Gavin Rich profiles Damian de Allende ahead of his 100th Test appearance — fittingly against the All Blacks — and traces a career that nearly didn't happen. The piece reveals that De Allende's first love was soccer (he wanted to be Thierry Henry), that he made WP Schools as a cricketer rather than a rugby player, and that he was overlooked for the WP rugby Schools side in what his coach Heinrich Martin attributed to northern-versus-southern suburbs politics. It was Martin who took De Allende directly to WP under-19 coach Nazeem Adams and asked for a trial — a conversation that effectively saved his rugby career. From there, a Varsity Cup season with the Ikeys in 2012 got him on television and into his first professional contract, a Currie Cup final appearance followed months later, and he was a Springbok by 2014. Rich also draws out De Allende's reflections on the 2015 World Cup — how he didn't fully grasp the Japan upset at the time, and how it was only at the 2019 tournament that he, Pollard, and De Jager properly reckoned with how close they came to beating that All Blacks side in the semi-final. The through-line is work ethic over natural pathway, and De Allende's own read is that missing Craven Week selection may have kept him hungry enough to make it.
From Milnerton High to 100 Bok caps: The Doogz story
Gavin Rich traces De Allende's road to 100 Tests — from soccer-obsessed kid at Milnerton High, through a school politics snub that nearly derailed his rugby career, to two World Cup winners' medals. The piece is rich on the behind-the-scenes figures and formative moments that shaped one of the Boks' most durable centres.
Brown confirms post-2027 All Blacks move but eyes World Cup glory with Boks first
Springbok attack coach Tony Brown will join Dave Rennie's All Blacks staff from 2028, but remains committed to helping South Africa win a third successive World Cup title before his departure.
Tony Brown to join All Blacks backroom staff in 2028 after Springbok contract ends
NZR have confirmed Tony Brown will join the All Blacks' backroom staff in 2028 on a two-year contract, with the Springboks attack coach set to depart after the 2027 Rugby World Cup. It is the third time NZR have pursued Brown, having previously been rejected during the Foster and Robertson eras.
Smith called up as Boks manage De Jager's return to full fitness
Stormers lock Adre Smith has been added to the Springbok squad primarily to allow Lood de Jager, returning from hip surgery, to build match fitness gradually ahead of the England Tests, with assistant coach Deon Davids confirming the lock depth has become a squad-planning priority following Salmaan Moerat's release through injury.
Hansen's Right to Back Himself — But the Boks' Five-Match Streak Tells a Different Story
Jean de Villiers acknowledges Hansen's logic but argues last year's results and performances make it hard to see the All Blacks closing the gap on the Boks — and the panel get genuinely animated over what a 2-2 series tiebreaker would even look like.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu ankle injury puts Rugby Nations Championship opener in doubt
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will miss at least the first three rounds of the Rugby Nations Championship after injuring his ankle in the Stormers' URC quarterfinal win over Cardiff, adding to a growing list of Springbok halfback concerns that already includes Cobus Reinach's knee injury.