Every story on the wire.
1,232 items · Springboks · Reports
Erasmus asks Ellis Park crowd to stay silent for the haka — and delays squad announcement out of respect for All Blacks
Erasmus has urged the Ellis Park crowd to stay quiet during the haka, citing the experience of Grobbelaar and Louw with the Bulls last week, while confirming he will delay his squad announcement until Thursday to limit New Zealand's preparation time.
Kolisi and Nche remain doubtful for Ellis Park Test against All Blacks
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche are uncertain for Saturday's opening Test against New Zealand at Ellis Park, with coach Rassie Erasmus describing their conditions as niggles rather than confirmed injuries. The pair must prove their fitness in training, while the rest of the squad has been given a clean bill of health ahead of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series.
Erasmus flags Kolisi and Nche doubts as Boks gear up for Ellis Park All Blacks Test
Erasmus has flagged Kolisi and Nche as injury doubts for Saturday's Ellis Park Test against the All Blacks, with team announcement due Thursday. The Bok coach and Jaco Peyper also addressed the debate around South African teams slowing down play at set piece.
Kolisi and Nché in race to be fit for All Blacks opener at Ellis Park
Siya Kolisi and Ox Nché are doubtful for Saturday's Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, with both players' fitness to be assessed after Monday's training session.
Kolisi and Nche in race against clock for All Blacks opener at Ellis Park
Siya Kolisi and Ox Nche are doubtful for Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, with Erasmus saying Monday's training would be a key indicator of their availability.
Kolisi and Nche in fitness race for All Blacks opener at Ellis Park
Rassie Erasmus says Siya Kolisi and Ox Nche are carrying niggles rather than injuries and could yet prove their fitness ahead of Saturday's first Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
Kitshoff reveals brutal Bok build-up ahead of All Blacks Test
Kitshoff has lifted the lid on the intensity of the Springboks' build-up to Saturday's first Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
All Blacks hit by injury wave ahead of first Springbok Test
Four All Blacks players have now left the tour through injury, with scrumhalf cover Noah Hotham called up as both Cam Roigard and Cortez Ratima carry knocks ahead of the first Springbok Test. Richie Mo'unga has joined the squad but will not feature in the opener, with Ruben Love to start at flyhalf.
Kitshoff reveals brutal Springbok preparation ahead of All Blacks opener
Steven Kitshoff has described the Springbok squad's Test preparation as a 'week from hell' ahead of Saturday's clash with the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
McKenzie injury concern clouds All Blacks' first-Test preparations
Damian McKenzie's ankle injury is the All Blacks' primary concern ahead of the August 22 Test opener against the Springboks at Ellis Park, with Dave Rennie more confident that Will Jordan and Cam Roigard will be available after both returned to training.
All Blacks lose fourth tourist as Norris ruled out, Hotham called up for Ratima
Prop Ollie Norris becomes the fourth All Black to be ruled out of the tour with a cartilage knee injury, while scrumhalf Noah Hotham is called in to cover the still-to-be-assessed Cortez Ratima ahead of Saturday's first Test at Ellis Park.
Erasmus delays All Blacks team announcement as Kolisi fitness remains uncertain
Rassie Erasmus has broken with recent convention by pushing the Springboks' team announcement to Thursday ahead of Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener at Ellis Park. Captain Siya Kolisi is understood to be touch-and-go for selection, while Ox Nché could return after missing the Nations Championship. The delayed announcement keeps New Zealand guessing as South Africa aim to field close to full strength.
Erasmus delays team announcement as Kolisi fitness clouds All Blacks opener
Rassie Erasmus has broken with recent convention by pushing the Springbok team announcement back to Thursday, two days before the opening Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series against New Zealand at Ellis Park. Captain Siya Kolisi is understood to be touch-and-go for selection, while the return of Ox Nche from injury adds intrigue to a squad that could field close to full strength for the first time this season.
Ackermann warns All Blacks' deep-territory gambles unlikely to pay off against Springboks
Bulls coach Johan Ackermann believes the All Blacks' willingness to attack from deep inside their own half — a tactic that yielded eight tries in Saturday's 50-19 victory at Loftus Versfeld — will prove costly when they face the Springboks in the opening Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry at Ellis Park. While praising New Zealand's attacking verve under Dave Rennie, Ackermann suggested the Boks possess the defensive discipline and game-management nous to punish such adventurous play. The Bulls coach also pointed to his side's second-half improvement as a template for how South Africa might exploit New Zealand's ball-in-hand approach.
Marx linked with Bulls return as Papier and Moodie face uncertain futures in Pretoria
The Bulls are in early discussions with Malcolm Marx over a return to South Africa, while Rapport reports that Embrose Papier and Canan Moodie are both likely to leave Pretoria after June 2027, with Sale Sharks among the clubs chasing Papier and Japanese outfits circling Moodie.
Marx linked with Bulls return as Ackermann reunion looms
The Bulls have held preliminary discussions with Malcolm Marx about a return to South African rugby, with the Springbok hooker currently playing for Kubota Spears in Japan.
Coetzee savours try against All Blacks despite heavy Bulls defeat at Loftus
Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee scored against the All Blacks at Loftus on Saturday — his first appearance against New Zealand since 2014 — describing the moment as one for the memory bank despite the Bulls' 19-50 defeat.
All Blacks wingers shine in Loftus rout as Bulls ship fifty ahead of Springboks series
New Zealand ran in eight tries to defeat the Vodacom Bulls 50-19 at Loftus Versfeld, completing their warm-up fixtures unbeaten. Leroy Carter's hat-trick and Rieko Ioane's all-round display headlined a clinical performance, while the All Blacks scrum delivered its most complete showing of the tour. Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee acknowledged the gulf in class, though the home side rallied with three second-half scores after trailing 24-0 at the interval.
All Blacks complete clean sweep of SA franchises with 50-19 demolition of Bulls at Loftus
The All Blacks beat the Bulls 50-19 at Loftus to complete an unbeaten pre-Test tour of South Africa, having also defeated the Stormers and Sharks, ahead of next Saturday's first Test at Ellis Park.
Ackermann tips patient Springboks to exploit All Black risks
Bulls coach Johan Ackermann believes the Springboks will pose a far greater challenge to New Zealand than his side managed at Loftus Versfeld, where the All Blacks ran in a 50-19 victory. Ackermann suggested the visitors may struggle to execute the same ambitious plays from deep when facing a match-fit world champion side at Ellis Park.