Ben Youngs and Anthony Watson, speaking on the For The Love Of Rugby podcast, named their combined XV from the Nations Championship's opening three rounds — and the Springboks dominate it. Seven green-and-gold players make the cut: Willemse at fullback (praised for his aerial dominance and midfield versatility), Kolbe on the wing (15-point haul against England, outstanding all-round), Kriel at 13 (scored in all three matches), Nortje and Du Toit in the engine room, Wiese at eight, and Marx at hooker. The French half-back pairing of Lucu and Jalibert slots in alongside Feyi-Waboso, Tuipulotu, Meafou, McReight, and an English front-row bookend of Genge and Heyes. Notably, no All Black makes the team — a pointed omission given New Zealand's Nations Championship involvement.
Seven Boks make ex-England duo's Nations Championship XV — All Blacks shut out
Youngs and Watson's Nations Championship Team of the Tournament is loaded with Springboks — seven in total — with Willemse, Kolbe, Kriel, Marx, Du Toit, Nortje, and Wiese all making the cut, and no All Black in sight.
Five Boks in Round One Team of the Week as Willemse Claims Player of the Weekend
South Africa dominate Planet Rugby's Round One Team of the Week with five selections, headlined by Willemse's Player of the Weekend on his 50th cap and strong showings from Marx, both Du Toits, Kriel and a debut-making De Villiers.
SENSATIONAL Springboks 💥 | South Africa v England | Nations Championship 2026 | Highlights
Watch all the highlights as South Africa took on England at Ellis Park on day one of Nations Championship.
SENSATIONAL Springboks 💥 | South Africa vs. England | Nations Championship 2026 | Highlights
Watch all the highlights as South Africa took on England at Ellis Park on day one of Nations Championship.
O'Keeffe stands by his calls in France vs Springboks — still proud, still scarred
O'Keeffe revisits the France-Springboks quarter-final controversy, stands by his performance, and opens up on the personal fallout — while drawing a pointed parallel to Wayne Barnes as someone defined by one call but remembered for a career.
The Barbarians hit-out is a key cog in Rassie's World Cup machine
Nel makes the case that the Barbarians fixture is less about the result and more about Erasmus stress-testing depth, blooding uncapped talent, and keeping the World Cup-winning core fresh — all with 2027 firmly in mind.