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All Blacks close gap on Springboks after learning from 'failed' series
New Zealand have narrowed the World Rugby rankings deficit to South Africa following a comprehensive 50-19 demolition of Australia at Eden Park. Coach Dave Rennie credited lessons from the Springboks' 3-1 series victory a month earlier, with the All Blacks executing key moments they had squandered in Africa. The result retains the Bledisloe Cup and cuts the gap to the world champions from nearly four points to just over one.
All Blacks cite Springbok series lessons after hammering Wallabies 50-19 to retain Bledisloe Cup
New Zealand thrashed Australia 50-19 at Eden Park to retain the Bledisloe Cup, with coach Dave Rennie pointing to lessons learned from the All Blacks' 3-1 Rugby Championship series loss to South Africa as a catalyst for the improved performance.
All Blacks close to within a point of Springboks after Eden Park demolition of Wallabies
New Zealand's 50-19 Bledisloe Cup win over Australia has trimmed the Springboks' World Rugby rankings lead to just 1.28 points, with South Africa on 93.09 and the All Blacks moving to 91.81.
Stormers vow to banish 'low point' as Sharks bring unbeaten record to Cape Town
The Stormers have warned the league-leading Sharks they will not repeat the flat performances that yielded consecutive defeats last January. John Dobson's side welcome seven Springboks back for their season debuts in Saturday's coastal derby at DHL Stadium, where the hosts will don the famed Men in Black jersey for the first time in nearly two decades. The Sharks arrive unbeaten after maximum-point victories over the Ospreys and reigning champions Leinster.
Springboks and All Blacks sell out Twickenham Nations Championship finale allocations
Springbok and All Black supporter allocations of 1,000 tickets each have sold out for the Nations Championship finals weekend at Twickenham, as England's home quota was increased to 2,000 to meet demand.
Springbok Women partner with Project Flamingo to champion women's health awareness
The Springbok Women have joined forces with Project Flamingo, supported by Engen SA, in a campaign linking the fight for space in women's rugby with the need for improved access to breast cancer care. Players including Babalwa Latsha, Nadine Roos, Insaaf Levy and Chumisa Qawe, alongside referee Aimee Barrett-Theron, met with medical teams at Groote Schuur Hospital's breast clinic to launch the initiative. Barrett-Theron, who stepped away from international officiating in July to undergo breast cancer treatment, described the partnership as particularly meaningful.
Bok Women partner with Project Flamingo in breast cancer awareness campaign
The Springbok Women have partnered with breast cancer advocacy organisation Project Flamingo in a campaign called 'Make Room for Her', with Aimee Barrett-Theron — currently receiving breast cancer treatment — a central figure in the initiative.
Springbok demand outstrips England in Twickenham Nations Championship ticket sales
Demand for Springbok tickets at Twickenham's Nations Championship finals weekend has reportedly outpaced that of hosts England.
Springbok Women host Ireland in historic Cape Town double-header
The Springbok Women face Ireland in back-to-back WXV Global Series Tests at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on October 24 and 31 — Ireland's first visit to South Africa and just the second meeting between the sides since the 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup.
Bok Women host Ireland in first-ever home Tests at Athlone Stadium
The Springbok Women host Ireland in two WXV Global Series Tests at Athlone Stadium on 24 and 31 October — Ireland's first visit to South Africa — with tickets from R50 available on Ticketmaster.
Sharks and Lions look to stay unbeaten as SA derby double-header sets up Loftus and Cape Town clashes
The URC's unbeaten Sharks and Lions face the Stormers and Bulls respectively in a South African derby double-header on Saturday, with both visitors' perfect records on the line against hosts motivated by recent defeats.
Bok Women host Ireland in historic Cape Town double-header
The Springbok Women host Ireland in two WXV Global Series Tests at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on 24 and 31 October — the sides' first meeting since the 2006 World Cup — with tickets from R50 on Ticketmaster.
Blitzboks take #PoweredbyUnity message to Paarl school ahead of new SVNS season
The Blitzboks visited Paulus Joubert Secondary School in Paarl on 7 October, engaging learners on responsible masculinity and gender-based violence as part of their #PoweredbyUnity campaign, while SA Rugby simultaneously launched the #BlitzNation initiative ahead of the new SVNS season.
NZ Rugby CEO backs Rennie despite three straight Springbok defeats
NZ Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster says Rennie will not be formally assessed following three straight defeats to the Springboks, with the head coach contracted through to the 2027 World Cup and a full post-season review to follow the November internationals.
Springbok and All Black ticket demand eclipses England's at Twickenham finals weekend
Springbok and All Black ticket allocations for the Nations Championship finals weekend at Twickenham have sold out, with demand exceeding that for host nation England ahead of the inaugural competition's culmination next month.
Nche hails cultural shift as Sharks lead URC standings
Ox Nche has praised the Hollywoodbets Sharks' improved alignment and cultural changes following their strong start to the United Rugby Championship season. The Springbok loosehead, speaking ahead of Saturday's derby against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town, said the Durban side are now translating words into action after structural changes in the off-season.
Nche credits 'action over words' as Sharks hit their stride under Pietersen
Ox Nche credits JP Pietersen's first-year impact for a shift in culture at the Sharks, who lead the URC after back-to-back bonus-point wins, with a Cape derby against the Stormers next up on Saturday.
Springbok and All Black ticket demand dwarfs England's at Twickenham Nations Championship finale
Demand for Springbok and All Black tickets at the Nations Championship finals weekend at Twickenham has exceeded that for host nation England, with both southern hemisphere allocations already sold out.
Bok Women launch 'Make Room for Her' breast health campaign with Project Flamingo
The Springbok Women have partnered with Project Flamingo and Engen SA to launch 'Make Room for Her', a campaign combining women's sport advocacy with breast health action, anchored by a monthly self-check call to action and backed by a visit to Groote Schuur Hospital's breast clinic.
World Rugby bans hip-drop tackle after Springbok coach's input on player welfare
World Rugby has outlawed the hip-drop and knee-drop tackles following recommendations from an expert working group that included Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones. The hip-drop technique, which caused serious leg injuries at the recent U20 World Championship, will be sanctioned with at least a penalty from November 1. The decision reflects growing concern over dangerous tackling methods that threaten player welfare.