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2,955 items · Springboks
Mbonambi's disciplinary saga is exactly what the Sharks needed
The Mbonambi disciplinary process is framed as a defining moment for the Sharks' culture rebuild under Pietersen — the piece argues it's a necessary, deliberate line in the sand rather than an overreaction, and that real structural change in Durban depends on exactly this kind of precedent being set.
Moodie ruled out of Bulls' Champions Cup opener against Stade Français
Canan Moodie has been ruled out of the Bulls' Champions Cup opener against Stade Français at Loftus on Saturday after failing to clear HIA protocols following the URC win over the Lions.
Dayimani's Bok case is building — but Dobson wants a full innings, not just flashes
Dayimani's explosive URC start has Bok selectors paying attention, but Dobson argues the real test is whether he can sustain it across a full season — something he's never done before.
When Springboks go to 'hawe' against Springboks
A Stormers pushover try against Nche and Du Toit becomes a lens for examining how Daan Human's Bok training culture means South African front-rowers are uniquely equipped — and uniquely motivated — to destroy each other on domestic duty.
The cricketer who almost wasn't a Springbok: Riley Norton's road from U19 cricket caps to Stormers lock
Norton opens up on choosing rugby over cricket, how Craven Week launched his career, and what it felt like to step into the Springbok environment earlier than he ever expected.
Only Springboks can take Springboks 'hawe toe'
The Stormers' pushover try against Nche and Du Toit wasn't just a derby moment — it was proof that Daan Human's national scrum programme has created a closed loop where only Springboks can take Springboks 'hawe toe'.
Dayimani as Kwagga's understudy — the case for bringing him into the Bok fold now
Cardinelli makes the case for bringing Dayimani into the November Bok touring squad as a contingency for the Kwagga Smith role, pointing to his improved physicality and hybrid utility as reasons Erasmus should assess him now rather than risk a last-minute scramble in 2027.
Sharks enter race for Malcolm Marx as Bulls face rival bid for Japan-based hooker
The Sharks have entered the race to sign Malcolm Marx, joining the Bulls in pursuing the Kubota Spears hooker ahead of his mid-2027 contract expiry, with Mbonambi's disciplinary situation a key factor in their interest. The Bulls, meanwhile, are set to sign Stormers tighthead Henco van Wyk on a short-term deal to cover injuries to Mornay Smith and Mawande Mdanda.
Sacha back to his best, Hanekom a force, and Van den Berg's moment of madness
Feinberg-Mngomezulu's return to form, Hanekom's dominance for the Bulls, and Van den Berg's yellow-card brainfart are the talking points from a South African derby weekend that handed the Bok coaching staff plenty to smile about — and a few scrum selections to reconsider.
Derby weekend dissected: Feinberg-Mngomezulu shines, Hanekom rampages, Van den Berg's brainfart costs Lions
Louw's derby debrief highlights Feinberg-Mngomezulu's return to form for the Stormers and Hanekom's destructive all-round display for the Bulls, while identifying Van den Berg's moment of madness as the turning point that unravelled the Lions' promising start to the season.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu's return to form headlines a Bok-rich URC weekend
Feinberg-Mngomezulu's masterclass against the Sharks is the standout in a Bok-rich URC weekend — Louw's analysis covers who made their case for the November window and who fell short.
Stormers targeting deep Champions Cup run on back of big-name returns
With Kolisi, Kolbe, and Louw back in the fold, Borchardt's preview assesses whether the Stormers have finally assembled the squad depth to go beyond the Champions Cup last eight.
Mbonambi facing disciplinary hearing at Sharks after pre-season camp incident
Bongi Mbonambi has been sidelined by a disciplinary hearing arising from a pre-season camp incident, with a ruling expected within two weeks. Nyakane was excused while Mbatha and Swart received warnings.
Mbonambi's Sharks future in doubt amid disciplinary process
Bongi Mbonambi remains sidelined at the Sharks amid an ongoing disciplinary process following a pre-season curfew breach, with his fate expected to be determined within the next two weeks.
Sharks scrum struggles hand Stormers platform in 39-22 Cape Town victory
The Hollywoodbets Sharks conceded crucial scrum penalties at DHL Stadium on Saturday, undermining their front row despite fielding Springbok props Thomas du Toit and Ox Nché. The DHL Stormers capitalised on the set-piece advantage to secure a 39-22 United Rugby Championship win, with head coach JP Pietersen acknowledging his side must improve their contesting on their own put-in. The defeat leaves the Sharks with work to do after their scrum had impressed in the previous round's victory over Leinster.
Mbonambi facing disciplinary hearing over Sharks pre-season camp conduct
Bongi Mbonambi is sidelined from Sharks duty while awaiting a disciplinary ruling over conduct at the franchise's pre-season camp, with a decision expected within two weeks. Nyakane, Mbatha and Swart were also involved, though with lesser consequences.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu masterful as Stormers front row dismantles Sharks
Feinberg-Mngomezulu rated 9/10 as the standout in a Stormers win built on scrum dominance and Dayimani's two-try display — Planet Rugby's full player-by-player breakdown assesses who shone and where the bench fell short.
Bulls demolish Lions 57-15 as returning Springboks make immediate impact at Loftus
The Bulls crushed the Lions 57-15 at Loftus, with five of their nine tries scored by returning Springboks. Man of the match Cameron Hanekom and Johan Grobbelaar each bagged braces as Johan Ackermann praised both his national players and his bench for a commanding all-round performance.
All Blacks rout of Wallabies throws Perth defeat into sharp relief
New Zealand's 50-19 demolition of Australia at Eden Park has provided a useful yardstick for South African supporters still digesting the 42-38 defeat in Perth. The Wallabies arrived on a six-Test unbeaten run but were systematically dismantled by an All Blacks side that had lost three successive Tests to the Springboks. The result underscores the gulf between Rassie Erasmus's first-choice XV and the weakened side that struggled in Western Australia.
The Perth loss looks worse in the All Blacks' shadow
Keohane argues the All Blacks' Eden Park thrashing of Australia throws the Bok loss in Perth into sharper relief — exposing the gap between Erasmus's best XV and the side that played.