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Hartzenberg joins Sharks on loan as Stormers chase scrumhalf cover
Hartzenberg moves to the Sharks on a season-long loan while the Stormers seek scrumhalf reinforcements through Faf de Klerk and/or Louis Schreuder.
Du Toit admits Boks squandered chances in Ellis Park defeat as Erasmus rings changes for Cape Town
Pieter-Steph du Toit says the Springboks squandered key opportunities in their 33-16 defeat to New Zealand at Ellis Park, while All Blacks coach Dave Rennie credits his side's defensive discipline and clinical finishing — and warns the series is far from over heading into Cape Town. Erasmus has named Pollard and Reinach as his halfback pairing for the second Test, with Ethan Hooker replacing the injured Cheslin Kolbe on the wing.
Mallett identifies 'dagger' moment as Bomb Squad fails to deliver at Ellis Park
Former Springbok head coach Nick Mallett has dissected the 33-16 defeat to New Zealand, highlighting the failure of the famed Bomb Squad to swing momentum as a critical turning point. While South Africa's starting front row dominated early, the replacements could not maintain that advantage, and ill-discipline in the second half allowed the All Blacks to pull away with five tries to one.
Erasmus explains Pollard selection as injuries force hand in Cape Town
Rassie Erasmus has revealed that Handré Pollard's experience and familiarity with Cape Town conditions tipped the balance in the Springbok No 10 selection for Saturday's second Test against Australia. The head coach admitted his matchday 23 is not the side he envisaged fielding, with injuries to Cheslin Kolbe and Grant Williams forcing changes alongside a response to the Ellis Park defeat.
Erasmus admits forced hand in Cape Town changes as Pollard gets nod over Libbok
Erasmus admits the Cape Town squad is not what he planned, with three injury-forced changes among six, Pollard starting at 10 ahead of Libbok due to wet conditions and Kolbe's absence, and the coach accepting personal responsibility for tactical errors at Ellis Park.
Erasmus recalls Kolisi and Pollard as Boks reshuffle after Ellis Park defeat
Rassie Erasmus has made eight changes to the Springbok match-day 23 for Saturday's second Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town, with Siya Kolisi and Handré Pollard among the returning World Cup winners. The overhaul follows the 16-33 loss at Ellis Park and sees Pieter-Steph du Toit set to earn his 100th cap at his home stadium. The selections suggest the head coach has shelved rotation plans as the series reaches a critical juncture.
Erasmus admits Bomb Squad experiment backfired in Ellis Park defeat
Rassie Erasmus has accepted responsibility for the Springboks' 33-16 defeat to New Zealand in the opening Test of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, conceding that his bench strategy misfired for the first time in years. The director of rugby acknowledged that Kurt-Lee Arendse's head injury forced a backline reshuffle that disrupted South Africa's attacking flow, with Andre Esterhuizen pressed into midfield duty rather than his intended impact role. Erasmus has overhauled the bench for the second Test, retaining only Gerhard Steenekamp and Esterhuizen from the original replacements.
Fourie always in Rassie's plans as emergency Springbok option
Deon Fourie, approaching 40, is one of two Stormers forwards on Rassie Erasmus's emergency Springbok call-up list.
Fourie never out of Springbok picture, Rassie confirms
Rassie Erasmus confirms Deon Fourie was always on his radar, with the veteran Stormers forward among two emergency call-up options for the Springboks.
All Blacks to tour South Africa for first time since 1996 in 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' series
The All Blacks will tour South Africa in 2026 for the first time since 1996, facing the Springboks in a series branded 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'.
Erasmus explains Pollard's selection over Libbok at No 10
Rassie Erasmus says Pollard's record and knowledge of Cape Town conditions earned him the Springbok No 10 start over Manie Libbok on Saturday.
Erasmus takes personal blame for Ellis Park collapse, targets Cape Town response
Rassie Erasmus has taken personal responsibility for the tactical errors — including the 5-2 bench backfire and decisions around the Arendse and Kolbe injuries — that he believes cost the Springboks the first Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, and is targeting a series-levelling response in Cape Town.
Kolisi and Pollard return as Rassie revamps Boks for second All Blacks Test
Kolisi and Pollard are among the changes as Rassie reshapes the Springbok side for the second Test against the All Blacks on Saturday.
Kolisi and Kolbe race against clock ahead of Cape Town Test as injury toll mounts
Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe are both racing to be fit for Saturday's Test in Cape Town, with Grant Williams, Ben-Jason Dixon and Canan Moodie already ruled out through injury.
Kolbe and Kolisi in fitness race ahead of All Blacks clash in Cape Town
Cheslin Kolbe is carrying a hamstring and ankle injury ahead of the All Blacks Test in Cape Town, while Siya Kolisi's availability hinges on Monday's training session after his hamstring strain from the Argentina match in Buenos Aires.
Pollard returns as Erasmus shuffles fly-half pack for Cape Town decider
Handré Pollard will start at fly-half for the Springboks in Saturday's second Test against New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium, with head coach Rassie Erasmus citing the double World Cup winner's ability to deliver under extreme pressure. The selection sees Pollard return to the starting XV after South Africa's 16-33 defeat at Ellis Park, where Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu wore the number 10 jersey. The match offers the Springboks a chance to level the Greatest Rivalry series and maintain their recent dominance over the All Blacks.
Pieter-Steph du Toit set for 100th cap as Springboks field record 1,012-cap starting XV against All Blacks in Cape Town
Pieter-Steph du Toit reaches his 100th cap in Cape Town as the Springboks field a record 1,012-cap starting XV against the All Blacks, with Kolisi, Pollard, Reinach and Hooker among three changes from the side beaten 16-33 at Ellis Park.
Erasmus backs Pollard to start at 10 as Feinberg-Mngomezulu waits
Erasmus has retained Handré Pollard at fly-half for the second Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town, pointing to his ability to deliver under pressure over Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Erasmus gamble on Williams backfires as All Blacks expose familiar flaw
The Springboks' decision to start Grant Williams at scrumhalf proved costly in their 33-16 defeat to New Zealand at Ellis Park, with all five All Blacks tries coming against the diminutive No.9. Williams and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who had started together just once before at Test level, lost control of the game as the visitors' defensive pressure forced errors. Rassie Erasmus has since recalled Cobus Reinach and Handre Pollard for the second Test.
Erasmus explains Kolisi bracketing ahead of Cape Town Test
Erasmus has bracketed Kolisi for Saturday's Cape Town Test to monitor his condition, while also singling out Du Toit and Nchè ahead of milestone caps.