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Barrett likens Soweto decider to World Cup knockout as All Blacks seek aerial edge
Jordie Barrett has described the build-up to Saturday's third Test in Johannesburg as resembling a Rugby World Cup knockout fixture, with the Greatest Rivalry series locked at one-all. The All Blacks midfielder identified aerial contests and defensive starts as critical areas requiring improvement after the Springboks' seven-point victory in Cape Town. Barrett acknowledged New Zealand's superior attacking statistics have not translated into results, with the visitors now facing a must-win encounter at FNB Stadium.
Erasmus fires back at Rennie over scrum claims: 'I've been burned for that before'
Rassie Erasmus has responded sharply to Dave Rennie's accusation that the Springboks deliberately manipulated scrums during the second Test in Cape Town. The South African head coach insisted his frustration stemmed not from Rennie's opinion but from the manner in which it was aired publicly, bypassing official World Rugby protocols. Erasmus warned that such media commentary risks creating narratives that place undue pressure on match officials.
Erasmus explains front-row rotation as Steenekamp drops to bench for third Test
Rassie Erasmus has revealed that weather conditions drove his controversial front-row swap before the second Test in Cape Town, with the Springboks coach opting to start Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit on a dry pitch. For Saturday's third Test against the All Blacks in Johannesburg, Erasmus has reversed the selection, restoring Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw to the starting XV. The coach insists the rotation reflects tactical planning rather than any performance concerns.
Airlink defends low-level flyby over Cape Town Stadium before Springboks-All Blacks Test
Airlink is defending a pre-match flyby over Cape Town Stadium before the second Springboks-All Blacks Test, after Flightradar24 estimated the lead Embraer jet passed just 12-14 metres above the roof in front of a crowd of 56,000.
Erasmus opts for continuity as Boks chase 2-1 series lead over All Blacks
Erasmus makes only two changes — Kolbe to fullback, Arendse on the wing — for Saturday's third test against New Zealand, citing continuity and a per-man 60-minute workload advantage over the All Blacks as the Boks look to take a 2-1 series lead ahead of the Baltimore finale.
Airlink defends low-level flyby ahead of second Springbok-All Blacks Test in Cape Town
Airlink's low-level twin-jet flyby before the second Springbok-All Blacks Test in Cape Town wowed a 56,000-strong crowd but sparked a safety debate, with the airline insisting the stunt met all regulatory requirements.
Erasmus Hits Back at Rennie Over Scrum Allegations After Cape Town Victory
Rassie Erasmus has accused All Blacks coach Dave Rennie of bypassing official channels by publicly criticising the Springboks' scrum technique following South Africa's 33-26 victory in Cape Town. Rennie claimed the Boks' loosehead props were 'walking around' at the set-piece, prompting a furious response from Erasmus, who insisted his counterpart cannot 'make opinion facts' and should have raised concerns through World Rugby's formal protocols.
Kolbe shifts to fullback as Erasmus rings four changes for third All Blacks Test at FNB Stadium
Erasmus makes four changes for the third Greatest Rivalry Test at FNB Stadium, with Kolbe shifting to fullback and Arendse starting on the wing after Willemse's injury, while the original front-row of Nche, Louw and Marx is restored.
Kolbe's boot levels Greatest Rivalry series as Boks avoid 'Blou Maandag'
Cheslin Kolbe's 18-point haul proved decisive as South Africa levelled the Greatest Rivalry series 1-1 with a 33-26 victory over New Zealand in Cape Town. The winger landed three conversions and four penalties to overturn the disappointment of the previous week's 16-33 defeat at Ellis Park.
Erasmus accuses Rennie of bypassing official channels in scrum row
Erasmus hits back at Rennie, accusing the All Blacks coach of airing scrum grievances in public instead of using official channels.
Rassie accuses Rennie of going public instead of through official channels
Rassie Erasmus has accused Dave Rennie of going public with his grievances about the Springboks' scrum technique instead of using official channels.
Erasmus reverts to original front row and moves Kolbe to full-back for third All Blacks Test at FNB Stadium
Erasmus reverts to his original front row of Nche, Louw and Marx for the third Greatest Rivalry Test at FNB Stadium, with Kolbe moving to full-back to cover the injured Willemse and Arendse coming onto the wing. The series is locked at 1-1, with the winner going two Tests clear ahead of the USA finale.
Erasmus backs continuity as Kolbe shifts to fullback for FNB decider
Rassie Erasmus has named a largely unchanged side for Saturday's third Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test against New Zealand at the FNB Stadium, making only four personnel changes and one positional switch. Cheslin Kolbe moves to fullback in place of the injured Damian Willemse, with Kurt-Lee Arendse drafted onto the wing. The front row of Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw returns to the starting XV as the Springboks look to secure bragging rights on home soil.
Kolbe to fullback, Arendse drafted in as Erasmus makes four changes for FNB Stadium decider
Rassie Erasmus has made four changes and one positional switch for Saturday's third Test against New Zealand at FNB Stadium, with Cheslin Kolbe moving to fullback for the injured Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse coming onto the wing, and the original starting front row of Nche, Louw and Marx restored.
Erasmus makes four changes for third RGR Test as Kolbe shifts to fullback and Arendse returns
Erasmus names four changes for the third RGR Test at FNB Stadium, with the original starting front row restored and Kurt-Lee Arendse coming in on the wing after Damian Willemse was ruled out injured, while Cheslin Kolbe moves to fullback.
Erasmus welcomes Arendse return as Boks opt for continuity against All Blacks
Rassie Erasmus has made four changes to the Springbok starting XV for Saturday's third Test against New Zealand at FNB Stadium, with Kurt-Lee Arendse returning on the wing after missing the Cape Town victory. The head coach emphasised continuity in selection following the 33-26 win that levelled the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series at one match apiece.
Erasmus makes four changes for third Test against All Blacks in Johannesburg
Kurt-Lee Arendse returns to the Springbok starting XV as Rassie Erasmus makes four changes and a positional switch for the third Test against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Erasmus makes four changes for third RGR Test at FNB Stadium
Erasmus reverts to his original front row and brings in Kurt-Lee Arendse on the wing for the injured Damian Willemse, with Cheslin Kolbe shifting to fullback, as the Boks prepare for Saturday's third RGR Test against New Zealand at FNB Stadium.
Nché deflects Rennie's scrum criticism to referee as series heads to decider
Ox Nché deflected Dave Rennie's scrum-walking accusations to the referee's interpretation while admitting the Springboks need fewer resets, after earning his 50th Test cap in Saturday's series-levelling 33-26 win over the All Blacks.
Willemse ruled out of Soweto decider as Erasmus confirms hamstring blow
Damian Willemse will miss next weekend's series decider against New Zealand after suffering a hamstring injury in Saturday's 33-26 victory at DHL Stadium. Rassie Erasmus confirmed the fullback's absence following the Cape Town triumph that levelled Rugby's Greatest Rivalry at 1-1. The Springboks now face selection headaches in the back three ahead of the Soweto showdown.