Springboks Lead the Charge in Rugby Championship 2023 with Duane Vermeulen as Captain

by
1 min read
rugby championship 2023 springboks

The Rugby Championship 2023 has begun, and South Africa’s national rugby team, the Springboks, are gearing up with high hopes and anticipation. They enter the tournament with their experienced number 8, Duane Vermeulen, leading them in their opening match against Australia at Loftus Versfeld.

A Diverse Squad

Vermeulen’s squad comprises Rugby World Cup winners and up-and-coming talents. Jean Kleyn, the former Irish international lock, makes his Springboks debut, adding to the intrigue. The backline features Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse, Vodacom Bulls wingers eager to dazzle their local fans.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

Veteran fullback Willie le Roux, along with Lukhanyo Am returning to the field and rekindling his Cell C Sharks provincial partnership with Andre Esterhuizen, assists in defense. Flyhalf Manie Libbok and loose forward Marco van Staden are set to make their first starts after previously serving as replacements.

Early Preparation for the Rugby Championship

To better prepare for the upcoming tests against New Zealand in the Rugby Championship, Springbok’s coach Jacques Nienaber sent 14 players early on Tuesday to acclimate and enhance their performance. In the absence of Siya Kolisi, Vermeulen takes on the responsibility as captain, having captained the Springboks against Argentina and the All Blacks previously.

Ready to Face Australia

The Springboks will face Australia in Pretoria this Saturday. The excitement of the Rugby Championship 2023 season is palpable as the team gears up to set the stage ablaze. A thrilling match against Argentina in Johannesburg will wrap up the tournament.

Squad List

Here is the list of the Springbok team set to face Australia in Pretoria:

  1. Ox Nche
  2. Bongi Mbonambi
  3. Frans Malherbe
  4. Jean Kleyn
  5. Marvin Orie
  6. Marco van Staden
  7. Pieter-Steph du Toit
  8. Duane Vermeulen (C)
  9. Cobus Reinach
  10. Manie Libbok
  11. Kurt-Lee Arendse
  12. Andre Esterhuizen
  13. Lukhanyo Am
  14. Canan Moodie
  15. Willie le Roux

Replacements:

  1. Joseph Dweba
  2. Thomas du Toit
  3. Vincent Koch
  4. RG Snyman
  5. Evan Roos
  6. Deon Fourie
  7. Grant Williams
  8. Damian Willemse

Ready to Conquer and Make History

As the 2023 Rugby Championship unfolds, the Springboks are ready to conquer the field and make a lasting impact in the world of rugby. With a perfect blend of seasoned champions and emerging stars, they are poised to leave their mark in history.

Tags:

You might be interested in

Sarah Kendricks is a Cape Town journalist who covers the city’s vibrant food scene, from township kitchens reinventing heritage dishes to sustainable fine-dining at the foot of Table Mountain. Raised between Bo-Kaap spice stalls and her grandmother’s kitchen in Khayelitsha, she brings a lived intimacy to every story, tracing how a plate of food carries the politics, migrations and memories of the Cape.

View all

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

kitesurfing c kite festival Cape Town
Previous Story

The Enchanting C Kite Festival: A Celebration of Kitesurfing Artistry and Adventure

tennis legends wimbledon tradition
Next Story

A Warm Welcome: Wimbledon Honors Roger Federer’s Glorious Legacy

Latest from Blog

South Africa Public Media

From SABC to SARS: South Africa’s Leap Toward a Streaming-Age Public-Media Levy

South Africa is ditching its old TV license for a new, smarter way to fund public media by 2027. Instead of paying for a TV, everyone will pay a small, regular amount, like a household bill, collected by SARS. This change aims to give the SABC steady money to keep telling our stories and sharing news, even if we watch on phones or computers. It’s a big leap from dusty old TVs to the modern streaming world, making sure public broadcasting stays alive and well for everyone.

Rugby 1995 Rugby World Cup

When Gold Turns to Groceries: The Afterlife of a 1995 Springbok Medal

Adriaan Richter, a 1995 Springbok rugby hero, had to auction his World Cup medal because life tackled him hard. After business dreams crashed and debts piled up, that shining medal became his last hope. It wasn’t just gold; it was a lifeline, sold to cover his children’s school fees and keep his family afloat. This onceproud symbol of victory became a stark reminder of life’s tough scrums, showing how even a hero’s glory can turn into groceries.

football racism

When a 73-Second Clip Shook Bafana: Anatomy of a Racism Storm

A 73second video of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos scolding a player ignited a huge racism storm in South African football. People online shared the clip, saying a white coach was putting down a black player. This caused a big fight about race, gender, and class in the sport. SAFA worked hard to show the full video and defend their coach. In the end, the player’s mother and the team captain helped calm things down, showing the country’s complicated feelings about race.

lottery South Africa

21:00 Tonight: 83 Million Reasons to Hold Your Breath

Tonight at 9 PM, South Africa holds its breath for the PowerBall lottery. Eightythree million rand is up for grabs, a lifechanging amount for someone lucky. People pick five numbers and one PowerBall number, hoping their dreams come true. Even though winning is super hard, everyone imagines what they’d do with the money. It’s a moment when the whole country pauses, dreaming big dreams for just a few minutes.

True crime Femicide

A Night for Cravings, A Grave for Two: The Shanice Rudolph Story

Shanice Rudolph, a 23yearold pregnant woman, vanished after a quick trip to the corner shop and was found buried in Klip Road Cemetery. She and her unborn son tragically died from brutal bluntforce trauma, likely from a concrete rod. “Oom Boeta,” a backyard mechanic known to her family, has been arrested in connection with this heartbreaking double murder. This case has ignited fury, with activists demanding justice and stronger laws against violence towards pregnant women.