Mike Tindall has opened up on how the notorious 2002 Test — the 53-3 drubbing where Labuschagne was red-carded for the Wilkinson hit — poisoned his view of Springbok players off the field, so much so that he threatened to leave Bath when Robbie Fleck was set to sign. The contempt was real: Tindall says Fleck said things during that game he couldn't forgive. Bath signed Fleck anyway, Fleck apologised and explained himself, and Tindall got to see his red-mist tendencies up close from the same side of the ruck — describing him as a player who would literally chase opponents around the field, completely ignoring the game itself, but genuinely brilliant when focused. Fleck is now one of his closest friends. Tindall also reflects on England's 2000 tour to South Africa, where Woodward's decision to base the squad in Joburg throughout meant players never lingered after games and had no real chance to build cross-team relationships — a logistical quirk that, combined with the physical brutality of those early encounters, shaped his initially hostile view of Bok players.
Tindall threatened to quit Bath over Springbok signing — then became best mates with him
Tindall threatened to quit Bath over the Robbie Fleck signing after the brutal 2002 Test, only for Fleck to become one of his closest friends — a story that doubles as a snapshot of how raw England-Springbok tensions were in that era.
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.
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.
The Northampton blueprint: England's altitude cheat code for Ellis Park?
The piece asks whether Northampton and Bristol's recent Loftus wins give England a replicable blueprint for Ellis Park — and with six Saints players likely starting, Borthwick's side may be banking on exactly that altitude formula.
Watson: Kolbe is England's biggest headache — but Bok versatility is the real danger
Watson names Kolbe as England's biggest individual concern but argues the Boks' real edge is their ability to change tactical identity based on which fly-half starts — a flexibility that makes them uniquely hard to prepare for.
Smith vows England will 'leave it all out there' against Springboks
Marcus Smith says England's 36-man squad, arriving in Johannesburg on Thursday, are targeting a historic win over the Springboks in the Nations Championship opener, having trained in oxygen masks to prepare for the Highveld.