Gavin Rich frames this weekend's URC semifinals through the lens of departure — specifically three Bok locks whose careers at their current franchises end if their teams lose. For the Stormers, Salmaan Moerat and Ruben van Heerden are both heading overseas (La Rochelle and Montpellier respectively), while Ruan Nortje is Japan-bound from the Bulls. Rich draws out the parallels between Moerat and Nortje — similar age, same schools rugby era, Bok debuts a week apart — before assessing where each stands in the Bok pecking order heading into the World Cup cycle. Nortje has embedded himself firmly in Erasmus's plans; Moerat's value is, Rich argues, chronically underappreciated by fans despite Erasmus and Ronan O'Gara both clearly rating him highly. The piece also flags Kurt-Lee Arendse as another departing Bull with something to play for. The subtext throughout is that a Stormers vs Bulls final would give all three locks a fitting send-off at home — and that the prospect of avoiding a quiet goodbye in Dublin or Edinburgh should be plenty of motivation.
Moerat, Nortje and Van Heerden: Three Bok locks playing for more than a final spot
Rich profiles three departing Bok locks — Moerat, Van Heerden and Nortje — whose franchise careers end with a semifinal defeat, drawing out their shared history and assessing their Bok trajectories heading into a busy Rugby Championship build-up.
What Bordeaux's Champions Cup demolition of Leinster means for SA's URC finals hopes
Rich uses Bordeaux's physical demolition of Leinster as a lens on SA's URC finals prospects — arguing the Stormers cost themselves and their SA counterparts dearly by failing to secure second place, while flagging a scrumhalf depth problem that extends beyond the URC and straight into Erasmus's Bok planning.
Bulls dismantle Munster 45-14: Bok depth tells, Hanekom stakes Bomb Squad claim
A detailed breakdown of the Bulls' dominant 45-14 win, analysing why Bok-laden depth made Munster irrelevant, and why Hanekom is now in the frame to replace Kwagga Smith in the Bomb Squad.
Jake White wants SA Rugby to bring back the overseas selection ban
Jake White is calling for SA Rugby to reinstate overseas selection restrictions, arguing the current policy has enriched the Springboks while leaving franchises structurally unable to compete in the Champions Cup against far wealthier European clubs.
Papier backs improved decision-making and kicking game for Springbok recall after eight-year absence
Embrose Papier has discussed the improvements in his decision-making, kicking and game management that earned him a place in the Springboks' second alignment camp — his first national involvement since 2018 — after a standout 2025/26 season with the Bulls.
Burger: Roos earns his Bok recall — but the soft-skill weakness is real
Burger endorses Roos's Bok recall but flags a genuine soft-skill concern, while De Villiers uses Papier and Horn to argue Erasmus's selection culture consistently rewards sustained URC form.