Category Archives: Sports News

We are tired of excuses‚ says Kolisi

You Need Posted on by

Craig Ray | 2017-05-28 16:53:19.0

Stormers’ captain Siya Kolisi (L) and teammate Dewaldt Duvenage celebrate the try during the Super Rugby match against Blues at DHL Newlands on May 19, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Image by: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

The Stormers are all but in the Super Rugby play-offs despite slumping to a fifth defeat of the season against the Sharks at King’s Park on Saturday‚ but captain Siya Kolisi is tired of excuses.

Despite the 22-10 loss against the Sharks‚ the Stormers still hold a 14 and 15-point cushion over the Cheetahs and Bulls respectively at the top the Africa 1 conference.

On 30 log points‚ the Stormers are all but into the post-season thanks to the vagaries of a tournament structure that rewards mediocrity.

The Cheetahs only have two matches remaining and cannot catch the Stormers while the Bulls could on theory join the Stormers on 30 log points‚ but have a woeful -124 points’ difference. For the Stormers though‚ it’s been a frustrating campaign laced with potential but ultimately marred by failing in big games‚ barring a couple of exceptions.

 Beating the Chiefs and Blues at home were the high points of a campaign that has also seen record losses against the Crusaders (57-24) and Highlanders (57-14).

Over the course of the season‚ the excuse of‚ ‘we’re a young group‚ still learning‚’ has been repeated numerous times by coach Robbie Fleck and Kolisi himself. After losing to the Sharks despite dominating the second half and creating enough chances to score‚ Kolisi jettisoned the ‘learning’ excuse. “We were good last week‚ but this week we weren’t‚” Kolisi said.

“They made the most of their opportunities and we didn’t‚ which has been a problem for us all season. “In all the games we have lost‚ the same problems have reoccurred. We have given up possession through poor decision-making or execution when on attack.

“We can’t make the same mistakes over and over and keep on saying that we’re learning. We have to make it right and start actually taking those opportunities.

“Saying ‘we’re learning’ is not enough anymore.” Fleck mirrored those comments in his assessment of the Sharks match. ““We created opportunities out there but we didn’t execute well. We’re not proud of the performance at all‚” Fleck said.

“But we were pretty stupid on their line and made a lot of bad decisions and took wrong options. They did defend well‚ but after we spread them we took poor options.”

– TMG Digital/TMG Sport

Editor’s Choice

England seal ODI series as tepid Proteas implode

You Need Posted on by

They shared an unbroken partnership of 62 off 41 balls, but that wasn’t enough to spare Monday’s match at Lord’s from becoming a dead rubber.

Ben Stokes overcame a rocky start to score 101 and steer England to a towering 330/6, the second-highest total seen in the 21 ODIs played at this venue.

South Africa’s reply of 328/5 was powered by opener Quinton de Kock’s 98 until he was caught behind off Moeen Ali in the 36th over.

De Kock shared stands of 56 and 96 with Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, who made 24 and 52.

Then Miller took over in partnerships of 55 with Farhaan Behardien, who laboured to 17 off 25 balls, and Morris, who smashed his 36 not out off 22.

Miller’s unbeaten 71 came off 51 balls, and he hit five fours and two sixes.

Miller and Morris took 13 runs off the penultimate over, which was bowled by Jake Ball.

That left seven to get off the last, but Mark Wood limited the damage to three.

Stokes might have been run out before he had faced a ball, and he was dropped by Amla at slip and wicketkeeper De Kock off the first two deliveries he faced, both of them bowled by Keshav Maharaj.

Things could only get better for Stokes, and they did dramatically: he reached his century off 77 balls with 11 fours and three sixes before being caught at long-off.

The bowler was, deservedly, Maharaj – who also had Alex Hales dropped.

South Africa’s bowlers improved from the first match of the series at Headingley in Leeds on Friday, when England won by 72 runs.

But the standard of the visitors’ fielding crashed – they squandered six chances.

Kagiso Rabada yorked Jason Roy in the fifth over with a delivery timed at 149.8 km/h, and 10 overs later England were 80/3.

Hales was well-held by De Kock standing up to the stumps for medium pacer Dwaine Pretorius, who got a fingertip to Eoin Morgan’s straight drive to run out Joe Root at the non-striker’s end.

