With Zimbabwe heading to RWC27 after their historic Rugby Africa Cup win over Namibia, Lions lock Darrien-Lane Landsberg finds himself in an increasingly pointed position — his country of birth wants him, but he's not ready to close the Springbok chapter. Landsberg, eligible for South Africa through residency, has declined Zimbabwe's approaches twice now, and his reasoning is straightforward: until Erasmus tells him the door is shut, he won't accept that it is. The piece captures a player who is clear-eyed about the stakes — he knows the window won't stay open indefinitely, and has said he'd consider the Zimbabwe route if the Bok conversation ends definitively. The second thread running through the interview is the Lions' transformation this season, with Landsberg crediting a fundamental shift in belief — from needing in-game proof they could win, to arriving at matches already convinced of it — as the engine behind their surge toward a first-ever URC playoff qualification.
Landsberg keeping Bok door open as Zimbabwe circle ahead of RWC27
Landsberg has again turned down Zimbabwe, holding out for a Springbok call-up while refusing to accept the door is closed until Erasmus says otherwise — with a RWC27 deadline quietly ticking in the background.
- Springboks
- Rassie Erasmus
- United Rugby Championship
Stephen Donald: Robertson copied the Boks — Rennie must go back to All Blacks DNA
Stephen Donald backs Hansen's anti-copycat argument, saying Robertson erred by chasing the Springbok blueprint rather than New Zealand's tempo-based strengths — and expects Rennie to correct that course ahead of a blockbuster four-Test series in South Africa.
Record-breaking Papier back on Springbok radar as Bulls close in on Van der Westhuizen milestone
Embrose Papier is back on the Springbok radar after Rassie Erasmus's management contacted the Bulls scrumhalf following injuries to Grant Williams and Cobus Reinach, with Bulls coach Johan Ackermann confirming the development ahead of Papier's record-breaking 170th appearance for the franchise, which moves him past Joost van der Westhuizen.
McCloskey admits 'Zombie' has gotten under Irish skin — and Bok fans know it
McCloskey openly admits the Springbok fanbase's 'Zombie' takeover has gotten under Irish skin, framing it as part of a rivalry that's grown noticeably edgier since South Africa joined the URC.
Springboks Through Irish Eyes: Gráinne Seoige on Loftus, Rassie, and Why SA Rugby Is Unlike Anything Else
Irish TV personality Gráinne Seoige tells the Lekker Rugby Pod that walking into Loftus for the 2024 Ireland test was the most intimidating rugby atmosphere she has ever experienced, and argues that Rassie Erasmus's cultural transformation of Springbok rugby is a bigger achievement than the World Cup wins.
All Blacks' loosehead crisis hands Springboks a ready-made weapon in Greatest Rivalry Series
Jeff Wilson has publicly identified loosehead prop as the All Blacks' most dangerous weakness ahead of four consecutive Tests against the Springboks — with Williams likely out, Tu'ungafasi's future uncertain, and the remaining options short on caps and experience. Set against the depth Erasmus has built across the prop positions, this piece maps out why scrum time could be where the Greatest Rivalry Series is decided.