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Four Boks in Nations Championship XV
Four Springboks have been named in a standout XV after the world champions went unbeaten in the first three rounds of the Nations Championship.
Ruck.co.uk compiled a lineup from those who starred for their country in the competition so far, featuring two Frenchmen, two Kiwis, two Scots and two Englishmen, alongside a lone representative each from Argentina, Ireland and Australia.
Outside centre Jesse Kriel was one of the few Boks retained for all three Tests against England, Scotland and Wales, with Rassie Erasmus otherwise rotating heavily through his squad. Kriel repaid that trust with a try in every round. noplasticplease.life
MORE: ‘Rassie has Boks operating like a religion’
On the left wing, Kurt-Lee Arendse made his mark in just two outings, crossing the whitewash once each against the English and Welsh.
Blindside flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit’s selection came after the two-time World Cup winner assumed the Bok captaincy and shifted into the second row once Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth were ruled out due to injury.
Described as one of the most complete hookers in the game, reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Malcolm Marx started two Tests, crashing over for a five-pointer in South Africa’s opening round win at Ellis Park.
RUCK.CO.UK’S TEAM OF THE NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP – 15 Matthieu Jalibert (France), 14 Will Jordan (New Zealand), 13 Jesse Kriel (South Africa), 12 Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland), 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (South Africa), 10 Ruben Love (New Zealand), 9 Maxime Lucu (France), 8 Joaquín Oviedo (Argentina), 7 Henry Pollock (England), 6 Jack Conan (Ireland), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa), 4 Josh Canham (Australia), 3 Zander Fagerson (Scotland), 2 Malcolm Marx (South Africa), 1 Ellis Genge (England).
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Four Boks in Nations Championship XV appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Chelsea step up interest in Palace’s Lacroix
LONDON, England, July 20, 2026 – Chelsea have accelerated their interest in defender Maxence Lacroix after a fresh round of talks with Crystal Palace.
The proposed deal is being handled by the ownership of both clubs, with the latest discussions described as positive.
Palace have been keen to offer Lacroix – who has three years to run on his existing deal – a new contract, but the player is keen for a new challenge.
It is understood The Eagles want a deal worth a minimum £60m for the 26-year-old and have started looking at potential replacements, with Ausburg’s Chrislain Matsima among the players monitored.
Lacroix has made 98 appearances for Palace since joining from Wolfsburg in a deal worth up to £18m in August 2024.
The centre-back, who played for France at the World Cup, has emerged as one of Chelsea’s key targets this summer as the club look to sign players with Premier League experience.
The west London club are also close to completing a £117m deal for Aston Villa attacker Morgan Rogers.
If Chelsea‘s move for Lacroix is successful, the future of Trevoh Chalobah, who has interest from Como, will come further into question.
How serious injury turned into blessing for Kenyan steeplechase specialist
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 20, 2026 – When a debilitating injury put him out of action for close to two years, Leonard Bett did not wallow in his misery and drown in his tears.
Instead, he made the most of his situation, turning lemons into lemonade by studying website development.
The 3000m steeplechase specialist reveals that he undertook a six-month course in website development to preoccupy his mind, a decision that seems a masterstroke in hindsight.
“The injuries that I had I turned it into an advantage by studying for a website development course now I am a full-stack web developer as well as a steeplechase and active runner. I want to encourage my fellow athletes and sportsmen that when challenges come, find another thing to focus your mind on,” Bett said.
The 25-year-old says his latest calling has given him a new pair of eyes with which to look at the world of athletics, in a fresh perspective.
The newest addition to the world of web developers is already putting his skills to good use to help athletes maximise on their talents while avoiding injuries.
“This is also the buildup of what I will do maybe after my career (athletics). I also actually tried to build an application now mobile application that can predict injuries before happening. It’s called Athek and it’s under development,” Bett revealed.
He is working on the initiative with his Sports Techies Innovations Company and is hopeful that the product will launch in the market soon.
“I have my team at Sports Techies Innovations Company in Iten and we’re focusing to maybe collect the data when athletes are running and we make sure that they are running well. If they’re not, we give also say alternative through the application and AI model. Our system comprises of AI model software solution and also an hardware that’s pressure sensor that’s we are yet to launch it to the market,” Bett explained.
Back to track matters, the 2018 World Under 20 3000m steeplechase silver medalist is fit as a fiddle and is raring to put on the Team Kenya singlet once again.
He will be doing exactly that at this month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Two years out of competition, Bett says he is a man starved of medals and is not double-minded about his target at the Club Games.
“This is my comeback after a big injury in 2025 and also connected to one in 2024. So it’s been two years out of competition, out of training and now I am happy to be back and also to race again and represent Kenya,” he said.
As he boards the plane with his fellow countrymen this week, Bett will have already bet on himself to win big in Scotland.
After all, overcoming the mental anguish associated with a long-term injury is already a big win in itself — a testament that rough seas make the best sailors.
Newcastle, Liverpool and England legend Keegan dies
LONDON, England, July 20, 2026 – Former England captain and manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75, seven weeks after he revealed he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer, his family have confirmed.
One of English football’s most decorated players, Keegan enjoyed spells at Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle during an illustrious playing career.
He later went on to manage Newcastle, Fulham, England and Manchester City.
Keegan revealed he had stage four cancer in June, which is the most advanced stage of cancer and means the disease has spread to other parts of the body.
A statement on behalf of the Keegan family said he was “surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments”.
“Kevin, a double Ballon d’Or winner, was a much loved husband, father and grandfather,” it continued.
“The family would like to thank Kevin’s incredible medical team for all their support. This is a hugely difficult time and they are requesting space and privacy.”
Newcastle United paid tribute, describing Keegan as “one of the most iconic, influential and deeply loved figures in our club’s history”.
The club statement added: “Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager. He was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.
“Kevin’s impact will not be measured by appearances or results. It will live on in the memories he created with club and country, the dreams he inspired wherever he went, and the generations of supporters around the world who fell in love with football because of him.”
More to follow.