Morgan and Stokes wrought the advantage for England with a stand of 95 that was ended in the 33rd over when Rabada dismissed Morgan for 45 with De Kock diving forward to snare a low catch.

Stokes and Jos Butter then put on 77 to strengthen England’s position, and Buttler and Moeen Ali built the momentum with a partnership of 78 that flowed off 40 balls.

Rabada, who took 2/50, was the only bowler to claim more than one wicket but South Africa’s attack showed more discipline and purpose than on Friday.

Pretorius replaced Wayne Parnell, Maharaj came in for Imran Tahir and Farhaan Behardien was preferred to JP Duminy, who had played in all 23 of South Africa’s previous ODIs in a streak that stretched back to February 14 last year.

  – TMG Digital/TMG Sport

Sport24.co.za | Proteas blow victory, lose England ODI series

You Need Posted on by

Southampton – The Proteas winning run in ODI Series came to an end at Southampton on Saturday when they went down by two runs to England in the second of three ODIs.

The result gives England a 2-0 series lead with only the final match at Lord’s on Monday still to be played.       

The Proteas led throughout the match on comparative run rate, having been set 331 for victory, until the fourth ball of the last over. David Miller and Chris Morris needed 7 off the last over from Mark Wood to clinch victory but only managed 4 runs.

Miller finished unbeaten on 71 (51 balls, 5 fours and 2 sixes) and Morris on 36 (22 balls, 3 fours and 2 sixes) as the pair shared a partnership of 62 for the sixth wicket in 6.3 overs.

It was a much improved Proteas performance from the first match with a well-paced runs chase until the final over.

England’s victory was set up by Ben Stokes who scored his second career international century in this format (101 off 79 balls, 11 fours and 3 sixes) and the renowned finishing power of Jos Buttler (65 not out off 53 balls, 7 fours). But the Proteas were left to rue a number of errors in the field, notably a couple of lives that were given to Stokes before he had put a run on the board.

The Proteas reply was set up by Quinton de Kock (98 off 103 balls, 11 fours) with the main support coming from AB de Villiers (52 off 50 balls, 6 fours) and then the final onslaught by Miller and Morris.

Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the South African attack and there was an excellent debut by Keshav Maharaj – the 120th player to represent the Proteas in this format – whose performance was far better than his figures suggest and was the main sufferer from the errors in the field.

He took the place of Imran Tahir in one of three changes to the South African side as they rotated their squad. Farhaan Behardien played in place of JP Duminy and Dwaine Pretorius took the place of Wayne Parnell.

Morne Morkel is the only squad member still to play and he is expected to play in the final match on Monday.

Teams:

England

Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (captain), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wkt), Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood, Jake Ball

South Africa

Quinton de Kock (wkt), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (captain), Farhaan Behardien, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj

Kamohelo Mokotjo withdrawn from Bafana squad to meet Nigeria

You Need Posted on by

Marc Strydom | 2017-05-26 13:54:56.0

Kamohelo Mokotjo (L) during the International friendly match between South Africa and Guinea-Bissau at Moses Mabhida Stadium on March 25, 2017 in Durban, South Africa.
Image by: Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images

FC Twente midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo has been withdrawn from the Bafana Bafana squad for their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria through injury.

Danish-based Lebogang Phiri of Brondby has been called as a replacement.

New Bafana coach Stuart Baxter had said on announcing his squad on Thursday that there was a red flag over Mokotjo over a broken hand.

Baxter said the Dutch-based star had been included pending a full medical report‚ and with the belief he could recover in time for the qualifier against the Super Eagles in Uyo on June 10.

On Friday Safa posted on their website that they had received a medical report detailing that Twente’s medical staff have decided to operate on a knee problem‚ as well as Mokotjo’s wrist.

“The South African Football Association have received a full medical report concerning midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo in which the FC Twente medical team has also decided to operate the player on his long-standing knee problem‚” Safa stated.

“This means the player won’t be available for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria in Uyo on 10 June 2017.

“Together with the knee operation‚ the medical team said the player will also undergo a wrist operation procedure.”

The statement quoted Baxter as saying: “Unfortunately‚ he won’t be available for the Nigeria game and Lebogang Phiri of Brondby in Denmark has been called up in his place.”

