With Ellis Park, a nine-match winning streak, and a squad carrying over 1,000 Test caps, the outside world has effectively handed the Springboks Saturday's Nations Championship opener before a ball is kicked. Kolisi isn't interested. In this piece, he makes clear the squad has tuned out the noise entirely — their preparation has been shaped by Erasmus's messages and a close read of what England actually bring, not by public expectation. His respect for Borthwick's squad is genuine: he flags the Northampton contingent's club cohesion as a genuine threat and pushes back firmly on any suggestion that England's youth counts against them. The internal dynamic gets a mention too — Kolisi describes the competition for Bok jerseys as the real standard-setter, with experience meaning nothing if you can't back it on the field.
Kolisi warns: the Boks aren't buying the favourites tag ahead of England opener
Kolisi dismisses the Boks' heavy favourites tag ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener, expressing genuine respect for England's form-based selection and warning that internal squad competition — not reputation — sets the standard in this group.
- Springboks
- Siya Kolisi
- Rassie Erasmus
- England
- Nations Championship
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.
Erasmus admits Australia flashbacks at half-time as Boks' system absorbs Kolisi and Etzebeth withdrawals
Rassie Erasmus revealed that Australia flashbacks surfaced at half-time when England closed the gap to 17-14, before the Boks ran out 45-21 winners in their Nations Championship opener, with Kolisi and Etzebeth absences handled by a system Erasmus says is being deliberately stress-tested ahead of the World Cup.
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.