Coupe du monde 2026 : la FIFA désigne Ivan Barton pour arbitrer le ch…

La FIFA a officialisé le nom de l’arbitre qui dirigera la très attendue demi-finale de la Coupe du monde 2026 entre la France et l’Espagne, programmée mardi au Texas. C’est le Salvadorien Ivan Barton, 35 ans, qui aura la lourde responsabilité de gérer cette affiche entre deux des favoris du tournoi. Déjà au sifflet de […]

L’article Coupe du monde 2026 : la FIFA désigne Ivan Barton pour arbitrer le choc France – Espagne est apparu en premier sur Shoot Africa.

Pitso Mosimane has received another high-profile endorsement to become the next Bafana Bafana head coach, with newly appointed Yanga boss Manqoba Mngqithi backing the decorated tactician for the national team job. michezonews.co.za

Do Bafana need a new coach?

Although SAFA insist Hugo Broos remains Bafana’s head coach, reports in Belgium have suggested the 74-year-old has left the association, fuelling speculation over who could succeed him.

According to multiple reports, Mosimane has emerged as the leading candidate for the position. Mngqithi, who was recently unveiled as Yanga’s new head coach, believes the time has come for a South African coach to lead the national team.

South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, already publicly backed the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al-Ahly coach to take over from Broos.

“There are positions that must come to you and not you going all out to say ‘hey, I want that job’ because it is unfair to everyone else that might be deserving of getting the job,:” Mngqithi said on Radio 2000.

“There are so many good coaches out there. There is coach Pitso (Mosimane) who is not working currently and he deserves that opportunity.

“There are so many coaches that qualify for that position of leading Bafana Bafana so let the reality unfold. It’s high time we trust our own.”

Mosimane most decorated

Mosimane is one of the most decorated coaches on the African continent. He guided Sundowns to CAF Champions League glory in 2016 before winning back-to-back continental titles with Egyptian giants Al Ahly in 2020 and 2021.

With uncertainty continuing to surround Broos’ future, support for Mosimane’s appointment appears to be gathering momentum, with Mngqithi becoming the latest influential figure to throw his weight behind the experienced coach.

Kaizer Chiefs drew their opening match of their pre-season tour 1-1 with Glasgow Rangers at the La Nucia Football Centre in Alicante, Spain on Sunday.

Chiefs held

The match was played behind-closed-doors, with striker Etiosa Ighodaro netting for Fernando Da Cruz’ Amakhosi.

All Pictures via Kaizer Chiefs/Twitter

Chiefs will now take on Saudi Pro League side Al Kholood on Wednesday, before finishing off their tour against Spanish LaLiga side Elche CF on Saturday.

Pirates arrive

Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, arrived in Spain on Monday for their pre-sesaon tour.

The Buccaneers will play Spanish side Cordoba CF on Wedensday, before taking on another Spanish opponent – Cadiz CF – on Saturday.

They will then go up against Saudi Arabia Pro League side Al Ittihad on July 21, before facing Spain’s Las Palmas on July 22. Their tour will end with a match against Saudi Arabia’s Neom FC on July 24.

The Buccaneers will play Spanish side Cordoba CF tomorrow, before taking on another Spanish opponent – Cadiz CF – on Saturday. They will then go up against Saudi Arabia Pro League side Al Ittihad on July 21, before facing Spain’s Las Palmas on July 22. Their tour will end with a match against Saudi Arabia’s Neom FC on July 24.

A sneak peek at our home for pre-season | @MarbellaFCenter.

#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/P6WLZMYDUJ

– Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) July 13, 2026

Jaco Williams, Vusi Moyo, Ruben van Heerden, and Carlu Sadie will all make their Test debuts in the Springboks’ third Nations Championship fixture against Wales in Durban on Saturday in a quality team named by national coach Rassie Erasmus.

Erasmus struck a fine balance between naming a strong team, while staying true to his word to give every player in his expanded squad a chance to prove what they could do at the highest level of the game in his match-day squad, which also features Andre Hugo-Venter (hooker), Herschel Jantjies (scrumhalf) on the replacements bench.

