Mapimpi recently returned to Durban after completing his short-term stint with Japanese Top League side the Docomo Red Hurricanes.

After the lengthy Covid-19 disruption, Mapimpi eventually made his club debut in November and his Top League debut earlier this year. The World Cup-winning wing made an immediate impact, racking up a sequence of tries in quick succession.

Following this Japanese ‘sabbatical’, which has increasingly become a commonplace compromise of sorts in South African rugby, Mapimpi is back at the Shark Tank.

Although Everitt opted against rushing him straight back into action for this Saturday’s all-important Rainbow Cup SA clash with the Stormers, the coach said he had been warmly welcomed back by the Sharks.

‘He’s been amazing, on and off the field. He’s always in good knick from a conditioning perspective, but the fact is he hasn’t played much and trained much, so it was good for him to get a full week of training under the belt in preparation for his return, hopefully in two weeks’ time.’

While in Japan with the Red Hurricanes, Mapimpi played under former Lions coach Johan Ackermann, and alongside All Blacks star TJ Perenara.

‘He really enjoyed the experience,’ Everitt commented.

‘Makazole is a guy who likes to learn every day he comes to training. He prides himself on learning and going to bed at night having added something new to his knowledge. It was exciting and enriching for him, especially playing with the likes of TJ and learning from different coaches, too.

‘He’s got some good ideas he’s come back with as well, and he certainly has been sharing a lot of info. One of the things he did say is that we don’t play very differently to the teams in Japan, but the detail within the model is just slightly different. So, he’s been adding a lot of input in team meetings and training. It’s a pleasure to have him back.’

There will be a break in the Rainbow Cup SA competition next weekend as the Boks continue with a series of alignment camps, which Mapimpi is set to join.

The 30-year-old speedster is then expected to feature against the Lions and Bulls on successive weekends. That latter clash could well determine if the Sharks can find away to finish top of the standings and subsequently book a place in a historic ‘North vs South’ final on 19 June.

Meanwhile, at Thursday’s virtual Sharks media briefing, Everitt also touched on the ‘devastating’ injury to Sikhumbuzo Notshe, who ruptured his patella tendon against the Bulls this past weekend and is set to miss out on the British & Irish Lions tour.

‘It’s really unfortunate that he suffered such a severe injury, I think when it happened on the field no one would have imagined that he would have ruptured his patella tendon.

‘It is sad for him because he was the form No 8 and him and Duane would have gone head to head for that position for the Boks. It is devastating for him, but he is a positive guy and he had a successful surgery on Tuesday, but he will be out for a while.’ FULL STORY: https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/sharks-coach-mapimpi-amazing-1/

White left Australia’s most successful Super Rugby franchise almost a full three years before his 26-year-old utility back packed his bags in 2016 for Perth to join the Future Force, the Western Force’s academy.

Centrally contracted by the end of his first full campaign the following year, Verity-Amm was assigned to the Brumbies following the Force’s exclusion from Super Rugby.

He would only make a solitary appearance before successive shoulder and back injuries put his career in the balance, prompting him to return to South Africa.

Thrown a lifeline by Griquas, Verity-Amm shone throughout and got an unexpected call from White, the man with a mixed if telling legacy in Canberra – the World Cup winner who led the Brumbies to a Super Rugby final within the first two years of his tenure, only to leave shortly afterwards.

“I never thought I would land up at the Bulls after growing up in the Cape and with the Stormers being the big team there, but I’m happy to be here at the Bulls,” he said, ahead of Saturday’s crucial clash against the Sharks at Loftus in Rainbow Cup SA.

“It’s a fantastic team and I’m proud to say I’m a part of it.”

Despite the pedigree that White boasts, Verity-Amm admits to being pleasantly surprised by the Bulls mentor’s crisp yet effective communication.

Since joining last month, he hasn’t been bombarded with information on how to play the Bulls’ way.

“Jake is obviously a great coach. He’s been around the block and knows what he’s doing,” said Verity-Amm.

“I have no doubt he’s going to help elevate me and push my game forward.”

