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Monday, 1 July 2024
Boks ask SA to go “Forever Green, Forever Gold”
The Springboks will campaign to the conclusion of the next Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027 under a new rallying cry launched on Monday.
The Boks are asking South Africa to go "Forever Green, Forever Gold" to amplify the team’s demonstration that South Africa really is Stronger when its people are Together.
The team’s existing hashtag #StrongerTogether remains unchanged as the umbrella statement of intent. It encapsulates the belief that diversity is a powerful force when aligned, whether of race, language, religion, culture, geography, or any other descriptor.
The Springboks won the Rugby World Cup with a team made up of players with five different home languages and now the team is doubling down on the sentiment by asking South Africa for a lifelong commitment to the principle and all it has come to stand for, by being "Forever Green, Forever Gold".
The new message reflects the instruction Rassie Erasmus gave to his players following the Rugby World Cup victory in France in 2023. Erasmus charged his players to remain true to the spirit of unity, as revealed in "Chasing the Sun II."
Erasmus said: “Guys, can we now go back to South Africa and not fall back into the trap of when someone talks negatively about South Africa, you just keep your mouth shut and say, ‘everything’s stuffed up’.
“Can you say, ‘no, no, no, we can fix it’. Let’s give this guy a chance, whether you’re a farmer, a teacher, or just a rugby player. Can you take this away from rugby – because people will listen to you.
“Take that negative person aside and say to them ‘hey, stop talking crap about our country’ and say ‘let’s make a plan, let’s listen to what this guy is saying’. Let’s start living #StrongerTogether outside rugby. And all players said ‘sure, let’s do it’.”
The "Forever Green, Forever Gold" call to action is to take the #StrongerTogether message into daily life for all time.
Erasmus added: “The people carried us through that World Cup, although they weren’t there, we felt them. I just felt let’s give that support back not just through rugby.”
The Springboks will appear in SA for the first time since winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups in the first match of a sold-out two Test series against world No 2, Ireland, which begins in Pretoria on Saturday.
South Africans are being asked to mark the occasion on Friday – the first #BokFriday of the year – by wearing their green and gold colours in support of the team and its message of inclusiveness and optimism to the country.
Those colours are not just the team's playing colours; they represent the heart and soul of South African rugby, enshrining the enduring spirit of the team and its supporters, symbolising unity, resilience, and pride.
“This new slogan is a commitment to an unwavering dedication to the game and to each other as South Africans,” said Mr Mark Alexander, President of the South African Rugby Union.
“It reflects our firm belief that our strength lies in our unity and diversity. When we come together as one, we are very hard to beat.”
The "Forever Green, Forever Gold" campaign will be featured prominently in all forthcoming matches, communications, and marketing materials. It aims to rally support from every corner of the nation, inspiring fans to stand united in their love for the team.
Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, said: “Wearing the green and gold jersey is an honour and a privilege and my heart will forever be green and gold. This new slogan is a message to live the principles of #StrongerTogether in our daily lives, as well as give your commitment to the Springboks forever, in the way that we always strive to give our all for the country.”
To celebrate the launch of the “Forever Green, Forever Gold” campaign, SA Rugby promises a roster full of fan engagement moments including a nationwide school war cry challenge, radio competitions, exciting new merch, and an inspiring new Rassie Erasmus content series to follow on from the popularity of the documentaries Chasing the Sun 1 and 2.
For more insights and content follow the Springboks on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X.
Boks ask SA to go “Forever Green, Forever Gold”
The Springboks will campaign to the conclusion of the next Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027 under a new rallying cry launched on Monday.
The Boks are asking South Africa to go "Forever Green, Forever Gold" to amplify the team’s demonstration that South Africa really is Stronger when its people are Together.
The team’s existing hashtag #StrongerTogether remains unchanged as the umbrella statement of intent. It encapsulates the belief that diversity is a powerful force when aligned, whether of race, language, religion, culture, geography, or any other descriptor.
The Springboks won the Rugby World Cup with a team made up of players with five different home languages and now the team is doubling down on the sentiment by asking South Africa for a lifelong commitment to the principle and all it has come to stand for, by being "Forever Green, Forever Gold".
The new message reflects the instruction Rassie Erasmus gave to his players following the Rugby World Cup victory in France in 2023. Erasmus charged his players to remain true to the spirit of unity, as revealed in "Chasing the Sun II."
