacements sees Springbok loose forward Nizaam Carr replacing fellow Springbok Arno Botha.
 
“The Stormers tend to be our measuring stick and beating them is non-negotiable amongst the players,” said Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White.
 
Springbok loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff will captain the DHL Stormers for their visit to the capital.
 
Kitshoff takes over the captaincy from Siya Kolisi, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
 
Jaco Coetzee, meanwhile, replaces Kolisi on the side of the scrum, while JD Schickerling will start at lock in the only other change to the forward pack.
 
DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that his side is looking forward to testing themselves in what should be another North-South classic.
 
“This match is one of the highlights on the South African rugby calendar, so we are looking forward to taking on that challenge this weekend,” said Dobson.
 
The teams:
 
Vodacom Bulls team: 15 David Kriel, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jacques van Rooyen. Replacements: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren.
 
DHL Stormers team: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Jaco Coetzee, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain). Replacements (from): 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 David Meihuizen, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Ben-Jason Dixon, 23 Godlen Masimla, 24 Tim Swiel, 25 Angelo Davids, 26 Tristan Leyds.
 
Match information – Vodacom Bulls v DHL Stormers
Date: Saturday 31 October
Kick-off: 19:00
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria                                                         
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Stuart Berry
Television Match Official: Jaco Peyper
TV: SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby
 
Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked media resources: Latest News | Match Centre | Standings | Statistics

​Issued by SA Rugby Communications

SA Rugby is investigating a breach of COVID-19 regulations during which a young rugby player from a club in Border tragically passed away after picking up a serious injury during a tournament match.


The name of the deceased player is Vizicelo Sebenza Zondani and the incident happened at a tournament at Ngqwele Location near King William’s Town on Saturday 24 October 2020.
 
“This is a tragic incident that should never have happened, and our hearts go out to the family, friends and team-mates of Vizicelo,” said Mr Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby.
 
“Unfortunately, this goes directly against our COVID-19 guidelines around return to training, as all amateur rugby matches have been suspended for the year due to the pandemic and all our unions, clubs and other bodies know this.
 
“This tournament should never have taken place and we will launch a full investigation into the incident, as well as the tournament.”
 
SA Rugby again reiterated that their COVID-19 Committee (CovCom) had approved a proposal to allow amateur clubs, universities, associate members and schools teams to return to training under certain strict conditions, and that a return to play will not be permitted in 2020. No further comment will be made on the matter.
 
Issued by SA Rugby Communications

As a young girl, Rights Mkhari harboured dreams of representing her country in sport, and thanks to her dedication and talent she is now a dual international rugby player, playing for the Springbok Women’s 15’s team and contracted to the Springbok Women’s Sevens team.
 
Such is the impact the Springbok Women’s lock has made on the field, she was the top points and try scorer for the South Africans in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in 2019, which doubled up as the 2021 Rugby World Cup Qualifier, scoring seven tries – with hat-tricks in two of the three matches – for an impressive total of 35 points.
 
Born in the rural Bungeni Village near Louis Trichardt in Limpopo, Mkhari had to travel to a neigbouring village to play rugby socially with a group of schoolgirls, and essentially learned to play the sport by watching matches online.
 
The lessons learned on and off the field have not only allowed her to make a living as a rugby player, it also inspired her to take up her studies – a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Leisure at University of Venda, where she is currently in her final year.
 
Her self-belief and determination to succeed makes Mkhari the Springbok Women’s third ‘Unstoppable’.
 
The ‘Unstoppables’ is the second phase of World Rugby’s ‘Try and Stop Us’ women’s rugby campaign, which was launched in 2019 with the objective of lifting the profile of women’s rugby, and attracting new fans, players and investors to the game.
 
“When I was young, long before I started playing rugby, I had a dream of wearing green and gold representing South Africa,” said Mkhari.
 
“I tried my luck in athletics, but along the way I was exposed to rugby and I immediately saw the opportunity and possibilities to play for the national team.
 
“Rugby has made me who I am today.
 
“I knew at high school level that I wanted to make a career of rugby, and the opportunity to travel through the sport made me realise that I need a career after rugby so that I can fulfil my dreams of going to new and exciting places and make something more of my life.
 
“In fact, if it wasn’t rugby, I wouldn’t have been at university today.
 
“Rugby also shaped my personality and taught me valuable lessons, which I have been able to apply to my life in general.”
 
Explaining what it took for her to participate in rugby, Mkhari said: “The biggest challenge to get to where I am today was probably the fact that I basically had to learn to play rugby on my own initially.
 
“Long distance running was my sport of choice when I was growing up, and one day while I was out for a jog I met a few rugby players, and they asked me to join their team at a neighboring school.
 
“I used to watch videos of the sport when I got home because there was no coach nor rugby facilities in my village.”
 
Mkhari prides herself on her mental strength and determination – factors she believes has contributed to making her ‘Unstoppable’.
 
