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Bulls boss Jake White admits their 28-14 win over Connacht at Loftus Versfeld on Friday came at a cost with injury concerns over three of his players.

Newly-capped Springbok Canan Moodie left the field with a hamstring injury. At the same time, Sbu Nkosi suffered a concussion, and Johan Grobbelaar damaged his ankle in the United Rugby Championship Round Three clash.

Nkosi to return first

It is a waiting game for White to see how long he will be missing the trio, with Nkosi set to be the first of the players to return after adhering to the 10-day stand-down period as part of the return-to-play protocol for head knocks.

“It’s a tough game, hey. Everyone gets injuries, so we’re just going to have to find out. They are going to have scans – I don’t know if they can have them tonight (Friday)… probably tomorrow (Saturday) – and then we’ll do an assessment,” White said after the clash.

“At least it’s not all long-term injuries. Sometimes it’s cruciate ligaments or Achilles injuries, and you’re out for eight or nine months.

“One’s a head knock (Nkosi), one’s a sort of tight hamstring and the other one is an ankle injury. So, hopefully we will get some good news tomorrow.

“I will only know tomorrow (if they are out of the tour). Concussion is a minimum of 10 days, so thank God we played on Friday. So, he (Nkosi) might be available for the second game. Canan, I’m not sure about his hamstring, how long that will take to heal.

“And then the ankle one, I will get the prognosis from the scan tomorrow, and I will know whether or not Grobbies will be good enough to either be part of the tour or wait for us to come back.”

Frustration with water breaks

White thought his side had a solid game defensively and expressed his frustration over the water breaks taken during URC games.

“It’s a tough comp, so to get four tries… We had a couple disallowed. I thought at times, we played really well,” the Bulls coach said.

“Defensively, I thought we were outstanding. When you consider we played 30 minutes with 14 guys, and then probably eight of those with 13 guys… Defensively, I thought we were much better than we were last week.

“One area that I do think we need to look at is these water breaks. I’m not quite sure whether these water breaks – at different times of the game, decided by the match officials – are working.

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“I don’t know how other teams feel, but I generally think it’s not helping us, because you never know when the water break’s coming. It could come at a really important time of the game. It could come when you are building pressure.

“So, I think we’ve got to relook at these water breaks. Either it must be 20-minute slots, where you know you’ve got 20 minutes and then it’s a water break, or we must just can them. I don’t think the game is getting the shape that it could have.”

AS Monaco tracking Benfica defender Ruben Dias

September 19, 2024 | News | No Comments

Ligue 1 side AS Monaco have a particular eye on SL Benfica’s 20-year-old central defender Ruben Dias, according to our colleagues at Foot 365.

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After a disappointing campaign defensively, Monaco are set to bolster their back four considerably, and Dias’ name is hot on Monaco board members’ lips.

The Portuguese youth international was watched most recently by Monaco scouts last night in a game against Sporting Lisbon.

Wallabies veteran Michael Hooper has returned to the squad after taking some time away from the game for ‘personal reasons.’

Hooper withdrew from the Australia squad just before the Rugby Championship began and has been away from the sport ever since.

Front-row James Slipper took on the captaincy in the absence of Hooper, who is the Wallabies’ most capped captain, and retains the role despite the return of the flank.

A star returns

Head coach Dave Rennie was delighted to have his star man returning to the squad and looks to provide support to Hooper wherever possible.

“To have Michael back in the group is massive for our team on and off the field and we’ll continue to make sure that he has the support around him he needs,” said Rennie.

Rennie has selected five uncapped players, including Sam Talakai, Ben Donaldson and Mark Nawaqanitawase, as Marika Koroibete and some other stars were unavailable due to club commitments.

The coach is looking forward to the challenge ahead and is looking to make the country proud in the northern hemisphere.

“We’ve got a massive opportunity over the next five matches to test ourselves against some of the best teams in the world and string together some performances that our supporters are proud of back home in Australia,” said Rennie.

The Wallabies play four Tests at the end of the year starting with a clash against Scotland on October 29, then a blockbuster Tests against France, Italy, Ireland and Wales.

Australia squad for end-of-year tour

Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, Matt Gibbon, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Ned Hanigan, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Lachlan Lonergan, Fraser McReight, Cadeyrn Neville, Matt Philip, David Porecki, Tom Robertson, Pete Samu, Will Skelton, James Slipper (c), Sam Talakai, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini

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Backs: Tom Banks, Jock Campbell, Ben Donaldson, Lalakai Foketi, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, Reece Hodge, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway, Noah Lolesio, Tate McDermott, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Nic White, Tom Wright

Crystal Palace lead the race for Alban Lafont

September 17, 2024 | News | No Comments

Toulouse’s teenage wonder-kid goalkeeper Alban Lafont is the subject of ongoing discussions from Crystal Palace, who currently lead the race to sign the French youth international, according to L’Équipe.

