Stormers clued up on Connacht threat

Assistant coach Dawie Snyman says Connacht’s identity under Stuart Lancaster makes them a dangerous URC season-opening challenge for the Stormers on Friday.

Snyman spoke from Galway ahead of the round-one clash at The Sportsground, where the Cape visitors are keen to avenge last season’s home defeat to the Irish province.

He also gave an update on Springbok utility forward Ben-Jason Dixon, who remains with the squad managing concussion symptoms, with the rest of the group otherwise fit. somethingsdifferent.biz

“Connacht’s a team in their second year with Stuart Lancaster. He’s got a certain way of playing, and Connacht have always had an identity around them and the way they want to play. They like ball in hand,” Snyman said.

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“They’re a dangerous team … defensively they were one of the top defensive teams in the URC in terms of the amount of tackles they made.

“They’re disciplined, a tough team to break down. They’re an all-round team that’s going to challenge us everywhere, and they’ve added one or two new signings as well.”

Snyman emphasised getting the backline mix right without Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach and the injured Cheslin Kolbe, with Wandisile Simelane, Jonathan Roche and Markus Muller in contention for a midfield spot alongside captain Ruhan Nel.

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“It’s a few combinations we probably have to test, and it also depends on what we’re up against,” he added. “We know Connacht attack really well and can keep the ball for long phases and put you under pressure.

“We need the right experience and the right guys in the midfield to make good decisions in those positions.”

Snyman said the early departure for Ireland was a one-off as the Stormers usually recover and prepare at home after a Saturday game before flying over, though the extra time had helped their preparation.

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Asked about takeaways from the pre-season hitout against the Bulls, Snyman said encouraging signs had emerged from the areas the Stormers worked on, though a few players missing from that game reflected squad depth being tested in certain positions.

“In other positions, at this stage, without the Springboks and with a few injuries, we’re a little bit skinny,” he said. “

“We just had to make sure we got the best possible team on the field, while backing our training methods and the way we prepare amongst ourselves.”

Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images

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Springbok legend Breyton Paulse has tipped the Lions to be the team to watch of the South African franchises in this season’s United Rugby Championship (URC).

The sixth season of the competition is set to kick off this weekend, and the Lions face a tough opening fixture against defending champions Leinster at Ellis Park on Saturday.

It will be an interesting encounter, as Leinster often travel with a weakened team to South Africa, and if they do that again it could be a golden opportunity for the Lions to pick up a good win over a team that usually finishes the URC very strong.

Last season the Lions found themselves on the receiving end of that strong finish, going down against the internationally laden Irish giants 31-7 in their penultimate pool game, and 59-10 in the competition quarterfinals, with both games played in Dublin.

Despite those heavy losses it was still a groundbreaking campaign last season for the Johannesburg side as they won the South African Shield, made the URC playoffs for the first time and qualified for the Champions Cup, also for the first time.

Head coach Ivan van Rooyen was also justifiably rewarded by being named URC Coach of the Season by his peers, among several other individual player awards earned by the Lions, and Paulse was hopeful that the Lions could do even better this season.

Lions surprise

“I think for the South African team that will surprise this United Rugby Championship season, I want to go with the Lions,” Paulse said.

“They really play for each other and they play as a team, even with constraints around budget and not having the level of big names other teams have.”

The Lions will, however, have to do the job without one of SA’s most exciting rising talents, scrumhalf Haashim Pead, whose exit to the Stormers – reportedly for more game time after finding himself behind Bok Morne van den Berg and Nico Steyn in the pecking order – was confirmed by the union on Monday.

Elsewhere among the South African teams, Paulse believes both the Stormers and Bulls have strengthened their squads with the right players and can target another good season in the URC.

“I feel that the Stormers have bought well this year with the likes of Cheslin Kolbe, Siya Kolisi and Wilco Louw. Then you also have the rise of a player like Yaqeen Ahmed. It’s going to be massive,” said Paulse.

“But it all comes down to keeping your players fit and not having injuries in key positions like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu or Ruhan Nel, who has been an inspirational captain.

“The Bulls have also bought well. And then we’re still waiting for the Sharks to unlock their potential. Maybe this time around JP Pietersen has learnt a lot and he’ll get those players to fire for him.”

Au Gabon, le Parquet national financier avait demandé fin juillet 2026, le renvoi devant le tribunal correctionnel de 18 personnes et 5 sociétés de l'affaire tentaculaire des biens mal acquis. Ali Bongo a pris la parole pour la première fois à ce propos. La justice française les soupçonne d'avoir acquis un patrimoine de 85 millions d'euros avec de l'argent public. Les précisions d'Ismaël Obiang Nzé, correspondant à France 24.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 22 – Safaricom Chapa Dimba has crowned county champions across the Eastern Region following an action-packed weekend of county finals, with young footballers competing for county honours and a place in the Eastern Region finals.

