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2,327 items · Springboks
Kolbe returns, Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts as Pollard ruled out for Cape Town Test
Cheslin Kolbe returns to the starting lineup and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu keeps the No 10 jersey as Handré Pollard is ruled out with a hamstring injury for the second Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town on Saturday. Kurt-Lee Arendse drops out of the squad, Cobus Reinach replaces Grant Williams at scrumhalf, and Manie Libbok shifts to the bench.
Pollard injury cloud over Cape Town Test as du Toit set for century
Handré Pollard is reportedly injured and may miss the Cape Town Test against the All Blacks, while Pieter-Steph du Toit is set to earn his 100th cap and Siya Kolisi has been confirmed fit to captain the side.
Stransky and Brooke inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame
Former Springbok flyhalf Joel Stransky and All Blacks loose forward Zinzan Brooke have become the first of seven modern greats inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame as the class of 2026. The pair, both Rugby World Cup winners on home soil, were honoured at a special dinner in Cape Town ahead of the second Test between South Africa and New Zealand.
Kolbe returns as Pollard injury hands Feinberg-Mngomezulu Cape Town start
Cheslin Kolbe has recovered from the knock that forced him off in Johannesburg and will start against the All Blacks at DHL Stadium on Saturday. Handré Pollard's training niggle opens the door for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf, with Manie Libbok promoted to the replacements bench. Kurt-Lee Arendse drops out of the matchday squad entirely as the Springboks reshuffle their backline for the second Castle Double Malt Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series Test.
Kolbe returns, Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts as Pollard withdrawal reshapes Bok backline for Cape Town Test
A Handré Pollard injury has forced a reshaped Springbok backline for Saturday's Cape Town Test, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu starting at flyhalf and a fully recovered Cheslin Kolbe returning to the wing in place of Kurt-Lee Arendse.
Stransky and Zinzan Brooke headline World Rugby Hall of Fame class of 2026
Joel Stransky and Zinzan Brooke have been inducted as the first two members of the World Rugby Hall of Fame class of 2026, honoured at a dinner in Cape Town ahead of the second Test between South Africa and New Zealand.
Scrum politics, Gardner's influence, and whether the Boks can rediscover their mojo in Cape Town
Rich's second Test preview weighs the late Gardner appointment — and All Black lobbying over the Bok scrum — against South Africa's ability to mentally reset after Ellis Park. He tips a six-point Bok win if the officiating is straight and the Boks rediscover their clinical edge.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts as Pollard withdraws; Kolbe replaces Arendse for Cape Town test
Pollard withdraws injured, handing Feinberg-Mngomezulu the flyhalf start against the All Blacks in Cape Town, while Kolbe returns fit to replace Arendse.
Rassie Recognised Devlin at the Press Conference — and the All Blacks Are Still Warning About the Scrum
Devlin describes his viral Rassie press-conference moment and makes the case that the All Blacks are far closer to the Springboks than the scoreline suggested, with the scrum battle and Rennie's referee messaging set to define Cape Town.
Kitshoff on what Kolisi's return really brings to the Boks
Kitshoff argues Kolisi's return gives the Boks a composure and leadership edge they've been missing — the piece unpacks what that means for the All Blacks Test in Cape Town.
Aaron Smith warns All Blacks: a wounded Springbok is the most dangerous animal in rugby
Aaron Smith expects a classic Boklash at DHL Stadium, warning that pressure has shifted entirely onto New Zealand now that the Boks have nothing to lose — and drawing on the Lions series as a reminder of what happens when this squad gets wounded.
Self-belief, scrum politics, and the Gardner wildcard: Can the Boks level the series?
Rich argues the second test hinges on two factors: whether referee Angus Gardner resists New Zealand's concerted lobbying over the Bok scrum, and whether the Springboks can mentally reset after a result that flattered the All Blacks. With a possible Pollard withdrawal adding selection uncertainty, he still tips South Africa to win by six if the playing field is level.
Pollard and Reinach recalled as Erasmus seeks control after Ellis Park humbling
Rassie Erasmus has made sweeping changes to his Springbok side for Saturday's rematch with New Zealand at DHL Stadium, recalling Handré Pollard and Cobus Reinach at half-back after the 33-16 defeat in Johannesburg. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu drops to the bench while Grant Williams is ruled out through injury. Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett has backed the alterations, insisting Erasmus remains the man best placed to steer South Africa's response.
Control over redemption: Keohane's take on what the Boks must fix in Cape Town
Keohane argues the Cape Town Test is less about redemption and more about execution — dissecting the Ellis Park breakdown failures, Pollard's selection rationale, and why Kolisi's return is structurally critical to the Boks levelling the series.
Mallett backs Erasmus' changes and predicts a very different Bok game plan in Cape Town
Mallett backs Erasmus's changes and argues Pollard's selection signals a far more structured, kicking-heavy game plan in Cape Town — roughly double the aerial output from Ellis Park, with counter-rucking pressure and a refreshed bench designed to grind the All Blacks down rather than match them in open play.
Stransky inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame as part of Class of 2026
Joel Stransky has been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026, recognised alongside former All Black Zinzan Brooke at a dinner in Cape Town on Thursday.
Rassie Calls Devlin 'Very Interesting' — and the Test Series Analysis That Followed Is Worth Your Time
Martin Devlin recounts Rassie Erasmus publicly acknowledging his podcast at the Ellis Park press conference, then gives a detailed opposition read on why the All Blacks believe the series is far from settled heading into the Cape Town Test.
Stransky backs Pollard but warns of predictability risk in Cape Town
Stransky backs the Pollard switch as a signal that Erasmus is reverting to type — kicking game, territory, physicality — but warns it makes the Boks predictable and removes attacking width. He sees the logic, especially if conditions suit, but the margin for error is slim.
Mallett backs Erasmus' changes — and expects a very different Bok game plan in Cape Town
Mallett backs every Erasmus selection call for Cape Town, arguing the shift to Pollard signals a territorially disciplined kicking game — roughly double Ellis Park's volume — with Reinach and Van den Berg key executors. He also rates the revised bench as meaningfully stronger, particularly Du Toit at tighthead and Fourie's breakdown impact.
All Blacks are playing a different game — and the Boks may need to find one too
A comprehensive breakdown of why the Boks' Johannesburg defeat was more than a stumble — the stats, the set-piece story, and the unsettling possibility that this All Blacks side is forcing Erasmus to find something genuinely new.