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The 19-year-old has 98 Ligue 1 appearances to his name, and asked Toulouse for a meeting in February to lay out his intentions to leave the club.

PSV in the Netherlands are the only other current club to have manifested a concrete interest in buying the player this summer.

President Sadran of Toulouse, a notoriously difficult negotiator, intends to be particularly obstinate with regards to Lafont’s future, and any deal this summer will be exceptionally difficult to pull off.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen was full of praise for his team’s defence after they ground out a 10-0 triumph over Connacht in their Irish derby at the Sportsground on Friday.

The match was played in atrocious weather conditions which meant it was a scrappy affair and there were several former Leinster players with a point to prove after moving to Connacht in the off-season.

Happy with Leinster effort

Amongst them was flanker Josh Murphy, who Cullen singled out for special praise, but the Leinster boss was also delighted with his charges’ performance, especially how they fronted up on defence after being involved in a high-scoring encounter against the Sharks last weekend.

“We were pleased with how we dug in defensively,” he told RTE Sport after the match. “We had to defend a couple of different sets at different stages where we were five metres from our try-line. That’s the pleasing part.

“It’s one of those games where you take the four points, get back on the bus and go again. It’s a short turnaround. We had a very physical game last week, another physical game today. In many ways we’re just managing bodies at the moment.

“We talk about our old Leinster guys. Josh Murphy was wearing the scars of battle. I can’t speak highly enough of him. He came through the academy. He’s a doctor, believe it or not. I’m dreading the day I turn up and he’s there at the operating table! Just a brilliant character. It was great to see him going well down here.”

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Connacht head coach Andy Friend was impressed by his side’s physicality but bemoaned their inaccuracy inside Leinster’s 22.

“It was an even contest with the physicality, I was really proud of our blokes,” he said. “They were immense out there with their intent and their desire, to get bodies in front and do damage.

“What we didn’t win was the clinical battle and that’s where quality sides like Leinster hurt you. As much as you front up physically, if you don’t take your chances, they’ll take theirs. That’s what they did tonight.”

A missed penalty from Ciaran Frawley meant Connacht failed to secure a losing bonus point but Friend said there were several other wasted point-scoring opportunities which also proved costly in the end.

“We don’t want to be the footy team that loses 10-0 and are proud of that because it’s Leinster,” he added.

Proud but not pleased

“We’re proud of the effort but we’re not pleased with the result. We left so many chances out there.

“I do think and know that our performances are getting better with every game, but that’s another loss for us.

“We’re one [win] from five at the minute. We’ve got two big games to finish this block and it’s important we get wins there.”

Leinster’s win means they are firmly entrenched at the top of the United Rugby Championship table and they are the only team with five victories from five games played so far, while Connacht are currently languishing in 14th place after the same number of matches.

Glasgow have issued an update on their squad that was hit by a severe gastrointestinal illness in South Africa that caused a fixture postponement.

The Warriors were scheduled to face the Lions in Johannesburg last weekend but the game was called off after the Scottish team were struck by the illness.

In a boost for their supporters, however, Glasgow have revealed that all members of their touring party have now travelled back safely from Johannesburg.

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32 members of Glasgow group were unwell

“The club’s medical team have confirmed that 32 members of the traveling party were unwell with severe gastrointestinal illness whilst in South Africa, with numbers escalating in the second week of the tour resulting in the club being unable to safely field a team against the Emirates Lions,” the club explained.

“The symptoms of the illness and transmission behaved like Norovirus and this has subsequently been confirmed via medical testing.

“The club escalated its infection control behaviours immediately after the first illness was identified and sought out advice from local and Scottish infection control experts throughout the tour.”

The statement continued: “Durban coast is also currently colonised with E.Coli following the tragic floods in the region earlier this year and Glasgow Warriors took steps to mitigate exposure. Although present in our sample we await further tests to determine its role in our illness.

“Preparations have now begun for the club’s upcoming game against Benetton at Scotstoun on Friday 28 October.

“Glasgow Warriors would like to thank everyone who helped us during our time in South Africa, in particular the Sharks medical team and SARU.”

As mentioned, Glasgow’s focus will now turn to Friday’s clash with Benetton, which is their final United Rugby Championship game before November 26.

Ulster provided own update on Sunday

On Sunday, Ulster released their own update after their United Rugby Championship game against the Sharks last weekend was postponed due to ill health.

In the statement, the province revealed that 29 players and 13 support staff were unwell ahead of the Durban meeting that was due to take place on Saturday.

The Round Six fixture was postponed following an independent medical assessment, with the update over the weekend offering more details on the concerns.

