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Nations Championship Round 3: Boks on cruise control, but England's travel nightmare could end Borthwick
Rich argues England's erratic travel schedule could cost Borthwick his job if the Pumas win on Saturday, while reading Erasmus's Bok selections as the beginning of a deliberate two-week-block buildup to the Greatest Rivalry Series. Ireland v All Blacks at Eden Park is the round's marquee fixture and the clearest gauge yet of Rennie's new-look side.
Van Heerden credits Stormers revival ahead of long-awaited Springbok debut
Ruben van Heerden will make his Springboks debut against Wales in Durban on Saturday, capping a career resurgence that began when he returned from Exeter Chiefs to join the Stormers in 2023. The 28-year-old lock credited the Cape Town coaching staff with restoring the confidence that had ebbed during a difficult spell in England. He is one of four uncapped players set to earn their first Test caps in the Nations Championship fixture.
Van Heerden credits Stormers move with turning Test dream into reality
Lock Ruben van Heerden, set to debut against Wales in Durban on Saturday alongside three other uncapped players, credits his move from Exeter to the Stormers in 2023 with revitalising his career and ultimately bringing him into Rassie Erasmus' Nations Championship squad.
SA Schools 'A' steal dramatic one-point win over SA Schools in Gqeberha
SA Schools 'A' recovered from a 14-point half-time deficit to beat SA Schools 34-33 in a dramatic finish at Grey High School's Kolisi Field in Gqeberha, with fullback Rhandzu Mkhabela's late try proving the difference.
SA Schools 'A' stage dramatic comeback to pip SA Schools 34-33 in Gqeberha
SA Schools 'A' overturned a 14-point half-time deficit to beat SA Schools 34-33 in a dramatic 10-try encounter at the Kolisi Field at Grey High School in Gqeberha, with fullback Rhandzu Mkhabela's late try proving the difference.
Sharks clip highlights what Springbok debutant Jaco Williams brings to the table
A Sharks clip has put the spotlight on Springbok debutant Jaco Williams ahead of his anticipated Test debut.
Jean de Villiers calls Ireland to break Eden Park's 32-year unbeaten run — and backs the Boks to smash Wales
Jean de Villiers makes the bold call that Ireland will end New Zealand's unbeaten record at Eden Park, while the panel is unanimous that a strong Bok side — headlined by debutant Vusi Moyo at 10 — will account for Wales comfortably in Durban.
Jake White: Everything bends toward the World Cup
Jake White argues the World Cup cycle has become the organising principle of modern coaching — squad development, selection, and preparation all subordinated to one outcome.
Owens rules Roos try should have been disallowed after restart infringement
Former Test referee Nigel Owens has stated that Evan Roos's try in the Springboks' 42-28 victory over Scotland should have been ruled out. Owens judged that Boan Venter's actions in carrying Cobus Wiese forward whilst the lock was airborne prevented Scotland from defending legally, warranting a penalty against the hosts.
Nigel Owens: Evan Roos try should have been disallowed — here's the legal argument
Nigel Owens argues Evan Roos's try — which put the Boks 14-0 up against Scotland — should have been disallowed after Boan Venter illegally carried an airborne Cobus Wiese forward, preventing Scottish defenders from engaging. The tell, per Owens, was the Scottish players backing off to avoid a penalty: that hesitation should have been the referee's trigger.
Italy to appeal Quesada ban as coach becomes first sanctioned under World Rugby's new referee-abuse process
The Italian Rugby Federation will appeal Gonzalo Quesada's two-Test ban — the first issued under World Rugby's new Match Official Abuse Sanction Process — which rules him out of Italy's Tests against Australia and the Springboks.
SA Schools Girls edge past 'A' side 31-17 in historic Gqeberha clash
SA Schools Girls defeated SA Schools Girls 'A' 31-17 in Gqeberha, scoring five tries in a match that was tighter than the scoreline suggests at half-time before the senior side pulled clear in the second half.
Tandy's Wales won't fight fire with fire in Durban — but they know physicality is the test
Tandy has built Wales's entire Durban game plan around surviving — and disrupting — Springbok physicality, with a 6-2 bench, targeted personnel changes, and a breakdown-speed focus replacing any illusions of matching the Boks upfront.
Stormers XXIII coach leans on Ntubeni experience for Currie Cup opener
Tom Dawson-Squibb says Ntubeni is a key presence as the Stormers XXIII begin their Currie Cup campaign on Friday as self-described underdogs.
Moyo ready to fire on Springbok debut against Wales, Pollard's guidance a key factor
Twenty-year-old Vusi Moyo makes his Springbok debut against Wales at Kings Park on Saturday, bolstered by Handré Pollard's counsel and Rassie Erasmus's praise for his kicking, physicality and composure.
Junior Boks into the final — forward power the key against France
The Junior Boks came from 8 points down to beat England 53-37, with a dominant second-half forward platform and Rasivhaga's hat-trick the highlights. They face France in Saturday's final in Tbilisi, with back-to-back Junior World Championship glory on the line.
Quesada becomes first coach banned under World Rugby's new ref-abuse process, will miss Springbok Test
Gonzalo Quesada has been handed a two-match ban — the first issued under World Rugby's new Match Official Abuse Sanctioning Process — for his post-match criticism of referee Luc Ramos after Italy's 47-17 loss to New Zealand, ruling him out of Tests against Australia and the Springboks.
Van Heerden's long road to Bok debut runs through Cape Town
Ruben van Heerden, 28, makes his Springbok debut against Wales at Kings Park on Saturday, with his move from Exeter Chiefs to the Stormers — where he developed into a No 5 and lineout leader after Marvin Orie's departure — proving the catalyst for his belated international call-up.
Quesada banned, Rassie vindicated: World Rugby's new referee protocols are already causing chaos
World Rugby's two-game ban on Italy coach Quesada — for post-match comments most would consider restrained — has validated Erasmus's concerns about the new referee-interaction protocols. The piece argues the framework restricts legitimate coach communication while creating a punitive environment that will generate more controversy, not less.
Paul de Villiers drawing Josh Kronfeld comparisons after back-to-back Bok starts
Schalk Burger and Hanyani Shimange have been effusive about Paul de Villiers's early Test impact, with Shimange drawing Josh Kronfeld comparisons for his link play off breaks. Cobus Wiese's versatility also flagged as a 2027 World Cup asset.