Every story on the wire.
1,469 items · Reports
Umaga warns All Blacks of 'relentless wave' from Springbok pack at Ellis Park
All Blacks assistant coach Tana Umaga has acknowledged the challenge his side will face from the Springboks' powerful pack when the teams meet at Ellis Park on Saturday. The former New Zealand captain also warned that South Africa's attacking game has evolved beyond their traditional set-piece dominance.
All Blacks legend claims Springboks 'undercooked' ahead of Ellis Park Test
Former New Zealand scrum-half Justin Marshall believes the Springboks will enter Saturday's opening Test at Ellis Park lacking match sharpness compared to the All Blacks. Marshall suggested South Africa's conservative approach against Argentina was designed to conceal tactics whilst giving returning players minutes, but warned the hosts must sharpen up considerably to compete.
Nations Championship Finals Weekend hits 100,000 tickets sold with 100 days to go
Over 100,000 tickets have been sold for the inaugural Nations Championship Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium in London (27–29 November), with South Africa and New Zealand the only unbeaten teams heading into the Northern Series.
Marx rejects Ellis Park fortress talk: 'Whole of South Africa is our stronghold'
Malcolm Marx has dismissed the notion of singling out Ellis Park as a Springbok fortress ahead of Saturday's Test against New Zealand, insisting the entire country serves as the national side's stronghold. The hooker, whose 27 tries make him the most prolific forward in Bok history, emphasised the team's responsibility to 64-million South Africans regardless of venue.
Marx: 'The whole of South Africa is our fortress'
Malcolm Marx dismisses venue-specific fortress talk ahead of the Ellis Park Test, calling all of South Africa home ground, while flagging the breakdown and scrums as key battlegrounds against the All Blacks.
Boks flag All Blacks breakdown brutality and lineout tactics ahead of Ellis Park clash
South Africa's franchises have warned the Springboks about New Zealand's aggressive ruck clearouts and defensive lineout tactics following the All Blacks' tour victories over the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls. Assistant coach Felix Jones confirmed that tucked shoulders at the breakdown and illegal maul disruption were consistent themes in feedback from local coaches. The concerns add edge to Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener at Ellis Park.
Erasmus deploys Peyper in pre-series mind games as All Blacks push tempo narrative
Rassie Erasmus brought SA Rugby law adviser Jaco Peyper to a pre-match press conference to counter All Blacks accusations that the Springboks deliberately slow the game down. With Dave Rennie's side having beaten France, Italy and Ireland in the Nations Championship before victories over the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls on tour, the war of words has escalated ahead of Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener at Ellis Park. Referee Matt Carley will not meet either coaching team beforehand.
Rennie unmoved as Erasmus and Peyper push back on time-wasting accusations ahead of Ellis Park Test
Dave Rennie has responded with scepticism to Rassie Erasmus and Jaco Peyper's rebuttal of time-wasting accusations, with both head coaches declining a pre-match meeting with referee Matthew Carley on the issue ahead of Saturday's opening Test at Ellis Park.
McKenzie trending towards availability for Ellis Park Test as All Blacks await Ratima verdict
Damian McKenzie is trending towards availability for the Ellis Park Test after training fully on Tuesday, while Cortez Ratima's knee injury remains a concern and Noah Hotham has been called up as scrumhalf cover.
SA franchises flag All Blacks' ruck brutality and illegal lineout tactics ahead of Rugby Championship opener
Felix Jones says the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls flagged two consistent All Blacks concerns: illegal tucked-shoulder cleanouts at the breakdown and obstructive lineout tactics near the try line, with Jones linking the approach to Dave Rennie's coaching history.
Kolisi and Nche edge closer to All Blacks opener as injury clouds lift
Siya Kolisi and Ox Nche are tracking well ahead of Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener against New Zealand, with assistant coach Felix Jones reporting no major concerns from Tuesday's training session. The Springboks will delay their team announcement until Thursday, whilst the All Blacks continue to manage a growing injury list that has seen four players sent home from the tour.
Kolisi and Nche tracking well ahead of All Blacks opener at Ellis Park
Siya Kolisi and Ox Nche came through Tuesday's training without issue and are tracking towards availability for Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, with the Springbok squad announcement delayed until Thursday.
Rennie sweating on four injuries as All Blacks call up reinforcements ahead of Springbok opener
Dave Rennie is managing a four-man injury toll and two further fitness concerns ahead of Saturday's Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks, with prop Ollie Norris the latest tour departure and halfback Cortez Ratima under assessment for a PCL injury.
Matfield identifies All Blacks weakness ahead of Ellis Park opener
Former Springbok captain Victor Matfield has claimed he spotted a vulnerability in the All Blacks during their 50-19 victory over the Bulls, ahead of Saturday's opening Test at Ellis Park. Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones said both sides would be equally prepared for the first of four back-to-back encounters.
Jones flags breakdown concerns and fast-start threat ahead of All Blacks opener
Felix Jones has flagged All Blacks breakdown technique and maul defence as areas of concern ahead of Saturday's Ellis Park Test, while warning that New Zealand's trademark fast start must be matched from the first whistle.
Jones confident on Kolisi and Nché ahead of Ellis Park All Blacks Test
Felix Jones reports no setbacks for Kolisi or Nché in training, with both players on course to be available for Thursday's team announcement ahead of the Ellis Park All Blacks Test.
McKenzie trending towards fitness as Umaga dismisses All Blacks' match-sharpness edge
Tana Umaga says Damian McKenzie is trending towards availability for the Ellis Park Test after his ankle injury against the Sharks, while dismissing suggestions that the All Blacks hold a meaningful match-sharpness advantage over the Springboks.
Erasmus says new referee protocols force coaches to air concerns publicly
Rassie Erasmus has criticised World Rugby's match-official communication protocols, arguing they have created a widening gap between coaches and referees. The Springbok coach said the restrictions leave teams with little choice but to voice concerns through the media, as pre-match meetings now require both head coaches to attend.
Boks reject All Black tempo narrative as Peyper defends multi-style approach
South Africa have pushed back against New Zealand's insistence that high-tempo rugby is the only viable path to success, with Jaco Peyper invoking World Rugby's 'all shapes and sizes' mandate. Former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers warned that the tourists will be surprised if they expect to run the world champions off their feet, while the debate over officiating methods has intensified during the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour.
All Blacks reject underdog status ahead of Ellis Park showdown
New Zealand lock Patrick Tuipulotu has dismissed suggestions the All Blacks are underdogs heading into Saturday's opening Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park. The visitors arrive in Johannesburg fresh from three warm-up victories over South African franchises, though head coach Dave Rennie acknowledged the step up in intensity awaiting his side.