Canan Moodie has offered a candid defence of the instinctive decisions that land backs in hot water over intentional knock-ons. With Kurt-Lee Arendse red-carded against England and Moodie himself sin-binned in the URC final, he argues the margins at Test level are simply too fine for calculated choices — it's reflex, and sometimes the reflex costs you. On Saturday's match at Loftus, Moodie flags Scotland's wide-running back three — Steyn and Rowe among them — as the primary threat, and points to the aerial battle as a likely contest within the contest. Despite Erasmus naming a relatively inexperienced matchday group, Moodie is unbothered, pointing to the internal competition for Bok jerseys as the great equaliser in terms of preparation. The Boks carry a perfect home record against Scotland into the fixture, and Loftus hasn't been breached this millennium by anyone other than the All Blacks.
Moodie on the millisecond problem — and why the Bok backline backs itself against Scotland
Moodie unpacks the split-second reality behind intentional knock-on decisions, flags Scotland's wide threats, and explains why he's unconcerned about Erasmus's less-experienced selection ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship fixture at Loftus.
- Canan Moodie
- Kurt-Lee Arendse
- England
- United Rugby Championship
- Loftus Versfeld
- Scotland
- Rassie Erasmus
- Springboks
- New Zealand
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.
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.
Erasmus welcomes clarity on Tony Brown's post-2027 departure: 'We've made the mistake in the past'
Tony Brown will join the All Blacks coaching staff in 2028 after his Springbok contract expires at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with Rassie Erasmus welcoming the early clarity as SA Rugby looks to avoid the contractual uncertainty that complicated preparations for France 2023.
Buthelezi and Sadie called up as Springbok camp gets under way in Johannesburg
Phepsi Buthelezi and Carlu Sadie have joined the Springbok camp in Johannesburg, with the Stormers players also reporting in after their URC semifinal in Ireland. The squad for the Nations Championship will be announced on 21 June.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu ankle injury puts Rugby Nations Championship opener in doubt
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will miss at least the first three rounds of the Rugby Nations Championship after injuring his ankle in the Stormers' URC quarterfinal win over Cardiff, adding to a growing list of Springbok halfback concerns that already includes Cobus Reinach's knee injury.