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2,334 items · Springboks
Kriel calls for clinical edge as Boks regroup after Ellis Park loss
Jesse Kriel cited a lack of clinical finishing and breakdown struggles as the key reasons for South Africa's 33-16 first Test defeat to the All Blacks at Ellis Park, with the Boks now turning their attention to the second Test in Cape Town.
No excuses from the Boks — but answers needed quickly
Borchardt acknowledges the Boks' honest post-match response to the Ellis Park loss, but argues that accountability without rapid correction isn't enough — the full piece pushes into what the Boks actually need to fix.
Kolisi set to return for second Test as Boks assess Kolbe injury
Rassie Erasmus has confirmed Siya Kolisi will return for the second Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town after missing most of the season with injury, while Cheslin Kolbe's second-half exit in the 16-33 loss at Ellis Park is believed to be cramp-related.
The scrum that swung Ellis Park
Keohane argues the Boks had the All Blacks on the back foot at Ellis Park until a pivotal scrum penalty swung the momentum — and the Test.
The scrum that swung the Ellis Park Test
Keohane argues the Boks had the All Blacks on the back foot at Ellis Park until a pivotal scrum penalty flipped the first Test — the piece dissects that turning point.
De Allende's rugby intelligence the secret behind century of Tests, says Erasmus
Damian de Allende will become the 10th Springbok centurion when he faces New Zealand on Saturday, 12 years after his debut against Argentina. Rassie Erasmus credits the 34-year-old's game understanding and passing rather than physicality as the foundation of his longevity. De Allende's battles against Sonny Bill Williams during his Stormers days first convinced Erasmus of his Test quality.
Erasmus and Stick back De Villiers for All Blacks debut at Ellis Park
Paul de Villiers will make his first start against New Zealand on Saturday after Siya Kolisi's latest hamstring injury ruled the captain out of the Ellis Park clash. The 23-year-old Stormers flank has earned the trust of the coaching staff after three consecutive starts in the Nations Championship, with Rassie Erasmus and Mzwandile Stick describing him as a warrior ready for rugby's biggest stage.
Erasmus invokes past comebacks as Boks slip to second in world rankings
South Africa dropped to second in the World Rugby rankings after a comprehensive 33-16 defeat to New Zealand at Ellis Park on Saturday. Rassie Erasmus drew parallels with previous setbacks — the 2021 Lions opener and the 2019 World Cup pool loss to the All Blacks — as he insisted the Springboks have navigated catastrophic situations before. The world champions now face a three-match winning streak to claim the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series.
All Blacks punish wasteful Springboks as clinical finishing trumps scrum dominance at Ellis Park
New Zealand claimed a shock 33-16 victory in the opening Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry at Ellis Park on Saturday, seizing a 1-0 series lead despite being comprehensively outplayed in the scrums. The Springboks dominated territory and possession for 55 minutes but lacked clinical edge, with Malcolm Marx dropping the ball over the line and crucial penalty decisions going awry. The All Blacks scored five tries through ruthless counter-attack, exposing South African inaccuracy in a result that leaves Rassie Erasmus searching for answers ahead of next weekend's second Test in Cape Town.
All Blacks tear Springboks apart at Ellis Park to claim 33-16 first Test victory
New Zealand ran in five tries to beat South Africa 33-16 at Ellis Park on Saturday night, taking a 1-0 series lead in the opening Test of the four-match tour. The Springboks led 13-12 at half-time but collapsed in the second period as the visitors scored three unanswered tries. Cheslin Kolbe's injury departure proved pivotal as the hosts failed to fire in a chastening defeat.
Kolbe opens up on homecoming, heroes, and getting 'smoked' by Francois Steyn
Kolbe reflects on career highlights, the Francois Steyn collision that left him with broken ribs, the cultural pull of Cape Town's All Blacks fanbase, and the personal reasons behind his Stormers homecoming.
Cape Town Springbok-All Blacks Test sold out for months as Joburg tickets linger
The August 29 Springbok-All Blacks Test at DHL Stadium sold out in February, driving a secondary market with prices reaching R18,000 for hospitality, while Ellis Park tickets for the second Test remained available as late as Friday.
Scrum penalty, boot change, and a 21-0 collapse — how the All Blacks stole Ellis Park
A single scrum penalty — partly self-inflicted by a lengthy Etzebeth boot change — ended the Boks' dominance and handed the All Blacks a 33-16 win. The column dissects how New Zealand's hand speed and red-zone efficiency trumped Springbok power that generated pressure but not points, and why the Cape Town decider is set to be even more brutal.
Erasmus: Injuries wrecked bench plan but yellow cards cost Boks the match
Rassie Erasmus says the Arendse HIA and Kolbe cramp forced repeated backline reshuffles that wrecked his bench strategy, but maintains the two yellow cards — not the injuries — ultimately decided the Ellis Park defeat to New Zealand.
All Blacks punish Springbok wastefulness to take series lead at Ellis Park
New Zealand defeated South Africa 33-16 at Ellis Park to take a 1-0 lead in the Greatest Rivalry Series, running in five tries to one as the Springboks repeatedly squandered chances in the All Blacks' red zone.
Savea relieved after escaping punishment for Wiese tackle
Ardie Savea admitted nerves over a contentious tackle on Jasper Wiese but avoided punishment, with coach Dave Rennie defending the hit as fair.
Erasmus pulls no punches after Johannesburg humbling
Erasmus gave an unusually blunt post-match assessment after the Ellis Park loss — no excuses, no lessons claimed, just a direct admission that the Boks failed to execute and New Zealand's intensity exposed every lapse. With three wins now needed to take the series, Cape Town becomes the pivot.
Rennie's 'massive stat' explains how the All Blacks turned a scrappy arm-wrestle into a 17-point win
Rennie's key post-match stat — 3.67 vs 0.91 points per 22-entry — explains how a tight arm-wrestle became a convincing scoreline, with New Zealand's clinical finishing and unusually stingy defence neutralising a Bok attack that typically scores 5.5 points per 22-metre entry.
All Blacks reclaim world No.1 ranking after Ellis Park win
New Zealand have moved to the top of the World Rugby rankings after beating the Springboks 33-16 at Ellis Park, with South Africa dropping to second.
All Blacks player ratings: Who shone and who struggled in the Ellis Park win
Jordie Barrett headlined a strong All Blacks backline display at Ellis Park, but the starting front row was badly exposed by Bok scrum pressure — Rugby365 rates every New Zealand player from the 33-16 win.