Damian Willemse says the November tour feels meaningfully different with actual silverware on the line — a first for him in this window. His enthusiasm is tempered by a pointed warning not to overlook Italy before the bigger prize comes into view.
Gaza fired up by rare end-of-year stakes
Willemse is energised by the prospect of a trophy on an end-of-year tour but cautions the Boks against underestimating Italy along the way.
Flannery identifies the defensive fixes the Boks need against Italy
Flannery breaks down what went wrong defensively against Australia and Scotland, why they're different problems, and how Italy's set-piece power, kicking game and aerial threat demand a team-defensive response rather than individual tracking.
Flannery flags the defensive fixes Boks need before Italy test
Flannery breaks down what went wrong against Australia and Scotland, why Wales was the corrective, and exactly where Italy's set-piece power, kicking game, and Capuozzo's threat will test the Boks' defensive structure in Turin.
Van den Berg cementing his place, Moerat's trust fund and why Italy's injury list makes this a tough ask
Erasmus went settled over experimental for Turin despite a lengthy injury list and six uncapped tourists in camp — Planet Rugby breaks down who gained and who lost ground in a selection shaped by breakdown concerns, front-row experimentation and the search for Marx's long-term deputy.
Muller set to eclipse Frans Steyn's 20-year age record with Nations Championship debut
Markus Muller will break Frans Steyn's 20-year record as the youngest Springbok debutant in the professional era if he plays in any of South Africa's four Nations Championship matches in November, with fellow teenager Luan Giliomee also in line to enter the top two on the all-time list.
Muller set to break Frans Steyn's 20-year-old youngest debutant record
Markus Muller will break Frans Steyn's 20-year-old record as the youngest Springbok debutant in the professional era if he plays in any of South Africa's four November Nations Championship Tests, with Steyn's mark of 19 years and 181 days well within reach at each fixture. Fellow call-up Luan Giliomee could also become the second-youngest debutant, potentially displacing Canan Moodie, depending on when he makes his debut.