Rugby

Displaying an unbreakable spirit of “Africanness” when the going got tough enabled the Springboks to pull off a fighting 32-14 win over a gutsy Italian side in Turin on Saturday, captain Siya Kolisi said.

Students and fans flooded onto the Police Park playing surface after the final whistle in celebration of the Walter Sisulu University All Blacks being crowned the champions of the Border Brutten Ten on Saturday.

The two said they are doing everything they can to avoid losing players on the field due to mistakes.

It was never sexy but this afternoon’s Test was compulsive viewing if you like your rugby messy, disjointed and, above all, hard as the Boks won 32-14.

It was never sexy but this afternoon’s Test was compulsive viewing if you like your rugby messy, disjointed and, above all, hard as the Boks won 32-14.

Experienced flyhalf Handre Pollard has been recalled to marshal a new-look Springbok team against a resurgent and dangerous Italian side at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Saturday.

WSU All Blacks players have had to juggle writing exams with training, while for Young Leopards it has been about balancing their daily jobs and preparation for the Border Brutten Cup Final.

A daunting challenge awaits the Springbok Women’s Sevens team in the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Cup in Kenya this weekend, but upon their departure to Nairobi on Wednesday, coach Cecil Afrika was at ease due to the mood and mindset of the departing squad

Scrumming down and helping to push EP towards Currie Cup Premier Division promotion and growing his own skills are both key objectives for newly signed Elephants forward Athi Khethani.

A wary Springbok side will not make the mistake of letting their guard down against a passionate Italian team who have been labelled underdogs ahead of Saturday’s clash in Turin, loose forward Marco van Staden says.

The organisers of the Border Brutten Ten have explained the reason behind opting for Police Park for the competition’s final instead of the larger capacity Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, saying it was more central for travelling spectators.

Several players who caught the eye during the recently completed Grand Challenge club rugby competition are set to be invited to train and go through a conditioning phase alongside the EP Elephants squad, coach Allister Coetzee said.

Andre Esterhuizen’s ability to multitask between the backs and forwards with ease has become a key tactical weapon for the world champions, attack coach Tony Brown said.

Awakening a sleeping giant and triggering a long-awaited EP rugby revival are key priorities for EP’s new-look Elephants team, loose forward CJ Velleman says.

Emotional Springbok captain Siya Kolisi dedicated his 100th Test cap and a momentous win over France to everyone who grew up in circumstances similar to those he experienced on the dusty streets of Zwide township in Gqeberha.