The county finals were held across Isiolo, Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, and Marsabit, bringing together talented young footballers in both the boys’ and girls’ categories.

The county champions in both categories each received Sh 75,000, while the runners-up received Sh30,000, alongside other individual awards.

The champions will now advance to the Eastern Region finals, where they will compete for regional honours.

In Embu, Royal Queens Academy were crowned girls’ champions after defeating Ishiara Bright Starlets 7-0 in the final at Embu Moi Stadium.

In the boys’ category, Black Cats Football Academy claimed the county title with an emphatic 8-1 victory over Ishiara Bright Academy.

In Machakos, MCF Starlets emerged as the girls’ county champions after defeating Kibauni Ladies 1-0 in the final.

MCF Starlets secured their place in the final with a 1-0 victory over Kisooni Queens, while Kibauni Ladies advanced after a goalless draw with Kyumbi All-Stars Queens, winning 5-4 on penalties.

In the boys’ category, Golden Football Academy were crowned county champions after overcoming Masii Boys 4-1 on penalties, following a goalless draw in the final.

Golden Football Academy had earlier defeated Koma United 3-0 in the semi-final, while Masii Boys progressed after a 3-1 victory over Matuu Homeboys.

In Kitui, Syomunyu Queens were crowned girls’ county champions after defeating ISAA Queens FC 3-0 in the final.

Syomunyu Queens had earlier secured their place in the final with a 4-1 victory over Nguni Sirens, while ISAA Queens FC advanced after receiving a walkover against United Starlets in the quarter-finals before defeating Kitui FC Ladies 2-0 in the semi-final.

In the boys’ category, SMPI Academy claimed the county title after defeating Mwingi Junior Academy 3-0 in the final.

SMPI Academy had earlier edged St. Charles Lwanga 1-0 in the semi-final, while Mwingi Junior Stars progressed after a goalless draw with Nyanyaa Bullets, winning 3-2 on penalties.

In Isiolo, Bridge Starlets were crowned girls’ county champions, while MAFA FC claimed the boys’ county title. In Meru, Akuune Queens secured the girls’ county title, while Makinduri Rockstars emerged as the boys’ champions.

In Makueni, AIC Sultan was crowned girls’ county champions, while in Marsabit, Dakabaricha Girls emerged as the girls’ county champions and Abdary FC secured the boys’ title.

In Tharaka Nithi, Mugona Girls were crowned girls’ county champions, while Kajiunduthi High claimed the boys’ county title.

The county finals provided a competitive platform for emerging footballers across the Eastern Region to showcase their talent, with teams battling through the various stages of the tournament for an opportunity to represent their counties at the regional level.

“Congratulations to all the county champions and every team that participated in the Eastern Region County finals. The level of competition and talent witnessed across the counties has been encouraging, and we are pleased to provide young footballers with a platform to showcase their abilities and compete at a higher level,” said Oliver Kiptoo, FKF National Coordinator.

The Eastern Region finals will be held on the weekend of October 2-3 in Embu, bringing together the top boys’ and girls’ teams from the eight counties.

The county champions will battle for regional honours and an opportunity to progress further in the Safaricom Chapa Dimba tournament, as the competition continues to provide a pathway for young footballers to develop and showcase their talent.

The 36-year-old, one of the quickest bowlers to play for England, took 253 wickets in 146 international matches across all formats, including 119 wickets at 30.79 in his 38 Tests.

Wood, who made his England debut in 2015, played a key role in the team’s 50-over World Cup triumph in 2019.

He was also in the England squad that won the T20 World Cup in 2022, although injury ruled him out of the semi-final and the final.

Wood last played for England in an eight-wicket defeat by Australia in the first Test of the 2025/26 Ashes series — his first Test for 15 months — but his comeback lasted just 11 overs.

Swelling in his knee forced him out of the second Test, and he was subsequently ruled out of the rest of the series.

“Although this may not come as a surprise given the past year, it just feels like a natural time at the end of my contract,” Wood said in a statement on social media.

“I’ve always tried to be resilient and come back from injury to prove people wrong and show everyone what I can do. Unfortunately, this time I lost the battle.

“On medical advice, Test cricket and 50-over cricket are not possible, so the England dream has slowly been ground out of me over the last year.

“Playing for England has been the greatest honour I could have ever wished for and a dream come true.”

England managing director Rob Key said: “It’s been a privilege to watch the latter part of a great career.

“To have been a point of difference in Ashes series wins, a World Cup, and to have thrilled crowds every time he got the ball in his hand is something very few players achieve.”

– AFP

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