Sports

Boks Bring the Thunder: Nine Try Rampage Lights Up Nelspruit

Published

2 months ago

July 21, 2025

Chiraag

Springboks rugby highlights, Georgia rugby Test 2025, South Africa nine tries, Kurt-Lee Arendse try, Damian Willemse Springbok, Bok debutants 2025, Ruan Nortje player of the match, Faf de Klerk assist, Mbombela rugby crowd, Joburg ETC

Nelspruit Comes Alive as Springboks Put Georgia to the Sword

There is nothing quite like a Springbok home game to electrify a South African town, and Nelspruit felt every volt of energy this past Saturday. As the sun sank behind Mbombela Stadium and vuvuzelas echoed through the Lowveld, the Springboks brought the curtain down on their 2025 midyear Tests with a performance bursting with muscle, magic, and momentum. The world champions outclassed a determined Georgian side by 55 to 10, serving as a reminder of their dominance on home soil.

It was much more than a win; it was a statement.

Georgia Strike First, but the Boks Come Roaring Back

The drama began immediately. After only three minutes, Georgia’s hooker Vano Karkadze crashed over the line; Luka Matkava’s accurate conversion gave the visitors a quick seven-point advantage. A misfired kickoff from the Boks and an early lineout deep in their own territory had the home side under pressure. To add to the tension, Captain Siya Kolisi left the field for a head injury assessment.

But if there is one thing fans know, you never count the Boks out early.

Not long after, debutant Boan Venter powered over for his first-ever Test try, sending his hometown of De Aar and the 36,842-strong crowd in Nelspruit into an eruption of celebration. From that moment onward, the atmosphere never wavered.

The Lowveld Shines for Its Own

Nelspruit’s own Marnus van der Merwe delivered more joy for the locals, crossing the chalk not once but twice for memorable tries. Georgia, ranked 11th in the world, did not roll over. Their grit and flashes of skill earned the respect of the crowd and their hosts alike.

Canan Moodie, Ruan Nortje (who later received the Player of the Match award), and Edwill van der Merwe all joined the scoring spree, with Edwill van der Merwe bagging a brilliant brace. His second try came thanks to a precision chip from Faf de Klerk that completely opened up the Georgian defensive line.

As Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Handré Pollard added their names to the scoreboard, the result shifted ever more firmly in favour of the Springboks.

A Night of Firsts, Fireworks, and Familiar Faces

South Africa fielded a balanced blend of new talent and seasoned campaigners. Rugby World Cup winners arrived from the bench to lift the pace, while debutants such as Venter and Van der Merwe left fans in no doubt that South African rugby’s depth is very real.

Handré Pollard added a late flourish by sprinting in for the ninth try and pushing his international points tally to an impressive 797, just short of another milestone.

Despite the scoreline, the Georgians never gave in. They stood firm in the contact areas, showed real heart in defence, and launched several promising attacks, including a rolling maul that Bongi Mbonambi alertly shut down.

Fans Got Every Cent’s Worth

Mbombela buzzed all night long. This was not just a Test match. It was a celebration of rugby, community, and homegrown heroes. The Springboks gave fans everything: electric pace, big moments, unforgettable plays, and proof that the future looks bright.

Social media reflected the occasion. “Pure Bok gees in Nelspruit,” cheered one supporter on X (formerly Twitter), while another simply declared, “Nine tries. No mercy. That’s how to end a Test series.”

End it they did, with the perfect blend of flair, fight, and new stars breaking through in the green and gold.