Every story on the wire.
2,956 items · Springboks
Matfield: Springbok experience was the difference in third Test
Matfield attributes the Boks' second-half surge against the All Blacks to experience — the kind of Test-match intelligence that lets this squad find another gear when the moment demands it.
All Blacks lose Tupaea, Jacobson and Savea for series decider against Springboks in Baltimore
New Zealand have lost Quinn Tupaea, Luke Jacobson and captain Ardie Savea to injury ahead of Saturday's series decider against the Springboks in Baltimore, with the All Blacks trailing 2-1 in the four-test series.
Marx's fist-pump, Kolisi's captaincy and another chapter of Springbok dominance
A compelling case that the Soweto Test — and the emotional architecture Erasmus and Kolisi built around it — was the defining moment of a series that confirmed just how many ways this Springbok side knows how to win.
Springboks edge All Blacks in Soweto thriller to claim series lead
South Africa secured a 29-24 victory over New Zealand at FNB Stadium on Saturday, taking a 2-1 lead in the four-match Greatest Rivalry series. Malcolm Marx, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Jesse Kriel crossed for the Springboks, who trailed until the 59th minute before delivering a decisive final quarter. The result ensures South Africa cannot lose the series, with the finale set for Baltimore next weekend.
Calabash win proves the Boks can still work the problem
Cardinelli argues the Calabash win validated the Boks' defining trait — winning tight, high-pressure contests through adaptability and clutch execution — while highlighting Marx's breakdown dominance, Feinberg-Mngomezulu's composed goal-kicking under pressure, and the World Cup relevance of a series won against a markedly improved All Blacks side.
Boks lead the Greatest Rivalry 2-1, but Baltimore is where the real questions get answered
South Africa's Greatest Rivalry series win over the All Blacks is built on set-piece dominance, but 13 tries conceded in three games flags a defensive problem that Baltimore won't fix alone — the piece argues the US decider is really about World Cup squad depth and whether the Boks can sustain their level without their first-choice combinations.
Kolisi reveals Soweto inspiration as Springboks claim historic FNB Stadium victory
Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus spoke of the emotional weight of playing in Soweto after the Springboks defeated New Zealand 29-24 to take a 2-1 series lead. The skipper revealed how children chasing the team bus through the township provided motivation for a side digging deep to record their first Test victory at FNB Stadium. Erasmus acknowledged the reality that many local supporters could not afford tickets, adding poignancy to a result that carried historical significance.
Kolbe out with broken jaw as Springboks head to Baltimore with injury concerns
Cheslin Kolbe is out of the Baltimore Test against the All Blacks with a broken jaw, joining Carlu Sadie, Boan Venter, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Ben-Jason Dixon on the injury list, while Rassie Erasmus confirmed Damian Willemse and Aphelele Fassi are available to cover the back three.
Seven talking points from Soweto: How the Boks ground New Zealand into dust at FNB Stadium
A granular post-match breakdown of South Africa's 29-24 win in Soweto — covering the scrum demolition, the pivotal pre-half penalty try, New Zealand's defensive exposure down the left channel, Love's costly evening, and an injury list that significantly complicates the All Blacks' chances in the Baltimore decider.
Marx's fist-pump writes another chapter in Springbok dominance
The author uses the 30-year mirror image of Fitzpatrick's and Marx's fist-pumps to argue that the Soweto decider — and the series overall — reflects something deeper than Springbok physicality: the emotional and cultural architecture Erasmus and Kolisi construct around big matches is what truly separates this team.
Kolisi and Erasmus moved by Soweto connection after historic FNB Stadium win
Kolisi and Erasmus reflected on the emotional significance of winning in Soweto, with both men moved by the reality that many local supporters could not afford tickets to the Springboks' historic 29-24 victory over New Zealand at FNB Stadium.
Nigel Owens backs Erasmus over World Rugby's pre-match referee meeting ban
Owens argues World Rugby's ban on private coach-referee meetings has backfired — pushing pre-match grievances into the media instead of resolving them quietly, and he backs Erasmus and Rennie's frustration as entirely justified.
Boks lead 2-1, but Baltimore is where the real answers lie
With the series secured, Baltimore becomes a World Cup depth assessment — the piece breaks down the scrum dominance, the defensive leaks that still need fixing, and why Kolisi's belief that the Boks haven't yet hit their ceiling should excite supporters ahead of next year.
Kolisi and Erasmus moved by Soweto connection after series-clinching win over All Blacks
Kolisi and Erasmus reflected on the significance of playing in Soweto after the Springboks' 29-24 win over New Zealand sealed a 2-1 series lead, with both citing the township's children — many unable to afford tickets — as a source of inspiration.
Kiss eyes Springbok Test as Gordon scan awaited after Argentina draw
Les Kiss claimed the Argentina series win as a key objective met but acknowledged frustration at drawing the second Test despite a 13-minute two-man advantage, while Carter Gordon awaits scan results after picking up a lower-leg injury that clouds his availability for the Springboks Test in Perth in three weeks.
Rennie pinpoints Jordan's kick dead as the turning point in Soweto
Rennie identifies Will Jordan's kick dead as the match-turning error in Soweto, arguing the All Blacks lost the set-piece battle after half-time and lacked the discipline and clinical edge to hold momentum when it mattered — while insisting the series margin flatters the Boks.
All Blacks lose Savea, Tupaea and Jacobson for Baltimore decider
New Zealand lose Ardie Savea, Quinn Tupaea and Luke Jacobson to injury ahead of the series decider against South Africa in Baltimore, while the Springboks will be without Cheslin Kolbe after he broke his jaw in Saturday's 29-24 win at FNB Stadium.
Erasmus and Rennie agree key moments decided Soweto Test as series heads to Baltimore
Erasmus and Rennie set aside last week's public spat after South Africa won the third Test 29-24 in Soweto to lead the series 2-1, with both coaches agreeing key moments rather than game plans have decided the contest, as the teams head to Baltimore for the series decider without Cheslin Kolbe and Ardie Savea respectively.
Erasmus hails emotional Soweto triumph as Springboks edge Greatest Rivalry series
Rassie Erasmus described Saturday's 29-24 victory over New Zealand at FNB Stadium as one of the most emotional wins of his coaching tenure, crediting nine years of continuity for the Springboks' ability to handle pressure moments. The result gave South Africa a 2-1 series lead and extended their advantage at the top of the World Rugby rankings to 2.43 points. Erasmus rejected suggestions the series had already been won, insisting the All Blacks remain dangerous opponents under Dave Rennie.
All Blacks lose Jacobson to elbow injury ahead of Baltimore decider
Luke Jacobson's elbow injury adds to New Zealand's mounting casualty list — Ardie Savea and Quinn Tupaea are also out — as the All Blacks prepare to face South Africa in Baltimore next Saturday, with the Springboks leading the series 2-1.