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Fry (right) has come out of retirement to sign for Cardiff RFC(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
These are your evening rugby headlines on Thursday, August 14.
Welsh forward comes out of retirement
Former Dragons forward Ben Fry has come out of retirement to join Cardiff RFC, a year on from hanging up his boots. The Cardiff-born back rower represented Wales at age-grade level and made 37 appearances for the Rodney Parade side between 2018 and his release from the region in 2023, before moving to the United States and joining Major League Rugby side the Dallas Jackals, after a brief spell with Merthyr RFC.
When the Jackals disbanded ahead of the start of the 2024/25 MLR season, however, Fry retired from rugby – but now he is back in the game after finding a new job in the capital, with Cardiff taking him on board ahead of the new Super Rygbi Cymru campaign. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby
The former Wales U20s international was once seen as one of Welsh rugby’s rising stars, a player who thrived when things were at their most physical and one that was tipped for higher honours, having endeared himself to the Rodney Parade faithful.
Fry spoke to WalesOnline earlier this year about starting work as an estate agent in Bristol, with his career seemingly behind him, but he will now lace up his boots again after joining the Rags.
““It’s an absolute privilege to have signed for Cardiff,” said the 26-year-old as his signing was confirmed. “I’m Cardiff born and bred, and it’s always something that I’ve wanted to do. The last time I played for Cardiff was for Cardiff Schools under-15s, so to be able to put the jersey back on and represent my home town is an absolute honour.
“I finished rugby for a year; one part of it was family, the second part of it was the state of rugby, and the third part was that I was working in Bristol. I’ve got the itch back to play,” he added as he reflected on why he initially quit the sport.
“Fortunately, I’ve got a job back in Cardiff and that has given me the opportunity to get back into things. So I reached out to Fishy [Cardiff RFC head coach Dan Fish] and, fortunately enough, he’s been kind enough to bring me on board. So I’m really excited about it.”
Fish added that he was “delighted” to bring the 6ft 1in former Dragons forward to the club, adding: “He’s a Cardiff boy through and through, and a former captain of Cardiff Schools Rugby where he played alongside the likes of Ben Thomas and Max Llewellyn.
“Ben’s experience at professional level, combined with his work rate, physicality, and leadership, makes him a perfect fit for our squad. His know-how and professionalism will be invaluable in helping to develop our young academy boys.”
On playing in Super Rygbi Cymru for the first time, Fry added: “I am looking forward to playing in the Super Rygbi Cymru league; it’s not something that I’ve done before.
“My last sort of taste of Premiership rugby was in the old sort of framework league, so to see it progressing and just take that next elite step up is definitely something that I am looking to get stuck into and see what’s it’s all about.
“It’s about getting back into something that I love, surrounded by a good group of boys. Representing a City that means so much to me, that’s the main part of getting the enjoyment back, getting my competitive edge back and hopefully putting a positive stamp on what’s already a successful team.”
Springbok great dies
Former South Africa international and widely-respected coach Dawie Snyman has died at the age of 76, following an illness.
A utility back during his playing days, he won 10 Test caps for the Springboks during the 1970s, playing at both full-back and fly-half. In total, he represented his country on 22 occasions, scoring 86 points.
Snyman – whose older brother Jackie also played Test rugby for South Africa – also made 60 appearances for Western Province and went on to become one of the most successful coaches in their history after hanging up his boots.
Between 1982 and 1986, he coached the club to five consecutive Currie Cup titles, while they also shared the title with the Bulls in 1989 under his leadership.
Snyman went on to coach South Africa at the 1997 Sevens World Cup, with the Blitzboks ultimately losing to Fiji in the final, while he was also involved with the Lions and at Stellenbosch University.
Paying tribute to the late player and coach as “one of the greats of South African rugby”, SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said: “Dawie will not only be remembered as a determined player who worked extremely hard and succeeded at international level in two positions, but also as one of the finest coaches South African rugby has known.
“He could have played much longer, but chose instead to invest in the game as a mentor and leader, shaping generations of players with his insight and passion. His contribution to rugby in South Africa is immeasurable.
“It is never easy to lose a member of the South African rugby family,” Alexander added. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Pam, his daughters Louise, Patse, Pam and Danielle and to their extended family, loved ones and friends during this time of bereavement.
“May you find comfort in the legacy of a man who will forever be remembered as one of the greats of South African rugby.”
O’Connor returns for Wallabies
Veteran fly-half James O’Connor has been named to start for Australia against South Africa in the opening round of The Rugby Championship this weekend.
The 35-year-old played a Super Rugby season for Crusaders last year and was massively influential in their title win, but has not played Test rugby for the Wallabies since 2022.
Now, however, he finds himself back in the starting side to take on the reigning world champions at Ellis Park, with the 64-cap international the only out-and-out fly-half that head coach Joe Schmidt has at his disposal currently.
O’Connor is the only change Australia have made to the starting XV that won against the British and Irish Lions in the final Test in Sydney two weeks ago.
Schmidt has also opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, with Tate McDermott and Andrew Kellaway providing the firepower for the Wallabies in in the backs.
Australia side to face South Africa: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Andrew Kellaway