Victor Matfield isn't sharing the general confidence around the Springboks ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener in Johannesburg. Speaking on the Rivals podcast, he flagged the fundamental issue: the Boks head into their first Test of 2026 with only a Barbarians game as preparation, while England — despite four straight losses — arrive more battle-hardened and showed in the Six Nations finale they can still compete at the top level. Matfield's unease centres on cohesion and the unknown. He's watching how Erasmus's 'old guard' selection holds up, whether the scrum dominance the Boks expect to impose actually materialises against what many consider England's strongest pack in years, and what tactical identity this Bok side will show — more expansive, or back to the kicking game? Henry Pollock also features in the discussion, with Matfield suggesting the Bok players will be keen to make a physical statement against him, while John Kirwan argues Pollock is better deployed off the bench.
Matfield 'nervous' ahead of England opener — and his concerns deserve attention
Matfield is openly nervous about the Boks' readiness for England despite the rankings gap — he questions cohesion, scrum supremacy, and tactical identity heading into an opener against a team that, despite poor form, is more match-hardened.
- Springboks
- Nations Championship
- Barbarians
- England
- Rassie Erasmus
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.
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.