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988 items · Springboks · Reports
Erasmus flags 'World Cup knock-out' intensity of RGR series as Grobbelaar and Louw set for Sunday return
Rassie Erasmus has likened the four-Test RGR series against the All Blacks to World Cup knock-out rugby, with the full Springbok squad now reassembled and Bulls duo Johan Grobbelaar and Elrigh Louw rejoining on Sunday ahead of the Ellis Park opener on August 22.
Springboks complete alignment camp ahead of RGR series opener against All Blacks
The Springboks completed a two-day alignment camp in Johannesburg on Saturday ahead of the RGR series opener against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on 22 August, with Grobbelaar and Louw released to the Bulls before rejoining the squad on Sunday.
Louw and Grobbelaar released for Bulls duty before rejoining Springboks
Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar will feature for the Vodacom Bulls against New Zealand on Saturday evening before returning to the Springbok squad ahead of the opening Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test. Rassie Erasmus confirmed the pair will rejoin the national set-up on Sunday as the Boks complete their preparations for next Saturday's clash with the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
Springboks enter final Test-week preparations for Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener
The Springboks have moved into full Test-week preparations for next Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener against New Zealand at Ellis Park, with Grobbelaar and Louw rejoining the squad from the Bulls on Sunday.
Springboks complete pre-RGR camp in Johannesburg ahead of All Blacks series opener
The Springboks completed their pre-RGR camp in Johannesburg on Saturday, with Rassie Erasmus confirming the squad is recovered and ready ahead of the All Blacks series opener at 10bet Ellis Park on 22 August.
World Rugby rankings set for Ellis Park showdown as Springboks lead All Blacks by 1.68 points
South Africa lead New Zealand by 1.68 World Rugby ranking points ahead of the Greatest Rivalry Series opener at Ellis Park, with any All Blacks win enough to reclaim top spot.
Clarke shoulder injury adds to All Blacks' mounting tour casualty list
Caleb Clarke has been sent home from New Zealand's South African tour with a ruptured shoulder tendon, becoming the third All Blacks player lost to injury. Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie are also carrying knocks ahead of Saturday's match against the Bulls, with the first Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park on 22 August.
Clarke ruled out of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry as All Blacks injury toll mounts
Caleb Clarke has been ruled out of the All Blacks' South Africa tour with a ruptured shoulder tendon, becoming the third player lost to injury as the squad prepares to face the Bulls on Saturday ahead of the August 22 test against the Springboks at Ellis Park.
Sale circle Papier as Stormers eye Jantjies return
Sale Sharks are pursuing Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier while the Stormers are exploring a return for Herschel Jantjies from Bayonne, with injury cover a key driver in Cape Town.
All Blacks sweat on Jordan fitness as Springbok Test looms
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has confirmed Will Jordan remains a doubt for the opening Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park on 22 August. The prolific wing has been sidelined with a back complaint throughout the All Blacks' South African tour and missed warm-up fixtures against the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls.
Rennie backs Roigard, Jordan and McKenzie to be fit for Springbok Test
Dave Rennie expects Cam Roigard, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie to all be available for the first Test against the Springboks despite their absence from the All Blacks' tour match against the Bulls, with Rennie saying selection for the Test team is close to being settled.
Jordan and Roigard fitness concerns cloud All Blacks' Ellis Park preparations
Will Jordan remains doubtful for the opening Springbok Test at Ellis Park on 22 August after failing to shake a back injury that has kept him out of all three All Blacks tour matches, while scrum-half Cam Roigard is also a fitness concern following a calf niggle.
Louw and Grobbelaar released to Bulls for All Blacks clash at Loftus
Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar have been released from the Springbok camp to appear off the bench for the Bulls against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with Johan Ackermann tempering expectations given his squad is three weeks into pre-season.
Louw and Grobbelaar released to Bulls for All Blacks clash at Loftus
Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar have been released to the Bulls for Saturday's match against the All Blacks at Loftus, with both named on the bench after a single training session back from Argentina. Coach Johan Ackermann acknowledges the side is well short of peak condition.
Bulls face All Blacks at Loftus with revamped side ahead of Springbok series
The Vodacom Bulls host New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday in the final warm-up before the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series begins in Johannesburg next weekend. While the Bulls field a more experienced side than the Hollywoodbets Sharks managed in Durban, only seven starters from the URC final against Leinster remain available. The match offers JF van Heerden a chance to stake his claim as Ruan Nortje's long-term replacement at lock.
All Blacks wary of Le Roux, Bosch kicking threat and Bulls physicality
Anton Lienert-Brown has singled out Willie le Roux and Curwin Bosch, along with the Bulls' physicality up front, as the primary threats New Zealand must manage on Saturday.
All Blacks ramp up mind games ahead of Springboks test series
The All Blacks have intensified their pre-series rhetoric, claiming South African sides are deliberately slowing play ahead of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. Assistant coach Tana Umaga repeated the assertion following head coach Dave Rennie's earlier comments, with former Springboks hooker Hanyani Shimange warning the tour could turn sour if criticism of match officials continues.
All Blacks ring changes at Loftus as Rennie hands Taylor captaincy in final Springbok warm-up
Dave Rennie has made 19 changes to the All Blacks side that hammered the Sharks 54-0, handing Codie Taylor his first captaincy in his 110th Test as New Zealand prepare for their final tour match against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld. Beauden Barrett returns but has been shifted to full-back, with Chiefs fly-half Josh Jacomb earning a start at number 10. The wholesale rotation offers fringe players a last chance to stake claims ahead of the opening Test against the Springboks.
Mo'unga to miss first Springbok test as Rennie eases All Black back into structures
Richie Mo'unga will not feature in the All Blacks' first test against the Springboks, with Dave Rennie planning to ease the returning flyhalf into action against the Lions while making clear Ruben Love currently holds the 10 jersey.
Tickets range up to R1,350 for Bulls vs All Blacks at Loftus
Tickets for the Vodacom Bulls vs All Blacks match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night top out at R1,350, with cheaper options still available.