“My high work ethic and dedication both in terms of my eating and training have been vital in building my career,” she said. “I constantly strive to improve my skills and develop new ones, and I always give my all on the field.”
 
Click here for a Q&A with Rights Mkhari.
 
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
​

The Xerox Lions will meet the Vodacom Blue Bulls in the final of the SA Rugby U21 Championship at Emirates Airline Park on Friday 30 October, after the Johannesburg outfit booked their final berth with a convincing 54-19 victory over DHL Western Province on Sunday.
 
The Xerox Lions U21s, who entered their final pool match on Sunday in pole position for the remaining spot in the grand finale thanks to a superior points’ difference over the Toyota Cheetahs, were committed on attack and defence and their efforts paid off as they scored an impressive seven tries.
 
The Vodacom Blue Bulls U21s, who had a bye this weekend, booked their final berth in style in their closing pool match with an emphatic 72-26 win over the Cell C Sharks last week.
 
The result not only paved the way for the Pretoria outfit to have a shot at defending their title, it also left them in the comfortable position of being able to sit back this week as the top team on the standings.
 
In the first match on Sunday, the Toyota Free State did well to capitalise on their chances for a rewarding 40-21 victory against the Cell C Sharks.
 
The Cheetah cubs led from the start and outscored their opponents six tries to three for a well-deserved bonus point victory.
 
Seven try romp for Xerox Lions U21
 
The Xerox Lions’ patience on attack and efficiency at taking the points on offer steered them to a rewarding 54-19 home victory against DHL Western Province and secured their spot in the Final of the SA Rugby U21 Championship.
 
The hosts were calm and collected on attack in the first half, launching regular attacking spells, while Luke Rossouw (centre) was on form with the boot, which saw them build up an encouraging 23-7 halftime lead.
 
They continued to show their class in the second half, adding five tries to take their tally to seven – with Francke Horn (replacement loose forward) and Runaldo Pedro (scrumhalf) earning braces – and with DHL Western Province battling to make their presence felt, the result was never in doubt.
 
Rossouw put his team in the lead in the seventh minute with a penalty goal, and he added a second long-range three-pointer 11 minutes later before Junior Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye crashed over for their first try from a pick-and-go in the 26th minute.
 
Horn crossed the chalk for the Xerox Lions’ second try two minutes later as they took advantage of the unorganised defence and spread the ball out wide. This handed the home side a 20-0 lead.
 
DHL WP finally got on the scoreboard in the 36th minute compliments of a penalty try following a powerful scrum, but the hosts had the last say going into the break with Rossouw kicking his third penalty goal to stretch their lead to 23-7.
 
The Xerox Lions struck again less than 50 seconds into the second half with Ngia Selengbe (wing) forcing his way through in the corner, and they racked up their fourth try minutes later after a stunning break by Emmanuel Tshituka (lock) who delivered a perfect pop pass to Pedro (scrumhalf) to touch down.
 
The visitors launched a determined counterattack and it paid off with Jarrod Taylor (flank) beating two defenders to get over in the corner, but this was cancelled out almost immediately as Pedro tapped the ball forward and gathered it to score his second try and push their score to 40 points.  
 
They continued to test the visitors with their balanced attack and it paid off as Tshituka scored their sixth try in the 65th minute from a strong rolling maul, and Horn followed with his second five-pointer with 10 minutes left to play after receiving the ball at depth close to the tryline.
 
DHL Western Province refused to give up and added a consolation try in the 72nd minute thanks to their captain Marcel Theunissen (loose forward) from a maul, but this was too little too late as the hosts walked away with a 54-19 victory.
 
Scorers:
 
Xerox Lions 54 (23) – Tries: Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Francke Horn (2), Ngia Selengbe, Runaldo Pedro (2), Emmanuel Tshituka. Conversions: Luke Rossouw (5). Penalty goals: Luke Rossouw (3).
 
DHL Western Province 19 (7) – Tries: Jarrod Taylor, Marcel Theunissen; Penalty Try. Conversion: Christopher Schreuder.
 
Toyota Free State U21s finish with a flurry
 
Toyota Free State made better use of their opportunities as they beat the Cell C Sharks by 40-21 in their final pool match of the SA Rugby Under-21 Championship in Johannesburg on Sunday.
 
The Cheetah cubs led from start to finish and scored six tries to three for a well-deserved bonus point victory.
 
Both teams were full of running but also solid on defence, which led to nine tries in the match. While the Cell C Sharks’ forwards had the upper hand at times, they did not play with enough patience on attack and often turned the ball over in good positions on the field.
 
On the contrary, Toyota Free State showed more composure, used their opportunities better and hit gaps in the midfield on a few occasions with Shayne Bolton (centre) leading the charge.
 
The Free Staters started like a house on fire, making the most of their opportunities to score three converted tries in the first 12 minutes.
 
First Bolton rounded off in the fourth minute after a big midfield break from an attacking lineout move in the fourth minute.
 