Mokotjo made a return to the national team – having declared himself unavailable after a fallout with previous coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba – for the home friendlies against Guinea-Bissau and Angola in March.

The midfielder arrived in camp with a citizenship issue clouding his availability. This eventually was resolved by Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba granting a resumption of citizenship on the day before the game against Guinea-Bissau.

– TMG Digital/TMG Sport

Editor’s Choice

Sport24.co.za | Change of mindset needed at Bulls – Mitchell

You Need Posted on by

2017-05-26 15:01

Pretoria – A “change of mindset” is needed if the Bulls are to get back to winning ways, the franchise’s newly-appointed executive of rugby John Mitchell has said.

Mitchell, 53, was on Thursday unveiled as the new coach of the Bulls for the next Super Rugby season, while current incumbent Nollis Marais will remain as the Blue Bulls coach for the Currie Cup.

The New Zealander is no stranger when it comes to lending his expertise in South Africa, as he briefly coached the UKZN team in the 2013 Varsity Shield and most notably the Lions, helping them clinch their first Currie Cup title in 12 years in 2011.

His tenure at the Lions was hit with some controversy after he was suspended and then reinstated following allegations of mistreating players.

After spending two seasons at the Lions, Mitchell then lent his expertise to the Sale Sharks in England and earlier also coached the Western Force (2006-2010) and Chiefs (2000-2001).

“I’ve been in the country for seven years now and I call it home, I love the place,” Mitchell told reporters on Thursday.

Mitchell is currently the head coach of the USA national team, but will take over his role at the Bulls in July this year.

“Having been here as a coach with numerous teams, having good days and tough ones as well, where I come from in New Zealand, there are many similarities to here that I like,” said Mitchell.

He admits that although change needs to be implemented, all the Bulls need is a boost in confidence and a change of mindset.

“This is not a big change, this is about refreshing and updating our ways,” said Mitchell.

“It’s going to be hard work, but it’s going to be fun as well. It’s just a change of mindset, we just got to shove it up and become more confident. If you look at the lads, they just lack a bit of confidence. There’s always been huge talent at this union and it’s how we’re going to integrate that talent.

“We are not far away from that ingredient, but what we’ve got to do is make sure that people are open to intervention and changing their mindset.

“I feel I can bring a positive element of change, but one has to be careful as well, as ultimately at the end of the day, I’ve got a lot to learn,” said Mitchell.

“I will do a lot of listening and watching when I get involved in working with Nollis, and look to move the programme forward.”

Sport24.co.za | Bok locks face interesting challenge

You Need Posted on by

Johannesburg – The two Springboks in the Stormers second row engine room will get a good foretaste of the pressure they may face against France in a few weeks from now when they front the Cape team’s lineout challenge against the Cell C Sharks at Kings Park on Saturday.

According to the supersport.com website, on current form Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit should be the anticipated lock pairing for the Boks against France – although Lood de Jager did partner Etzebeth quite a lot last year – and few would quibble with that judgement, as they are among the most highly rated forwards in Vodacom Super Rugby. However, bizarre though it may seem, the Stormers lineout hasn’t functioned particularly well this season, and their coach Robbie Fleck listed it as one of his team’s “work-ons” before the recent tour of New Zealand.

It was one of the aspects that started coming right though for the Stormers in the matches against the Kiwi teams, and Fleck listed that phase of the game as one of the reasons he was happy after last week’s win over the Blues. The improvement was not before time, however, as the Stormers are still languishing down in 12th position when it comes to the lineout statistics for the season so far.

The Sharks by contrast are top, and with the Durban team basing so much around their first phase platform, the Stormers will be leaving heavily on their two locks to do the business against a lineout formation that has varied options, particularly when both the Du Preez twins, Dan and Jean-Luc, are playing.

It may not be quite as simple as blunt the Sharks’ first phase and you have the match one, but it is pretty close to it, and the Stormers will know that as they fly up the coast on Friday for Saturday’s final big match before they go into the June recess.

The Stormers coaching staff won’t be too surprised at the lineout success of the Sharks this season. Ruan Botha was highly regarded in the Cape and they weren’t pleased when Botha decided to move to Durban when Pieter-Steph du Toit decided to swap the black of the Sharks for the navy blue of the Stormers.

