Dragons win crucial, as Lions focus on getting better – Roux

Lions forwards coach Wessel Roux says that a win over the Dragons in their United Rugby Championship (URC) match at Ellis Park on Saturday is crucial, as they strive to keep improving.

It has been a good couple of months for the Lions, with them on a three match winning run, they are seventh on the URC log, hammered Edinburgh over the past weekend, and recently picked up the SA Shield, so the team are in a confident frame of mind.

But their main goal for the season is finishing in the URC top eight to make the playoffs for the first time, and they know that they can’t afford to slip up at home, especially against the 15^th on the log Dragons.

“The mood in the camp is good. It is definitely positive. But we realise that the Dragons present a huge threat and are a quality side. So our focus started back at zero on Monday as we prepare for a new game,” explained Roux.

“It’s crucial for us to get a win. Our focus this whole week has been to look to the future. The Dragons are good side and difficult to play against. They played extremely well against the Stormers.

“So a win is important for us, but the main focus is on ourselves and making sure that we keep getting better every game.”

The Lions forwards produced a bit of a mixed performance against Edinburgh over the weekend, excelling in some areas, but struggling a bit in the scrums, and they will want to improve on that against the Dragons.

Set piece

“It was a real good set piece team that we faced in Edinburgh. Boan Venter (soon to be Lions prop), is a world class player,” said Roux.

“So I felt some of the inconsistencies we felt were due to playing a really good set piece team. Sometimes your plans work and sometimes they don’t against teams like that, but they were all small fixable things that we are working on this week.

“But overall I feel the pack did quite well. One of the things that stood out was our contesting plan and putting the Edinburgh lineout under pressure was a big positive.

“Our own lineout was functioning well and we were very happy with the one maul try we scored, so we want to continue that good work against Dragons.”

Despite them sitting second bottom on the URC log, Roux warned that the Dragons posed a lot of danger, and if the Lions weren’t at their best, could find themselves in a difficult position in the match.

“The Dragons are a competent side. They are very physical, they have a good maul stop, their lineout functions really well and their attacking mauls and scrums are good,” added Roux.

“So from a forwards perspective they have a really balanced pack and they don’t have many weaknesses, which makes them dangerous.”

Athletics South Africa (ASA) has announced a 68-member provisional squad (44 men and 24 women) for the 2026 Commonwealth Games to be held in Glasgow in Scotland.

The Games will take place from 23 July to 6 August.

The squad has been trimmed slightly from the 72-member preparation squad announced by the federation in December 2025.

READ | South African Olympian to run for Ireland

National record holders

The updated squad includes 100m sprinter Akani Simbine, long jumper Jovan Vuuren and 400m hurdler Zeney van der Walt, who all stepped on the podium at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Aside from Simbine, who holds the national men’s 100m mark, nine other national record holders are in the squad.

They are 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk, who is included in the 200m event, as well as Tshepo Tshite (1 500m), Adriaan Wildschutt (10 000m) Antonio Alkana (110m hurdles), Luvo Manyonga (long jump), Marione Fourie (100m hurdles), Miné de Klerk (shot put), and marathon runners Elroy Gelant and Glenrose Xaba.

Other notable inclusions are Olympic javelin throw silver medallist Jo-Ane du Plessis and former world indoor 800m champion Prudence Sekgodiso.

The final team will be announced by the SA Sports Confederations and Olympics Committee (SASCOC) in due course.

Provisional squad

Men

Akani Simbine (100m/4x100m), Shaun Maswanganyi (100m/4x100m), Gift Leotlela (100m/4x100m), Abduraghmaan Karriem (100m/4x100m), Retshidisitswe Mlenga (100m/4x100m), Tsebo Matsoso (100m/4x100m), Karabo Letebele (100m/4x100m), Bradley Nkoana (100m/4x100m), Bayanda Walaza (100m/4x100m), Sinesipho Dambile (200m/4x100m), Wayde van Niekerk (200m/4x400m), Naeem Jack (200m), Leendert Koekemoer (400m/4x400m), Antonie Nortje (400m/4x400m), Udeme Okon (400m/4x400m), Zakithi Nene (400m/4x400m), Lythe Pillay (400m/4x400m), Gardeo Isaacs (400m/4x400m), Mthi Mthimkulu (400m/4x400m), Tumisang Shezi (400m/4x400m), Tshepo Tshite (1 500m), Ryan Mphahlele (1 500m), Adriaan Wildschutt (10 000m), Antonio Alkana (110m hurdles), Mondray Barnard (110m hurdles), John Adesola (110m hurdles), Njabulo Mbatha (400m hurdles), Sabelo Dhlamini (400m hurdles), Jovan van Vuuren (long jump), Cheswill Johnson (long jump), Luvo Manyonga (long jump), Kyle Blignaut (shot put), Aiden Smith (shot put), Victor Hogan (discus throw), Brian Raats (high jump), Kyle Rademeyer (pole vault), Douw Smith (javelin throw), Elroy Gelant (marathon), Adam Lipschitz (marathon), Thabang Mosiako (marathon), Tumelo Motlagale (marathon), Melikhaya Frans (marathon), Regan Magwai (marathon), Bennett Seloyi (marathon)

