Bryn Palmer's player-by-player breakdown of Scotland's 26-something defeat in Pretoria makes for compelling reading, even in loss. The Scots were 0-14 down inside 15 minutes but rallied to level at half-time before South Africa pulled away around the hour mark — only for Scotland to close to within seven late on and nearly snatch it. Palmer's ratings reflect a genuine contest rather than a hammering: Tuipulotu earns a 9 for 14 carries and the offload that set up Rowe's equaliser, Cummings gets 8.5 for a lock's performance that directly created Bayliss's try, and Russell (8) showed no rust despite eight weeks out. The 5s and 5.5s — Steyn, Darge — point to where South Africa found their edges. The replacements collectively earn an 8, with Bayliss, Hiddleston and Bradbury all contributing to a finish that left the Boks needing Kriel's 77th-minute try to seal it.
Scotland rated: who stood tall and who fell short in Pretoria
Palmer's post-match ratings dissect a Scotland performance that pushed the Boks hard — identifying who drove the comeback and where the Springboks ultimately found their openings.
Erasmus explains Papier recall after eight-year Springbok absence
Rassie Erasmus has recalled Embrose Papier to the Springbok squad for Saturday's Nations Championship match against Scotland at Loftus, citing the scrumhalf's standout URC season with the Bulls. Papier will start alongside Handré Pollard, eight years after the pair last combined for the Boks against the same opponents at Murrayfield.
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.
Erasmus: 'We don't see the Nations Championship as a competition'
Erasmus says the Boks won't adjust their approach to chase Nations Championship log points — each Test is treated as a standalone match, with squad rotation across the window as the priority over competition standings.
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.
Brown confirms post-2027 All Blacks move but eyes World Cup glory with Boks first
Springbok attack coach Tony Brown will join Dave Rennie's All Blacks staff from 2028, but remains committed to helping South Africa win a third successive World Cup title before his departure.