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All Blacks mix and match with team selection for Bulls clash
Taylor will captain the All Blacks for the first time in his 110th All Blacks match, and in what will be his first match of the tour, against the Bulls. Props Xavier Numia and Tyrel Lomax will also play their first match of the tour. asg-reflektory.pl
Six players from the All Blacks team who beat the Sharks 54-0 on Tuesday retain their places in the matchday 23 for the Bulls match: lock Josh Lord, loose forward Wallace Sititi, halfbacks Kyle Preston and Cortez Ratima (who are both playing their third game of the tour), midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai, and outside back Emoni Narawa.
A total of 14 players named in the 23 to take on the Bulls played in the opening match against the Stormers.
HOW THE ALL BLACKS WILL LINE UP AGAINST THE BULLS
ALL BLACKS – 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Anton Segner, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor (c), 1 Xavier Numia.
Subs: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 George Bower, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Emoni Narawa.
The Bulls have named a solid side for this clash, including the likes of Willie le Roux, Curwin Bosch, Embrose Papier,and Marcell Coetzee.
“The Bulls have consistently been South Africa’s best franchise side, making the United Rugby Championship finals in four of the last five years,” said New Zealand coach Dave Rennie.
“Loftus Versfeld is one of the most formidable rugby grounds in the world, so we are aware of the challenge in front of us and excited at what lies ahead.
“This is also our final hit out before the first Test match against the Springboks, so it is an important game for us. There is healthy competition for Test spots so this is another opportunity for players to put their hands up for selection.
“Huge congratulations to Codie on his first All Blacks captaincy. He is a top man and has done a great job leading this tour group. This is a proud moment for an All Blacks centurion who has made a massive contribution to this team as a player and a leader.”
WHAT THE BULLS TEAM LOOKS LIKE
BULLS – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Thaakir Abrahams, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Alu Tshakweni.
Bench: 16 Jaundre Schoeman, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Khuta Mchunu, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Katlego Letebele, 23 Hakeem Kunene.
All Blacks shed light on crocked stars
Head coach Dave Rennie has provided a timeline for Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie’s further involvement in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.
Fullback McKenzie twisted his ankle in Tuesday’s 54-0 thrashing of the Sharks, and won’t face the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Speaking in a team announcement press conference on Thursday, Rennie said winger Jordan would have played in Durban before a back issue ruled him out.
TEAM: All Blacks skipper returns for Bulls battle
“The original plan was to play him against the Sharks. When he wasn’t good for that, we thought we’d play him and even give him some game time this week, but he’s not quite right,” the coach said.
“But he’s definitely better, so we’re reasonably confident.”
Rennie, though, is confident McKenzie should be available to face the Springboks in the first Test next Saturday.
“Even with Damian injuring an ankle … we’re expecting him to be OK for the Test.
“Most of our 15 cover comes from 10, so that just reaffirmed the importance of bringing someone like Richie in,” Rennie added, referring to Richie Mo’unga’s call-up on Thursday.
MORE: Rennie reveals Richie return plan
Codie Taylor returns from a calf injury to lead the side against the Bulls, with the tour skipper having missed the first two matches.
“It’s obviously a pretty cool moment for Codie. He’s worked really hard and we’re stoked for him. He’s such a good man,” Rennie said.
The Kiwi made wholesale changes to his starting XV and on his selections, Rennie explained: “It’s just a handful [of changes from what was originally planned], based on niggles and injuries.
“Obviously, with Cam Roigard, the plan was just to give him maybe 30 minutes off the bench and then he just pulled up a little lame.
“We’re pretty confident he’ll be right for the first Test and he’s played a lot of rugby this year.
TEAM: Bulls get Bok boost for All Blacks clash
“We’ve got a number of guys who played on Tuesday who, as you’ve seen, have been strong contenders for a Test team, but there’s also a number in here. We think it’s a good group and an opportunity.”
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
The post All Blacks shed light on crocked stars appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Former PSL superstar finds new home in North Africa!
Former PSL and Mamelodi Sundowns superstar Lucas Ribeiro Costa has finally found a new home in North Africa.
On Thursday, African football powerhouse Esperance Sportive de Tunis announced the acquisition of Ribeiro Costa.
Ribeiro Costa had been linked with a number of African clubs after becoming a free agent at the end of last season.
The left-footed attacker then signed on the dotted line with Libyan giants Al-Ittihad Tripoli but he has since moved to Esperance.
He had a change of heart soon after the departure of coach Rulani Mokwena who was instrumental in bringing him to Libya.
Ribeiro Costa joins Esperance on a three-year deal in a swap deal that will see Jacques Diarra move in the opposite direction.
Also read: Sundowns in talks to secure loan move for fringe goalkeeper!
FORMER PSL SUPERSTAR LUCAS RIBEIRO COSTA JOINS ESPERANCE
“Last night, the vice president of the Tunisian sports club Esperance, Shakeri Al-Wa’ar, traveled to Libya to complete the procedures for the transfer of the Brazilian player Lucas Ribeiro to our club,” reads the statement.
“This morning, a meeting was held with a delegation from the Tunisian sports club, led by Shakeri Al-Wa’ar, and a delegation from the Libyan club, led by the executive director Abdelmajid Saleh, to finalize all the arrangements for this process.
“This is thanks to the Tunisian sports club, headed by the club president, Mr. Hamdi Madab, and his brother from the Libyan club, the Union of Libya, for their warm reception and treatment, which paves the way for further strengthening of relations and cooperation in the coming phase.”
Also read: Mngqithi outsmarts Barker to lift first trophy in Tanzania
IS THIS THE PERFECT MOVE FOR LUCAS RIBEIRO COSTA?
Let us know in the comment section below…
Maa community overcome by joy after youngster wins gold at World Under 20 Championships
NAIROBI, Kenya, August 13, 2026 – For a community not renowned for producing many successful female athletes, Josephine Sembeyo’s gold medal at the World Under 20 Championships in Oregon meant the whole world to the Maa.
Dressed in their easily identifiable regalia, they thronged the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday night to welcome their heroine, singing songs and dance to pass the time as they waited for her and the rest of Team Kenya to emerge from Terminal 1A.
Airport security had a tough time containing the excited group of men, women and children who poured forward towards the entrance, seeking to catch a glimpse of their kindred as she cleared with immigration before being allowed to proceed.
The AIC Loitoktok Secondary School student put her village on the world map when she ward off the challenge of American Claire Stegall to win the women’s 1500m.
She clocked 4:16.73 to win the race, and become Kenya’s first champion in the event after triple Olympic champion who last won in 2012 in Barcelona, Spain.
Reflecting on her awe-inspiring feat, Sembeyo credited a focused mind, undaunted by the challenge from other runners.
“My mind was always focused on getting to the podium. The competition, of course, was always tough but I fought my way through it to ensure that I get gold,” she said.
Beyond the tartan track at Hayward Field, Sembeyo’s feat has sent ripples across the Maa community whose effects will be felt long after the celebrations have wound down.
Nominated senator Hezena Lemaletian spoke glowingly of Sembeyo, describing as a light for the girl child in the minority communities.
“It’s a big win for us in the minorities…it’s a big win for the girl child. We are so delighted with what she has done and proud of her,” the senator said.
As the celebrations shift to Kajiado County, the hope is that Sembeyo’s feats will be etched in the minds of many young girls — as well as boys — providing them with the inspiration to pursue their dreams in sports, regardless of the opposing tides of sociocultural norms.
Kenyan youngster eyes success in senior ranks after gold medal at World Under 20 Championships
NAIROBI, Kenya, August 13, 2026 – Not merely content with being a World Under 20 champion, Franklin Kibet has earmarked the 2027 World Championships in Beijing and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 as his next stomping ground.
The 19-year-old says he wants to add to his medal collection with an outstanding performances at the two major competitions.
“From next year I will be moving to the senior ranks and I want to do my ultimate best. By the grace of God, I hope to make the team for the World Championships and make the podium. I also want to be at the Los Angeles Olympics,” Kibet said.
Kibet clocked 13:28.27 to win Kenya’s first gold at the age-grade championships, his second title in less than a year after clinching the World Cross Country Championships in the under 20 men’s category in Florida.
The youngster also finished second in the men’s 5000m at the Kip Keino Classic at the Nyayo Stadium, clocking 13:10.70.