Women

Miranda Coetzee (400m/4x400m), Shirley Nekhubui (400m/4x400m), Precious Molepo (400m/4x400m), Zeney van der Walt (400m hurdles/4x400m), Hannah van Niekerk (400m hurdles/4x400m), Rogail Joseph (400m hurdles/4x400m), Marlie Viljoen (400m/4x400m), Prudence Sekgodiso (800m), Aviwe Hoboloshe (800m), Charné du Plessis (800m), Marione Fourie (100m hurdles), Danielle Nolte (long jump), Miré Reinstorf (pole vault), Miné de Klerk (shot put), Ashley Erasmus (shot put), Colette Uys (shot put), Jo-Ane du Plessis (javelin throw), Mckyla van der Westhuizen (javelin throw), Jana van Schalkwyk (javelin throw), Jessica Groenewald (35km walk), Glenrose Xaba (marathon), Cian Oldknow (marathon), Dominique Scott-Efurd (marathon), Gerda Steyn (marathon)

Présent lors de la traditionnelle conférence de presse d’avant-match contre le Guatemala aux côtés d’Aouar et Gouiri, Vladimir Petković s’est exprimé sur la gestion des gardiens lors de ce rassemblement de mars. Les Fennecs sont à quelques heures de faire face à leur premier défi : le Guatemala. Un test important pour l’Algérie, qui souhaite peaufiner sa préparation avant le Mondial 2026. Des gardiens sous observation Face aux journalistes, Vladimir Petković est revenu sur la situation des portiers. Pour ce stage, quatre gardiens ont été convoqués : Luca Zidane, Melvin Mastil, Kilian Belazzoug et Anthony Mandrea. Une concurrence que le technicien juge saine et bénéfique : « Nous avons deux matchs amicaux cette semaine. Nous disposons de quatre gardiens qui travaillent dur pour donner le meilleur d’eux-mêmes, dans une atmosphère de concurrence saine avec leur staff. » Vladimir Petković a également levé le voile sur ses intentions pour les deux rencontres à venir : « Tous les gardiens présents ont de grandes qualités, et l’entraîneur des gardiens connaît parfaitement son travail et sait les évaluer. Mais en tant que sélectionneur, nous prévoyons d’aligner deux gardiens différents face au Guatemala et à l’Uruguay, afin d’évaluer leur niveau de préparation. »

L’article Equipe d’Algérie : Vladimir Petković prévoit deux gardiens différents face au Guatemala et à l’Uruguay est apparu en premier sur AfricaFootUnited.

Bafana Bafana take on Panama in two friendlies this month as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The first friendly will be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday evening, while the second match is scheduled for Tuesday evening.

The last time Bafana were in action was back in January when they went down 2-1 to Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16.

With the World Cup just over two months away, Bafana head coach Hugo Broos had made changes to the squad which featured at the last tournament. Sipho Chaine, Bathusi Aubaas and Siyabonga Ngezana are some of the players who missed out on selection.

How can Bafana lineup against Panama on Friday?

Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams

The 34-year-old is the only player in the Bafana squad assured of his place in the team. He has been South Africa’s first-choice keeper since the 2019 AFCON and is set to captain the national team in June in Mexico/US and Canada.

Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khulumani Ndamane and Aubrey Mothiba

With Mbekezeli Mbokazi expected to miss the first friendly match, Broos might opt to pair Sibisi and Ndamane at the back. It seems unlikely that Ime Okon will get a start on Friday ahead of either Bhodlela or Ndamane.

Midfield: Thalente Mbatha and Teboho Mokoena

Mbatha has been in great form for the Buccaneers this season and could slot in the middle of the park with Mokoena. Panama are a physical team, so having three midfielders might also be an option for Bafana and Siphephelo Sithole might also get a start if Broos decides on three midfielders.

Attackers: Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng, Tshepang Moremi and Lyle Foster

Lyle Foster is almost certain to start for Bafana as well as Oswin Appollis on the left wing. Moremi might only start if Broos wants him on the right side but Thapelo Maseko is more effective in that position than the Pirates star.

Mofokeng will play the number 10 position, but don’t be surprised to see him drifting on the left side now and then.

Friday’s match against Panama will give Broos an indication of how far his team are in terms of preparation but irrespective of results, Bafana players will need to fight for their spot.

Can Bafana win on Friday?

La présidence sud-africaine a affirmé, jeudi 26 mars 2026 à l'Agence France-Presse (AFP), que le président Cyril Ramaphosa n'était plus invité par la France à participer au sommet du G7 qui doit se tenir du 15 au 17 juin à Évian, en raison de pressions américaines. « On nous dit que les Américains ont menacé de boycotter le sommet du G7 si l'Afrique du Sud était invitée », a déclaré le porte-parole de la présidence sud-africaine, Vincent Magwenya.