As Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus looks to broaden his squad’s Test rugby experience, several players are set to make their debuts against Portugal, with Andre-Hugo Venter among the notable names.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Venter, the 22-year-old son of former Springbok flanker Andre Hugo, is in line for his first cap. He shares a personal connection with Erasmus, as he is dating the coach’s daughter, Nikki.
Andre Hugo, a close friend of Erasmus, played alongside him during their professional careers but now faces life with transverse myelitis, a condition that has left him paraplegic.
Nikki Erasmus, a student at the University of Stellenbosch and a model, has been in a relationship with the Stormers player for over two years. She often showcases their relationship on social media, sharing moments from her Matric Dance in 2022 and various adventures together, proudly declaring herself Venter’s “biggest fan.”
This weekend’s one-off Test against Portugal in Bloemfontein is set to be a special occasion for Venter, who is expected to be named on the bench and likely to make his international debut in the second half.
“Ego off the scale” – Joe Marler reveals four players he can’t stand
England prop Joe Marler is never afraid of sharing an opinion or two – especially when it’s about someone he doesn’t particularly like.
#1. Gavin Henson
These two have history. Henson was ruled out for a number of weeks in 2016 after Marler clattered the Welsh Prince off the ball.
The England prop was returning to rugby after a troubled 2015-16 season, that prompted the loosehead to take a break from the game in the summer missing England’s historic 3-0 whitewash of the Wallabies Down Under.
A story from Marler’s book shows the ego of Henson in 2005 was off the scale. Being told to hurry up with his hair by his captain Gareth Thomas, the playmaker showed his skipper little respect.H
enson’s reply to Thomas was: “Alf, your mother and father have come to watch you play today, but there are 72,000 out there who have come to watch me.”