Proudfoot: Lewis a brilliant addition to Boks

Former Springbok assistant coach Matt Proudfoot believes the addition of Joe Lewis to the national set-up could prove a masterstroke.

Lewis was last week announced as the Boks’ performance analyst, joining Rassie Erasmus’ world champions from Steve Borthwick’s England.

MORE: Rassie lures England analyst to Boks

Proudfoot, who worked alongside Lewis under Eddie Jones in the England set-up, expects the Welshman to make a major impact.

“The way the English structures were set up, Joe worked closely with the defensive and forward sections of the game,” Proudfoot told Rapport. “He spent a lot of time with [then England’s forwards coach] Steve Borthwick and they had a very good relationship.

“Steve is one of the best forward coaches I’ve worked with, and Joe understood lineouts and rolling mauls exceptionally well.

“In the time he was there, England probably played around 40 Tests without conceding a rolling maul try.

“He’s outstanding at analysing opposition strengths and weaknesses. He gives coaches the data and preparation needed to make the right decisions and pass on the right messages to players.”

ALSO: Kitsie, Big Trev rate Rassie’s game analysis

Proudfoot, now an assistant coach at Eastern Province, believes Lewis’ skillset aligns perfectly with Erasmus’ detail-driven approach.

“He’s got a strong work ethic and will do well in Rassie’s environment,” he said. “I think he’s a brilliant addition to the Bok camp.”

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Photo: Getty Images

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The Vodacom Bulls could lose star scrumhalf Embrose Papier unless Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus comes to the party.

Papier’s standout URC form has driven up his value, leaving the Bulls vulnerable to overseas interest.

The 28-year-old remains contracted until June 2027 but Rapport claims Loftus bosses are already concerned about their ability to keep Papier beyond that without assistance from Erasmus and SA Rugby.

A key factor is the Player of National Interest (PONI) system, which allows SA Rugby to subsidise the salaries of elite players. Without such financial support, the Bulls may struggle to match lucrative international offers.

ALSO: Door open for Bok icon contract extension

Papier has been one of the standout scrumhalves in the URC, with his sharp service, lightning attacking instincts and improved tactical kicking catching the eye. But he was overlooked for the Boks’ first alignment camp of the year.

Erasmus is not short of options at scrumhalf, with the likes of Grant Williams, Cobus Reinach and Morné van den Berg all impressing at Test level in 2025.

The likes of Jaden Hendrikse, Haashim Pead, Herschel Jantjies and Faf de Klerk are all still in the Springbok mix.

ALSO: Bulls fall agonisingly short in Glasgow

Papier played seven Tests under then newly-appointed Bok coach Erasmus back in 2018 but has not featured since.

The Bulls will hope to keep hold of Papier, having already lost the services of Boks Wilco Louw and Kurt-Lee Arendse from next season.

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Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

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Au Soudan du Sud, ONU et organisations humanitaires alertent sur la situation dramatique des déplacés dans l’État du Jonglei. Ils sont au nombre de 286 000 selon les derniers chiffres publiés par l’Unicef, chassés de leurs villages par le conflit qui se déroule depuis fin décembre entre forces gouvernementales et forces d’opposition dans cette région située au nord-est du pays, frontalière de l’Éthiopie. Ces déplacés, en majorité des femmes et des enfants, manquent de tout pour survivre et sont toujours très exposés aux risques de violences. Les humanitaires tentent d’apporter une réponse mais se heurtent à des difficultés d’accès.

Kenya national team striker Michal Olunga is set to be out for a long spell after undergoing surgery, according to his Saudi Arabia club Al-Arabi.

The former Gor Mahia striker, who captains Harambee Stars, was not involved as Kenya battled Estonia, and Grenada in the just concluded 2026 FIFA Series as part of the FIFA International break.

| تقرير طبي بشأن لاعبنا مايكـل أولونغا.#العربي pic.twitter.com/YchpjNxUfN

— Al Arabi SC | النادي العربي (@alarabi_club) April 2, 2026

The reason he missed the two friendly matches was because he had sustained an injury during Al-Arabi’s Qatar Stars League fixture before the FIFA break.

Al-Arabi have now confirmed Olunga, who joined them from Al-Duhail SC suffered a pelvic injury during the game and has subsequently undergone surgery.

Olunga will be out for eight weeks

“Our player, Michael Olunga, suffered a pelvic injury. He underwent successful surgery this morning in Paris, France,” said Al Arabi via a social media post.

The statement added: “The player is expected to be sidelined for eight weeks, during which time he will undergo a rehabilitation program under the supervision of the club’s medical staff.”

Olunga had managed six goals prior to injury

Olunga will therefore, not play again for Al Arabi this season, with the season slated to conclude on April 28th.

Olunga has left Al Arabi sitting fifth on the 12-team league table with 31 points from 19 matches. Al Arabi have won nine matches, drawn four, and lost six. In the current campaign, Olunga has only managed six league goals for his club.

He started the season in strong form, including scoring a brace against Qatar SC in late November 2025. Olunga had joined Al Arabi after a successful stint with Al Duhail SC in the same league.

Bafana Bafana star Mbekezeli Mbokazi was praised by Chicago Fire FC head coach Gregg Berhalter, after he returned from international duty to slot straight back into his club side’s starting line-up in their 1-0 Major Leaguer Soccer (MLSO) win over Nashville on Saturday evening.

Mbokazi’s Bafana rocket

Mbokazi only got back to the US on Friday, having scored his first Bafana goal, an absolute rocket in the 2-1 international friendly loss to Panama at the Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday.

MBOOOOO WHAT A STRIKE #cf97 pic.twitter.com/lYvfiQiHFP

– Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) March 31, 2026

But he was picked at centre back against Nashville, and earned plenty of plaudits as he helped his side keep a clean sheet in what was their third MLS win of the season.

This is a brilliant pass from Corcoran and even better defending from Mbokazi.pic.twitter.com/tXNSkmNLtq

– Ben Wright (@benwright) April 5, 2026

“Absolutely incredible. We saw Mbokazi at 5 PM last night (getting home from South Africa),” Berhalter told journalists after Saturday’s game.

More praise

Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady also picked the former Orlando Pirates captain out for special praise.

“I want to give props to Mbokazi because he just got off a long ass flight,” said Brady.