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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.
Ackermann urges Bulls to embrace All Blacks challenge despite pre-season constraints
Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has called on his side to relish Saturday's encounter with New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld, even as the Pretoria outfit navigate pre-season preparations and the absence of Springbok-contracted players. The Bulls will be the third South African franchise to face the tourists, who have already beaten the Stormers and Sharks. Veteran loose forward Marcell Coetzee, who last faced the All Blacks in 2014, will bring rare Test-level experience to a youthful Bulls line-up.
All Blacks ramp up mind games ahead of Springboks test series
The All Blacks have intensified their pre-series rhetoric, claiming South African sides are deliberately slowing play ahead of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. Assistant coach Tana Umaga repeated the assertion following head coach Dave Rennie's earlier comments, with former Springboks hooker Hanyani Shimange warning the tour could turn sour if criticism of match officials continues.
All Blacks ring changes at Loftus as Rennie hands Taylor captaincy in final Springbok warm-up
Dave Rennie has made 19 changes to the All Blacks side that hammered the Sharks 54-0, handing Codie Taylor his first captaincy in his 110th Test as New Zealand prepare for their final tour match against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld. Beauden Barrett returns but has been shifted to full-back, with Chiefs fly-half Josh Jacomb earning a start at number 10. The wholesale rotation offers fringe players a last chance to stake claims ahead of the opening Test against the Springboks.
Mo'unga to miss first Springbok test as Rennie eases All Black back into structures
Richie Mo'unga will not feature in the All Blacks' first test against the Springboks, with Dave Rennie planning to ease the returning flyhalf into action against the Lions while making clear Ruben Love currently holds the 10 jersey.
Hattingh earns first Currie Cup start as Lions ring changes for Boland clash
JD Hattingh earns his first 2026 Currie Cup start as the Lions make multiple changes for their home fixture against Boland Cavaliers at Wits Stadium.
Rennie confirms Mo'unga not in frame for first Test as Love holds No.10 jersey
Dave Rennie says Mo'unga is unlikely to feature in the first Test against the Springboks on August 22, with Ruben Love retaining the No.10 jersey. Mo'unga was called up to replace the injured Billy Proctor and arrives in South Africa on Friday, a day before the All Blacks face the Bulls at Loftus.
Tickets range up to R1,350 for Bulls vs All Blacks at Loftus
Tickets for the Vodacom Bulls vs All Blacks match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night top out at R1,350, with cheaper options still available.
Esterhuizen signs Sharks extension through to 2030
Andre Esterhuizen has extended his Sharks contract through to 2030, having made 125 senior appearances for the club.
Taylor to captain All Blacks for first time as Rennie names strong side for Loftus test
Codie Taylor captains the All Blacks for the first time in his 110th match as Scott Rennie names a Test-strength side to face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, the final tour match before the Springbok Test series.
Richie Mo'unga called up as All Blacks lose Proctor to shoulder fracture
Richie Mo'unga has been summoned to join the All Blacks in South Africa after Billy Proctor suffered a shoulder blade fracture that will sideline the centre for 10 to 12 weeks. The 56-cap flyhalf, recently returned from three years in Japan, becomes eligible under New Zealand Rugby's selection policy after representing Canterbury. Damian McKenzie, who twisted his ankle against the Sharks, is expected to be fit for the first Test at Ellis Park on 22 August.
Mo'unga called into All Blacks squad as Proctor injury replacement
Richie Mo'unga joins the All Blacks touring squad in South Africa as a replacement for injured centre Billy Proctor, with his eligibility restored following his return from Japan and a starring role in Canterbury's record 18th Ranfurly Shield triumph.
Bulls get Springbok boost for All Blacks clash at Loftus
Four Springboks, including flyhalf Curwin Bosch, start for the Bulls against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Mo'unga called into All Blacks squad ahead of Bok Tests
Richie Mo'unga joins the All Blacks squad in Johannesburg on Friday as a replacement for the injured Billy Proctor ahead of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Tests against the Springboks.
All Blacks demolish Sharks 54-0 as Rennie's squad depth sharpens Test selection battle
New Zealand ran in eight unanswered tries at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Tuesday night, overwhelming the Sharks in cold, wet conditions. The emphatic victory—following a less convincing opener against the Stormers—has intensified competition for Test places ahead of the first Springbok encounter on 22 August. Coach Dave Rennie praised his side's clinical second-half performance whilst acknowledging slow starts remain a concern.
All Blacks cruise past depleted Sharks but Ellis Park will demand far more
New Zealand ran in eight tries without reply in a 54-0 demolition of the Hollywoodbets Sharks at Kings Park on Tuesday night, but the waterlogged contest offered little gauge of what awaits at Ellis Park on 22 August. The Sharks, missing their Springboks and fielding a largely inexperienced side, competed for 40 minutes before the tourists pulled clear in the second half. Coach Dave Rennie identified a slow start as an area of concern ahead of the Test showdown.
Sharks face All Blacks without eight Springboks as Boks study tourist blueprint
The Sharks will host New Zealand at Kings Park on Wednesday without eight frontline players, including Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi, as the All Blacks field a near-Test side ahead of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series. The Springboks, meanwhile, will be closely monitoring the franchise fixtures for tactical intelligence after their victory over Argentina. Durban has not hosted New Zealand in 34 years, with Natal's last meeting ending in defeat in 1992.
Moodie: Argentina Test vital preparation as Boks shift focus to All Blacks series
Canan Moodie believes the Springboks extracted valuable preparation from their 17-10 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires, particularly for players returning from injury. The utility back confirmed the squad's attention has now turned fully to the four-match Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand, beginning at Ellis Park on 22 August.