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Du Toit to captain Springboks as Kolisi sits out Ellis Park opener
Pieter-Steph du Toit will lead the Springboks against New Zealand at Ellis Park on Saturday after Siya Kolisi was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Rassie Erasmus confirmed the decision was precautionary, with the captain fit to train but not risked for the opening Test of the four-match Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series. Du Toit earns his first captaincy against the All Blacks as South Africa defend both their fortress and their world number one ranking.
De Villiers backed to fill Kolisi void as Boks face All Blacks at Ellis Park
Mzwandile Stick has backed Paul de Villiers to fill Siya Kolisi's absence in the No 6 jersey for Saturday's first Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand at Ellis Park, with stand-in captain Pieter-Steph du Toit — earning his 99th cap — also praising the 23-year-old Stormers flanker's maturity and physicality.
Erasmus plays long game as Springboks eye series victory over All Blacks
Rassie Erasmus has named a vastly experienced squad for Saturday's opening Test at Ellis Park, but the Springbok coach is looking beyond the first whistle. With player workload under the microscope and rotation central to his strategy, Erasmus believes the four-Test series will be decided in the third or fourth encounter rather than the opening salvo in Johannesburg.
Du Toit and Stick relish RGR series as De Allende prepares for 100th cap
Springbok captain Pieter-Steph du Toit and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick have welcomed the four-Test Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks ahead of Saturday's opener at Ellis Park, with Damian de Allende set to become only the 10th Springbok to earn 100 caps.
Erasmus reveals the moment Damian de Allende proved his Test class ahead of 100th cap
Rassie Erasmus has cited De Allende's ability to match Sonny Bill Williams as the proof of his Test quality, ahead of the centre's 100th cap against the All Blacks at Ellis Park — making him only the tenth South African men's player to reach the milestone.
Springboks' No.1 ranking on the line as Greatest Rivalry series opens at Ellis Park
South Africa's world No.1 ranking is on the line when the Springboks host the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday in the opening Test of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series. New Zealand, currently 1.68 points adrift at No.2, reclaim top spot with any winning margin.
Springboks' world number one ranking on the line as Greatest Rivalry series opens at Ellis Park
South Africa's world number one ranking is at stake when they host New Zealand in the first of four Greatest Rivalry Tests at Ellis Park on Saturday, with the All Blacks needing any victory to return to the top of the World Rugby rankings.
Rankings on the line as Springboks host All Blacks at Ellis Park in Greatest Rivalry opener
The world number one ranking is on the line at Ellis Park on Saturday as South Africa (93.96) host New Zealand (92.28) in the opening match of the inaugural Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, with the All Blacks able to reclaim top spot with a win of any margin.
Savea relishing Ellis Park Test after strategic rest, warns Boks will push All Blacks to their limits
Ardie Savea, rested for the franchise legs of the Greatest Rivalry tour on Dave Rennie's instruction, leads the All Blacks out at Ellis Park on Saturday for his 110th cap and 18th appearance against the Springboks, warning that the Boks consistently push opponents to their limits while stressing the importance of winning the first Test and maintaining discipline.
Stick backs De Villiers to deliver at openside against All Blacks
Mzwandile Stick backs Paul de Villiers as the right man to start at openside flank for the Springboks against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Stick backs De Villiers to start at openside against All Blacks
Mzwandile Stick says Paul de Villiers is the right man to start at openside for the Boks against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Du Toit to captain Springboks as Kolisi sits out Ellis Park All Blacks Test
Pieter-Steph du Toit captains the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday as Siya Kolisi is held out of the All Blacks opener with a hamstring injury, in a precautionary call by Rassie Erasmus ahead of the four-Test series.
Du Toit to captain Boks against All Blacks as Kolisi sits out Ellis Park opener
Pieter-Steph du Toit captains the Springboks against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday after Rassie Erasmus took a precautionary call to rest a hamstring-troubled Siya Kolisi ahead of the four-Test Rugby Championship series against New Zealand.
WSL2 semi-finals set: Pumas host Griffons, Griquas face SWD Eagirls
The WSL2 semi-finals on Saturday pit unbeaten defending champions Pumas against Griffons in Nelspruit, and Griquas against SWD Eagirls in Kimberley, with both matches live on the SA Rugby YouTube channel.
Thirteen facts and figures that frame the 2026 Springboks-All Blacks series
The 13th Springbok-All Blacks series opens at Ellis Park with the historical ledger tied at five series wins apiece. Handré Pollard enters the four-match campaign on 169 points against New Zealand — level with Morné Steyn on 36 penalties — and could move clear in both the penalties and dropped-goals records. Bryan Habana's mark of eight tries remains intact, with Malcolm Marx (six) and Cheslin Kolbe (five) the likeliest challengers.
Rennie questions Springboks airing All Blacks discipline concerns publicly
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has criticised the Springboks coaching staff for raising discipline concerns about New Zealand in the media ahead of Saturday's Test at Ellis Park. Bok assistant Felix Jones had highlighted feedback from South African franchises regarding breakdown conduct and maul infringements.
Erasmus opts for caution over Kolisi as De Villiers earns Ellis Park start
Siya Kolisi will miss Saturday's opening Test against New Zealand at Ellis Park despite being declared fit to play. Rassie Erasmus confirmed the captain trained fully this week but elected to take a precautionary approach with three further All Blacks fixtures on the horizon. Paul de Villiers retains the openside jersey after impressing during the Nations Championship, while Pieter-Steph du Toit assumes the captaincy for his 99th Test appearance.
Erasmus backs Feinberg-Mngomezulu's Wellington form and training as reasons for Test one selection
Rassie Erasmus has selected Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf for the first Test against New Zealand, citing his role in last year's record 43-10 Wellington win and his training form, as part of seven changes from the side beaten in Auckland and a broader rotation strategy for the four-Test series.
Rennie backs fit-again Holland and explains key selection calls ahead of Ellis Park Test
Dave Rennie has made only one change from the XV that beat Ireland, recalling fit-again lock Fabian Holland, with Ardie Savea, Cam Roigard and Will Jordan all confirmed to start at Ellis Park despite having no tour minutes.
Erasmus banks on freshness and experience edge as Boks target series win over All Blacks
Rassie Erasmus has outlined a series-long workload strategy ahead of Saturday's first Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, revealing the Boks have averaged 70 fewer playing minutes per player than New Zealand over the past six weeks, with the third Test in Soweto identified as the likely series decider. Damian de Allende reaches 100 caps on Saturday.