And for that to become a reality, White has clearly decided his latest utility back – who can play at centre, wing and fullback – first needs to become comfortable by showing off his natural instincts as a player.

“Jake is absolutely an open and honest man. But, to be honest, our dialogue has to date been quite brief,” said Verity-Amm.

“Before I made my (Bulls) debut against the Lions (a fortnight ago), he was very encouraging. He let me know that he picked me for a reason to play in that game and backed me 100%.

“I was just told to go out there and do my thing, play my rugby. It’s unbelievable always to have that type of backing from any coach. It shows from the outset that he has confidence in you. He’s been very supportive.”

Expect Verity-Amm to reciprocate that trust.
Kick-off at Loftus is at 18:15 on Saturday.
Full Story: https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/rainbowcup/distant-brumbie-bond-verity-amm-keen-to-immediately-repay-jakes-faith-20210513

Rhule, who played seven Tests for the Boks in 2017, currently plies his trade at French Top 14
club La Rochelle where he’s been in scintillating form.
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Rhule initially made his mark in South Africa for the Cheetahs between 2012 and 2017. The 28-
year-old also played for the Stormers in 2018 but fell out of favour with the national selectors
before heading abroad.

He joined French PRO D2 club Grenoble in 2018 before signing with La Rochelle last June.

La Rochelle, who recently booked a spot in the Champions Cup semi-finals for the first time,
have four more players on the list: Gregory Alldritt, Levani Botia, Kevin Gourdon and Will Skelton.

They also currently occupy second position on the Top 14 standings.

Rugby fans can vote for their preferred candidate and the 15 players will then be
trimmed down to just five after the Champions Cup semi-finals at the beginning of May, before
voting will re-open.

The opinions of the fans will be combined with the expertise of a prominent panel of pundits
working on the tournaments.

Former Springbok wing Bryan Habana, who does commentary for Channel4, is on the voting
panel alongside Erik Bonneval (beIN SPORTS), Sonja McLaughlan (BBC Radio 5 Live), Alan
Quinlan (Virgin Media) and Dimitri Yachvili (France Televisions).

EPCR European Player of the Year 2021 award nominees:

GrОgory Alldritt (La Rochelle)
Levani Botia (La Rochelle)
Antoine Dupont (Toulouse)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby)
Kevin Gourdon (La Rochelle)
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby)
Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux-Begles)
Jerome Kaino (Toulouse)
Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby)
Julien Marchand (Toulouse)
Kotaro Matsushima (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
Romain Ntamack (Toulouse)
Raymond Rhule (La Rochelle)
Will Skelton (La Rochelle)
Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby)

Roll of Honour – 2020: Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs); 2019: Alex Goode (Saracens); 2018:
Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92); 2017: Owen Farrell (Saracens); 2016: Maro Itoje (Saracens); 2015:
Nick Abendanon (ASM Clermont Auvergne); 2014: Steffon Armitage (RC Toulon); 2013: Jonny
Wilkinson (RC Toulon); 2012: Rob Kearney (Leinster Rugby); 2011: Sean O’Brien (Leinster Rugby);
2010: Ronan O’Gara (Munster – best player of first 15 years of European professional club
competitions). FULL STORY: https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/forgotten-bok-wing-on-15-man-shortlist-for-european-player-of-the-year-award-20210415

The 26-year-old Verity-Amm attended Hottentots Holland High School in the Western Cape, where he represented Western Province at junior level and UWC in the Varsity Shield.

In 2016, he made the long trip to Australia where he linked up with the Future Force Academy in Perth. It didn’t take long before he got his opportunity with Western Force where he made his starting debut against the Lions in the 2017 Vodacom Super Rugby campaign.

He later joined the Brumbies, but signed on to play for Griquas in the 2020 Super Rugby Unlocked and 2021 Carling Currie Cup tournaments.

Commenting on his recruitment of Verity-Amm, Bulls director of rugby Jake White said: ‘James is a talented player who is rock solid on both attack and defence. His acquisition will only strengthen our backs and we are looking forward to adding a player of his ability to our roster.’