It was understandable that Botha, a former age-group star, should want to move when Du Toit, who was ahead of him in the Springbok pecking order, was lured to Cape Town. However, the Stormers would like to have had three good locks to choose from, which is in fact what the Sharks have now. Etienne Oosthuizen, Botha and Stephan Lewies have proved interchangeable through the season, and it has created an easy situation for coach Robert du Preez to manage.

“We have been fortunate that in almost every game we have had myself, Stephan and Ruan available and we have settled into a routine where, while we are always pushing each other, rotation can also take place without the lineout skipping a beat,” said Oosthuizen, who will be achieving his landmark 50th cap in the derby against the Stormers.

“We also have loose-forwards that are all tall enough to take lineout ball and that gives us an advantage over most other teams. We have so many options.”

Indeed they do, and all three have also contributed handsomely to a much improved performance in all-round play from the Sharks forwards this season. Oosthuizen’s little back-flip pass that led to a crucial try against the Sunwolves last week was an example of the silky skills that have been developed.

“The forward battle between these teams (in derby matches) is always hyped up but the modern game is very much 15 against 15. Each individual has to do his part and you have to make it count. That is something we have been working very hard on all season,” said the lock.

As good as Oosthuizen has been in helping the Sharks get a winning edge on the field, there have been times that he has let the team down with his discipline, albeit that he has sometimes been unfortunate. One occasion when he may have been unlucky was when the Sharks had what could have been a decisive try disallowed because of a debatable and, certainly Durban fans would say so, relatively minor transgression from Oosthuizen.

That was against the Lions at Ellis Park in the last big derby that the Sharks played, and it should be good news for Sharks fans that the lock appears to have been thinking about it and is determined not to be provoked by the Stormers forwards in what is sure to be a match with plenty of needle.

“They like to impose themselves and get under our skin, so for us standing up to the Stormers pack is going to be about controlled aggression. You do not want to be carded in a game like this. You just have to keep your head as an individual and as a team maintain composure and let the game unfold. Ultimately what matters is what the scoreboard says, not the outcome of personal battles.”

Swashbuckling Sundowns overcome great odds to win in Kinshasa

You Need Posted on by

Having been held at home to a draw in their opening group game 10 days ago‚ this revives Sundowns’ hopes in the competition and sends out a stern warning to the other contenders that it is going to be tough to wrestle the continental crown away from Pitso Mosimane’s team.

Goals from Antony Laffor‚ Yannick Zakri and Sibusiso Vilakazi saw Sundowns to their victory but such was their quality that it could have been by a bigger margin.

Even without the likes of Khama Billiat‚ Tiyani Mabunda and Hlompho Kekana‚ Sundowns were superb as they mastered the game on the artificial turf and left the massive crowd singing their praises at the end of the game.

They now share top place with Esperance of Tunisia‚ who they host next on Friday‚ June 2‚ in Atteridgeville.

After being level 1-1 at half-time‚ Zakri and Vilakazi made sure of the three-point haul with second half goals‚ both scored by persistent pressing in the middle that forced errors out of the opponent and turned over possession.

From the start‚ Sundowns looked slick.

There was a quick inter-change of passes from Sundowns that bemused their hosts and set up Zakri for the first real chance but as he bore down on goal the angle was narrowed by the goalkeeper Bongamon Lukong‚ whose diving save denied the Ivorian a first goal for Mosimane’s team.

But in the 24th minute Sundowns were ahead with a surging movement up the left and then a cross from Percy Tau that Vilakazi missed but Laffor swooped upon with a diving header that bulleted into the back.

Laffor has been the architect of some key goals for Sundowns in the Champions League over the last year and this was among his best‚ as well as being a rare headed finish from him.

But the lead lasted only eight minutes as Sundowns were guilty of failing to close down midfielder Oumar Sidibe‚ who was teed up by Agiti Etekiama and fired home with power from some 25 metres out with a shot that Denis Onyango‚ returning to the Sundowns goal‚ did not see until it slammed into the back of his net.

Sundowns had a legitimate looking penalty appeal turned down in the 36th minute when Tau had his heels clipped and six minutes after that Zakri burst through again‚ using his pace to get past the home defence‚ but hit his shot against the crossbar‚ just inches away from restoring Sundowns’ lead.