Five minutes later the Free Staters perfectly executed a superb lineout move – with three close passes amongst the forwards – for Janus Venter (hooker) to go over untouched.
 
And a mere three minutes after that, with the Cell C Sharks pushing hard deep in Toyota Free State territory, the men in white made the most of a turnover to race away with Siyanda Cele (wing) scoring after some great handling by Bolton and his midfield parter, Conan Le Fleur.
 
Charles Williams converted all three tries as Toyota Free State took a well-deserved 21-0 lead.
 
At that stage it looked like there was only one team on the field, but the Cell C Sharks started playing with more composure and scored two tries of their own in the final 15 minutes of the first half.
 
Adam Mountfort (flank) went over from a lineout drive and that was followed by a well-worked try by Thaakir Abrahams (fullback), three minutes before the break, in the corner off the back of a monstrous scrum by the KwaZulu-Natalians.
 
With Murray Koster (flyhalf) adding both conversions from tricky angles, the teams went into the break with the Cheetah cubs holding a 21-14 lead.
 
The Free Staters started the second half like they did the first when Cohen Jasper (fullback) went over after a great backline move from a lineout that included a great break by Le Fleur from a lineout.
 
The Cell C Sharks could not shake their try-line jitters as they kept on turning over possession close to the Cheetahs’ tryline.
 
On the hour mark, Toyota Free State yet again took the gap – literally and figuratively – when Bolton broke the Sharks’ defensive line to put Juandre Sabbat (wing) over for his team’s fifth try and a commanding 33-14 lead.
 
Two minutes later, the Cell C Sharks were back on the attack in the Free Staters’ 22, and this time they held onto the ball with DJ Falconer (centre) running a great line to score. Koster added the extras to make it 33-21 with just over 15 minutes to go.
 
But the last say belonged to Toyota Free State when they yet again scored from a counter-attack that started in their own half. This time Le Fleur dotted down after Cele raced down the right touch line before giving the ball to his team-mate for a deserved try.
 
Scorers:
 
Toyota Free State U21 40 (21) – Tries: Shayne Bolton, Janus Venter, Siyanda Cele, Cohen Jasper, Juandre Sabbat, Conan Le Fleur. Conversions: Charles Williams (4), Franco Smith.
 
Cell C Sharks U21 21 (14) – Tries: Adam Mountfort, Thaakir Abrahams, DJ Falconer. Conversions: Murray Koster (3).
 
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
​

From humble beginnings in the Middledrift eNjwaxa location near King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape to being one of the top women’s rugby players in South Africa, Springbok Women’s centre Zintle Mpupha’s journey to becoming a professional rugby player is nothing short of admirable.
 
Mpupha – a dual international who has played for the Springbok Women and serving as one of the contracted players in the Springbok Women’s Sevens team – was named as the first of 10 Springbok Women who will be unveiled in the next six weeks as ‘Unstoppables’.
 
The ‘Unstoppables’ is the second phase of World Rugby’s ‘Try and Stop Us’ women’s rugby campaign, which was launched in 2019 with the objective of lifting the profile of women’s rugby, and attracting new fans, players and investors to the game.
 
Mpupha was born in the small Eastern Cape location on Christmas day, 25 December 1993, and although her family had to make the most of the resources they had as her mother Nomatheko Mpupha was employed as a cashier while she was growing up, this did not stop her from making a big success of her life.
 
Interestingly rugby was non-existent in her township – as cricket was the sport of choice – and there were no rugby facilities to speak of, yet she carved a noteworthy life for herself through the sport.
 
“Rugby has totally changed my life,” said Mpupha.
 
“Thanks to the sport, I am independent and able to offer my family the support they need.
 
“Every opportunity I receive in rugby deepens my passion for sport, opens my eyes wider and enables me to create more goals and seek more opportunities, so I make sure I grab it with both hands and ensure that it is meaningful.
 
“Playing for Springbok Women and representing my country is a dream come true and an honour, but most importantly it has allowed me to create hope and showcase the opportunities out there for young girls who would like to become Springboks one day.
 
“Every time I take the field, I give my best because I believe that by putting women’s rugby on the map the young girls in the country may receive more opportunities in future and will also realise their hopes and dreams.”
 
Unlike like most of her team-mates who chose to play rugby from the outset, Mpupha almost stumbled onto the oval ball after establishing herself as an astute cricketer for the Border women’s team and the Cricket South Africa Under-19 women’s teams in 2009 and 2011, and she later had to choose her sport of choice.
 
“As much as I love cricket, my passion for rugby developed much faster, and I ended up choosing rugby,” said the Human Movement Sciences graduate and Psychology student.
 
“In fact, that was one of the biggest decisions I had to make in my life.
 
“The biggest challenge has probably been the fact that after waiting two years to advance to the women’s Under-20 structures there was a long wait until 2017 to play for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team, while I only made my Springbok Women’s debut in 2018. But it was certainly worth the wait and the tough times along the way.”
 