Hendricks added another chapter to his remarkable story by playing an integral role in helping the Bulls claim a domestic double of Super Rugby Unlocked and the Currie Cup.

The 32-year-old had to adapt to a new role at inside centre when White took charge of the team, but he has done so with such ease that one would think that he had been playing there for most of his career.

PLAYER RATINGS: Hendricks leads the way

A man of the match performance in the Currie Cup final win against the Sharks on Saturday was a demonstration of what makes him such a special player, as he appeared to be one of the Bulls’ most threatening attacking players in the match.

‘He has been phenomenal,’ White said in the post-match press conference. ‘He has probably been our best player. I played him at centre and spoke to [Bulls backline coach] Chris Rossouw about him and he has just been phenomenal.

‘I have said it before, a lot of guys who have played in that jersey before for other teams like Ma’a Nonu and Tana Umaga, have started on the wing. He has got a great appreciation for space and understanding for what guys in the midfield need to do.

‘Obviously you have experienced guys like Morne Steyn, who has been around, and Ivan van Zyl. Don’t underestimate the impact of the three of them on the inside of some of those youngsters, they are going to learn a lot from a guy like Cornal.

‘I am saying the obvious when I say he is professional, very dedicated. He is a great, great communicator and works hard. What’s also nice is that he is a Springbok. He has been there and done it, so he is sharing that knowledge. I am very happy for him. I am sure that his ability to play wing and centre is a great bonus for him as well.’

White, however, would not be drawn on whether Hendricks deserves a recall to the Springboks, whenever the team returns to Test rugby action. Hendricks last played for the Springboks in 2015.

‘The nice thing about it is that I am not involved in the national team, so it’s not up for me to decide,’ White said. ‘I just know that he has done really well for the Bulls. Having coached the Springboks, I don’t think it’s fair for professional coaches to talk about who they think should and shouldn’t play for South Africa.

‘We are world champions and have great coaches. Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber know who they are looking for. I am sure that if they think he is good enough and will add value, they will pick him.’ FULL STORY: https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/bulls-centre-hendricks-phenomenal/?fbclid=IwAR363hFcLorrFM3kmPI-EMWz88YWsKQcZgG7a_QZjhdFyGFSzH3ov1f7-ow

A 12-test cap Springbok, Hendricks enjoyed a late yet rapid rise to the top of South African rugby and even quicker fall from grace thereafter.

Straight out of school, Hendricks was part of the Boland Cavaliers squad that played in the Currie Cup – often turning out in the second division of the tournament – making his debut in 2008. It would take five years at Boland for the speedster to catch the eye with former South African Sevens coach Paul Treu providing Hendricks with his opportunity. One he seized with both hands.

Hendricks lit up the World Sevens Circuit scoring 61 tries in 82 matches between 2012 and 2014 with his form finally attracting the interest of a Super Rugby team, the Cheetahs.

At the age of 25, Hendricks made his long-awaited and well deserved Super Rugby debut and did not disappoint as he scored his first try in the 49th minute against the Lions.

2014 proved to be a breakthrough year for the hot stepping winger who featured in all of the Cheetahs games until June when he would be named in the Springbok squad and make his first appearance for his country against a World XV side.

A full test debut followed soon after as Heyeneke Meyer rewarded Hendricks’ form with a start on his test debut against Wales. Once again, he rose to the occasion scoring a try, again assisted by Willie Le Roux, on his debut as South Africa claimed a 38-16 win in Durban.

2015 saw Hendricks hit some of the best form of his career as focused turned to the Rugby World Cup in England as well as the 2016 Olympics with the Blitzboks. During his time with Boland, his form was ignored by Stormers coach Allister Coetzee and in 2015 it seemed as if his career would come full circle as he finally signed a deal with the Stormers.

However, his career would come to a complete halt after earning his 12 test caps for the Boks. A sudden heart condition meant that he was unable to play, and he never donned the Stormers or WP jersey, missed the Rugby World Cup and Olympics. He was forced to put his career on hold with a deal with Toulon also cancelled.

