Every story on the wire.
3,982 items
SA Rugby's data-driven push to find the next generation of Boks
SA Rugby's Ian Schwartz outlines how data is being used to drive talent identification and transformation at the grassroots level — a window into the pipeline that feeds the Bok system.
URC Round 2: SA teams face a real test after a deceptively kind opening week
Gavin Rich makes the case that SA's clean Round 1 sweep was earned under unusually favourable conditions, and that this week's fixtures — particularly Munster vs Bulls and Sharks vs Leinster — are the real early-season litmus test for where the local franchises stand.
Rennie: Boks are beatable — but the All Blacks aren't there yet
Rennie's post-Rugby's Greatest Rivalry debrief is honest: the All Blacks weren't clinical enough when it counted, the Ellis Park blowout flattered them, and he knows the Boks' experience and clarity of identity are what make them so hard to beat. He's not changing the system — he's backing execution to improve.
Perth defeat a learning exercise, not a crisis, insist Springbok camp
The Springboks' 42-38 loss to Australia in Perth has prompted vastly different reactions from inside and outside the camp. While some supporters questioned Rassie Erasmus' rotation policy after 13 changes to the starting XV, former assistant coach Gary Gold and milestone man Jasper Wiese both framed the defeat as valuable preparation for the 2027 World Cup. The loss came at the end of an intense four-Test series against New Zealand.
High risk, high reward: Why the Bok defence isn't broken
Gold and Foote argue the Bok defence isn't broken — the points being conceded are a calculated cost of running a high-pressure line-speed system, and forcing opposition errors to feed the scrum is a deliberate design choice, not a flaw.
Rennie backs All Blacks quality despite Springbok series loss
Rennie insists the All Blacks are better than their 3-1 series record against the Boks suggests, and frames the remaining six Tests — starting with the Bledisloe — as the opportunity to prove it.
Moyo backs himself to run the Sharks against Leinster
Moyo talks through his mindset ahead of the Leinster clash — internal standards, mentorship from Hendrikse and Masuku, and what Esterhuizen's return means for him at No.10.
Dobson: Kolisi's presence felt — now comes the rugby
Dobson praises Kolisi's immediate impact on the Stormers' environment but flags that his rugby contribution is what the team needs when they face Edinburgh.
Bosch back in SA, eyeing a Bok recall — and he believes his best is good enough
Bosch returns from Brive mentally refreshed and eyeing a Bok recall, arguing the creative freedom he rediscovered in France — combined with accumulated experience — makes his best good enough to compete at Test level.
Kolisi returns to Stormers fold for Edinburgh clash
Siya Kolisi starts at openside for the Stormers against Edinburgh on Friday — his first appearance for the franchise in over five years — as the Stormers look to end their tour with a win before four successive home URC fixtures.
Esterhuizen captains Bok-heavy Sharks as Leinster visit Kings Park
Andre Esterhuizen captains a Bok-heavy Sharks side against URC defending champions Leinster at Kings Park on Saturday, with Du Toit and Van der Merwe starting and Etzebeth and Nche on the bench.
Kiss frustrated but measured as Paisami ban stands for Bledisloe Tests
Les Kiss says Paisami's four-match ban for the dangerous tackle on Feinberg-Mngomezulu "could have been a little bit less" but the inside centre misses both Bledisloe Cup Tests, with Jock Campbell called up and Len Ikitau facing a fitness test on Friday.
Cape Town Sevens tickets slashed to pre-Covid prices ahead of December event
Cape Town Sevens tickets for the 5-6 December event at DHL Stadium go on sale on 2 October at pre-pandemic prices, ranging from R180 (unreserved upper tier) to R500 (lower tier, halfway), as the Blitzboks bid for a third successive home title.
Bok Women bounce back — and the coaching reshuffle is working
After the Wales hammering, the Bok Women regrouped to beat Italy for only the second time ever — co-head coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt explains how a coaching reshuffle and return to set-piece basics drove the turnaround, with Spain and Ireland still to come.
Gold: Perth loss is a 'good thing' — but the plan B question lingers
Gold and Foote both shrug off the Perth defeat as useful squad intelligence gathered with a rotated XV — but Gold flags a deeper concern: the Boks' plan A remains world-class, yet opponents are increasingly able to neutralise it for long stretches, making a credible plan B the real pre-World Cup development priority.
Springboks to face All Blacks in Auckland and Christchurch for first time since 2016 in full 2027 Rugby Championship
Dave Rennie has confirmed the Springboks will face the All Blacks in Auckland and Christchurch during the 2027 Rugby Championship — South Africa's first Test in Christchurch since 2016 — with a full four-nation tournament returning after this year's hiatus.
World Cup 2027 power rankings: Boks lead, but how does the rest stack up?
The Guardian's pre-World Cup power rankings put the Boks at the summit despite the Australia defeat, citing their depth and the series win over the All Blacks as the defining evidence — the full piece ranks all 24 nations.
World Cup 2027 power rankings: Boks lead, but who's closing the gap?
Meagher's pre-World Cup power rankings put the Boks on top despite a late-season blip against Australia, with the 3-1 series win over New Zealand the key credential. The full piece assesses all 24 nations.
Ahmed's Edinburgh audition: building a case for the Stormers' deputy 10 role
Matthee's ankle injury gives Yaqeen Ahmed a start at 10 against Edinburgh — the piece makes the case that it's a genuine opportunity to lock down the Stormers' deputy flyhalf role for when Feinberg-Mngomezulu is unavailable.
Boks head to RWC2027 as favourites — with a target to match
One year out from RWC2027, the Boks enter as favourites and world number one — but the expanded 24-team format sets up a potential quarter-final against the All Blacks before anyone reaches the final. The piece maps the full draw, format changes, and contender landscape.