Mpupha speaks highly of the most influential figures in her rugby career – former Springbok Women’s captain Mandisa Williams and her former club and Border women’s coach, Skwiri Nkolonza.
 
“Mandisa has played a huge role in my career – She has been a team-mate, sister, mother figure and coach during my time at Border, and I always looked up to her because of the passion she has for women’s rugby,” said Mpupha.
 
“Skwiri on the other hand was one of the best coaches I ever had. He made me the strong person I am today because he always pushed me to the limit, and thanks to his guidance I am reaping the rewards today.”
 
Mpupha lists her short-term goals as trying playing her way into the Springbok Women’s team that will compete at the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, and to participate in the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town in 2022, while her long-term dream is to move into a management role in the Springbok Women’s set-up as the team Biokineticist.
 
For a Q&A with Zintle Mpupha, click here.
 
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
​

The Vodacom Blue Bulls were in rampant form as they scored 10 tries to book their spot in the SA Rugby Under-21 Championship Final with an impressive 72-26 win over the Cell C Sharks at Emirates Airline Park on Sunday.
 
The men from Pretoria held a 20-0 lead at the break and kept increasing that margin in a second half that saw 78 points being scored.
 
In the second match on Sunday, DHL Western Province, scored a crucial try at the final buzzer as they beat Toyota Free State by 47-28, keeping alive their chances to make it to the Final on 30 October.
 
The late try secured the Capetonians a bonus point as they moved from the bottom of the log to third place and back into contention with one round of pool matches remaining.
 
Next Sunday, the Cell C Sharks and Toyota Free State (both with four log points) will kick-off at 10h30, and the match between DHL Western Province (five points) and the Xerox Lions (nine points) – which is likely to deliver the other finalist – starts at 13h45.
 
The Vodacom Blue Bulls are the defending champions and have a bye next Sunday, but their big win over the Cell C Sharks guaranteed them top spot on the log (15 log points), so all eyes will be on the remaining four teams next Sunday, all of whom still have a mathematical change to qualify for the 30 October showpiece.
 
Match reports of today’s matches below:
 
Ten-try Vodacom Blue Bulls smash Cell C Sharks
 
Ten tries, seven of which came in a whirlwind second half of their match against the Cell C Sharks, eased the Vodacom Blue Bulls into a very convincing 72-26 win in their final SA Rugby Under-21 Championship pool game.
 
The coastal side had no answer to the support play shown by the team in blue, and did themselves no favours with some ill-discipline earlier in the match, which helped the Vodacom Blue Bulls to break the shackles and apply some score board pressure on their opponents.
 
In fact, the 20-0 scoreline after half an hour of play saw the Cell C Sharks chasing the game from early on.
 
The KwaZulu-Natalians’ flyhalf, Ryhardt Jonker, had an early opportunity with a long range penalty attempt, but the ball bounced off the upright. Instead, it was his opposite number, David Coetzer, who got the first points after nine minutes in what started a mini-scoring spree from the Vodacom Blue Bulls.
 
Coetzer then missed two long range efforts before the water break, which saw the Pretoria outfit with a three point lead. The next ten minutes were telling though.
 
First Stravino Jacobs was worked over in the right hand corner. The Vodacom Blue Bulls attacked well down the blind side, the wing was got the ball in space and he dotted down. Richard Kriel, who took over the kicking duties, slotted the tight conversion.
 
That lead was extended two minutes later when a Taakir Abrahams kick was charged down by Diego Appollis and his midfield partner, Jay-Cee Nel pounced. The centre kicked ahead and gave Kriel a second and much easier conversion.
 
After 30 minutes and 17-0 down, the Cell C Sharks suddenly were chasing the game. The Vodacom Blue Bulls, on the other hand, kept their composure and waited for their opponents to make mistakes. And there were plenty, allowing Kriel to slot a penalty goal from right in front with the first half siren looming.
 
The lanky left-footed Kriel kicked another penalty goal shortly after the restart before a fine try by Appollis extended the lead to 28 points. The outside centre found space on a counter-attack and ran in from 45m, outsprinting the desperate Cell C Sharks cover defence.
 
The coastal side pulled one back shortly after, when Lucky Dlepu scored. The scrumhalf took a quick tap from a penalty 10m out and stepped past a number of Vodacom Bulls defenders.
 
Kriel enjoyed his responsibilities as goal kicker and slotted a long range effort after 55 minutes to take the lead out to 31-5.
 
The Cell C Sharks scored their second try just under the hour mark when Jean Roux (wing) kicked ahead and found the bounce to his favour. Jonker kicked a good conversion from wide out to cut back the lead to 31-12 with 20 minutes to play.
 
From the restart, the Vodacom Blue Bulls’ hooker Janco Uys scored his side's fourth try. The Cell C Sharks failed to gather the kick-off, the men in blue pounced and Uys ran onto the final pass to get his third try of the tournament.
 
