Schalk Brits backs Manie Libbok to start at 10 against England but takes direct aim at Erasmus for leaving Pollard out of the 23 entirely. His core concern is cover — if Libbok picks up an injury mid-match, the Boks are suddenly navigating a Test against England without a specialist 10 on the bench. It's a selection risk question worth reading in full.
Brits questions Pollard omission: what happens if Libbok goes down?
Brits supports Libbok's selection but challenges the logic of dropping Pollard from the matchday 23 altogether — arguing the Boks have left themselves dangerously exposed at 10 if Libbok goes down against England.
- Manie Libbok
- Springboks
- England
- Rassie Erasmus
- Handré Pollard
Nché injury concern headlining Bok casualty list ahead of Scotland clash at Loftus
Rassie Erasmus is sweating over the fitness of Ox Nché, Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and André Esterhuizen ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship match against Scotland at Loftus, after all four picked up injuries during or before the 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park.
Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
Nations Championship Round 1: Boks set the benchmark, Japan turn heads
Louw's Nations Championship round-one review crowns the Boks as the weekend's benchmark-setters and flags Japan's Italy upset as the competition's first real surprise — while taking aim at the scheduling call that denies Japan a home fixture against Ireland.
Willemse credits Jantjies, Bok mentors after reaching 50-Test milestone at Ellis Park
Damian Willemse marked his 50th Test cap with one of his finest Springbok performances as South Africa opened their Nations Championship campaign with a 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park, crediting mentors including Elton Jantjies, Handré Pollard and several Bok greats for shaping his game across multiple positions.
Halftime flashbacks and World Cup depth: Rassie's takeaways from the England win
Erasmus drew a direct line between last year's Australia collapse and his halftime intervention against England, while framing the 45-21 win — achieved with an underdone, reshaped side — as evidence his depth-building plan is on track for 2027.