“We came to Durban with our sights set on doing what, to this point, no other team in the URC has managed to do – the double in South Africa. This was going to be a huge challenge but exactly the type of challenge, as competitors, we look for,” said Ulster head coach Dan McFarland in quotes below the statement.

“We are used to travelling to South Africa and what it requires, and this level of sickness was unprecedented. Whilst staying in Durban, 29 players and 13 support staff were hit with BOTH E. coli and Norovirus. It’s disappointing, especially given how unwell our group was, that some chose to question the reasoning for our game to be postponed, as we have invested a lot as a group and an organisation in getting this fixture played.”

23-year-old wide-man Denis Bouanga of FC Lorient is highly unlikely to remain with the Ligue 2 for next season, according to RMC.

Fiorentina, Chievo Verona and St Étienne are all monitoring the player’s situation.

Montpellier and Angers have scouted Bouanga heavily this season, but have not made any concrete moves in his direction.

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The 2022/23 United Rugby Championship season continues this weekend, including the highly anticipated clash between Munster and Ulster at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Check on the team news and see our predictions for the weekend, here.

Friday

Glasgow Warriors v Benetton

Prediction: Glasgow by 8

The teams:

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Kyle Steyn (c), 12 Stafford McDowall, 11 Rufus McLean, 10 Domingo Miotti, 9 Jamie Dobie, 8 Sione Vailanu, 7 Gregor Brown, 6 Ryan Wilson, 5 Alex Samuel, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Murphy Walker, 2 Fraser Brown, 1 Oli Kebble
Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Lewis Bean, 21 Euan Ferrie, 22 Sean Kennedy, 23 Tom Jordan

Benetton: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Ignacio Mendy, 13 Joaquin Riera, 12 Marco Zanon, 11 Mattia Bellini, 10 Giacomo Da Re, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage (c), 8 Henry Stowers, 7 Sebastian Negri, 6 Giovanni Pettinelli, 5 Carl Wegner, 4 Scott Scrafton, 3 Tiziano Pasquali, 2 Federico Zani, 1 Nahuel Tetaz
Replacements: 16 Manuel Arroyo, 17 Thomas Gallo, 18 Filippo Alongi, 19 Marco Lazzaroni, 20 Abraham Steyn, 21 Alessandro Izekor, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Marcus Watson

Venue: Scotstoun
Kick-off: 19:35 BST (18:35 GMT)
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Finlay Brown (Scotland), Michael Todd (Scotland)
TMO: Sean Brickell (Wales)

Scarlets v Leinster

Prediction: Leinster by 10

The teams:

Scarlets: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Steff Evans, 12 Jonathan Davies (c), 11 Ryan Conbeer, 10 Dan Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Tom Price, 4 Jac Price, 3 Harri O’Connor, 2 Daf Hughes, 1 Steff Thomas
Replacements: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Kelmsey Mathias, 18 WillGriff John, 19 Morgan Jones, 20 Iwan Shenton, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Corey Baldwin

Leinster: 15 Chris Cosgrave, 14 Rob Russell, 13 Liam Turner, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Max Deegan, 7 Scott Penny, 6 Rhys Ruddock (c), 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Ross Molony, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 John McKee, 1 Ed Byrne
Replacements: 16 Tadgh McElroy, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Vakh Abdaladze, 19 Brian Deeny, 20 Martin Moloney, 21 Nick McCarthy, 22 Charlie Tector, 23 Ben Brownlee

Venue: Parc y Scarlets
Kick-off: 19:35 BST (18:35 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Adam Jones (Wales), Simon Mills (Wales)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

Saturday

Lions v Stormers

Prediction: Stormers by 3

The teams:

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Quan Horn, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (c), 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 PJ Botha, 1 JP Smith
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Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Morne van dern Berg, 22 Gianni Lombard, 23 Zander du Plessis

Stormers: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (c), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Brok Harris
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Nama Xaba, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg

Venue: Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 16:00 local (15:00 BST 14:00 GMT)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Morné Ferreira (South Africa), Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Crouse (South Africa)

Dragons v Zebre Parma

Prediction: Dragons by 7

The teams:

Dragons: 15 Angus O’Brien, 14 David Richards, 13 Steff Hughes, 12 Max Clark, 11 Jared Rosser, 10 Sam Davies, 9 Rhodri Williams, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Harrison Keddie (c), 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Sean Lonsdale, 4 Joe Davies, 3 Lloyd Fairbrother, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Aki Seiuli
Replacements: 16 James Benjamin, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Chris Coleman, 19 Huw Taylor, 20 Ben Fry, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Aneurin Owen

