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Nations Championship explained: Format, conferences and SA's July fixtures
The Nations Championship is a 12-team cross-hemisphere tournament contested across the July and November windows. South Africa open at home to England on 5 July, followed by Scotland at Loftus and Wales in Durban.
Erasmus reveals SA Rugby blocked Janse van Rensburg cap after England commitment
Rassie Erasmus has disclosed that he wanted to cap Bristol centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg in June but was prevented by SA Rugby, who had already committed to World Rugby not to pursue the South Africa-born midfielder. Janse van Rensburg, now in England's Nations Championship squad, was keen to represent the Springboks but could not be guaranteed Test rugby in 2024. The centre qualifies for England on 8 July and is expected to debut against Fiji rather than face the Springboks at Ellis Park this weekend.
Erasmus reveals SARU blocked late Janse van Rensburg capping push
Rassie Erasmus has revealed SARU blocked a late push to cap Benhard Janse van Rensburg after he gave CEO Jurie Roux an early assurance the Bristol Bears centre was not an immediate selection target — a promise Roux then committed to World Rugby and England.
Murley set to start on the wing as England target Ellis Park upset
Cadan Murley is set to start on the wing for England against the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday, with Tommy Freeman expected to retain the No 13 jersey, as England look to end a four-match losing run.
England set to start Murley on the wing against Springboks at Ellis Park
Cadan Murley is set to start on the wing for England against the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday, with Tommy Freeman expected at No 13 as England look to end a run of four consecutive Test defeats.
Ox Nché warns Springboks not to underestimate England's scrum threat at Ellis Park
Ox Nché has dismissed suggestions that England will arrive at Ellis Park as easy opposition, highlighting the quality of their scrum and the energy brought by a crop of young talent. The veteran loosehead, speaking ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener, pointed to the standard of the English Premiership and warned that the visitors possess the variation and finishing ability to punish any lapses. Coach Rassie Erasmus echoed the sentiment, refusing to write off a side that has lost five consecutive matches.
Nché and Erasmus warn against underestimating England ahead of Nations Championship opener
Ox Nché and Rassie Erasmus have urged against dismissing England ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park, with both citing the tourists' Premiership pedigree and physical forward pack as reasons for respect despite England's poor Six Nations campaign.
Faf de Klerk leads Cheetahs' Currie Cup recruitment drive
Faf de Klerk headlines a five-player Cheetahs recruitment drive for the 2026 Currie Cup season, joined by Henry Immelman, Simon Muller, Siya Ningiza, and Kobus Janse van Rensburg.
Bok Women target defensive dominance ahead of historic Ellis Park clash with USA
Springbok Women assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt says Tuesday's training at St. John's College centred entirely on defensive systems ahead of Saturday's Test against the USA Eagles at Ellis Park — the first meeting between the sides on African soil — with the match-23 to be announced on Thursday.
Louw recalled to Springbok squad as Norton's Grade 3 hamstring rules him out of Nations Championship debut
Elrigh Louw returns to the Springbok squad for the Nations Championship after Riley Norton suffered a Grade 3 hamstring tear in training, ruling the SA under-20 captain out for eight to ten weeks and ending his chance of a senior debut in the tournament's opening rounds.
Lewis Appointment Gives Boks Edge Over England, Confirms Erasmus
Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that former England analyst Joe Lewis, who joined the Springboks after working with Steve Borthwick's side during the Six Nations, brings valuable inside knowledge ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park. The appointment is part of a broader modernisation of the Boks' analysis department to match Tier One rivals, though Erasmus acknowledged that intellectual property regularly moves between international setups.
Halfpenny joins Wales coaching staff for Nations Championship Bok clash
Leigh Halfpenny joins Steve Tandy's Wales coaching staff as interim kicking coach for the July Nations Championship fixtures, which include a match against the Springboks.
England reveal altitude acclimatisation strategy ahead of Ellis Park Test
England have revealed they are using wattbikes and portable hypoxic generators to simulate altitude conditions ahead of the July 4 Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park.
Halfpenny takes interim kicking coach role as Wales prepare for Nations Championship Springbok clash
Leigh Halfpenny joins Steve Tandy's Wales coaching staff as interim kicking coach for their Nations Championship campaign, which includes a July Test against the Springboks.
Louw called up as Norton ruled out eight to ten weeks with Grade 3 hamstring
Elrigh Louw has been recalled to the Springbok squad after Riley Norton was ruled out eight to ten weeks with a Grade 3 hamstring tear, leaving the Boks without a specialist lock on the bench for Saturday's Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park.
Elrigh Louw returns to Springbok squad as injury toll mounts in forward pack
Elrigh Louw has been called into the Springbok Nations Championship squad following injuries to Riley Norton, Franco Mostert and Lood de Jager, with the Bulls back-rower available from the Scotland match onwards.
Louw called up to Springbok Nations Championship squad
Elrigh Louw has been called into the Springbok Nations Championship squad as forward cover, returning to the wider group for the first time since the November 2024 Test against Wales.
Louw earns late call-up to Springbok squad for Nations Championship opener against England
Elrigh Louw has been called into the Springbok squad as additional forward cover for the Nations Championship, having recovered from a serious knee injury that kept him largely sidelined through 2025.
Libbok handed England start as Erasmus backs attacking blueprint at altitude
Manie Libbok will start at flyhalf for the Springboks against England at Ellis Park on Saturday, with Rassie Erasmus citing the need for tempo and attacking instinct at altitude. Handré Pollard, only recently returned from the Bulls' URC final, is named among the replacements. Erasmus insists the selection reflects the match scenario rather than any shift in the pecking order, though Libbok faces a defining opportunity to cement his claim on the jersey.
Nations Championship launch offers northern hemisphere chance to prove World Cup credentials
The inaugural Nations Championship begins at Ellis Park on Saturday when South Africa host England in a tournament that organisers hope will serve as a proving ground for northern hemisphere sides ahead of the 2027 World Cup. England face the most demanding travel schedule of any competitor, with fixtures in Johannesburg, Liverpool and Argentina across three weeks. Rassie Erasmus has suggested he may not treat the competition with the same intensity as other tournaments, though the Springboks remain favourites to claim the title.