Armel Zohouri est rémois !

Mzwandile Stick says Saturday’s Nations Championship clash at Kings Park is another chance for the world champion Springboks to strengthen their trophy ambitions.

The Boks, who host Wales in Durban in round three of the competition, sit top of the southern hemisphere standings on 10 points after wins over England and Scotland. The tournament’s finals weekend is scheduled for 27-29 November at Twickenham.

While Rassie Erasmus’ men aren’t dismissing the challenge of the Welsh, Stick on Friday admitted they are looking further down the road.

“We’ve always had a July incoming series, and then we go on the end-of-year tour,” the assistant coach said. “The fact that it’s linked together now gives us a bigger challenge.

“We are looking towards the bigger goal, to play in the final game at Twickenham. But we always focus on one game at a time.”

ALSO: How strong is Boks’ grip on top spot?

Stick also spoke glowingly about the four debutants in the Bok starting XV, Ruben van Heerden, Carlü Sadie, Vusi Moyo and Jaco Williams.

“I first worked with Ruben in 2017 with the Junior Boks, and Carlü was also in that team. Vusi won the World Cup last year with the Junior Boks. I think about me as a 19-year-old, there’s no way I can compare myself to where Vusi is currently, mindset wise,” he said.

“And then you’ve got a guy like Jaco Williams, from Somerset East. I had to Google the last Springbok to come from that region – it was 1955.

“Every opportunity you get to represent your country is something not to be taken for granted, so I’m excited about what the team is going to do tomorrow.”

SCHALK: Vusi, Bok bench to cause problems

Pieter-Steph du Toit is set to captain the side for a third consecutive week in Siya Kolisi’s absence, and Stick reflected on the flanker’s growth since first leading the Boks against Wales eight years ago.

“His first game as a captain in Washington in 2018 was against Wales and look at where we are currently. He’s also one of the guys who probably doesn’t have to say a word, but people know what he stands for,” he said.

Turning to Wales, Stick praised the visitors’ physicality while drawing parallels between the two nations’ rugby cultures.

“They’re moving in the right direction and are in a good space currently. The closest personality and background wise to us, I think, is the Welsh. They’re very tough people.

“They’re very heavy on breakdowns, especially if you look at their loose trio. When you look at their backline, there’s a couple of guys who have been around. They also take pride in how they operate with their set-pieces,” he added.

MORE: Tandy won’t let that 73-0 define Wales

Stick also provided an update on Kolisi and Canan Moodie, though confirmed no late changes are expected to the match 23.

“Siya, with his hamstring, is starting to recover well and was training for the first time with the team. Canan Moodie was also playing. I don’t think there will be any changes, everyone is fine,” he said.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

The post Stick: Our goal is bigger than Wales appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Liverpool annonce la prolongation de contrat de Dominik Szoboszlai, désormais lié aux Reds jusqu’en juin 2031. Le hongrois poursuit ainsi son aventure à Anfield avant le lancement de la saison 2026-2027, la première sous les ordres du nouvel entraîneur Andoni Iraola.

Liverpool verrouille l’avenir de Szoboszlai

Arrivé à Liverpool durant l’été 2023 en provenance du RB Leipzig, Dominik Szoboszlai s’apprête à entamer sa quatrième saison sous les couleurs des Reds. Depuis son arrivée, le milieu de terrain s’est imposé comme une pièce maîtresse de l’effectif. En 147 matchs toutes compétitions confondues, il a inscrit 28 buts et contribué à plusieurs succès majeurs, notamment la Carabao Cup lors de sa première saison, puis le titre de champion de Premier League en 2024-2025.

Une prolongation synonyme de confiance

Très ému après avoir signé son nouveau bail, le Hongrois n’a pas caché sa joie : « C’est peut-être le plus grand jour de ma vie. Il y en a eu quelques-uns avant celui-ci, sans doute le jour où j’ai signé à Liverpool, pour commencer, et celui où j’ai eu mon bébé, bien sûr. Mais dans ma carrière de footballeur, je peux dire que celui-ci figure dans le top trois. Je suis très heureux. J’ai hâte de recommencer, encore et encore. Je suis simplement heureux d’être ici, comme je l’ai dit à maintes reprises. »

Des ambitions toujours plus élevées

La saison 2025-2026 restera la plus aboutie de sa carrière avec Liverpool. Auteur de 13 buts et 12 passes décisives en 53 rencontres, il a été élu « Joueur de la saison » par les supporters. Malgré cette reconnaissance, le milieu de terrain refuse de se reposer sur ses acquis.

« Il y a toujours mieux à faire. Je ne suis jamais satisfait. Je suis content de moi, mais je pense que je peux faire encore mieux. Je pense que c’est pour ça que je suis assis ici, parce que ça m’a poussé depuis que je suis tout petit : le fait que ce ne soit jamais assez. Et je pense la même chose aujourd’hui. Je veux montrer l’exemple. Je veux être un exemple pour tout le monde, autant que possible. Quand j’ai signé, j’ai dit que je voulais tout gagner. Ça n’a pas changé d’un iota. C’est toujours pareil : je veux remporter tout ce qui est possible dans ce pays, et aussi, disons, la Ligue des champions. Je suis prêt à tout donner », a-t-il conclu.

Avec cette prolongation jusqu’en 2031, Liverpool confirme sa volonté de bâtir son avenir autour de Dominik Szoboszlai, déterminé à enrichir encore davantage son palmarès sous le maillot des Reds.

The post Liverpool : Dominik Szoboszlai scelle son avenir sous long terme appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

Stand-in Springbok captain Pieter-Steph du Toit has given a glimpse into what makes him tick.

The two-time World Rugby Player of the year (2019 and 2014) will lead the Boks for the third straight match, in the absence of regular captain Siya Kolisi, against Wales in Durban on Saturday.

Du Toit has played virtually every minute of the Boks’ Nations Championship Tests this July, helping the world champions beat England and Scotland so far. He also featured in the non-Test against the Barbarians at the start of the season.

The 33-year-old Du Toit, who is one of the quieter members of the team and will play in his 98th Test on Saturday, was asked on Friday at a press conference what he ate to allow him to keep going at the rate he does Test after Test.

“Some very good steak,” was his answer, before adding, “I’m just very fortunate to be in the position to play for Springboks. They trust me to play for 80 minutes, and I’ll always try to give my best for the Boks.”

Leadership

On a more serious note, the regular blindside flanker, who’s also comfortable in the second row, also spoke about leadership. The first time Du Toit was entrusted with the Boks’ captaincy was in coach Rassie Erasmus’ first Test in charge, way back in June 2018, also against Wales. Ironically, he also made his debut against Wales, as a 21-year-old in November 2013.

“I’ve learned a lot about leadership [over the eight years],” he said. “I’ve been in the system so long, and there were guys before me who set the right example. Obviously I’ve made errors, and one learns all the time.”

He added: “Luckily I was brought up and was able to decide at a young age who I am, and how I want to live.

“There’s the expression about staying in your lane … whether it goes well on the field or not, whether you’re captain or not … the way you present yourself on the field must be the same way you present yourself off the field, and that is whether you’re just at home or socialising with friends. You must decide who you are.

“Then, it’s about your deeds. You can say what you’re going to do, but you must show it as well. That’s how I try to live my life.

“On the field I try to get through as many battles as I can, and if I can get that right, then I know I’ve added value.”

Saturday’s Test at Kings Park kicks off at 5.40pm.