Despite his condition, Hendricks remained positive telling EWN in 2016: “I am not going to retire now, I’m still going to play a lot of rugby.”

“There is still plenty of rugby inside of me, I still want to play for a very long time.”

He was not wrong. After three years out of elite-level rugby, he fought his way back to the top and earned a Super Rugby contract with the Bulls in 2019.

“Those were unbelievably dark days. I had played for the BlitzBokke and had hoped to be part of the team for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

“Instead, I stayed at my home, severely depressed, and could not bear to watch those I once played alongside as they competed in Brazil.

“I continued to train, but motivating myself was extremely difficult because I felt all the hard work I was putting in had no purpose.”

The speedster believed he could play top-level rugby again and upon his return to Super Rugby with the Bulls, he revealed the support he received from the man who handed him his first test cap, Heyneke Meyer.

“Heyneke and (my agent) Anthony Johnson never gave up hope and after playing some sevens, club and exhibition rugby, the Bulls gave me a contract after I underwent tests.”

His return to Super Rugby was far from just filling up the Bulls rooster as he went on to make 14 appearances for the side in his first season back scoring five tries on the wing, including a brace in the quarter-final loss to the Hurricanes which led to calls him to get a test recall ahead of the Rugby World Cup. This did not materialize for Hendricks but the same calls have arisen recently.

The 2020 Super Rugby season saw Hendricks feature in 5 of the Bulls 6 Super Rugby games scoring twice off the wing before the competition was brought to halt because of the coronavirus pandemic.

During lockdown in South Africa, the Bulls announced the arrival of Jake White as the side’s new Director of Rugby. A move that would not only kick start a winning year for the Bulls but provide Hendricks with another career-defining opportunity.

With White at the helm, there was a lot of change at the Bulls with a number of players joining and departing the franchise but for Hendricks, there was a positional switch.

Hendricks played his entire Super Rugby and test career on the wing but at the age of 32 he started for the first time in the centre for the Bulls in White’s first game in charge. While Hendricks did play outside centre for Boland, the move to the #12 jersey was somewhat foreign to him but again he rose to the occasion and thrived. The Bulls won their first match with Hendricks in the #12 jersey thumping the Sharks 49-28 at Loftus to kick start a stellar year.

On Saturday Hendricks completed the latest chapter of his story as the Bulls were crowned Currie Cup champions, ending an 11-year wait for the trophy, with Hendricks again starring as he was named man of the match in the extra-time 26-19 triumph over the Sharks.

“This one is very special for us. Coach Jake backing me at 12, so all thanks to the management, coaching staff, and the whole team. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be standing here,” Hendricks said in a post-match TV interview.

White, the former World Cup-winning coach, was effusive in his praise for Hendricks, describing him as one of the best Bulls players of the season.

“He’s been phenomenal – I think he’s probably been our best player. I played him there and I spoke to (backline coach) Chris Rossouw about him, and jeez: he’s phenomenal,” White said.

“A lot of guys who have played in that jersey for other teams, like Ma’a Nonu, Tana Umaga, and Caleb Clarke coming through now, they’ve always started on the wing, and I think he’s got a great appreciation for space and understanding what guys in the midfield need to do.”

White is not wrong with Hendricks shining in both the semi-final and the final of the Currie Cup beating 11 defenders and making over 60 running metres in the two matches combined.

A recall to the Springbok squad would certainly we the icing on the cake for Hendricks especially with the British and Irish Lions Tour set to take place this year. But the fact that he has not only able to take to the field but thrive at an elite level in a new position is enough of a Cinderella story to inspire.

Full Story: https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/player-spotlight%3A-cornal-hendricks/635682

The 26-year-old has been a regular in the Pro14 for the last three seasons, and now makes the switch to England for a spell in the Greene King IPA Championship.

The 6ft 5” second-rower came through the Blue Bulls Academy where he represented their Under 19s, before moving to the Golden Lions in Johannesburg in 2014.

He then became a regular there, starting in all but one of their Vodacom Cup matches in 2015, scoring seven tries in the process.

