The Springboks will start their 2023 season in front of a packed house at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, 8 July after SA Rugby and hosts, the Blue Bulls Co (BBCo.), announced on Friday that all tickets for the opening Test in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship against Australia have been sold out.
Springbok Sevens captain Siviwe Soyizwapi will make his 50th HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series appearance for the Blitzboks in Toulouse next weekend after being named in a squad that feature five players who return to action after missing the tournaments in Hong Kong and Singapore.
The Springbok Women will have an added incentive in their African Cup campaign later this month after World Rugby confirmed on Friday that South Africa will host one of the three exciting new WXV tournaments later this year.
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi’s participation in the World Cup later this year remained in the balance as SA Rugby said on Wednesday it was too early to say following his knee surgery last week.
SA Rugby President Mr Mark Alexander congratulated Springbok captain Siya Kolisi on behalf of the entire rugby fraternity for being honoured with the National Order of Ikhamanga, which recognises South African citizens who have excelled in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism, and sport.
SA Rugby announced on Wednesday that three current Springbok assistant coaches Mzwandile Stick, Deon Davids and Daan Human, as well as Head of Athletic Performance, Andy Edwards, had signed contract extensions for another four years, which will see them remain with the team until the conclusion of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The official log after the first of two World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournaments makes for good reading for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team and their supporters, with the South African side topping the women’s standings.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi could miss the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France after suffering a knee injury during the Cell C Sharks' clash against Munster in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this past weekend.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens have been dealt a blow with the news that Marlize de Bruin (centre) has been ruled out of the second World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournament, to be played at Markötter Stadium in Stellenbosch from 28-30 April, due to an ankle injury.
Springbok Women’s Sevens coach Renfred Dazel praised the defensive resilience and character of his team as two of the main factors that helped them to win the first of two World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournaments in Stellenbosch on Saturday.