A minute later Sebastiaan Jobb ran impressively down the right hand touch to add his name to the score sheet. A turn-over ball saw the Vodacom Blue Bulls attack the blind side and found the wing speeding away from the cover defence for a 41-12 lead.
 
An hour into the game, Cell C Sharks midfielder Le Roux Malan scored after a strong run and Jonker's conversion cut the lead back to 41-19.
 
Jacobs got his second of the match and fifth try of the tournament when he stepped inside his man to dot down in the corner.
 
Jan-Hendrik Wessels scored their seventh try as the Vodacom Blue Bulls outworked the Cell C Sharks on attack. The ball was moved across the field in a number of phases and Wessels broke the final tackle to dot down under the posts.
 
Try number eight was another stunner by the Vodacom Blue Bulls when their replacement centre Marnus Potgieter ran a great line from a lineout attack and his pass found Hendrik du Toit (replacement flanker).
 
A minute later, Ruben Beytell was over as well as the replacement flyhalf ran a great support line to receive the final pass.
 
Malan scored his second for the Cell C Sharks after a counter-attack from way inside their own half, but that try was of academic nature only.
 
Wessels just restored the dominance with a quick-tap penalty from close range, getting his second of the half. Kriel's final kick went wide, but he still managed to contribute 19 points to the Vodacom Blue Bulls’ tally.
 
Scorers:
 
Vodacom Blue Bulls 72 (26) – Tries: Stravino Jacobs (2), Jay-Cee Nel, Diego Appollis, Janco Uys, Sebastiaan Jobb, Jan-Hendrik Wessels (2), Hendrik du Toit, Ruben Beytell. Conversions: Richard Kriel (5). Penalty goals: David Coetzer, Kriel (3).
 
Cell C Sharks 26 (0) – Tries: Lucky Dlepu, Jean Roux, Le Roux Malan (2). Conversions: Rynhardt Jonker (2), Malan.
 
DHL Western Province stay in hunt with first win and late bonus point try
 
DHL Western Province scored seven tries, including a second hat-trick in as many matches by Blitzbok speedster Angelo Davids (left wing), en route to a 47-28 win over the Toyota Free State at Emirates Airline Park.
 
Crucially the seventh try, by Waqar Solaan (centre), confirmed a crucial bonus point the Capetonians, who are still in the running, despite their slow start.
 
DHL WP side started with more intent than their opponents from the heartland. De Wet Marais (flanker) scored in the opening minutes following sustained pressure by his side.
 
Their pack had the early dominance and Chris Schreuder (flyhalf) used his loose forwards to punch holes in the Free State defence. It was off such a play that the loose forward bust through and over the line for the opening score.
 
The Free Staters gained momentum as DHL WP conceded a number of penalties and from one of those, near the Province line, Toyota Free State opted for a scrum. This worked in their favour as Cohen Jasper (fullback) blitzed through a gap to score, with Charles Williams (flyhalf) levelling the scores after 17 minutes.
 
Davids then outpaced the Cheetah defence with a 55m run, showing the Bloemfontein cover defence a clear pair of heels for his first of the afternoon. Schreuder converted to give his side a 14-7 lead at the first water break after 20 minutes of play.
 
DHL Western Province kept the momentum after the first stop in play and five minutes later, Dian Bleuler (prop) crashed over from an attacking lineout.
 
Davids extended the lead with his second try, showing his great pace as he ran onto a kick from DHL WP scrumhalf Thomas Bursey.
 
The Cheetahs were still in it though, thanks to good first phase play and following an attacking lineout, William Moffat (hooker) scored at the back of the maul to bring score back to 26-14 after 31 minutes.
 
A good try by DHL WP fullback Sibabalwe Xamlashe edged his team further ahead, with a yellow card to Cheetahs wing Cham Mzondeki not helping their cause.
 
Toyota Free State struck despite being a man down with Cornel Korff dotting down after some patience on attack and good inter-passing between forwards and backs saw the scrumhalf dotting down under the sticks.
 
Davids blitzed in for his third as the team from Bloem completely missed the kick-off and the wing collected the ball to run in unopposed.
 
Toyota Free State were starting to push hard though and a well-timed run by Jasper saw him in for second try as they attacked to the left side from a scrum in the middle of the field, and Jasper looped around to find open space and the try-line.
 
Schreuder kicked two long range penalty goals to ease DHL WP out to a 42-28 lead with 12 minutes to play, and while the Free Staters came close, Solaan had the last say with his crucial try in the corner after the final buzzer.
 
Scorers:
 
DHL Western Province 47 (31) – Tries: De Wet Marais, Angelo Davids (3), Dian Bleuler, Sibabalwe Xamlashe, Waqar Solaan. Conversions: Chris Schreuder (3). Penalty goals: Schreuder (2).
 