Erasmus said: “Guys, can we now go back to South Africa and not fall back into the trap of when someone talks negatively about South Africa, you just keep your mouth shut and say, ‘everything’s stuffed up’.
“Can you say, ‘no, no, no, we can fix it’. Let’s give this guy a chance, whether you’re a farmer, a teacher, or just a rugby player. Can you take this away from rugby – because people will listen to you.
“Take that negative person aside and say to them ‘hey, stop talking crap about our country’ and say ‘let’s make a plan, let’s listen to what this guy is saying’. Let’s start living #StrongerTogether outside rugby. And all players said ‘sure, let’s do it’.”
The "Forever Green, Forever Gold" call to action is to take the #StrongerTogether message into daily life for all time.
Erasmus added: “The people carried us through that World Cup, although they weren’t there, we felt them. I just felt let’s give that support back not just through rugby.”
The Springboks will appear in SA for the first time since winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups in the first match of a sold-out two Test series against world No 2, Ireland, which begins in Pretoria on Saturday.
South Africans are being asked to mark the occasion on Friday – the first #BokFriday of the year – by wearing their green and gold colours in support of the team and its message of inclusiveness and optimism to the country.
Those colours are not just the team's playing colours; they represent the heart and soul of South African rugby, enshrining the enduring spirit of the team and its supporters, symbolising unity, resilience, and pride.
“This new slogan is a commitment to an unwavering dedication to the game and to each other as South Africans,” said Mr Mark Alexander, President of the South African Rugby Union.
“It reflects our firm belief that our strength lies in our unity and diversity. When we come together as one, we are very hard to beat.”
The "Forever Green, Forever Gold" campaign will be featured prominently in all forthcoming matches, communications, and marketing materials. It aims to rally support from every corner of the nation, inspiring fans to stand united in their love for the team.
Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, said: “Wearing the green and gold jersey is an honour and a privilege and my heart will forever be green and gold. This new slogan is a message to live the principles of #StrongerTogether in our daily lives, as well as give your commitment to the Springboks forever, in the way that we always strive to give our all for the country.”
To celebrate the launch of the “Forever Green, Forever Gold” campaign, SA Rugby promises a roster full of fan engagement moments including a nationwide school war cry challenge, radio competitions, exciting new merch, and an inspiring new Rassie Erasmus content series to follow on from the popularity of the documentaries Chasing the Sun 1 and 2.
For more insights and content follow the Springboks on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X.
Tuesday, 2 July 2024
Erasmus names squad loaded with RWC experience for Ireland showdown
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an experienced squad featuring 20 Rugby World Cup-winners – the entire starting 15 and five players on the replacements’ bench – for their opening Castle Lager Incoming Series Test against Ireland at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, in what is expected to be a humdinger of an encounter between the top two ranked teams in the world.
The three players in the match-day 23 who did not participate in the international spectacle in France, where the Springboks claimed their second successive RWC title, are Gerhard Steenekamp (prop), Salmaan Moerat (lock) and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (utility back), who are elevated to a selection featuring a six-two bench split in favour of the forwards.
Twelve of the starting XV for Saturday’s showdown (six forwards and six backs) started in the 12-11 RWC final victory over New Zealand, with the other three (Willie le Roux, Kwagga Smith and Ox Nche) coming off the bench in the final.
The selection of previously unavailable players means that the team shows eight changes to the one that defeated Wales by 41-13 in London 10 days ago as Erasmus welcomed back captain Siya Kolisi, Le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Handre Pollard, Marco van Staden, RG Snyman and Steenekamp.
“This is the team we believe will give us the impetus we need against Ireland, who are the second highest ranked team in the world,” said Erasmus.
“We are blessed to have a lot of depth in our squad, and we are in a fortunate position to have several Rugby World Cup-winners in our ranks who know what it takes to perform at the highest level and play against the best teams in the world.
“The fact that most of these guys have played together is a bonus for us, and most of them have faced Ireland before so they are well aware of the challenge that lies ahead, especially since we haven’t beaten them since 2016.”
Erasmus said he was in a fortunate position to be able to call on so much Rugby World Cup winning experience: “It’s great to be in such a position, and while it may serve as a mental boost, Ireland are a quality outfit and they’ll come out guns blazing. This is a new year for us with new systems in place, so while it certainly helps that most of the players have won a World Cup or two, this is a fresh chapter for us.”
