The Junior Springbok Player of the Year and rising Sharks star dreams of being among the 81 Springboks this season. Rising star at the Sharks and 2024’s Junior Springbok Player of the Year, Jurenzo Julius, says his next short-term goal is being selected for the Springboks, a dream he has always had. The 20-year-old speedster was bestowed the Junior Springbok Player of the Year award at SA Rugby’s ceremony last week after lighting up the U20 stage for two seasons. During that time, he earned 13 caps for the Junior Springboks, starting in 12 matches. He scored seven tries to accrue 35 points to his name — enough to earn him a contract at the Sharks this season and ultimately, the prestigious award. Since joining the Sharks, Julius, AKA ‘The
Tag Archives: Springboks
The Springboks and coach Rassie Erasmus also picked up awards at a prize-giving function in Cape Town. Two-time World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe has joined the illustrious list of players to be named SA Rugby Player of the Year. The speedy winger picked up the award, for the 2024 season, at a function in Cape Town on Thursday night, beating fellow Springbok nominees Pieter-Steph du Toit, Damian de Allende, Eben Etzebeth and Ox Nche to the trophy. Du Toit was last year named World Rugby Player of the Year for his stellar performances for the Boks in 2024. ‘Thank you for believing in me’ Kolbe is the first backline player to win the award since Jean de Villiers won in 2013. “It’s massive … I need to pinch myself,” said
Mapimpi received a two-week suspension due to his apology and cooperation with the disciplinary process. However, he was involved in a similar incident before. Sharks and Springboks star Makazole Mapimpi will miss three of the Sharks upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) local derbies after receiving a ban. The 34-year-old winger was involved in a scuffle with Cardiff hooker Efan Daniel during their URC match in Wales on 25 January, which the Sharks won 42–22 to overtake the Welsh side on the table. During the incident, Mapimpi’s hand made contact with Daniel’s eye, sparking widespread criticism on social media and allegations of eye gouging. The URC revealed this week that the act resulted in a disciplinary process during which Mapimpi had accepted he had committed foul play which warranted a red
Veteran Springbok fullback Willie le Roux is on the verge of signing a new contract at the Bulls. Le Roux was believed to be headed for the exit door at Loftus at the end of the season but coach Jake White has given the clearest indication the player is likely to stay on for another year. Le Roux, 35, who is a two-time World Cup winner and has 98 Springbok caps, will give White options at No 10, where Johan Goosen, Boeta Chamberlain and Jaco van der Walt usually operate. “We didn’t want to resign him but the bottom line is he had an option to leave,” White said as the Bulls prepared for their United Rugby Championship visit to the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium on