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523 items · Springboks · Reports
Libbok gets the nod at flyhalf for England Test opener
Manie Libbok starts at flyhalf for the Springboks against England at Ellis Park in the opening Nations Championship Test on Saturday.
England arrive at Ellis Park with nothing to lose as Borthwick reshapes squad
England travel to Johannesburg for Saturday's Nations Championship opener against the Springboks in the midst of significant transition. Steve Borthwick has named five uncapped players in a 36-man touring party and will field Jamie George as captain in place of the rested Maro Itoje. The visitors face a Springbok side mindful of their own Ellis Park vulnerability after last year's heavy defeat to Australia at the same venue.
Tandy to cut Wales squad ahead of Nations Championship campaign
Steve Tandy will cut Wales' 48-man squad to 32–34 players early next week ahead of their Nations Championship campaign, which includes a Test against the Springboks.
US Consulate General welcomes Springboks ahead of historic Baltimore Test
The U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg has welcomed the Springboks ahead of the September 12 Test against the All Blacks in Baltimore — the first-ever Springboks-All Blacks clash on American soil and the fourth Test of the 2026 Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series.
JP Pietersen backs Vusi Moyo to thrive at Test level
JP Pietersen says Vusi Moyo has the big-match temperament to thrive in the Springbok environment.
Koch try not enough as Wales edge Faf's Barbarians at Twickenham
Vincent Koch scored for the Barbarians at Twickenham but Wales edged the Faf de Klerk-led side in a hard-fought match.
Fassi to take Japan sabbatical as Sharks face fullback shortage
Aphelele Fassi will spend the 2026/27 season in Japan as part of a sabbatical clause in his Sharks contract, returning to Durban in July 2027. The move leaves the Sharks without three fullbacks for next season, with Hakeem Kunene and Luan Giliomee both having departed to the Bulls.
Koch try not enough as Wales edge Faf's Barbarians at Twickenham
Vincent Koch scored for the Barbarians but Wales edged the Faf-led side in a tight contest at Twickenham.
Paulse backs Erasmus's youth gamble as Springboks build depth towards 2027
Breyton Paulse has praised Rassie Erasmus for fast-tracking Junior Springboks into the senior squad ahead of the Nations Championship, highlighting a cultural shift from his own playing days. The 46-man squad includes three uncapped U20 graduates and reflects a deliberate strategy to build depth without discarding experienced campaigners. Paulse singled out Stormers flanker Paul de Villiers as one to watch after an outstanding URC and Champions Cup season.
Fassi heads to Japan on sabbatical as Sharks confirm 2026/27 absence
Aphelele Fassi will join a Japanese Rugby League One club for the 2026/27 season on sabbatical, returning to the Sharks in July 2027 under the terms of his renewed contract.
Boks regroup in Johannesburg ahead of Nations Championship opener against England
The Springboks wrap up a week of Johannesburg training on Thursday and reassemble Sunday for Test-week preparations ahead of their Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park on July 4.
How former Lions doctor's refusal to testify sealed Ntlabakanye's 18-month ban
The IDT's 44-page ruling in the Asenathi Ntlabakanye doping case reveals that former Lions team doctor Rob Collins refused to testify in the prop's defence, a decision the tribunal identified as critical to the outcome. Ntlabakanye, banned for 18 months until November 2027, argued the prohibited substances entered his system entirely through the Lions' internal medical structure, but the panel found his reliance on that system — genuine as it was — fell short of the 'utmost caution' standard required under anti-doping rules.
Springboks host Wales at Kings Park on 18 July in Nations Championship opener
South Africa host Wales at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban on 18 July (17:40 local) in the Nations Championship, with Andrew Brace refereeing and SuperSport broadcasting.
Erasmus satisfied as Springboks complete Nations Championship training camp
The Springboks concluded their Nations Championship training camp in Johannesburg on Thursday, with head coach Rassie Erasmus expressing satisfaction at the groundwork laid ahead of the competition opener against England. The squad will reassemble on Sunday to begin official Test-week preparations for the 4 July fixture at Ellis Park, following productive sessions that addressed learnings from warm-up matches against the Barbarians and Zimbabwe.
Augustus still in Springboks' plans despite Nations Championship absence
Rassie Erasmus confirms Juarno Augustus remains in Springbok plans but is currently injured and unavailable for the Nations Championship, with the Ulster back-rower still awaiting a first Test cap.
Erasmus confirms squad rotation plans as De Jager and Mostert race fitness clocks
Erasmus confirms the 46-man squad is not his only selection pool for July, with De Jager a fitness doubt for the England Test and Mostert set to miss the first game at minimum.
Rassie satisfied as Boks shift into Test mode ahead of England opener
Rassie Erasmus says he is satisfied with the Springboks' preparation heading into next Saturday's Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park.
Boks wrap Johannesburg camp ahead of England opener
The Springboks have wrapped their Johannesburg training camp and reassemble Sunday for Test-week preparations ahead of their Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park on 4 July.
Springboks lead World Rugby rankings by 3.61 points ahead of Nations Championship
South Africa top the World Rugby rankings on 93.94 points, 3.61 clear of New Zealand, as the Springboks head into the inaugural Nations Championship. World Rugby has also confirmed the removal of home weighting from the rankings system from 1 July 2026.
Wales lose hooker Belcher to neck injury ahead of Springbok clash
Wales hooker Liam Belcher has been ruled out of the Nations Championship, including the Test against South Africa, with a neck injury suffered in Cardiff's URC quarterfinal against the Stormers.