During the Boks' clash with Scotland, Boan Venter lifted Cobus Wiese at the restart, carried him several metres forward, then launched him into open space — a move that led directly to an offload to Paul de Villiers and ultimately Evan Roos's try. The piece examines whether that forward momentum and launch breached the laws, noting that while Wiese was protected from contact in the air, the legality of Venter running with him before releasing is far murkier. The debate ran hot on social media, with northern hemisphere voices largely calling foul, while others saw it as sharp instinctive play. The piece lands no firm verdict — rugby law experts consulted couldn't agree either — and puts the question back to the reader. The try stands, Roos gets the credit, but the legal grey area around the restart tactic is worth knowing about ahead of any future TMO scrutiny.
Was Venter's Wiese launch legal? The moment dividing rugby opinion
Boan Venter's restart lift of Cobus Wiese — where he ran several metres forward before launching him into space, sparking a try — has split opinion on legality. Rugby law experts can't agree, the try stands, but the tactic may face future scrutiny.
Papier earns first Springbok start in eight years against Scotland
Embrose Papier earns his eighth Springbok cap and first start in eight years against Scotland, rewarded for a standout Bulls season that saw him score nine tries.
Erasmus explains Papier recall after eight-year Springbok absence
Rassie Erasmus has recalled Embrose Papier to the Springbok squad for Saturday's Nations Championship match against Scotland at Loftus, citing the scrumhalf's standout URC season with the Bulls. Papier will start alongside Handré Pollard, eight years after the pair last combined for the Boks against the same opponents at Murrayfield.
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.
Erasmus: 'We don't see the Nations Championship as a competition'
Erasmus says the Boks won't adjust their approach to chase Nations Championship log points — each Test is treated as a standalone match, with squad rotation across the window as the priority over competition standings.
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.