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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.
England adopt no-excuses stance ahead of Ellis Park Test opener
England travel for their summer tour on Wednesday with Jamie George as captain and a no-excuses stance on their demanding itinerary, as Rassie Erasmus acknowledges the difficulty of reading a Borthwick-coached England ahead of the July 4 Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park.
Norton over Van der Mescht: Erasmus explains lock call as fit, not form
Rassie Erasmus has defended Riley Norton's promotion to the Springbok squad ahead of Northampton's JJ van der Mescht, insisting the decision hinged on tactical fit rather than a judgement of quality. The 20-year-old Junior Springbok captain impressed in the 80-31 victory over the Barbarians in Gqeberha, completing 80 minutes and scoring a try. Erasmus stressed the two locks offer contrasting skill sets, with Norton's lineout leadership and mobility suiting current requirements.
Rassie pleased with Papier's reintegration into Springbok set-up
Rassie Erasmus says Embrose Papier has integrated smoothly back into the Springbok set-up after the Bulls' URC final loss to Leinster.
Erasmus praises England threat ahead of Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park
Rassie Erasmus has expressed utmost respect for England as the Springboks prepare to host the visitors in the inaugural Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park on 4 July. The Springbok coach highlighted England's blend of youth and experience, warning his side will need to work hard to secure victory in Johannesburg.
Smith vows England will 'leave it all out there' against Springboks
Marcus Smith says England's 36-man squad, arriving in Johannesburg on Thursday, are targeting a historic win over the Springboks in the Nations Championship opener, having trained in oxygen masks to prepare for the Highveld.
Erasmus dismisses log-table tactics as Boks prepare for Nations Championship bow
Rassie Erasmus has insisted South Africa will not chase bonus points or alter their approach for the inaugural Nations Championship, despite the competition's league format. The Springbok coach emphasised winning matches remains the priority as his side prepare to face England at Ellis Park next Saturday, with captain Siya Kolisi retaining the armband for the tournament opener.
Erasmus warns Boks: England bring youth, experience and tactical unpredictability to Ellis Park
Rassie Erasmus has praised England's touring squad as young, experienced and tactically unpredictable ahead of the Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park on 4 July, while Siya Kolisi returns as captain for a fixture that marked his first Test captaincy in 2018.
Rassie flags lock fitness concern ahead of England opener
Rassie Erasmus says an experienced Springbok lock is in a race against time to be fit for the Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park.
Kolisi highlights discipline lapses despite Springboks' 80-point Barbarians rout
Siya Kolisi acknowledged the Springboks achieved most of their objectives in Saturday's 80-31 victory over the Barbarians in Gqeberha, but the captain identified defensive lapses and deviations from the game plan as areas requiring attention. Former All Blacks coach Scott Robertson, leading the invitational side, praised South Africa's depth following the 12-try performance.
Erasmus defends Pollard despite URC final struggles as England test looms
Rassie Erasmus has dismissed concerns over Handré Pollard's form following the flyhalf's subdued display in the Bulls' 36-7 URC final defeat to Leinster. The Springbok coach insisted franchise performances do not dictate Test selection, pointing to Pollard's unblemished record in the green and gold since 2018. With England arriving at Ellis Park on 4 July, Erasmus remains confident in the 32-year-old's ability to deliver when it matters most.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu absence leaves Erasmus with flyhalf conundrum ahead of England
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's unavailability for the opening Nations Championship fixtures has forced Rassie Erasmus to recalibrate his playmaking options. With Handré Pollard anchoring the squad, the head coach must decide whether to blood uncapped Vusi Moyo or deploy utility backs in the 10 jersey against England and Scotland. The 46-man selection suggests a two-tier approach across the July window.
Kolisi flags defensive lapses despite Boks' 80-31 demolition of the Barbarians
Kolisi praised the Springboks' overall execution in their 80-31 season-opening win over the Barbarians but singled out missed first-time tackles and the resulting offload opportunities as the one area that let the invitational side into the game during the first half.
Embrose Papier returns to Springbok fold as Rassie Erasmus names 46-man Nations Championship squad
Scrumhalf Embrose Papier has been recalled to the Springboks' 46-man squad for the Nations Championship after a lengthy absence from the international setup. The selection comes as Rassie Erasmus casts a wide net ahead of fixtures against England, Scotland and Wales, with six uncapped players also included. Papier's return offers fresh depth at nine as South Africa begin preparations for their title defence.
De Klerk and Koch join Barbarians for Wales clash after Nations Championship snub
Faf de Klerk and Vincent Koch, both left out of the Springbok Nations Championship squad, have joined the Barbarians for their match against Wales at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Erasmus credits SA Rugby pipeline after Boks rout Barbarians 80-31
Erasmus praised the composure and maturity of five uncapped players after the Springboks beat the Barbarians 80-31 in Gqeberha, crediting SA Rugby's pipeline for the depth available, while playing down franchise form as a selection concern following the Bulls' heavy URC Final loss to Leinster.
Doping panel decision reveals how Ntlabakanye's prescribed medication defence unfolded
The written decision of the doping panel that heard Asenathi Ntlabakanye's case sets out how a doctor's clearance of his prescribed medication underpinned his defence.
Norton among six uncapped players as Papier and Engelbrecht return in 46-man Nations Championship squad
Riley Norton and five other uncapped players are included in the Springboks' 46-man Nations Championship squad, alongside the return of scrumhalf Embrose Papier.
Mostert ankle injury clouds Springbok season opener despite 80-point romp
Franco Mostert's ankle injury has emerged as the principal concern from the Springboks' 80-31 victory over the Barbarians in Gqeberha, with Rassie Erasmus admitting worry ahead of scans. The lock's departure compounds a second-row crisis already depriving South Africa of RG Snyman, Lood de Jager and Salmaan Moerat. Despite the points haul, Erasmus highlighted defensive lapses and discipline issues that must be addressed before the Nations Championship begins in a fortnight.