Dave Rennie came away from the Bulls win at Loftus feeling his side has made genuine progress — particularly in the scrum — but the buildup to next Saturday's Ellis Park test is now clouded by the fitness of Damian McKenzie. Rennie is less confident about McKenzie's availability than he is about Will Jordan and Cam Roigard, both of whom he expects to be ready. The bigger selection story, though, is Mo'unga: Rennie confirmed the flyhalf has arrived in South Africa 'excited and jumping out of his skin' but won't be considered for the first test after his extended Japan stint. He'll be earmarked for the Lions midweek fixture instead. Codie Taylor was candid that the Bulls 'tested us in patches' but acknowledged the Boks at Ellis Park will be a different proposition entirely — Rennie echoed that, noting 11 line breaks to one shows opportunities left on the field, and that the Springboks will 'come much harder defensively.'
McKenzie doubt clouds All Blacks' first-test XV as Mo'unga held back
Rennie flags real doubt over McKenzie for the Ellis Park test opener while confirming Mo'unga — despite arriving excited — won't be risked until the Lions midweek match. The All Blacks leave Loftus encouraged by scrum improvements but under no illusions about the step up the Boks will demand.
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- Loftus Versfeld
- Emirates Lions
- Springboks
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.
The Lekker Rugby Pod: Has the URC Forged a Genuine SA-Ireland Rivalry?
Pat McCarry argues the URC has given the SA-Ireland rugby rivalry genuine club-level roots, with MVA predicting a Bulls-Stormers final at Loftus and McCarry warning the Lions and Connacht are the teams no one wants to face in the playoffs.
Ntlabakanye handed 18-month ban that rules him out of 2027 Rugby World Cup
Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been suspended for 18 months following doping violations involving Anastrozole and DHEA, with the ban running until 13 November 2027 — the day of the Rugby World Cup final — ruling him out of the tournament.
Ntlabakanye handed 18-month ban that rules him out of 2027 Rugby World Cup
Lions tighthead Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been handed an 18-month doping ban running from 13 May 2026, with the suspension ending on the day of the 2027 Rugby World Cup final after he tested positive for Anastrozole and self-declared the use of anabolic steroid DHEA.
Willie le Roux reaches 400 first-class appearances — a career built on vision, not validation
Willie le Roux's 400th first-class appearance is the occasion for a warm but pointed reassessment — De Koning argues the criticism has always missed what coaches and teammates have long understood about his spatial intelligence and leadership value.