CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Eben Etzebeth was promoted to South Africa's team for the rugby test against Wales on Saturday after an injury to Jean Kleyn.
The late change made Friday saw flanker Marco van Staden included among the replacements.
“We feel for Jean as it would have been his first test since the Rugby World Cup final last year," Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus said.
"But Marco is also a Rugby World Cup winner and has been with the squad all season, and he has also been training with the squad all week and throughout the tour, so it was a logical choice for him to start on the bench.”
South Africa: Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse; Jasper Wiese, Elrigh Louw, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Thomas du Toit. Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Marco van Staden, RG Snyman, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard.
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
South Africa's Eben Etzebeth, left, and Scotland's Zander Fagerson have an tussle during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Scotland and South Africa in Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
South Africa's Eben Etzebeth reacts to a teammate during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Scotland and South Africa in Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Michael King is staying with the San Diego Padres.
The right-hander signed a three-year contract that includes two player options allowing him to become a free agent again after each of the next two seasons. The team announced the deal Friday.
Media reports said King will receive $75 million in salary from 2026-28 if he doesn't opt out of the contract.
King, who turns 31 in May, went 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA in 15 starts for the Padres last season. He missed time on the injured list with a pinched nerve in his right shoulder and then later with left knee inflammation.
San Diego lost frontline starter Dylan Cease to Toronto in free agency this month, and Yu Darvish is likely to miss the entire 2026 season following elbow surgery. King, however, rejoins a rotation that also features Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove, who is expected back from Tommy John surgery.
King rejected a $22,025,000 qualifying offer from the Padres last month. They acquired him from the Yankees in the December 2023 trade that sent Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to New York.
In two seasons as a member of San Diego's rotation, King is 18-12 with a 3.10 ERA. He made 30 starts and one relief appearance in 2024, going 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA.
King was primarily a reliever with the Yankees. He is 31-29 with a 3.24 ERA and seven saves in 161 games (64 starts) over seven major league seasons with New York and San Diego.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
FILE - San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King works against an Arizona Diamondbacks batter during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
