{
  "id": 18304082,
  "title": "Ruan Nortjé thrilled to play alongside Salmaan Moerat again: ‘It’s a real honour’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/ruan-nortje-thrilled-to-play-alongside-salmaan-moerat-again-its-a",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T12:41:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/nortje-thrilled-play-moerat-again/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Springbok lock Ruan Nortjé is looking forward to partnering with his childhood friend Salmaan Moerat in the second row for the Boks' upcoming Nations Championship match against Italy at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, on Saturday. Both players are 28 years old and have known each other since their Junior Springbok days. They have played together twice already, against the Wallabies and Argentina, and will have the chance to play together a fourth time this weekend. Nortjé expressed his admiration for Moerat and his excitement to play alongside him again. He also praised Moerat's resilience, noting that he has come back from injuries to secure his place in the squad. Nortjé acknowledged the strong challenge posed by Italy, despite their injury woes, and stressed the importance of matching Italy's intensity and sticking to their game plan.",
  "summary": "Ruan Nortjé has become a key member of the Springbok team over the past few years, and is eager to link up with Salmaan Moerat in the second row against Italy.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ruan Nortjé excited to play with childhood friend Salmaan Moerat again",
    "Both 28-year-old players reunite for Nations Championship match against Italy",
    "Nortjé praises Moerat's resilience and Italy's challenging intensity"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}