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Erasmus delays All Blacks team announcement as Kolisi fitness remains uncertain
Rassie Erasmus has broken with recent convention by pushing the Springboks' team announcement to Thursday ahead of Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener at Ellis Park. Captain Siya Kolisi is understood to be touch-and-go for selection, while Ox Nché could return after missing the Nations Championship. The delayed announcement keeps New Zealand guessing as South Africa aim to field close to full strength.
Erasmus delays team announcement as Kolisi fitness clouds All Blacks opener
Rassie Erasmus has broken with recent convention by pushing the Springbok team announcement back to Thursday, two days before the opening Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series against New Zealand at Ellis Park. Captain Siya Kolisi is understood to be touch-and-go for selection, while the return of Ox Nche from injury adds intrigue to a squad that could field close to full strength for the first time this season.
Ackermann warns All Blacks' deep-territory gambles unlikely to pay off against Springboks
Bulls coach Johan Ackermann believes the All Blacks' willingness to attack from deep inside their own half — a tactic that yielded eight tries in Saturday's 50-19 victory at Loftus Versfeld — will prove costly when they face the Springboks in the opening Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry at Ellis Park. While praising New Zealand's attacking verve under Dave Rennie, Ackermann suggested the Boks possess the defensive discipline and game-management nous to punish such adventurous play. The Bulls coach also pointed to his side's second-half improvement as a template for how South Africa might exploit New Zealand's ball-in-hand approach.
Marx linked with Bulls return as Papier and Moodie face uncertain futures in Pretoria
The Bulls are in early discussions with Malcolm Marx over a return to South Africa, while Rapport reports that Embrose Papier and Canan Moodie are both likely to leave Pretoria after June 2027, with Sale Sharks among the clubs chasing Papier and Japanese outfits circling Moodie.
Marx linked with Bulls return as Ackermann reunion looms
The Bulls have held preliminary discussions with Malcolm Marx about a return to South African rugby, with the Springbok hooker currently playing for Kubota Spears in Japan.
Coetzee savours try against All Blacks despite heavy Bulls defeat at Loftus
Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee scored against the All Blacks at Loftus on Saturday — his first appearance against New Zealand since 2014 — describing the moment as one for the memory bank despite the Bulls' 19-50 defeat.
Pumas host Griffons, Griquas welcome SWD as WSL 2 semi-final line-up confirmed
The Pumas will host the Griffons and Griquas will meet SWD in the WSL 2 semi-finals after the final round confirmed the top four, with the Leopards eliminated following a 60-10 thrashing by the Valke.
All Blacks wingers shine in Loftus rout as Bulls ship fifty ahead of Springboks series
New Zealand ran in eight tries to defeat the Vodacom Bulls 50-19 at Loftus Versfeld, completing their warm-up fixtures unbeaten. Leroy Carter's hat-trick and Rieko Ioane's all-round display headlined a clinical performance, while the All Blacks scrum delivered its most complete showing of the tour. Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee acknowledged the gulf in class, though the home side rallied with three second-half scores after trailing 24-0 at the interval.
All Blacks complete clean sweep of SA franchises with 50-19 demolition of Bulls at Loftus
The All Blacks beat the Bulls 50-19 at Loftus to complete an unbeaten pre-Test tour of South Africa, having also defeated the Stormers and Sharks, ahead of next Saturday's first Test at Ellis Park.
Pumas and Griquas host semi-finals as Leopards pay the price for Valke demolition
The WSL 2 semi-finals are set: Pumas host Griffons and Griquas host SWD, after the Leopards were eliminated following a 60-10 hammering by the Valke in the final round.
Ackermann tips patient Springboks to exploit All Black risks
Bulls coach Johan Ackermann believes the Springboks will pose a far greater challenge to New Zealand than his side managed at Loftus Versfeld, where the All Blacks ran in a 50-19 victory. Ackermann suggested the visitors may struggle to execute the same ambitious plays from deep when facing a match-fit world champion side at Ellis Park.
Mo'unga set for Rugby's Greatest Rivalry debut against Lions
Dave Rennie has confirmed Richie Mo'unga is in line for his first outing of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour against the Lions on 25 August.
Mo'unga ruled out of Ellis Park Test as Rennie eyes McKenzie fitness
Dave Rennie has confirmed Richie Mo'unga will not feature in the All Blacks' opening clash against the Springboks at Ellis Park next Saturday, despite arriving in Gauteng to replace the injured Billy Proctor. The head coach remains hopeful that Damian McKenzie will recover in time for selection, though the utility back is less certain than fellow injury concerns Cam Roigard and Will Jordan.
Rennie confident Roigard, Jordan and McKenzie will be fit for Ellis Park Test
Dave Rennie expects Cam Roigard, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie to be fit for the Ellis Park Test, despite an injury-hit tour that has already cost the All Blacks George Bell, Billy Proctor and Caleb Clarke.
Mo'unga ruled out of first Test as McKenzie fitness clouds All Blacks backline
Richie Mo'unga has been ruled out of the first Springboks Test at Ellis Park, with Ruben Love set to start at fly-half. Damian McKenzie remains a fitness doubt, while Will Jordan and Cam Rogiard are expected to be available after returning to training.
Mo'unga ruled out of first Test as McKenzie fitness in doubt ahead of Ellis Park
Richie Mo'unga has been ruled out of the All Blacks' first Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park, with Dave Rennie also flagging Damian McKenzie as a doubt. Ruben Love is in line at fly-half, while Codie Taylor impressed with two tries in the 50-19 tour win over the Bulls.
All Blacks dismantle Bulls 50-19 in final audition before Springbok Tests
New Zealand concluded their South African tour warm-up with an eight-try demolition of the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, running out 50-19 winners. Leroy Carter and Josh Moorby each claimed braces as Dave Rennie's side averaged 47 points across three fixtures against franchise opposition. The performance leaves the tourists brimming with confidence ahead of the Test series opener at Ellis Park.
SA U18 sides complete clean sweep with commanding wins over England and France
The SA U18 side beat England U18 68-40 at Stellenberg to complete a third straight unbeaten U18 International Series, with Theo Boshoff scoring a hat-trick off the bench. The SA U18 'A' side also finished unbeaten, defeating France U18 51-26.
SA U18s complete series sweep with win over England
South Africa's U18s completed an unbeaten International Series campaign with a final-round win over England north of Cape Town.
SA U18s complete series whitewash with 68-40 demolition of England
The SA U18s beat England 68-40 at Stellenberg High School to complete a third successive unbeaten Under-18 International Series campaign, with replacement hooker Theo Boshoff scoring a second-half hat-trick from driving mauls.