Rugby365's Wynona Louw runs a head-to-head audit ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park, and the numbers firmly favour the Boks. South Africa arrive on the back of five consecutive wins; England have won just one of their last five, that a 48-7 stroll against Wales sandwiched between losses to France, Italy, Ireland and Scotland. The historical ledger reads 29 wins from 47 for the Boks, with England having won in Johannesburg just once. Louw revisits the last five meetings in detail — the 2019 World Cup Final demolition, the narrow 2021 Twickenham comeback, England's revenge in the 2021 series, the 2022 Twickenham win despite a red card and no specialist goal-kicker, and Kolbe's match-winning double at Ellis Park in 2023 — drawing out the tactical and physical threads that have defined the rivalry. The recurring themes are familiar: Bok scrum dominance, the Bomb Squad's impact off the bench, and England's tendency to lead early before the green-and-gold grind takes over. For anyone wanting the detailed pattern analysis before kick-off, the full piece is worth the read.
Springboks vs England: Form, history and what the tape reveals ahead of Ellis Park
A five-match retrospective on the Springboks-England rivalry ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park, with Louw identifying the tactical patterns — scrum dominance, bench impact, early England leads — that have defined recent encounters.
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.
Nations Championship Round 1: Boks set the benchmark, Japan turn heads
Louw's Nations Championship round-one review crowns the Boks as the weekend's benchmark-setters and flags Japan's Italy upset as the competition's first real surprise — while taking aim at the scheduling call that denies Japan a home fixture against Ireland.
Nché injury concern headlining Bok casualty list ahead of Scotland clash at Loftus
Rassie Erasmus is sweating over the fitness of Ox Nché, Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and André Esterhuizen ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship match against Scotland at Loftus, after all four picked up injuries during or before the 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park.
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.
Erasmus satisfied with alignment camps but warns proof must come on the field
Rassie Erasmus says the Springboks are in a good place after more than 60 players attended two alignment camps, but insists the results must now translate onto the field as SA Rugby prepares to name a training squad within two weeks.