Toyota Free State 28 (14) – Tries: Cohen Jasper (2), William Moffat, Cornel Korff. Conversions: Charles Williams (4).
 
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
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The DHL Stormers were victorious in their first Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked outing when they defeated the Emirates Lions 23-17 at DHL Newlands on Saturday evening. The Cape side had a bye in the first round.
 
In the earlier match on Saturday afternoon played in Kimberley, the visiting Phakisa Pumas fought their way to a deserved 27-21 win over the Tafel Lager Griquas.
 
The Toyota Cheetahs managed to hold on for a tight 19-17 in over the Vodacom Bulls on Friday evening in Bloemfontein, while the Cell C Sharks had a rest weekend.
 
As a result of their second successive win the Free Staters are sitting on top of the log with nine points from two wins, followed by the Vodacom Bulls (five points), the DHL Stormers, Cell C Sharks and Phakisa Pumas, all on four points each.
 
Click on the headline-link to download the full match report.
 
DHL Stormers grab comeback win over Emirates Lions
 
The DHL Stormers delivered an improved second half performance to grab a 23-17 comeback win over the Emirates Lions at DHL Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday evening.
 
The visitors from Johannesburg made the better start and led 10-6 at halftime, but the home side managed to turn things around in the second half for a deserved but close fought win.
 
However, Siya Kolisi’s team delivered a much more composed effort in the second half, cutting down on their error rate, which resulted in two tries.
 
The Capetonians, with no less than seven Springboks in their starting team, gradually gained the ascendency and took their scoring opportunities while keeping the visitors in check with some solid defence.
 
Toyota Cheetahs hold on for tight win over Vodacom Bulls
 
The Toyota Cheetahs battled their way to a close-fought 19-17 win over the Vodacom Bulls in their clash in Bloemfontein on Friday evening. The home side led 13-3 at halftime and managed to hang on for their second successive win of the competition.
 
The Vodacom Bulls had a chance to level matters right at the end when Joe van Zyl (replacement hooker) crashed over for their only try from a lineout maul. However, Chris Smith (replacement flyhalf) missed the conversion attempt to allow the Free Staters to grab the winning points for a second week in a row.
 
The men from Pretoria had a first half to forget with too many errors, while the home team also made life difficult for their visitors with some bone crunching defensive hits.
 
The visitors finished strongly but the home side managed to hang on for a tight win stay on top the log standings after two rounds.
 
Fouche steers Phakisa Pumas to victory in Kimberley
 
Phakisa Pumas flyhalf Eddie Fouche delivered a superb individual performance to steer his team to a 27-21 victory over Tafel Lager Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Mpumalanga side led 17-11 at halftime and faced a strong second-half challenge by the hosts, but a converted try with 10 minutes left to play set them up for the six-point victory and their first win of the new campaign.
 
Fouche deservedly earned the man of the match award for his influential performance, which included kicking all three conversions and two penalty goals for personal tally of 12 points.
 
The flyhalf remained composed as he orchestrated several attacking spells for his side throughout the match, while his clever play and timely offload deep in the second half led to the visitors’ crucial third try scored by fullback Devon Williams, which allowed them to finally race clear of the determined home side.
 
With time running out, captain George Whitehead (flyhalf) slotted over a penalty goal in the dying minutes to earn the Kimberley outfit a bonus point for going down by less than 7 points.
 
Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked media resources: Latest News | Match Centre | Standings | Statistics

​Issued by SA Rugby Communications

SA Rugby has reluctantly been forced to withdraw the Springboks from the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.
 
The on-gong complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about seriously jeopardising player welfare, made it impossible to commit to SANZAAR that South Africa would be able to compete.
 
The South African-based portion of what was a 46-player squad was scheduled to fly from Johannesburg on Sunday. However, government regulations as currently drafted meant it was unclear whether the team would legally be able to depart.  
 
In addition, mounting concerns relating to player welfare, were a major concern. 
 
“With time essentially having run out, it left us with no option,” said Jurie Roux, SA Rugby CEO.
 
“This is a hugely disappointing outcome for our supporters and commercial partners but the on-going impacts of the pandemic in multiple dispensations means we are unable to deliver a Springbok team without seriously compromising player welfare.
 
“SANZAAR and Rugby Australia have bent over backwards to make the tournament happen and it would have been unfair on them, their partners and state government to delay a decision any longer.”
 
Roux said that the local challenges were compounded by the fact that the 24 overseas based players, who had been identified for potential selection (depending on COVID-19 status) and for whom visas had been applied, were based with European or Japanese clubs.
 
“Players in England, Ireland, France and Japan are subject to differing local regulations and travel protocols and potentially imminent renewed lockdowns in some territories,” he said.
 
“It was unclear when they would be able to become functioning members of the Springbok squad in Australia.
 
“We understand that public safety concerns come first and there’s no way that we could expect short cuts to be found to get them out of their host countries and into the Springbok bubble.
 
“But the impact on our planning was profound and took us to a bottom line that we could not in fairness commit to being able to compete.”
 