Tau had a great chance after bursting through in the 51st minute but was denied by the ‘keeper’s legs.

But Zakri restored the lead when Lucky Mohomi won the ball and burst towards goal only to see his teammate pinch the ball from his legs and strike home.

It should have been 3-1 when Themba Zwane missed a 68th minute sitter but Vilakazi soon increased the Sundowns’ lead by again stripping their defence of the ball and hold off several challenges to score.

– TMG Digital/TMG Sport

Sport24.co.za | Boks to ‘wing it’ out wide?

You Need Posted on by

Cape Town – The Springboks will have a new captain, a new feel and, in all likelihood, a new pair of wings when they take on France in three Tests in June. 

Coach Allister Coetzee announced his 31-man squad for the series on Tuesday, and while there are some experienced faces returning to the side – Frans Steyn, Duane Vermeulen, Francois Hougaard – there are also eight uncapped players in the squad. 

In the official squad list from SA Rugby, Coetzee had listed three wings in his group – Courtnall Skosan, Dillyn Leyds and Raymond Rhule. 

While there are other players who can play on the wing, these three are considered the specialist finishers in the group. 

While they have all been successful in Super Rugby this season, the concern is that they have a combined ZER0 Test caps. 

A noticeable omission from the squad is veteran Bryan Habana, furthering speculation that this could be the end of a 124-Test career for the 33-year-old. 

JP Pietersen was another who was being tipped for selection before the France series, but he too was not called up. 

Pietersen is 30 and has 70 Tests to his name. 

Coetzee could still use Francois Hougaard or Jesse Kriel on the wing, but Hougaard is a natural scrumhalf and Kriel has not played at wing all year. 

On form this season, Skosan and Leyds probably edge out Rhule, who has had some major defensive issues in 2017. 

Whatever Coetzee decides to do, he is likely to be blooding new talent in the No 11 and 14 jerseys against France. 

Springbok squad:

Forwards

Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Ruan Dreyer, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Jaco Kriel, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Oupa Mohoje, Franco Mostert, Tendai Mtawarira, Lizo Gqoboka, Coenie Oosthuizen, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Duane Vermeulen, Warren Whiteley (captain)

Backs

Lukhanyo Am, Andries Coetzee, Ross Cronje, Damian de Allende, Francois Hougaard, Elton Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Dillyn Leyds, Rudy Paige, Raymond Rhule, Jan Serfontein, Courtnall Skosan, Frans Steyn

Safa CEO on Mashaba: ‘How do you continue to work with a person after such an altercation’

You Need Posted on by

Mahlatse Mphahlele | 2017-05-23 17:45:45.0

Former Bafana Bafana head coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba (wearing a red tie) and his legal counsel at the CCMA in 6 April 2017.
Image by: Mahlatse Mphahlele

CCMA commissioner Hlalele Molotsi‚ who is hearing sacked Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba’s arbitration case‚ has said the outcome of the marathon matter should be known by the end of June.

The matter was again adjourned on Tuesday after Mashaba’s lawyer Claudio Bollo failed to complete his cross examination of South African Football Association (Safa) chief executive Dennis Mumble.

Mumble will go before the Parliamentary sports committee in Cape Town on Wednesday and will not be able to attend the CCMA hearing on the same day.

After Mumble’s appearance on Tueday‚ Mashaba is expected to finally take the stand later in the week and Bollo is expected to call two witnesses.

Mashaba dragged Safa to the CCMA after he was sacked in December for his outbursts at the association and the media after the 2-1 win over Senegal in a 2019 World Cup qualifier at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane last November.

The case continued on Tuesday and Mumble maintained that the former Bafana coach was in a rage‚ animated and agitated after the game.

Mumble took the line that was taken by other Safa witnesses – Mathlomola Morake‚ Dominic Chimhavi‚ Peter Sejake‚ Tebogo Matlanthe and Robin Petersen – who have already appeared before the commission.

“I saw him (Mashaba) remonstrate with the SABC reporter and what I saw was an angry and animated coach. I had to intervene but I did not want to do it in front of cameras and that is the reason I decided to wait for him in the tunnel‚” said Mumble.

“I approached him later in the tunnel before we went into an empty room closer to the change rooms to find out what was happening.

