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Pumas seek back-to-back WSL 2 title as Griquas stand in the way in Nelspruit final
The Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women face AVBOB Griquas in the Pick n Pay WSL 2 final in Nelspruit on Friday, with the Pumas seeking back-to-back titles after winning all seven of their league matches and Griquas having recovered from an opening-round loss to the same opponents to win six straight.
Amashukeli illness forces referee reshuffle for Tests Two and Three
Nika Amashukeli's illness has seen Angus Gardner promoted to referee for Test Two in Cape Town, with the Georgian official rescheduled to take charge of Test Three in Johannesburg on 5 September.
Reinach: All Blacks targeted our breakdowns, not our 9s
Cobus Reinach says New Zealand's game plan targeted the Springboks' breakdown rather than their scrumhalves specifically, and that the resulting pressure directly caused his yellow card in the first Test defeat at Ellis Park.
Gardner steps in as Cape Town Test referee after Amashukeli ruled out ill
Angus Gardner replaces the ill Nika Amashukeli as referee for the Springboks vs All Blacks second Test in Cape Town, with Amashukeli still scheduled to take charge of the third Test in Johannesburg on 5 September.
All Blacks make five changes for Cape Town Test against Springboks
New Zealand have named five changes for Saturday's second Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks in Cape Town, with George Bower replacing the HIA-affected Ethan de Groot and Leroy Carter moving into the starting backline.
Red-zone profligacy exposes Springboks' blunt edge against All Blacks
The Springboks' 16-33 defeat to New Zealand at Ellis Park laid bare a worrying inability to convert territorial dominance into points. South Africa entered the opposition 22 ten times but managed just 0.7 points per visit—the first time they have fallen below the one-point threshold in over two years. Former Bok flyhalf Joel Stransky described the loss as a "massive blow" but believes it may prove the wake-up call Rassie Erasmus' side needed ahead of Saturday's second Test in Cape Town.
Blackadder stakes claim for Bok Test after Lions masterclass
Ethan Blackadder delivered a commanding performance in the All Blacks' 41-35 comeback win over the Lions at Ellis Park, finishing with 16 carries, two tries and 70 metres gained. The 31-year-old loose forward, who missed the opening Test against the Springboks, has given head coach Dave Rennie a significant selection dilemma ahead of Saturday's second Test in Cape Town. With Josh Lord ruled out through concussion, Blackadder could force his way into the matchday squad for the DHL Stadium encounter.
Du Toit reaches century as Boks seek lessons from Ellis Park defeat
Pieter-Steph du Toit will earn his 100th Test cap when the Springboks face New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday, with the hosts determined to level the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series after their 33-16 opening defeat in Johannesburg. Cobus Reinach said the side had identified clear areas for improvement at the breakdown, while the return of Siya Kolisi adds leadership experience to a side under pressure to respond.
Kolisi returns to lead Boks as Erasmus takes personal responsibility for Johannesburg defeat
Siya Kolisi returns from a grade two hamstring tear to captain the Springboks against New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday, with Rassie Erasmus taking personal responsibility for the 33-16 defeat in Johannesburg and warning that defeat in the second Test would end the Boks' chances of winning the four-Test series. Pieter-Steph du Toit, who reaches 100 Test caps, starts in the loose trio but without the captaincy burden.
Segner ruled out of All Blacks' remaining SA tour matches after ankle surgery
Anton Segner is out of the All Blacks' remaining South Africa tour fixtures after ankle surgery, with coach Dave Rennie opting against a replacement call-up.
Blackadder forces his way into Rennie's Test calculations after Lions demolition job
Ethan Blackadder's 16-carry, two-try display against the Lions has put him firmly in contention for Saturday's second Test in Cape Town, with Dave Rennie also forced to cover the lock position following Josh Lord's concussion.
Reinach flags breakdown improvements as Boks prepare for Cape Town rematch
Cobus Reinach has identified breakdown execution as the key focus for the Springboks ahead of Saturday's second Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town, following last week's 33-16 loss at Ellis Park, with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ox Nche set to reach 100 and 50 Test caps respectively.
Rennie pleased with Mo'unga's return but Segner ruled out of Springbok Tests
Dave Rennie says Richie Mo'unga will benefit from his first All Blacks appearance since the 2023 World Cup final, while Anton Segner has been ruled out of the remaining Tests after ankle surgery in Johannesburg — with no replacement to be called up.
Segner ruled out of All Blacks tour after ankle surgery
Anton Segner has been ruled out of the remainder of the All Blacks' South Africa tour after ankle surgery, becoming the fifth player lost to injury. New Zealand won the first test 33-16.
Lions Face All Blacks with South African Pride on the Line at Ellis Park
The Emirates Lions host New Zealand on Tuesday night in the final tour match of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry, with South African rugby desperate for a statement performance. The All Blacks have swept through the tour unbeaten, including a 33-16 victory over the Springboks, while the franchise sides have offered varying degrees of resistance. A strong Lions showing could salvage pride after a dispiriting sequence of results.
Erasmus Shelves Youth Project as Kolisi-De Villiers Call Looms Large
Rassie Erasmus has reverted to experience for Saturday's second Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town, with the selection hinging on an either-or decision between captain Siya Kolisi and rising flanker Paul de Villiers. The choice reflects a broader shift away from the rotation strategy that had been bedding in younger players, with the Springboks now fielding what could be their most experienced side ever in response to last weekend's 33-16 defeat. The inclusion of 39-year-old Deon Fourie on the bench underscores the urgency surrounding the fixture.
Erasmus overhauls Bomb Squad after Ellis Park collapse as Boks seek Cape Town redemption
Rassie Erasmus has named his most experienced bench of the year for Saturday's second Test in Cape Town, replacing two young props with veterans Thomas du Toit and Deon Fourie after the Springboks' set-piece faltered in the 16–33 defeat to New Zealand. Captain Pieter-Steph du Toit admitted the side shot themselves in the foot at Ellis Park, while All Blacks coach Dave Rennie warned of a backlash in the return fixture.
Du Toit to earn 100th cap as Kolisi returns for Cape Town Test
Pieter-Steph du Toit will reach his century of Test appearances when the Springboks face the All Blacks in Cape Town on Saturday, with the flanker stepping aside from captaincy duties as Siya Kolisi returns from injury. Kolisi's hamstring complaint, sustained against Argentina earlier this month, has cleared after full-intensity running sessions on Monday and Tuesday. Rassie Erasmus confirmed the skipper's return means Du Toit can concentrate on his own performance in what will be a landmark occasion.
Fourie's emergency hooker role exposes depth question behind Marx
Deon Fourie remains on Rassie Erasmus's radar as an emergency hooker option despite not playing the position since 2023 and battling long-term injuries. The 39-year-old's inclusion on the bench this weekend underlines a persistent question: who genuinely backs up Malcolm Marx at hooker? While Erasmus has trialled various candidates and leaned on hybrid players like Marco van Staden and Jan-Hendrik Wessels, no specialist has cemented the role ahead of the World Cup cycle.
Segner ruled out of Greatest Rivalry series after keyhole surgery
Anton Segner has been ruled out of the rest of the Greatest Rivalry series after keyhole surgery to clear an ankle infection, with All Blacks coach Dave Rennie confirming no replacement will be called up.