Daily Archives: 1 June 2016
Ilhaam Groenewald
South Africa Rugby has welcomed Ilhaam Groenewald as their first female Executive Council member.
Groenewald, along with the returning Monde Tabata as independent member of the Exutive Council, were elected last week and will attend their first meeting of the newly constituted Exco in Cape Town.
Groenewald succeeds Mputumi Damani as one of two independent members of the 12-person Executive Council. Damani was warmly thanked for his contribution since being elected in 2011.
“My passion is sport management and development so when I was asked if I was happy to have my name put forward, I had no hesitation,” said Groenewald.
“You cannot work in sports administration in the Western Cape and not know about rugby so I have very good insight into the work that SA Rugby does. I have also received very positive support from Stellenbosch University management,” she added.
Pieter-Steph du Toit
Springbok assistant coach Johann van Graan says Pieter-Steph du Toit’s injury is a big setback for the team ahead of their three-Test series against Ireland.
Du Toit, who has been plagued with injuries since making his international debut in 2013, suffered a grade two hamstring tear in the Stormers 31-24 win over the Cheetahs last weekend and has been ruled out of action for between two and six weeks.
Van Graan on Tuesday said that although the lock’s injury is “not a long-term one”, Du Toit was still a big part of the team’s plans heading into the first Test against Ireland.
“I believe Pieter-Steph [du Toit] will develop into one of the best locks in the world,” said Van Graan.
“He was pretty unlucky to get injured in 2013 and then again in early in 2015. I think he showed at the World Cup that he will develop into one of the best and in Super Rugby he has been fantastic.
“He is a big loss for the Springboks – he was part of our plans and he is still part of our plans. Luckily it’s not a long term injury.”
Du Toit’s injury opened the door for Lions lock Franco Mostert, who joined the Springboks in Stellenbosch from the SA ‘A’ squad on Tuesday.