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Kolisi rules out coaching, opens up on retirement and why the field is his sanctuary
Kolisi dismisses coaching as a post-playing option after a half-time exit from Erasmus's coaches' box convinced him he'd never last, and reflects candidly on approaching retirement and why match day remains his emotional refuge.
Savea to miss opening fortnight as All Blacks begin gruelling South African odyssey
New Zealand captain Ardie Savea will remain in New Zealand for the opening fortnight of the All Blacks' historic six-week tour of South Africa, joining the squad only ten days before the first Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg. Head coach Dave Rennie defended the decision by citing Savea's relentless workload since January, with veteran hooker Codie Taylor named tour captain in his absence. The All Blacks arrived in Cape Town on Friday to a rapturous reception ahead of their opening fixture against the Stormers on 7 August.
Rennie confirms Savea return timeline as All Blacks arrive in Cape Town
Dave Rennie confirms Ardie Savea will sit out the Bulls match but join the All Blacks squad in South Africa ten days before the opening Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg on August 22, as 43 of the 44-man touring party arrive in Cape Town via three different routes.
Savea to join All Blacks just before first Test as Rennie juggles tour opening without his captain
Ardie Savea will only join the All Blacks tour party after their Sharks fixture, leaving Dave Rennie without his newly appointed captain for the opening legs of the South African tour. Codie Taylor carries the captaincy duties in the interim, with the squad having arrived in Cape Town via a rerouted itinerary after Middle East travel disruptions.
Codie Taylor can't wait to face the SA franchises — and wants Super Rugby back
Taylor, standing in as All Blacks captain while Savea rests, says the Super Rugby split genuinely frustrates him — he's relishing the chance to face the URC franchises again and isn't shy about saying NZ misses it. He's also managing a calf tweak that should clear before the Test series.
Griquas edge Cheetahs 24-21 to go top of Currie Cup
Griquas defended a late Cheetahs comeback to win 24-21 in Kimberley, with Tiaan Lange scoring twice, and move to the top of the Currie Cup standings.
Codie Taylor relishing SA franchise challenge — and wants Super Rugby reunion
Codie Taylor, standing in as All Blacks captain while Savea takes a rest, says facing SA's URC franchises is something he's genuinely missed — and doesn't hold back on his view that the Super Rugby split was a loss for the game.
Rennie backs full-scale tour format as All Blacks arrive in Cape Town
Dave Rennie says the four-test format and provincial fixtures will benefit his developing All Blacks squad as the tour party — minus rested captain Ardie Savea — settles into Cape Town ahead of their opener against the Stormers next Friday.
Rennie backs full-scale SA tour to sharpen All Blacks ahead of four-test series
Dave Rennie says the All Blacks' first full-scale South African tour in 30 years will benefit the whole squad, with provincial fixtures giving fringe players game time and a four-test series against the Springboks offering iterative tactical development. Test captain Ardie Savea joins the group before the Johannesburg opener on August 22.
All Blacks draw 4,000 fans to DHL Stadium welcome ahead of SA tour opener
More than 4,000 fans welcomed the All Blacks at DHL Stadium in Cape Town ahead of their South African tour, with stand-in captain Codie Taylor and coach Dave Rennie both struck by the reception. The tourists face the Stormers on 7 August in their tour opener.
Argentina Test doubles as final audition for the All Blacks series
Planet Rugby breaks down Erasmus's Argentina squad as a carefully constructed final audition rather than a routine Rugby Championship fixture — identifying who looks locked in for the All Blacks opener and who still has a case to make.
World champion Kubheka sets sights on Nonu's mindset as Sharks return beckons
Junior Springbok World Championship winner Phiwayinkosi 'Rambo' Kubheka is set to feature off the bench for the Sharks XV against the Stormers XXIII on Saturday, with the prop also keen to draw on Ma'a Nonu's mental approach during the All Black legend's forthcoming mentorship stint in Durban.
Bulls prop Lizo Gqoboka retires at 36 after remarkable journey to professional rugby
Vodacom Bulls loosehead prop Lizo Gqoboka has announced his retirement from professional rugby at the age of 36. The two-time Springbok, who made over 100 appearances for the Bulls, bowed out with a man-of-the-match performance in a warm-up fixture against the Falcons, scoring two tries and winning eight scrum penalties before informing the union of his decision.
Gqoboka retires at 36 after remarkable journey from rural Eastern Cape to Loftus and Springbok honours
Lizo Gqoboka has retired from professional rugby at 36, ending a career that began with his first game at age 19 and included over a century of Bulls appearances and two Springbok caps.
Hotham breaks silence on All Blacks omission ahead of Greatest Rivalry tour
Crusaders scrum-half Noah Hotham has broken his silence on his surprise omission from the All Blacks' 44-man squad for the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour, saying the exclusion was frustrating despite a strong Super Rugby Pacific campaign, and is now focusing on Tasman form to keep himself in contention as an injury replacement.
Junior World Cup winner Kubheka eyes Nonu's mental edge as Sharks return beckons
World Rugby U20 Championship winner Phiwayinkosi "Rambo" Kubheka returns to Sharks duty this weekend and is keen to tap into Ma'a Nonu's mental approach as the two-time World Cup winner joins the club's high-performance mentorship programme.
Mentoe set for senior debut as Lions name Junior Bok duo for Jukskei derby
Junior Springbok Gilermo Mentoe is set for his senior debut as the Lions name him in their starting XV for Saturday's Jukskei derby against the Vodacom Bulls XV at UJ Stadium.
Hotham opens up on All Blacks omission ahead of Greatest Rivalry tour
Crusaders scrum-half Noah Hotham has spoken about his omission from the All Blacks' 44-man squad for the Greatest Rivalry tour, saying he is staying ready as a potential injury replacement while focussing on Tasman's NPC campaign.
Mentoe handed first senior start as Lions field Junior Bok duo in Jukskei derby
Junior Springbok Gilermo Mentoe starts for the Lions against the Vodacom Bulls XV at UJ Stadium on Saturday, making his senior debut alongside a second Junior Bok in the Lions lineup.
Currie Cup round three: Junior Bok influx, injury crises, and the last quiet weekend before the All Blacks arrive
With the All Blacks already on South African soil and the RGR series a week away, Rich previews a Currie Cup round shaped by Junior Bok debuts, a mounting injury crisis at Griquas and the Bulls, and two unbeaten sides — Cheetahs and Boland Kavaliers — still to be tested.