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1,232 items · Springboks · Reports
Marx: 'The whole of South Africa is our fortress'
Malcolm Marx dismisses venue-specific fortress talk ahead of the Ellis Park Test, calling all of South Africa home ground, while flagging the breakdown and scrums as key battlegrounds against the All Blacks.
Boks flag All Blacks breakdown brutality and lineout tactics ahead of Ellis Park clash
South Africa's franchises have warned the Springboks about New Zealand's aggressive ruck clearouts and defensive lineout tactics following the All Blacks' tour victories over the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls. Assistant coach Felix Jones confirmed that tucked shoulders at the breakdown and illegal maul disruption were consistent themes in feedback from local coaches. The concerns add edge to Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener at Ellis Park.
Erasmus deploys Peyper in pre-series mind games as All Blacks push tempo narrative
Rassie Erasmus brought SA Rugby law adviser Jaco Peyper to a pre-match press conference to counter All Blacks accusations that the Springboks deliberately slow the game down. With Dave Rennie's side having beaten France, Italy and Ireland in the Nations Championship before victories over the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls on tour, the war of words has escalated ahead of Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener at Ellis Park. Referee Matt Carley will not meet either coaching team beforehand.
Rennie unmoved as Erasmus and Peyper push back on time-wasting accusations ahead of Ellis Park Test
Dave Rennie has responded with scepticism to Rassie Erasmus and Jaco Peyper's rebuttal of time-wasting accusations, with both head coaches declining a pre-match meeting with referee Matthew Carley on the issue ahead of Saturday's opening Test at Ellis Park.
SA franchises flag All Blacks' ruck brutality and illegal lineout tactics ahead of Rugby Championship opener
Felix Jones says the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls flagged two consistent All Blacks concerns: illegal tucked-shoulder cleanouts at the breakdown and obstructive lineout tactics near the try line, with Jones linking the approach to Dave Rennie's coaching history.
Kolisi and Nche edge closer to All Blacks opener as injury clouds lift
Siya Kolisi and Ox Nche are tracking well ahead of Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener against New Zealand, with assistant coach Felix Jones reporting no major concerns from Tuesday's training session. The Springboks will delay their team announcement until Thursday, whilst the All Blacks continue to manage a growing injury list that has seen four players sent home from the tour.
Kolisi and Nche tracking well ahead of All Blacks opener at Ellis Park
Siya Kolisi and Ox Nche came through Tuesday's training without issue and are tracking towards availability for Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, with the Springbok squad announcement delayed until Thursday.
Rennie sweating on four injuries as All Blacks call up reinforcements ahead of Springbok opener
Dave Rennie is managing a four-man injury toll and two further fitness concerns ahead of Saturday's Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks, with prop Ollie Norris the latest tour departure and halfback Cortez Ratima under assessment for a PCL injury.
Matfield identifies All Blacks weakness ahead of Ellis Park opener
Former Springbok captain Victor Matfield has claimed he spotted a vulnerability in the All Blacks during their 50-19 victory over the Bulls, ahead of Saturday's opening Test at Ellis Park. Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones said both sides would be equally prepared for the first of four back-to-back encounters.
Jones flags breakdown concerns and fast-start threat ahead of All Blacks opener
Felix Jones has flagged All Blacks breakdown technique and maul defence as areas of concern ahead of Saturday's Ellis Park Test, while warning that New Zealand's trademark fast start must be matched from the first whistle.
Jones confident on Kolisi and Nché ahead of Ellis Park All Blacks Test
Felix Jones reports no setbacks for Kolisi or Nché in training, with both players on course to be available for Thursday's team announcement ahead of the Ellis Park All Blacks Test.
McKenzie trending towards fitness as Umaga dismisses All Blacks' match-sharpness edge
Tana Umaga says Damian McKenzie is trending towards availability for the Ellis Park Test after his ankle injury against the Sharks, while dismissing suggestions that the All Blacks hold a meaningful match-sharpness advantage over the Springboks.
Erasmus says new referee protocols force coaches to air concerns publicly
Rassie Erasmus has criticised World Rugby's match-official communication protocols, arguing they have created a widening gap between coaches and referees. The Springbok coach said the restrictions leave teams with little choice but to voice concerns through the media, as pre-match meetings now require both head coaches to attend.
Boks reject All Black tempo narrative as Peyper defends multi-style approach
South Africa have pushed back against New Zealand's insistence that high-tempo rugby is the only viable path to success, with Jaco Peyper invoking World Rugby's 'all shapes and sizes' mandate. Former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers warned that the tourists will be surprised if they expect to run the world champions off their feet, while the debate over officiating methods has intensified during the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour.
All Blacks reject underdog status ahead of Ellis Park showdown
New Zealand lock Patrick Tuipulotu has dismissed suggestions the All Blacks are underdogs heading into Saturday's opening Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park. The visitors arrive in Johannesburg fresh from three warm-up victories over South African franchises, though head coach Dave Rennie acknowledged the step up in intensity awaiting his side.
Rennie: Four-test Springbok series tougher than a World Cup
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie says the four-test series against South Africa is tougher than a World Cup, with the Springboks' 12-test winning streak and set-piece dominance the central challenge ahead of Saturday's Ellis Park opener.
Roigard expected to be fit for Ellis Park opener as Ratima scans positive for PCL injury
Cortez Ratima has been ruled out of immediate contention with a PCL injury, but Dave Rennie expects Cam Roigard to be fit to start the first Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday. Noah Hotham has been called up as cover, with Rennie set to name his squad on Thursday.
Erasmus delays squad announcement and asks Ellis Park crowd to respect the haka
Erasmus has asked Ellis Park fans to stay silent during the haka ahead of Saturday's first Rugby Championship Test, while confirming his squad announcement will be delayed until Thursday to limit New Zealand's preparation time. Attack coach Tony Brown was held back from last week's Argentina trip to develop specific plans for the All Blacks.
Tuipulotu treats Ellis Park clash as a final for All Blacks
Patrick Tuipulotu says Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park feels like a final for the All Blacks, while downplaying the underdogs label.
Kolisi and Nche the only injury doubts as Erasmus delays Springbok team naming until Thursday
Erasmus confirms Kolisi and Nche as the only fitness doubts for the Ellis Park Test against the All Blacks, with Thursday's team announcement timed to limit New Zealand's preparation window. Two fly-halves will feature in the 23, pointing away from a Bomb Squad bench.