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Papier relishing chance to reunite with Pollard at Test level
Embrose Papier says reuniting with Handré Pollard in the Springbok halfback pairing for the match against Scotland is a special opportunity.
Erasmus frames Scotland Test as World Cup audition, not a result-chasing exercise
Erasmus confirms the Scotland Test squad was picked entirely with 2027 World Cup planning in mind — not the opponent. With an average of ~25 caps and over half the group still in single figures, he's using the July window to identify who can perform under pressure when it matters.
Willemse denied man-of-the-match award after broadcaster error in milestone appearance
Damian Willemse delivered a commanding performance on his 50th cap for South Africa but was denied the man-of-the-match award after a communication error by broadcaster SuperSport saw the gong mistakenly presented to Damian de Allende. The full-back starred in the Springboks' 45-21 victory over England at Ellis Park, dominating the aerial contest and executing a stunning 50:22 kick.
Willemse's milestone 50th caps the fullback debate — it's settled
Louw argues Willemse's flawless 50th-cap performance against England — aerial dominance, try-saving defence, and a stunning 50-22 — has finally closed the 12-vs-15 debate. The fullback jersey fits, and Saturday proved it.
Erasmus explains Papier recall after eight-year Springbok absence
Rassie Erasmus has recalled Embrose Papier to the Springbok squad for Saturday's Nations Championship match against Scotland at Loftus, citing the scrumhalf's standout URC season with the Bulls. Papier will start alongside Handré Pollard, eight years after the pair last combined for the Boks against the same opponents at Murrayfield.
Keogh vs Zelsmann: Who earns Rassie's Nations Championship nod?
Joubert looks at which players Erasmus will have his eye on at Loftus on Saturday, and what kind of performance earns a genuine Nations Championship selection push.
Rassie's Scotland squad is about more than Scotland
Erasmus has flagged that his overhauled squad for Scotland is a deliberate long-game move rather than a pick-to-win selection — the piece analyses what that means for Bok squad development.
Free State and WP lead the charge on explosive Craven Week opening day
Free State crushed the Limpopo Blue Bulls 66-41, with flyhalf Zachary Walbrugh scoring 31 points, while Western Province overran Eastern Province 42-25 in the second half on a 41-try opening day of the FNB U18 Craven Week in Gqeberha.
Etzebeth ruled out until Argentina as Erasmus manages concussion carefully
Eben Etzebeth will miss the Springboks' incoming Nations Championship fixtures as the coaching staff adopt a cautious approach to his concussion recovery. Rassie Erasmus confirmed the lock is targeting a return against Argentina on 8 August, with Siya Kolisi and Ox Nche both expected back sooner.
Lancaster's Bok 'Plan B': Unleash Libbok off the pods
Lancaster argues the Boks are voluntarily leaving their most dangerous weapon — Libbok off the pod carries — unused, and that adding a genuine space-based Plan B to their power game would make them near-unbeatable ahead of 2027.
Nche cleared for All Blacks tour as Etzebeth given extended concussion lay-off
Ox Nche will be fit for the All Blacks tour after scans eased initial fears over a knee injury, while Eben Etzebeth remains sidelined for the incoming Nations Championship matches as the Boks manage his concussion history carefully. Kolisi is expected back against Wales.
Springbok Women target back-to-back over USA with 'next job' focus at Loftus
The Springbok Women train in Johannesburg ahead of Saturday's second Test against the USA at Loftus, with assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt pointing to second-half corrections and tactical refinements as priorities, while Byrhandré Dolf misses out due to a compulsory player welfare rest period.
Barnes: England need a Pollock captaincy gamble — and Borthwick must go if they lose to Fiji
Stuart Barnes argued that England's Springbok-lite game plan is a dead end, called for Henry Pollock to be handed the captaincy against Fiji, and said Borthwick must go if England lose that match.
Springbok Women targeting back-to-back wins over USA as focus shifts to Loftus
The Springbok Women return to training focused on a second consecutive win over the USA Eagles at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt highlighting improved game management and multi-phase play as key growth areas. Byrhandré Dolf is unavailable due to a mandatory rest period, while the squad benefits from altitude acclimatisation and familiarity with Loftus. The team will be announced on Thursday.
Erasmus backs Pollard return despite Bulls struggles as injury crisis forces rotation
Handré Pollard will make his first Springbok appearance of 2025 against Scotland on Saturday after missing the opening fixtures through franchise commitments and selection. The fly-half's recall comes amid a mounting injury list that has forced Rassie Erasmus into 10 changes from the side that defeated England. The head coach has defended Pollard's recent form for the Bulls, insisting the double World Cup winner remains a trusted option despite criticism of his performances in the latter stages of the URC season.
Pollard's return, Papier's eight-year wait, and the Bulls' bumper day: Boks v Scotland winners and losers
Planet Rugby's winners-and-losers breakdown of the 10-change Bok team to face Scotland covers Pollard's belated 2025 debut, Papier's eight-year recall, Willemse's shift to 12, the Bulls' heavy representation, and the unlucky cases of Esterhuizen, Van Heerden and Nche.
Willemse shines, De Villiers impresses, but England's Borthwick problem deepens
Willemse's 50th Test standout, De Villiers and Hanekom's impressive emergency cameos, and the growing Borthwick crisis headline Planet Rugby's Nations Championship round-one wrap — with Fiji's jaw-dropping offload numbers and Roigard's world-class form also in focus.
Rassie backs Papier-Pollard combination ahead of Loftus clash
Rassie Erasmus is backing the Papier-Pollard half-back partnership to deliver at Loftus on Saturday.
Junior Boks go top: Ahmed steps in at 10 as SA face Wales in pool decider
The Junior Boks face Wales in a pool decider with Yaqeen Ahmed starting at 10 in place of the concussed Luan Giliomee — Rugby365 tips SA by 20, with full round-three team sheets and predictions across all eight matches.
Method in the Madness: Why Rassie's Risky Scotland Selection Makes Sense
Cardinelli argues Erasmus's heavily rotated Scotland team is less a selection of necessity than a calculated acceleration of World Cup squad-building — underpinned by club familiarity between combinations and anchored by enough proven operators to keep the result in sight.