SA Rugby consulted with MyPlayers – the players’ representative body – who supported the decision.
 
Rassie Erasmus, Director of Rugby, said that his department had planned for every scenario.
 
“We worked out that the players needed a minimum of 400 minutes of game time before they could be ready for a Test match,” said Erasmus.
 
“The overseas-based players had started playing before us and they would have been getting close to that time by 7 November.
 
“But many of those have completed their programmes or have had COVID outbreaks which has interrupted the planning. The Japanese based players haven’t played any rugby at all, while the home-based players would be well short of 400 minutes by the time of kick off.”
 
SA-based players played their first competitive matches at the weekend, 29 weeks after their last competitive match in Vodacom Super Rugby. In contrast New Zealand’s and Australia’s players contested a Test match on Saturday, 17 weeks and 14 weeks respectively after they resumed competitive rugby.
 
Roux said: “It has been an extremely challenging year and what started out as a two-week lockdown evolved into a global crisis, one of whose side effects has been to decimate our rugby calendar.
 
“It seems impossible that the Springboks won’t play a Test match in 2020, but public health and safety have been the primary concern and we have been collateral damage like so many businesses.
 
“All we can do now is enjoy our domestic competitions and find ways to be ready for the arrival of the British & Irish Lions in 2021.”
 
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
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The Xerox Lions lowered the flags of the Vodacom Blue Bulls (26-17) and the Cell C Sharks outplayed DHL Western Province (45-24) in the third round of the SA Rugby U21 Provincial Championship at Emirates Airline Park on Monday, with both wins crucial for teams hoping to reach the final.
 
The home side, boosted by two tries in the opening 10 minutes, held on to hand the Vodacom Blue Bulls their first defeat of the competition, while the Cell C Sharks managed their first win and kept the Cape side winless and at the bottom of the log halfway through the competition.
 
The Xerox Lions have now moved into the second place on the log standings, but have a bye in round four, while the Vodacom Blue Bulls, despite their defeat, still stays top, courtesy of two strong wins in their first two matches.
 
The latest standings after three rounds of action is here.
 
• The next two matches are on Sunday, when DHL Western Province will be looking for their first win when they take on Toyota Free State (who had a bye today) in the early match at 10h30. The Vodacom Blue Bulls will meet the Cell C Sharks at 13h45 in the second match of round four.
 
Below are match report summaries of today’s matches.
 
Cell C Sharks strike early to beat DHL Western Province
 
The Cell C Sharks delivered a strong first half performance to dominate DHL Western Province for a morale-boosting 45-24 victory in their SA Rugby U21 Championship clash at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Monday.
 
The KwaZulu-Natalians held out in the second stanza as the Cape side fought back bravely, which allowed them to secure their first win of the tournament.
 
The Durbanites’ industrious backline sealed the deal early on, scoring three tries in the first quarter to get daylight between themselves and DHL WP, who have now suffered consecutive defeats.
 
It took only 15 minutes of play for the Cell C Sharks to build up an encouraging 21-0 lead, which paved the way for them to run away with the match.
 
The compulsory water break after 20 minutes came just in time for the shell-shocked DHL WP, as it allowed them regroup and sharpen up their focus.
 
They delivered a much better display as the half progressed, but the real damage had already been inflicted and they were forced to play catch-up rugby for the remainder of the match.
 
DHL WP flyhalf Ruan Mostert had an early penalty goal attempt for his team, but pulled it wide, before the Cell C Sharks scored three sublime tries.
 
Thaakir Abrahams (fullback) scored from wide out after a great attack by his teammates from inside their own half.
 
Paul Roux (wing) ran strongly and Abrahams took the final pass to score, while Boeta Chamberlain (flyhalf) slotted over the conversion from the touch line.
 
Cell C Sharks outside centre Donald Falconer was next on the score sheet barely a minute later after Chamberlain found Caleb Dingaan with a cross-kick, with the winger passing to Celimpilo Gumede (flanker) on his inside before Falconer received the try-scoring pass.
 
Chamberlain kicked the conversion and he had another successful attempt at the goal posts when Le Roux Malan (centre) burst through strongly.
 
Chamberlain missed a long-range penalty goal attempt after the water break and it was no surprise when DHL WP scored their first try on the 30-minute mark. Captain and flank Marcel Theunissen barged over after his team attacked relentlessly. Mostert converted, but that score was cancelled out again just before the half-time hooter.
 
The commanding Cell C Sharks pack drove strongly from a lineout and captain and Fez Mbatha (hooker) touched down, with the successful conversion handing them a 28-7 lead, which left the Cape outfit with a big mountain to climb.
 
The second half saw the Sharks on the front foot again thanks to a long-range effort from Chamberlain which extended their lead to 31-7.
 
DHL WP were shocked into action and a strong lineout drive saw Dian Bleuler (prop) crashing over near the corner flag.
 
