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1,232 items · Springboks · Reports
Mo'unga ruled out of Ellis Park Test as Rennie eyes McKenzie fitness
Dave Rennie has confirmed Richie Mo'unga will not feature in the All Blacks' opening clash against the Springboks at Ellis Park next Saturday, despite arriving in Gauteng to replace the injured Billy Proctor. The head coach remains hopeful that Damian McKenzie will recover in time for selection, though the utility back is less certain than fellow injury concerns Cam Roigard and Will Jordan.
Mo'unga ruled out of first Test as McKenzie fitness clouds All Blacks backline
Richie Mo'unga has been ruled out of the first Springboks Test at Ellis Park, with Ruben Love set to start at fly-half. Damian McKenzie remains a fitness doubt, while Will Jordan and Cam Rogiard are expected to be available after returning to training.
Mo'unga ruled out of first Test as McKenzie fitness in doubt ahead of Ellis Park
Richie Mo'unga has been ruled out of the All Blacks' first Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park, with Dave Rennie also flagging Damian McKenzie as a doubt. Ruben Love is in line at fly-half, while Codie Taylor impressed with two tries in the 50-19 tour win over the Bulls.
Erasmus Pleased with Recovery as Boks Shift Focus to All Blacks Series
The Springboks completed two days of training in Johannesburg on Saturday as preparations intensified for the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand. The squad, which returned from Argentina in two groups earlier in the week, spent most of the week on recovery sessions before resuming field work on Friday. Johan Grobbelaar and Elrigh Louw will rejoin the national squad on Sunday after featuring for the Vodacom Bulls.
Erasmus flags 'World Cup knock-out' intensity of RGR series as Grobbelaar and Louw set for Sunday return
Rassie Erasmus has likened the four-Test RGR series against the All Blacks to World Cup knock-out rugby, with the full Springbok squad now reassembled and Bulls duo Johan Grobbelaar and Elrigh Louw rejoining on Sunday ahead of the Ellis Park opener on August 22.
Springboks complete alignment camp ahead of RGR series opener against All Blacks
The Springboks completed a two-day alignment camp in Johannesburg on Saturday ahead of the RGR series opener against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on 22 August, with Grobbelaar and Louw released to the Bulls before rejoining the squad on Sunday.
Louw and Grobbelaar released for Bulls duty before rejoining Springboks
Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar will feature for the Vodacom Bulls against New Zealand on Saturday evening before returning to the Springbok squad ahead of the opening Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test. Rassie Erasmus confirmed the pair will rejoin the national set-up on Sunday as the Boks complete their preparations for next Saturday's clash with the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
Springboks enter final Test-week preparations for Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener
The Springboks have moved into full Test-week preparations for next Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener against New Zealand at Ellis Park, with Grobbelaar and Louw rejoining the squad from the Bulls on Sunday.
Springboks complete pre-RGR camp in Johannesburg ahead of All Blacks series opener
The Springboks completed their pre-RGR camp in Johannesburg on Saturday, with Rassie Erasmus confirming the squad is recovered and ready ahead of the All Blacks series opener at 10bet Ellis Park on 22 August.
World Rugby rankings set for Ellis Park showdown as Springboks lead All Blacks by 1.68 points
South Africa lead New Zealand by 1.68 World Rugby ranking points ahead of the Greatest Rivalry Series opener at Ellis Park, with any All Blacks win enough to reclaim top spot.
Clarke shoulder injury adds to All Blacks' mounting tour casualty list
Caleb Clarke has been sent home from New Zealand's South African tour with a ruptured shoulder tendon, becoming the third All Blacks player lost to injury. Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie are also carrying knocks ahead of Saturday's match against the Bulls, with the first Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park on 22 August.
Clarke ruled out of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry as All Blacks injury toll mounts
Caleb Clarke has been ruled out of the All Blacks' South Africa tour with a ruptured shoulder tendon, becoming the third player lost to injury as the squad prepares to face the Bulls on Saturday ahead of the August 22 test against the Springboks at Ellis Park.
Sale circle Papier as Stormers eye Jantjies return
Sale Sharks are pursuing Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier while the Stormers are exploring a return for Herschel Jantjies from Bayonne, with injury cover a key driver in Cape Town.
All Blacks sweat on Jordan fitness as Springbok Test looms
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has confirmed Will Jordan remains a doubt for the opening Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park on 22 August. The prolific wing has been sidelined with a back complaint throughout the All Blacks' South African tour and missed warm-up fixtures against the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls.
Rennie backs Roigard, Jordan and McKenzie to be fit for Springbok Test
Dave Rennie expects Cam Roigard, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie to all be available for the first Test against the Springboks despite their absence from the All Blacks' tour match against the Bulls, with Rennie saying selection for the Test team is close to being settled.
Jordan and Roigard fitness concerns cloud All Blacks' Ellis Park preparations
Will Jordan remains doubtful for the opening Springbok Test at Ellis Park on 22 August after failing to shake a back injury that has kept him out of all three All Blacks tour matches, while scrum-half Cam Roigard is also a fitness concern following a calf niggle.
Louw and Grobbelaar released to Bulls for All Blacks clash at Loftus
Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar have been released from the Springbok camp to appear off the bench for the Bulls against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with Johan Ackermann tempering expectations given his squad is three weeks into pre-season.
Louw and Grobbelaar released to Bulls for All Blacks clash at Loftus
Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar have been released to the Bulls for Saturday's match against the All Blacks at Loftus, with both named on the bench after a single training session back from Argentina. Coach Johan Ackermann acknowledges the side is well short of peak condition.
Bulls face All Blacks at Loftus with revamped side ahead of Springbok series
The Vodacom Bulls host New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday in the final warm-up before the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series begins in Johannesburg next weekend. While the Bulls field a more experienced side than the Hollywoodbets Sharks managed in Durban, only seven starters from the URC final against Leinster remain available. The match offers JF van Heerden a chance to stake his claim as Ruan Nortje's long-term replacement at lock.
All Blacks wary of Le Roux, Bosch kicking threat and Bulls physicality
Anton Lienert-Brown has singled out Willie le Roux and Curwin Bosch, along with the Bulls' physicality up front, as the primary threats New Zealand must manage on Saturday.