Moyo and Williams will both have the honour of making their Test debuts at their home ground for the Hollywoodbets Sharks, alongside the tight forward duo of Van Heerden, who has left the DHL Stormers for France, and Sadie, who plays for Investec Champions Cup champions Bordeaux Begles.

Venter, meanwhile, will earn his second Test cap should he take the field off the replacements bench after making his debut in 2024 against Portugal, while Jantjies last played in the green and gold jersey against Argentina in 2023.

Eben Etzebeth (lock), Franco Mostert (utility forward), Andre Esterhuizen (centre and flanker), Canan Moodie (utility back), Handre Pollard (flyhalf), and Ox Nche (prop) were all unavailable for selection as they continue to recover from injuries.

Moyo will dictate play from flyhalf alongside experienced scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, while Williams will form an exciting back three with fellow wing Kurt-Lee Arendse and fullback Aphelele Fassi, with Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel manning the midfield.

In the forward pack, Sadie will pack down in the front row with Gerhard Steenekamp and Malcolm Marx, with Van Heerden and Cobus Wiese steering the engine room, while Paul de Villiers, Pieter-Steph du Toit (who will again lead the team), and Jasper Wiese forming the loose trio combination.

Erasmus opted for five forwards and three backs on the bench, where Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, and Wilco Louw will serve as the replacement front row, and Ben-Jason Dixon and Marco van Staden will provide lock and loose forward cover, respectively.

The three backs on the bench are Jantjies, Manie Libbok (flyhalf), and Damian Willemse (utility back).

“We told the players from the start of the season that if everything played out well, we would give everyone in the squad a chance to play in the competition, and we are excited to see what the uncapped players, as well as those who have not been in the mix for a while, bring to the team,” said Erasmus.

“This squad shows an exciting mix of youth and experience, and while we are under no illusions about the threat Wales poses, we are looking forward to seeing what these players can do.

“Wales put up a good fight in their Six Nations matches against Scotland and Ireland, and they defeated Italy in their final match of the tournament. They also beat Fiji in the Nations Championship before going down against Argentina in a competitive match last week, so they are on the rise and will come out with a point to prove this weekend.”

The Bok coach was thrilled to see the four uncapped players get their opportunity to play and said: “They all played very well for their franchises this season, and have been working extremely hard at training, while waiting patiently for a chance to play, so we are delighted for them.

“Building squad depth has always been one of our pillars since 2018, and to have such an exciting group of players coming through is fantastic as we continue to build our squad for the future.

“We have full faith in their abilities, and I’m sure the senior guys around them will assist in keeping them calm on the field, so they can show the talent that earned them a place in the squad. Hopefully, we can make it a memorable occasion for them and our loyal supporters this weekend.”

Springbok team to face Wales in Durban:
15 Aphelele Fassi (Toshiba) – 16 caps, 35 pts (7t)
14 Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – uncapped
13 Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 89 caps, 110 pts (22t)
12 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 98 caps, 55 pts (11t)
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars) – 31 caps, 120 pts (24t)
10 Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – uncapped
9 Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers) – 51 caps, 95 pts (19t)
8 Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 45 caps, 15 pts (3t)
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain, Toyota Verblitz) – 97 caps, 70 pts (14t)
6 Paul de Villiers (DHL Stormers) – 2 cap, 0 pts
5 Ruben van Heerden (Montpellier) – uncapped
4 Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls) – 3 caps, 0 pts
3 Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Begles) – uncapped
2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 88 caps, 135 pts (27t)
1 Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 17 caps, 10 pts (2t)

Replacements:
16 Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers) – 1 cap, 5 pts (1 t)
17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) – 11 caps, 10 pts (2t)
18 Wilco Louw (DHL Stormers) – 30 caps, 10 pts (2t)
19 Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers) – 9 caps, 10 pts (2t)
20 Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 34 caps, 15 pts (3t)
21 Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne) – 24 caps, 25 pts (5t)
22 Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners) – 29 caps, 145 pts (2t, 48c, 13p)
23 Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 51 caps, 76 pts (8t, 9c, 4p, 2dg)

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

The post Erasmus names four uncapped players in quality team to face Wales appeared first on SportsClub.