Roux then lost the ball over the line thanks to a try-saving tackle by Andre-Hugo Venter (replacement hooker), but the Cell C Sharks were rampant, with Abrahams scoring  his second try after a powerful scrum.
 
Evan Roos (No 8), who was hugely imposing in the clash, picked up at the base of the scrum and broke the advantage line, before soft hands found the fullback in space and he dropped over the line, with Chamberlain kicking another pearler from wide out.
 
Venter then turned from try-saver to try scorer as Province attacked from all corners. The Cell C Sharks were found napping after a penalty and Venter could burst through following a quick tap.
 
The Cape side continued their comeback effort with a try by Simon Taylor (replacement flank), who charged over after a good lineout drive, but with only five minutes left, it was too little too late.
 
The Cell C Sharks’ dominance and win were amplified by Roos, who scored off the back of another powerful scrum to round off a strong personal and team performance.
 
Scorers:
 
Cell C Sharks 45 (28) – Tries: Thaakir Abrahams (2), Donald Falconer, Le Roux Malan, Fez Mbatha, Evan Roos. Conversions: Boeta Chamberlain (5), Rynhardt Jonker. Penalty goal: Chamberlain.
 
DHL Western Province 24 (7) – Tries: Marcel Theunissen, Dian Bleuler, Andre-Hugo Venter, Jarred Taylor. Conversions: Ruan Mostert, Kade Wolhuter.
 
Xerox Lions outlast northern neighbours in U21 nail-biter
 
It was a massive Monday afternoon slog between the two top teams in the SA Rugby Under-21 Championship, but in the end the Xerox Lions outlasted the defending champions, the Vodacom Blue Bulls, to remain in contention for the final with a 26-17 victory at Emirates Airline Park.
 
The two packs of forwards had a proper go at each other, but in the end the Xerox Lions probably had the upper hand upfront, played their territory better and used their opportunities, while the Vodacom Blue Bulls made too many mistakes, were ill-disciplined and seemed lethargic at stages.
 
The visitors from north of the Jukskei river scored three tries to two, but it was the boot of Luke Rossouw that proved the difference, with the Xerox Lions inside centre kicking four second half penalty goals and two conversions for a personal haul of 16 points.
 
The Xerox Lions started this match against their Gauteng neighbours like a house on fire, realising that a win will keep alive their hopes of reaching the final.
 
And the Xerox Lions’ tighthead prop, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, was the man who hurt the men in blue with two tries in the opening 10 minutes.
 
The former Junior Springbok prop’s first try was an opportunistic piece of play from an over-thrown lineout, and a few minutes later he barged over under the uprights after a good build-up by the Xerox Lions.
 
It was just the start the Xerox Lions had wanted, as they took a 14-0 lead after just nine minutes.
 
Try as they might, the Vodacom Blue Bulls struggled to get going with stern Xerox Lions defence and unforced errors keeping the men from Pretoria scoreless for most of the first half.
 
In fact, they seemed to get frustrated as the Xerox Lions fluffed a number of promising attacks, with some negative play creeping into the hosts’ defensive play.
 
After 30 minutes, the referee, Divan Uys, sent the Xerox Lions’ Shaun Baxter (fullback) to the bin for repeated infringements and the Vodacom Blue Bulls used this numeric advantage to work Stravino Jacobs (wing) over in the left corner, with Qamani Kota (replacement fullback) putting in a superb run in the build-up to the try.
 
This try saw the teams go into the break with the hosts leading by 14-5, but the Vodacom Blue Bulls were getting into their stride as they were looking to secure a place in the final as they have a bye in the last round.
 
But the Xerox Lions had other ideas, with Rossouw adding the first two of his four penalty goals early in the second stanza to stretch his team’s lead to 20-5.
 
The Vodacom Blue Bulls came back strong though and closed the gap to just three points with two converted tries in four minutes.
 
First Jay Cee Nel crashed over from a good period of sustained attack after a lineout on the home team’s 5m-line, and then David Coetzer scored from a turnover deep in the Vodacom Blue Bulls’ own half when the Xerox Lions lost the ball just outside the Pretorians’ 22, and they quickly counter-attacked to send the flyhalf over under the sticks.
 
But with mistakes creeping back into the men in blue’s game, Rossouw stepped up to the plate and added another penalty goal just before the second water-break to give his team some breathing space on the score board.
 
Despite getting their hands on the ball quite often, the Vodacom Blue Bulls still lost possession with silly mistakes, and with less than five minutes remaining, Rossouw added three more points, all but securing victory for the Xerox Lions.
 
Scorers:
 
Xerox Lions 26 (14) – Tries: Asenathi Ntlabakanye (2). Conversions: Luke Rossouw (2). Penalty goals: Rossouw (4).
 
Vodacom Blue Bulls 17 (5) – Tries: Stravino Jacobs, Jay Cee Nel, David Coetzer. Conversion: Qamani Kota.
 
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
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