Ben Youngs and Anthony Watson picked their Nations Championship XV of the tournament on the For The Love Of Rugby podcast — and it's a Springbok-heavy selection, with seven green-and-gold jerseys. Willemse earns the 15 spot on the back of his dominant aerial displays against England and Scotland, Kolbe gets wing after his 15-point haul against England, Jesse Kriel slots in at 13 for scoring in all three matches, while Marx, Nortje, Du Toit and Wiese complete the forward representation. The most pointed omission: not a single All Black made the cut. France supplied the halfback pairing in Lucu and Jalibert, with Scotland's Tuipulotu and England's Feyi-Waboso completing the backs. For Bok fans wanting chapter and verse on what specifically impressed Youngs and Watson about each selection, the full breakdown is worth a read.
Seven Boks make Nations Championship XV as All Blacks shut out entirely
Ben Youngs and Anthony Watson's Nations Championship XV features seven Springboks — Willemse, Kolbe, Kriel, Marx, Nortje, Du Toit and Wiese — with no All Blacks selected at all.
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.
James Doleman to referee South Africa v England as World Rugby confirms Nations Championship officials
James Doleman will referee South Africa v England at Ellis Park on 4 July, with Andrew Brace and Pierre Brousset as assistants, as World Rugby confirms the full list of officials for the July leg of the 2026 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.