Erasmus said he was excited to see what dimension Steenekamp, Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Moerat would bring to the game – in what will mark Steenekamp and Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s second Test matches – and said: “Gerhard made a strong statement in the front row against Argentina in Buenos Aires last year and we were equally pleased with how easily Sacha slotted in and the contribution he made against Wales.
“Sacha, similarly to Grant (Williams), also offers us additional options in the backline, as he can cover flyhalf and centre, while Grant is efficient at scrumhalf and wing, which places us in a good position with the six-two split.
“Salmaan, in turn, may only have a few Test caps, but he’s a former Junior Springbok captain, he captained the DHL Stormers, and like Sacha, he came through our Elite Player Development (EPD) system, so they have been exposed to the way we do things at this level for some time now.
“This match will test their skills, but they are all quality players, in whom we have full faith, and it doesn’t get better to experience that against a team like Ireland.”
Erasmus expected a physical onslaught from the visitors in front of a sold-out Loftus Versfeld crowd and said it would be a full-out battle for 80 minutes.
“Ireland have had the upper hand over us in the last few years and they will certainly want to build on that on Saturday,” said Erasmus. “That said, we have a good idea of what to expect from them, especially after the World Cup last year.
“They have a few new players in their ranks this year, but so do we and that contributes to the excitement for the match. They are a physical team that never give up, but the margins between the teams are fairly small, so it’s going to be an intense battle and one that will require a resolute performance for the full 80 minutes.”
Springbok team to face Ireland at Loftus Versfeld:
15 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 93 caps, 75 pts (15t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 31 caps, 91 points (14t, 3c, 5p)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 67 caps, 80 points (16t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 78 caps, 55 points (11t)
11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) - 15 caps, 65 points (13t)
10 – Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 69 caps, 698 points (7t, 96c, 152p, 5dg)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 56 caps, 50 points (5t, 5c, 5pg)
8 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 41 caps, 35 pts (7t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) 78 caps, 40 points (8t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92) – 83 caps, 50 points (10t)
5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 74 caps, 15 points (3t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 120 caps, 30 points (6t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 70 caps, 5 points (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 69 caps, 70 points (14t)
1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 28 caps, 0 pts
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 65 caps, 85 points (17t)
17 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 1 cap, 0 points
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 50 caps, 5 points (1t)
19 – Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers) – 4 caps, 0 points
20 – RG Snyman (Leinster) – 34 caps, 10 points (2t)
21 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 18 caps, 0 pts
22 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 9 caps, 10 points (2t)
23 – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 1 cap, 7 points (2c, 1p)
Erasmus names squad loaded with RWC experience for Ireland showdown
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an experienced squad featuring 20 Rugby World Cup-winners – the entire starting 15 and five players on the replacements’ bench – for their opening Castle Lager Incoming Series Test against Ireland at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, in what is expected to be a humdinger of an encounter between the top two ranked teams in the world.
The three players in the match-day 23 who did not participate in the international spectacle in France, where the Springboks claimed their second successive RWC title, are Gerhard Steenekamp (prop), Salmaan Moerat (lock) and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (utility back), who are elevated to a selection featuring a six-two bench split in favour of the forwards.
Twelve of the starting XV for Saturday’s showdown (six forwards and six backs) started in the 12-11 RWC final victory over New Zealand, with the other three (Willie le Roux, Kwagga Smith and Ox Nche) coming off the bench in the final.
The selection of previously unavailable players means that the team shows eight changes to the one that defeated Wales by 41-13 in London 10 days ago as Erasmus welcomed back captain Siya Kolisi, Le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Handre Pollard, Marco van Staden, RG Snyman and Steenekamp.
“This is the team we believe will give us the impetus we need against Ireland, who are the second highest ranked team in the world,” said Erasmus.
“We are blessed to have a lot of depth in our squad, and we are in a fortunate position to have several Rugby World Cup-winners in our ranks who know what it takes to perform at the highest level and play against the best teams in the world.
“The fact that most of these guys have played together is a bonus for us, and most of them have faced Ireland before so they are well aware of the challenge that lies ahead, especially since we haven’t beaten them since 2016.”
Erasmus said he was in a fortunate position to be able to call on so much Rugby World Cup winning experience: “It’s great to be in such a position, and while it may serve as a mental boost, Ireland are a quality outfit and they’ll come out guns blazing. This is a new year for us with new systems in place, so while it certainly helps that most of the players have won a World Cup or two, this is a fresh chapter for us.”