“I did not do that in an aggressive manner but he was not calm‚ he was in a terrible state‚ in a rage and it was a heated argument‚” said Mumble‚ adding that after their altercation they moved to the dressing room where players were addressed by Safa president Danny Jordaan and Mamelodi Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe.

Mumble said Mashaba offered an apology to Jordaan and Safa NEC members through him the following day but a decision to suspend him had already been taken because of the severity of his actions.

“He offered an apology to the president and NEC members and I promised to convey that message.

“The fact that he apologised did not change what happened the previous day and there was nothing personal about it.

“There was no way I was going to take a chance of sending him with the team to Mozambique because at that stage because I still did not know what was on his mind.

“I took a decision to suspend him which at that time I believed it was the correct one.

“On a professional level‚ how do you continue to work with a person after such an altercation? It is not going to be possible to be able to continue working with him in the organization.”

– TMG Digital/TMG Sport

Editor’s Choice

Newlands to host All Blacks but…

You Need Posted on by

That was the word from rugby’s governing body on Monday‚ which named Newlands as the venue‚ but with a ‘TBC’ (To Be Confirmed) pencilled alongside.

The October 7 Test against the World Champions could move to the Cape Town Stadium in Greenpoint‚ which hosts the local leg of the World Sevens Series‚ if the certificate is not forthcoming by June.

Newlands and Cape Town last hosted the All Blacks in 2008‚ and if the regulations aren’t met in time‚ it could be another long wait to see New Zealand at the venue again.

“I do not think there will be a problem‚ but if there is‚ we’ll have to move the Test elsewhere‚” SA Rugby president Mark Alexander told Rapport earlier this month.

“It’s legislation in the country. If you do not have it (the certificate)‚ we cannot stage a Test there. They have a deadline – the Test is in October‚ and they have to meet that deadline.”

Newlands has been able to host Super Rugby matches because there is a grace period in terms of implementing the new regulations.

But if they don’t have the clearance by June‚ then SA Rugby would insist on moving the Test. The Stormers’ July home Super Rugby quarterfinal could also be in doubt.

“WP Rugby is proactively engaging with SA Rugby on this matter to resolve all outstanding issues with respect to the new certificates needed according to the new safety at sports and recreational events regulations‚ 2017 Act.”

WP Rugby Union chief executive Paul Zacks told Times Media Group.

Newlands has been a happy hunting ground for the All Blacks. They have won six of nine previous clashes against the Boks at the venue.

The Springboks will also head to Bloemfontein for the first time since 2010 to take on Australia in the Rugby Championship.

The first match of the Rugby Championship will take place on Saturday 19 August at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth‚ when Argentina clash with the Boks.

The following week‚ the Springboks will be in action in Argentina against Los Pumas (Saturday 26 August‚ in Salta)‚ where after it’s the first bye weekend.

The Boks’ traditional tour to Australasia is in early September for matches against the Wallabies (Saturday‚ 9 September‚ NIB Stadium in Perth) and All Blacks (Saturday 16 September‚ QBE Stadium in Albany).

Although the Springboks have played in Perth before‚ they have never been in action at NIB Stadium‚ home ground of the Western Force.

The match in Albany will be the South Africans’ third visit to QBE Stadium after they played two matches in the 2011 Rugby World Cup – against Samoa and Namibia – at this stadium‚ which is used as secondary home base by the Blues.

A second bye weekend follows the tour before the Springboks head home for their last two encounters‚ on Saturday 30 September against Australia at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein‚ and Saturday 7 October against New Zealand at in Cape Town.

“The venue in Cape Town is dependent on the outcome of an application for a safety certificate in relation to the first choice venue‚ Newlands‚” SA Rugby said in a statement.

Springbok Rugby Championship fixtures:

19 August – Springboks v Argentina‚ Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium‚ Port Elizabeth 26 August – Argentina v Springboks‚ Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena‚ Salta 9 September – Australia v Springboks‚ NIB Stadium‚ Perth 16 September – New Zealand v Springboks‚ QBE Stadium‚ Albany 30 September – Springboks v Australia‚ Toyota Stadium‚ Bloemfontein 7 October – Springboks v New Zealand‚ DHL Newlands (TBC)‚ Cape Town – TMG Digital/TMG Sport