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Black Ferns run in eight tries to beat Bok Women 52-20 at FNB Stadium
The Black Ferns beat the Springbok Women 52-20 at FNB Stadium on Saturday, running in eight tries in a performance that underscored the eight-place world rankings gap between the sides, despite a competitive showing from South Africa who scored four tries of their own.
Kolisi vows Springboks will thank South African fans through effort in Soweto decider
Siya Kolisi has emphasised the significance of Saturday's clash with New Zealand at Soccer City, describing the match as an opportunity to thank supporters through performance rather than words. The Springboks captain acknowledged the historical weight of playing in Soweto, a township synonymous with South Africa's struggle for freedom, and said the team is targeting victory in the series decider before the exhibition fixture in Baltimore.
Kolisi draws on Soweto's history ahead of series-deciding All Blacks clash
Kolisi has drawn on Soweto's struggle history as motivation to end South Africa's losing record at Soccer City, with the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series tied 1-1 ahead of Saturday's third test.
Erasmus eyes hybrid role for De Villiers but rules out hooker switch
Erasmus has ruled out a hooker role for Paul de Villiers but sees the Stormers flank as a potential hybrid option across six and 12, in the mould of André Esterhuizen, while making clear that Siya Kolisi remains first choice at number six.
Kolisi: Boks playing to win series, not settle for draw at FNB
Siya Kolisi has underlined the stakes ahead of Saturday's third Test against New Zealand at FNB Stadium, insisting the Springboks are targeting a series victory rather than a draw. With the Freedom Cup on the line and the All Blacks eyeing a 2-1 claim on South African soil, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick warned that losing would hand New Zealand the psychological edge heading into the final fixture in Baltimore.
Sititi siblings set to make All Blacks and Black Ferns history at FNB Stadium
Wallace Sititi and his 19-year-old sister Amarante will both represent New Zealand at FNB Stadium on Saturday — against the Springboks and Springbok Women respectively — becoming the first All Black and Black Ferns sibling pairing in 28 years, with their father Semo Sititi, the former Manu Samoa captain, watching from the stands.
Weather threat won't alter All Blacks' approach, insists Savea
New Zealand captain Ardie Savea has dismissed concerns over forecast rain and thunderstorms ahead of Saturday's decisive third Test against South Africa at Soccer City. The All Blacks skipper stressed his side must improve across the board after last week's 33–26 defeat in Cape Town left the series level at 1–1.
Savea warns All Blacks must be clinical in decider as weather threatens Soccer City
Ardie Savea says bad weather at Soccer City will not change New Zealand's game plan but acknowledges the All Blacks must be more clinical than they were in Cape Town, where a poor start cost them the second test 33-26 and left the series level at 1-1.
De Bruin: Resignation was about 'differences of opinion', not money
Swys de Bruin says his resignation as Bok Women head coach stemmed from differences of opinion over the team's direction, not a bonus dispute, and backs interim co-coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September ahead of Saturday's Test against the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium.
De Bruin: Resignation was about direction, not money
Swys de Bruin says differences of opinion over the Bok Women's future direction — not a bonus dispute — drove his resignation, and he has given his full backing to co-coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September ahead of Saturday's Test against the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium.
Kolisi vows to honour Soweto's legacy as Boks face All Blacks decider
Siya Kolisi has framed Saturday's FNB Stadium showdown with New Zealand as a chance to repay the sacrifices of Soweto's past. With the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series locked at 1-1, the Springbok captain says the historic venue and its proximity to Soweto provide additional motivation ahead of the final home Test of the year. Around 80,000 fans are expected for a clash that pits South Africa's scrum dominance against the All Blacks' rejuvenated attack.
Caretaker coach September urges Springbok Women to 'stay in the moment' after De Bruin's shock resignation
Caretaker coach Franzel September has called on the Springbok Women to block out the disruption of Swys de Bruin's sudden resignation and focus on Saturday's clash with the Black Ferns at a sold-out FNB Stadium, with six survivors from the World Cup quarter-final pack again named to start.
Springboks eye 2-1 home advantage as scrum debate overshadows Soweto decider
South Africa and New Zealand meet at FNB Stadium on Saturday with the series locked at 1-1 and both sides acutely aware that defeat ends any hope of claiming the four-match contest. Assistant coach Mzandile Stick has emphasised the importance of securing a 2-1 advantage on home soil, while the week has been dominated by set-piece scrutiny following complaints from both camps. Pieter-Steph du Toit returns to the only change in Rassie Erasmus's squad after injury ruled him out in Cape Town.
Stick flags 2-1 home series stakes as Boks prepare for Soweto showdown
Mzandile Stick has laid out the dual stakes of Saturday's Soweto Test — denying the All Blacks a 2-1 home-series claim and gaining a decisive advantage before the series finale in Baltimore — as Kolisi's loose forward trio prepares to set a new Springbok combination record.
Springbok Women target record ranking with historic Black Ferns clash at FNB Stadium
The Springbok Women face the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium on Saturday in a historic first home meeting, with a win lifting South Africa to a record-high seventh in the world rankings. Captain Babalwa Latsha is targeting set-piece dominance after the lessons of last year's World Cup quarter-final defeat in Exeter.
Springbok Women target historic World Rugby ranking leap against Black Ferns
South Africa could climb to seventh in the World Rugby rankings — their highest position on record — if they defeat New Zealand at FNB Stadium on Saturday. The Springbok Women, currently 10th, face the second-ranked Black Ferns in Johannesburg, with captain Babalwa Latsha emphasising a direct, physical approach built around a strong set piece. A victory by more than 15 points would lift them to sixth, whilst defeat for New Zealand would see them drop to third.
Springbok Women target record ranking high against Black Ferns at FNB Stadium
The Springbok Women face the Black Ferns in a historic first Test on South African soil at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with a win potentially lifting them to a record-high world ranking of seventh. Captain Babalwa Latsha and vice-captain Libbie Janse van Rensburg say the team have addressed the second-half collapse that cost them in last year's World Cup quarter-final and are targeting a full 80-minute performance.
Mthethwa steps in as Springbok Women's emergency coach ahead of Black Ferns Test
Melusi Mthethwa, attack and backline coach of the back-to-back Under-20 world champion Junior Springboks, has stepped in to assist the Springbok Women ahead of Saturday's historic first Test against the Black Ferns on South African soil, following Swys de Bruin's absence due to a dispute with SA Rugby.
Kolisi and Savea embody 'best of rugby' says veteran playmaker Gopperth
Former All Black Jimmy Gopperth has praised Siya Kolisi and Ardie Savea for exemplifying rugby's values after the Springbok captain was filmed embracing Savea's children following the Cape Town Test. The spontaneous gesture, which went viral, highlighted the respect between the rival captains despite the intensity of the Greatest Rivalry series.
World Rugby Rankings History Beckons as Springboks and All Blacks Clash in Soweto
South Africa and New Zealand will contest the world number one ranking for the third consecutive weekend when they meet at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with the possibility of an unprecedented rankings milestone. The Springboks hold a slender 0.54-point advantage after reclaiming top spot in Cape Town, but a New Zealand victory would mark the first time since rankings began in 2003 that the summit has changed hands three weeks running. The All Blacks have won both previous encounters at the Soweto venue.