Duane Vermeulen has put Evan Roos on notice ahead of Saturday's Test against Scotland at Loftus: the step up from URC franchise rugby to Springbok rugby isn't just physical — it's structural. Vermeulen specifically flagged the Stormers' expansive, free-flowing game as something Roos will need to park, noting that players accustomed to playing with that kind of freedom can struggle to slot into the tighter, more prescriptive patterns the Boks demand. The praise is genuine — Vermeulen likes Roos's intensity and rates him as the Stormers' go-to carrier — but the implicit message is that Saturday is an audition, not a coronation. With Wiese firmly established as the Boks' primary No 8 and Cameron Hanekom also pressing, Vermeulen made no bones about the competition being fierce across the entire loose trio. Roos needs to impose himself within the system, not around it.
Vermeulen: Roos must shelve the Stormers' freestyle for Bok structure
Vermeulen backs Roos's talent but flags a key adjustment challenge: trading the Stormers' free-form game for Bok structure, with Wiese's established role and Hanekom's emergence making this a genuine audition at No 8.
Buthelezi and Sadie called up as Springbok camp gets underway in Johannesburg
Phepsi Buthelezi and Carlu Sadie have joined the Springbok training squad in Johannesburg, with on-field preparations underway ahead of the 20 June double-header in Gqeberha. The Nations Championship squad is set to be announced on 21 June.
Springbok Recall! Relive Phepsi Buthelezi's 2025/26 Season
#SharksRugby #PhepsiButhelezi #Springboks
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.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu ankle injury puts Rugby Nations Championship opener in doubt
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will miss at least the first three rounds of the Rugby Nations Championship after injuring his ankle in the Stormers' URC quarterfinal win over Cardiff, adding to a growing list of Springbok halfback concerns that already includes Cobus Reinach's knee injury.
Rassie makes contact with Papier as Bulls scrum-half closes in on Joost's appearance record
Rassie Erasmus has been in direct contact with Bulls scrum-half Embrose Papier amid the 29-year-old's standout 2025/26 season, with Papier also set to surpass Joost van der Westhuizen as the Bulls' most-capped number nine against Zebre Parma on Saturday.