De Wee signed for the Southern Kings in 2017, and made 26 appearances for them in the Pro 14 since they joined the division alongside the Cheetahs.

The South African can play in both the second-row and back-row, meaning he will add quality to the pack with the Championship season drawing ever closer.

De Wee is looking forward to his new challenge in W13.

“I’m truly ecstatic to have signed with a club of this magnitude and I’ll be looking to contribute as much as I can on and off the pitch.”

Director of Rugby Ben Ward is thrilled to see De Wee arrive in West London.

“Bobby is someone we have been looking at for a long time and it is great to have secured his services.

His ball-carrying will add another dimension to our attack, and his physicality in defence is a real asset for us.

He has played consistently at the top level so we can’t wait to see him put on the Green and White shirt.” FULL STORY: http://www.ealingtrailfinders.com/news/bobby-de-wee-signs-for-ealing-trailfinders

With Harry Williams and Tomas Francis both likely to be involved in the upcoming Autumn Nations Cup and Six Nations Championship, Chiefs Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, has moved swiftly to bring in the 28-year-old tighthead.

Van Dyk – who has previously played for the Sharks, Cheetahs and Griquas in South Africa, as well as Leinster, Toulouse and, more recently, a short stint at Harlequins – joins on an initial one-year deal, although there is an option for that to be extended further.

A product of the famous Paarl Boys’ High School in South Africa, he has also represented South Africa at Under-20s level, helping them to lift the IRB Junior World Championship in 2012.

Commenting on his move to Sandy Park, Van Dyk said: “Obviously, it’s a massive honour for me to join a club of the calibre of Exeter Chiefs. As everyone has seen, they are a team who are not only challenging at the very top end of the game, but they are also winning the big trophies.

“Having watched them, I like what I see and how they play the game. For me, this is a big opportunity for me to not only join a great club, but at the same time improve my own game.

“I know the Premiership is a very tough division, much different to what I faced in France, but having been at Harlequins I do have an idea of what to expect. It’s going to be tough, it’s going to be physical, but that is what you kind of expect at this level.

“The Chiefs have shown they are a force to be reckoned with for a number of years now, getting into semi-finals and finals, so I’m very much looking forward to being part of things here.”

Baxter himself is delighted to add the Johannesburg-born forward to his ranks, particularly at a time when he will be without both Williams and Francis, as well as having seen Aussie international Greg Holmes also depart last season.

“I think when we saw the make-up of the new season, particularly with the amount of international games on the calendar, we started to look at options around tighthead,” explained Baxter. “It’s not like we are going to lose Franny and Harry for say three or four weeks, it’s going to be a lot longer than that.

“Obviously, we’ve got some great young talent coming through in the shape of Marcus Street and Alfie Petch, both of whom we will use over the course of the coming season, but we felt it would be a big ask on those guys to play 10+ games on the bounce.

“Having a player like Maks, especially with the experience he has, come into the squad – it will allow us to rotate our options a little easier. Like every player, we’ve had a good look at him and we like what we see.

“He’s a big, strong ball-carrier, he’s quite light on his feet for a prop, and some of those key strengths you crave from a prop, he has a lot of those qualities already. Of course, there are areas to his game that we feel we can improve on, but when you look at the whole package he brings, he ticks a lot of boxes.” FULL STORY: https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/van-dyk-seals-move-to-the-chiefs

Appropriately, the 26-year-old former Force and Brumbies utility back has even been granted some extra space to gallop, at his favoured position of fullback.

With Anthony Volmink off to Durban at the end of the week to join the Sharks, the Peacock Blues saw little use keeping Verity-Amm confined to playing wing.

“He made his name as a No 15,” said Scott Mathie, Griquas’ head coach.

“Anthony was one of our key members previously so there was little reason to keep him away from fullback when we was still present. In fact, it actually worked out well because we felt that, because of the disrupted nature of the season, it might be better for James to get used to our system on the wing.”

“With Anthony moving on, James can now slot in.”

Verity-Amm, a former Western Province junior who was the leading try scorer in 2015’s Varsity Shield for UWC, has already shown glimpses of class in a campaign that’s started with two losses.

