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Blistering KLA sets sights on All Blacks
With the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series fast approaching, Springbok try-scoring machine Kurt-Lee Arendse insists there’s no time to relax for Rassie Erasmus’ charges.
Known for his speed and aerial prowess, Arendse’s touchdown in Saturday’s 43-0 win over Wales at Kings Park in the Nations Championship took his tally to 25 tries in 32 Tests.
The Boks have a two-week break before a 26-man squad travels to face Los Pumas in Buenos Aires on 8 August, while a separate group stays behind to begin preparing for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against the All Blacks, starting 22 August. saltysenoritaaz.com
“The Greatest Rivalry is going to be massive, and to be a part of it will be special,” Arendse said. “We’ll prepare well for it and make sure we’re ready for the All Blacks.
“I still have a lot of work to do, under the high ball and on attack. That’s what I’m going to focus on and if I get another chance, I’ll grab it with both hands.”
MORE: André the Giant targets All Blacks return
The 30-year-old speedster’s blistering finish against Wales moved him alongside the legendary Percy Montgomery among the Boks’ most prolific try-scorers, with seventh-placed Breyton Paulse (26) now in his sights.
Arendse, however, insists he doesn’t dwell on the milestones: “To be honest, I don’t keep track of it. I’m just grateful to represent my country and play with the boys.”
Humid, slippery weather in Durban on Saturday affected the Boks’ handling, but Arendse explained that the local contingent in the team helped them adapt.
RENNIE: Boks a different beast
“It wasn’t frustrating for us because Vusi Moyo and Aphelele Fassi play for the Sharks, so they know the conditions well,” he said. “Even the guys that didn’t play, they know the conditions well.
“We prepared well; during the training sessions, we made the ball wet. It wasn’t ideal conditions but we adapted.”
Despite scoring seven tries, the Boks botched several scoring opportunities, with the conditions prompting a boot-to-ball-first approach.
“The kicking game is always part of our plan,” Arendse noted. “If the conditions are not ideal, or even if it is ideal, we always try to kick and get into the contest.”
ALSO: All Blacks close gap on Boks
The World Cup winner also praised 20-year-old flyhalf Moyo, who kicked three conversions and a cross-kick that set up outside centre Jesse Kriel’s try just before half-time.
“He controlled the game really well with Cobus Reinach, who’s very experienced, and Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel, who played alongside him,” Arendse said.
“They all helped him a lot during the week, and you could see he controlled the game for the first half. I’m happy for him.
“He’s a Springbok now, so he can just learn from this experience.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post Blistering KLA sets sights on All Blacks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Mondial : voici les meilleurs joueurs des dix dernières éditions
Le rideau est tombé ce dimanche 19 juillet sur la 23e édition de la coupe du monde 2026. Pour la deuxième fois de son histoire, l’Espagne s’est adjugée le trophée en venant à bout de l’Argentine lors des prolongations. En effet, Ferran Torres a inscrit l’unique but de la rencontre sur tête en retrait de […]
L’article Mondial : voici les meilleurs joueurs des dix dernières éditions est apparu en premier sur Camfoot.com.
Mallett: All Blacks copying Bok blueprint
Nick Mallett believes the All Blacks have borrowed a page from the Springboks’ playbook under Dave Rennie ahead of next month’s four-Test showdown.
After watching New Zealand complete an unbeaten home Nations Championship campaign, Mallett says the biggest change has been the All Blacks’ willingness to attack through the middle before spreading the ball wide – an approach long associated with the Springboks.
“I must give Dave Rennie credit,” the former Bok coach said on the Talking Boks podcast. “I really thought he got his team to be so much more direct in terms of their ball-carriers. They really did carry well [against Ireland].
“It seems as though they’re following the South African template, which is very much go down the middle of the field prior to going out wide.”
RENNIE: Boks a different beast
The comments come as anticipation builds for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, with South Africa and New Zealand emerging as the standout teams from the opening half of the Nations Championship.
While impressed by the All Blacks’ evolution, Mallett believes the Boks remain well equipped to meet the challenge thanks to the depth Rassie Erasmus has built in the pack.
“We’ve done really well in expanding our strength and depth [in the forward pack],” he said. “It seems any pack we put on the field can take on any team in the world – even the All Blacks.”
STATE OF NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP: Boks, Les Bleus on top
There is, however, one area that concerns the former Bok coach.
With Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert managing injuries, Mallett believes the second row is the only position where South Africa could be vulnerable if their injury list grows.
“Lock is a problem,” he said. “If there is a problem against Argentina like Lood carrying an injury, Mostert carrying an injury, that could be a problem for us.
“We’ve got Ruan Nortjé who’s very athletic, Cobus Wiese who can do a job and Ruben van Heerden who can do a job. It would be the one position I’d be a bit nervous of if there are any more injuries than there are at the moment.”
WORLD RANKINGS: All Blacks close gap on Boks
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post Mallett: All Blacks copying Bok blueprint appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Mondial 2026 : L'Espagne décroche sa deuxième étoile
L'Espagne a décroché dimanche la deuxième Coupe du monde de son histoire, seize ans après son premier titre mondial, grâce à sa victoire après prolongations en finale contre l'Argentine (1-0), qui était tenante du titre et s'est retrouvée dimanche en infériorité numérique à la toute fin du temps réglementaire. Lionel Messi a sans doute disputé sa dernière coupe du monde. Kylian Mbappé termine meilleur buteur de cette édition (10 buts) et devient le meilleur buteur de l'histoire de la compétition (22 buts en 22 matches). Michael Olise termine meilleur passeur avec 7 passes décisives.
Argentine – Lionel Scaloni : « L’Espagne a été meilleure »
Après la défaite de l’Argentine face à l’Espagne en finale de la Coupe du monde 2026 (0-1 après prolongation), Lionel Scaloni a livré une réaction marquée par la fierté et le respect envers ses joueurs.
Le sélectionneur de l’Albiceleste a reconnu la supériorité de la Roja dans cette rencontre, tout en refusant de réduire le parcours de son équipe à cette seule défaite. Il a tenu à remercier son groupe, qui a une nouvelle fois réussi à atteindre la finale du Mondial.
« Ils ont été meilleurs, c’est vrai, mais je garderai un souvenir énorme de ce que mes joueurs ont accompli », a déclaré Scaloni, qui a insisté sur l’importance de reconnaître le mérite de ses joueurs après un tel parcours.
L’entraîneur argentin a également mis en avant la manière d’accepter la défaite. « Nous sommes grands dans la victoire et devons aussi l’être dans la défaite. Ce soir, on montre qu’on sait perdre. On a perdu et nous l’acceptons », a-t-il affirmé.
Malgré la déception, Scaloni veut donc retenir l’image d’une équipe capable de se battre jusqu’au bout et de rester digne dans les moments difficiles.
The post Argentine – Lionel Scaloni : « L’Espagne a été meilleure » appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.