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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.
Erasmus admits ex-England analyst Lewis gives Springboks edge ahead of Ellis Park clash
Rassie Erasmus has acknowledged that the appointment of Joe Lewis, England's former head analyst, provides the Springboks with an advantage ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park. Lewis, who worked with England from 2017 until the conclusion of the recent Six Nations, joined SA Rugby a fortnight after the tournament ended.
Springbok Women bank on training intensity to offset USA's top-tier experience
The Springbok Women face the USA at Ellis Park on Saturday in their first Test against top-20 opposition since last September's World Cup. While the Eagles arrive battle-hardened from the Pacific Four Series against New Zealand, Canada and Australia, assistant coach Franzel September believes elevated training intensity and squad cohesion can bridge the experience gap in what will be the first meeting between the sides on South African soil.
Erasmus names power-packed Bok side as Libbok wins No 10 race for England opener
Rassie Erasmus has named a starting XV with more than 900 caps for Saturday's Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park, with Manie Libbok earning the flyhalf berth. The selection features the return of Eben Etzebeth from suspension and young prop Zachary Porthen on the bench, while Erasmus indicated he expects England to adopt an expansive approach influenced by their Northampton Saints contingent.
Porthen edges Louw as Erasmus backs youth for England opener
Zachary Porthen has been handed the tighthead bench role for Saturday's Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park, with Rassie Erasmus opting for the 22-year-old over the more experienced Wilco Louw. The Springbok coach cited Porthen's impressive scrummaging sessions and mobility, while confirming Louw needed time to settle after a difficult period that included illness and a family bereavement. The selection represents a significant vote of confidence in the young prop's long-term prospects.
Rassie: Ex-England analyst gives Boks edge ahead of Nations Championship clash
Rassie Erasmus says former England analyst Joe Lewis gives the Boks an edge ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship clash at Ellis Park.
Dolf targets USA clash to showcase sevens-sharpened game
Byrhandré Dolf says sevens has sharpened her footwork and elusiveness ahead of the Springbok Women's Test against the USA at Ellis Park on Saturday, while confirming she is unlikely to resume primary kicking duties just yet.
Earl dismisses revenge narrative as England brace for Springbok test at Ellis Park
England loose forward Ben Earl has dismissed a revenge narrative ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener against the Springboks at Ellis Park, saying England are focused on their own game rather than settling scores from the 2023 World Cup semifinal defeat and last year's 29-20 loss to South Africa.
Erasmus explains Louw omission and confirms Norton out for up to ten weeks with grade-three hamstring tear
Erasmus has explained Wilco Louw's omission from the Springbok 23 on grounds of accumulated physical and personal strain, while confirming Riley Norton is out for eight to ten weeks after tearing his hamstring in training, ending any prospect of a debut against England.
Erasmus backs Porthen as long-term Louw successor ahead of England Test
Erasmus has publicly backed Zachary Porthen as the long-term successor to Wilco Louw at tighthead, with Louw rested for personal reasons ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park.
Bok Women back training intensity to bridge competitive gap against USA in historic Johannesburg Test
Assistant coach Franzel September says the Springbok Women's training intensity over recent weeks will offset the USA's competitive advantage ahead of Saturday's historic first Test between the two sides on South African soil in Johannesburg. Byrhandré Dolf is set to step back from kicking duties, with Libbie Janse van Rensburg and Jakkie Cilliers expected to take on that responsibility.
SuperSport giving away tickets to Bok matches across 2026 season
SuperSport is giving away tickets to nearly every Springbok fixture in 2026 — from the home Nations Championship and Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series to the November tour and London finals — as part of a DStv Premium subscriber draw.
Norton's Test debut dashed by Grade Three hamstring tear ahead of England opener
Riley Norton's Springbok debut against England on Saturday has been ended by a Grade Three hamstring tear sustained in training, with Rassie Erasmus confirming an eight-to-ten week recovery. The injury compounds South Africa's second-row problems, with Franco Mostert and Lood de Jager also unavailable.
Norton's Test debut dashed by Grade Three hamstring tear as Bok lock stocks thin further
Riley Norton's Test debut against England has been ended by a Grade Three hamstring tear sustained in training, with Rassie Erasmus estimating an eight-to-ten week recovery. The injury deepens South Africa's second-row crisis, with Mostert and De Jager also unavailable.
Libbok gets the nod at flyhalf for England Test opener
Manie Libbok starts at flyhalf for the Springboks against England at Ellis Park in the opening Nations Championship Test on Saturday.
England arrive at Ellis Park with nothing to lose as Borthwick reshapes squad
England travel to Johannesburg for Saturday's Nations Championship opener against the Springboks in the midst of significant transition. Steve Borthwick has named five uncapped players in a 36-man touring party and will field Jamie George as captain in place of the rested Maro Itoje. The visitors face a Springbok side mindful of their own Ellis Park vulnerability after last year's heavy defeat to Australia at the same venue.