Rugby Union Today: Boks named and Loose Pass
Another busy day in the rugby union game as South Africa announce their side for Saturday’s match against Australia in Johannesburg while we have an analysis piece as well as this week’s Loose Pass.
What’s on the site
Eben Etzebeth will captain the Springboks in their Rugby Championship opener while Herschel Jantjies lines up at scrum-half alongside fly-half Elton Jantjies. Francois Louw is selected in the number eight shirt.
Sam Larner is back with a brilliant piece on how rugby union has learned from league while Loose Pass plays down Argentina’s chances, looks at the Rugby Championship and also praises Fiji’s win last weekend.
Our final team preview ahead of the Rugby Championship puts New Zealand under the spotlight and there is also another My Rugby World Cup hero on Planet Rugby, today seeing Dan Carter receive praise.
What’s in the news
The PRO14 fixtures for 2019/20 have been announced as reigning champions Leinster are on the road first up in Treviso.
Meanwhile, new Ulster signing Gareth Milasinovich is set to miss up to nine months after sustaining an ACL knee injury.
What’s on social media
It’s a massive congratulations to Wales wing Hallam Amos. An incredible achievement to balance this with a rugby career.
🎓 @Hallam_Amos couldn't attend his @cardiffuni graduation this week due to Wales' training camp in Switzerland… so his teammates decided to bring graduation to Hallam.
A First Class Degree in Neuroscience (BSc). What an achievement 👏 #CardiffGrad pic.twitter.com/LnHrWyoyQe
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 17, 2019
What’s on TV
The focus shifts to the international game and the start of this year’s Rugby Championship will be broadcast on Sky Sports with South Africa and Argentina hosting Australia and New Zealand respectively. The second round of the Currie Cup also gets underway in Kimberley on Friday.