Erasmus said he was excited to see what dimension Steenekamp, Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Moerat would bring to the game – in what will mark Steenekamp and Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s second Test matches – and said: “Gerhard made a strong statement in the front row against Argentina in Buenos Aires last year and we were equally pleased with how easily Sacha slotted in and the contribution he made against Wales.
“Sacha, similarly to Grant (Williams), also offers us additional options in the backline, as he can cover flyhalf and centre, while Grant is efficient at scrumhalf and wing, which places us in a good position with the six-two split.
“Salmaan, in turn, may only have a few Test caps, but he’s a former Junior Springbok captain, he captained the DHL Stormers, and like Sacha, he came through our Elite Player Development (EPD) system, so they have been exposed to the way we do things at this level for some time now.
“This match will test their skills, but they are all quality players, in whom we have full faith, and it doesn’t get better to experience that against a team like Ireland.”
Erasmus expected a physical onslaught from the visitors in front of a sold-out Loftus Versfeld crowd and said it would be a full-out battle for 80 minutes.
“Ireland have had the upper hand over us in the last few years and they will certainly want to build on that on Saturday,” said Erasmus. “That said, we have a good idea of what to expect from them, especially after the World Cup last year.
“They have a few new players in their ranks this year, but so do we and that contributes to the excitement for the match. They are a physical team that never give up, but the margins between the teams are fairly small, so it’s going to be an intense battle and one that will require a resolute performance for the full 80 minutes.”
Springbok team to face Ireland at Loftus Versfeld:
15 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 93 caps, 75 pts (15t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 31 caps, 91 points (14t, 3c, 5p)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 67 caps, 80 points (16t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 78 caps, 55 points (11t)
11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) - 15 caps, 65 points (13t)
10 – Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 69 caps, 698 points (7t, 96c, 152p, 5dg)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 56 caps, 50 points (5t, 5c, 5pg)
8 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 41 caps, 35 pts (7t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) 78 caps, 40 points (8t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92) – 83 caps, 50 points (10t)
5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 74 caps, 15 points (3t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 120 caps, 30 points (6t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 70 caps, 5 points (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 69 caps, 70 points (14t)
1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 28 caps, 0 pts
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 65 caps, 85 points (17t)
17 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 1 cap, 0 points
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 50 caps, 5 points (1t)
19 – Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers) – 4 caps, 0 points
20 – RG Snyman (Leinster) – 34 caps, 10 points (2t)
21 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 18 caps, 0 pts
22 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 9 caps, 10 points (2t)
23 – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 1 cap, 7 points (2c, 1p)
Werner1975
Expert Member
Great team! Only change I would have made is to start a specialist 8, i.e. Evan Roos and for Kwagga to come off the bench. Happy for Sacha to get another chance.
Agent_Smith
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Yoh, that is a proper team. Eben on 120 caps already?? Incredible.
Agent_Smith
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Pools for the 2024/2025 Champions and Challenge Cups have been drawn
He didn't have a great URC.
Agent_Smith
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From a consistency perspective, it made sense to start with Pollard. SFM is more versatile off the bench and combined with Williams, cover every position in the backline. Better for team balance.
sand_man
Honorary Master
Need a reliable goal kicker. Rwc lessons learnt.
Mephisto_Helix
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MuterOfWorlds
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URC showed him up in far more ways than just his kicking to poles.
Heisenborg
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Please elaborate. I didn't watch much if any URC
MuterOfWorlds
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He can't take control of a game, no abilty to general/boss a game. Far too reliant on his pack and hot/cold on field alot like Elton was. He wasn't just missing his kicks in the quarterfinal, he went entirely missing as he did a few times during the season. Under pressure, he isn't reliable, not only his goal kicking.
Amazing talent and x-factor, but on a individual lvl, like would see a wing finding space or that cross kick etc, but tactically, game management, very lacking and a few teams took full advantage of the glaring weaknesses.
ShloshMalosh
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Springboks: Oom Rugby unpicks the evolving attack under Rassie Erasmus as Wales game 'pulled away curtain' on 'fresh' style
Making his debut on Planet Rugby, journalist Daniel Gallan has spoken to Oom Rugby, who unpicks the Springboks' new-look attack under head coach Rassie Erasmus.
www.planetrugby.com
Agent_Smith
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Irish team for Saturday
Ireland: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony (captain), 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Ryan Baird, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Garry Ringrose.
Ireland: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony (captain), 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Ryan Baird, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Garry Ringrose.
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