He’s already crossed the whitewash twice and is one of the most proficient line-breakers to date.

“James’ Super Rugby experience is invaluable,” said Mathie.

“There’s a lot he brings to the table at fullback, some real technical nuances. Of course, everyone’s also aware of what he can deliver with ball-in-hand.

“I’m really excited to see him go. He’s a guy who invariably has a magic touch.”

Yet, to maximise his potency, Griquas will have to see more of the ball, exemplified by the fact that they only enjoyed 45% possession against the Pumas a fortnight ago.

It was the same case at Loftus.

“Yeah, we’ve worked quite a lot on our kicking game towards that end. We’ve been giving the ball away too easily,” said Mathie.

“Securing our set-piece will also be important, not only for our own needs but also because the Lions are a really dangerous side on attack.”

Kick-off at Ellis Park is at 19:00. FULL STORY: https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/superrugby/griquas-play-trump-card-in-unleashing-brumby-james-verity-amm-20201029

You played for the Pumas in last year’s Currie Cup? How did you end up signing for Enisei-STM?

I was planning on staying at the Pumas, and then Covid happened. We didn’t know if we were going to be offered contracts, so when my agent contacted me about an opportunity to play in Russia, I gave it a lot of thought. In the end, I decided to take it.

When did you leave for Russia and what was it like travelling overseas during a pandemic?

I left in August. The travelling, to be honest, was a mess! There were a lot of restrictions and paperwork. And when you arrive in Russia, you have the language barrier. So it was quite tough, especially as I travelled alone. Luckily, everything worked out and I got there in one piece!

What was it like living in Russia?

The city of Krasnoyarsk is in the middle of Russia, in the middle of Siberia. I checked the Weather Channel before I left South Africa and didn’t take too many warm clothes with me. But after three weeks there, the temperature just started dropping and one morning when I woke up it was snowing. Once when I was walking to training at 9:30 in the morning, it was minus two!

Where did you stay?

I lived in a very nice apartment, we were well looked after. They organised taxis to take us to and from training, as well as meals during the day.

What were your first impressions of the club?

They were very good. The club has very nice facilities, including a gym. When you meet the people, the language barrier is an issue, but you soon realise they are just as passionate about rugby as South Africans, even though the sport isn’t that big in Russia. We all speak the language of rugby.

What is rugby’s profile like in Russia?

I don’t follow Russian sport closely but they’re obviously great Olympians and they hosted the soccer World Cup recently. The older, more traditional sports are popular in Russia, but rugby is in a growing phase. They want to host the 2027 or 2031 World Cup, which shows they are investing in rugby. They’re also opening their doors to more foreigners, which I think is a great thing.

How many games did you play for the club?

I only played two matches in the Russia Cup, which we won for the first time in four or five years. The other tournament has been postponed to next year because of the virus. The winners of that tournament qualify for the European Challenge Cup.

Which other South Africans are at the club?

I played alongside Earl Douwrie, Nicholas Oosthuizen, Friedle Olivier and PJ Jacobs, and our backline coach is Rynhardt van As. When I first arrived at the club, only Rynhardt was there and he was with the backline. So when I went to train with the forwards, they did the lineouts in Russian, which was hectic!

Were you able to pick up any Russian?

[Laughs] I got reasonably far with numbers and basics like ’thank you’. But I’ve got a lot to learn – when they start talking quickly, it’s really hard to understand them. I’ll get there, though.

What did you do in your free time?

We didn’t have much in the beginning. But we did a bit of sight-seeing, like visiting the Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel [below], which is situated on the top of Karaulnaya Mountain. Hopefully, when I return next year, we will have more time for that and travelling.

When exactly will you be going back?

At the end of January. We will go to Turkey for two or three weeks for pre-season and there’s a chance we will also spend a bit of pre-season in South Africa and play against a couple of the universities. That would be really good preparation for us and good publicity for Russian rugby.

FULL STORY: https://www.rugbyrocks.com/saffa-embraces-russian-rugby-experience