Zebre: 15 Richard Kriel, 14 Latu Latunipulu, 13 Tommaso Boni, 12 Damiano Mazza, 11 Jacopo Trulla, 10 Tiff Eden, 9 Chris Cook, 8 Taina Fox-Matamua, 7 Iacopo Bianchi, 6 Davide Ruggeri, 5 Leonard Krumov, 4 Andrea Zambonin, 3 Matteo Nocera, 2 Jacques Du Toit (c), 1 Juan Pitinari
Replacements: 16 Marco Manfredi, 17 Alessio Sanavia, 18 Muhamed Hasa, 19 Jan Uys, 20 Giacomo Ferrari, 21 Ratko Jelic, 22 Geronimo Prisciantelli, 23 Lorenzo Pani

Venue: Rodney Parade
Kick-off: 17:15 BST (16:15 GMT)
Referee: Ben Blain (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Gareth Newman (Wales), Gwyn Morris (Wales)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)

Munster v Ulster

Prediction: Munster by 10

The teams:

Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Shane Daly, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Patrick Campbell, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Paddy Patterson, 8 Alex Kendellen, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Jack O’Donoghue (c), 5 Eoin O’Connor, 4 Edwin Edogbo, 3 John Ryan, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Dave Kilcoyne
Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 Roman Salanoa, 19 Evan O’Connell, 20 Cian Hurley, 21 Neil Cronin, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Simon Zebo

Ulster: 15 Stewart Moore, 14 Ben Moxham, 13 James Hume, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Ethan McIlroy, 10 Billy Burns, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Sean Reffell, 6 David McCann, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Alan O’Connor (c), 3 Marty Moore, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Andy Warwick
Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Gareth Milasinovich, 19 Cormac Izuchukwu, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 John Cooney, 22 Angus Curtis, 23 Craig Gilroy

Venue: Thomond Park
Kick-off: 17:15 BST (16:15 GMT)
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Paul Haycock (Ireland)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)

Ospreys v Connacht

Prediction: Connacht by 6

The teams:

Ospreys: 15 Max Nagy, 14 Luke Morgan, 13 Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Jack Walsh, 9 Reuben Morgan Williams, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Harri Deaves, 6 Ethan Roots, 5 Huw Sutton, 4 Rhys Davies, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Scott Baldwin (c), 1 Rhys Henry
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Garyn Phillips, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Jack Regan, 20 Tristan Davies, 21 Matthew Aubrey, 22 Luke Scully, 23 Cai Evans

Connacht: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 Alex Wootton, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 David Hawkshaw, 11 John Porch, 10 Jack Carty (c), 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Jarrad Butler, 7 Conor Oliver, 6 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 5 Gavin Thornbury, 4 Oisín Dowling, 3 Jack Aungier, 2 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 1 Denis Buckley
Replacements: 16 Grant Stewart, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Sam Illo, 19 Darragh Murray 20 Paul Boyle, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Tom Daly, 23 Adam Byrne

Venue: Swansea.com Stadium
Kick-off: 19:35 BST (18:35 GMT)
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Adam Jones (Wales), Mark Butcher (Wales)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)

Sunday

Bulls v Sharks

Prediction: Bulls by 5

The teams:

Bulls: 15 Johan Goosen, 14 David Kriel, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sbu Nkosi, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Bruger, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Marco van Staden, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortjie, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Gerhard Steenkamp
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Ruan Vermaak, 21 Emrbose Papier, 22 Stravino Jacobs, 23 Wandisile Simelane

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 3 Thomas du Toit (c), 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Replacements:16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Justin Basson, 20 James Venter, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Marnus Potgieter

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 15:00 local (13:00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuisen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

Cardiff v Edinburgh

Prediction: Edinburgh by 4

The teams:

Cardiff: 15 Ben Thomas, 14 Jason Harries, 13 Mason Grady, 12 Max Llewellyn, 11 Theo Cabango, 10 Jarrod Evans, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 James Ratti, 7 Thomas Young, 6 James Botham, 5 Rory Thornton, 4 Josh Turnbull (c), 3 Dmitri Arhip, 2 Kirby Myhill, 1 Rhys Carré
Replacements: 16 Liam Belcher, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Will Davies-King, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Gwilym Bradley, 21 Ellis Bevan, 22 Aled Summerhill, 23 Cameron Winnett

Edinburgh: 15 Henry Immelman, 14 Emiliano Boffelli, 13 Matt Currie, 12 Chris Dean, 11 Wes Goosen, 10 Charlie Savala, 9 Charlie Shiel, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Luke Crosbie (c), 6 Ben Muncaster, 5 Jamie Hodgson, 4 Pierce Phillips, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Adam McBurney, 1 Boan Venter
Replacements: 16 Patrick Harrison, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Angus Williams, 19 Marshall Sykes, 20 Connor Boyle, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Jack Blain

Venue: Cardiff Arms Park
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Mike English (Wales), Lewis Harrison (Wales)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (Italy)