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Kolbe marks 50th cap with try and five conversions in England rout
Cheslin Kolbe celebrated his 50th Test appearance with a spectacular first-half try and five conversions as the Springboks defeated England 45-21 at Ellis Park on Saturday. The winger reflected on overcoming early doubts about his size and credited coaches and teammates for believing in him throughout his international career.
Kolbe reaches 50-cap milestone with try and five conversions in England demolition
Cheslin Kolbe scored a try and kicked five conversions on his 50th Test appearance as South Africa beat England 45-21 at Ellis Park, with the winger reflecting on a milestone he once considered beyond reach.
Nche knee injury likely rules him out of Scotland test; Etzebeth, Kolisi, Esterhuizen all in doubt
Ox Nche is likely to miss the Scotland test at Loftus after injuring his knee against England, with Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and André Esterhuizen also facing fitness assessments ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship match.
Nché knee injury 'does not look good' as Springboks manage four-player injury list ahead of Scotland
Ox Nché faces a potentially serious knee injury after lasting just eight minutes against England, with Rassie Erasmus admitting the outlook 'does not look good' ahead of Scotland's visit to Pretoria. Kolisi, Etzebeth and Esterhuizen are also carrying injury concerns from the 45-21 victory at Ellis Park.
Ellis Park flashbacks fuel Springbok comeback in 45-21 Nations Championship win over England
The Springboks beat England 45-21 in their Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park, overcoming the eve-of-match withdrawals of Kolisi and Etzebecht with a second-half surge inspired, in part, by memories of last year's collapse at the same venue.
Springboks dismantle England 45-21 in Nations Championship statement at Ellis Park
South Africa delivered a commanding performance to open their Nations Championship campaign, overwhelming England 45-21 at Ellis Park despite trailing 17-14 at half-time. The world champions ran in seven tries on a memorable Highveld evening, with Damian Willemse earning player-of-the-match honours in his 50th Test. England's fifth consecutive defeat was compounded by late discipline issues that saw them reduced to 13 men.
Boks open Nations Championship with 45-21 demolition of England at Ellis Park
South Africa beat England 45-21 at Ellis Park to open their Nations Championship campaign, running in seven tries despite a shaky second quarter in which England reduced the deficit from 17-0 to 17-14. Damian Willemse was the standout, with debutant loosehead Paul de Villiers and Cameron Hanekom both impressing in the absence of Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth.
Springboks demolish England 45-21 as Willemse and Kolbe mark half-centuries in style
South Africa delivered a commanding Nations Championship statement at Ellis Park, overwhelming England 45-21 despite trailing 17-0 early on. Damian Willemse and Cheslin Kolbe both celebrated 50th caps with outstanding performances, whilst the Bomb Squad proved decisive after the visitors' discipline collapsed. England's spirited first-half fightback ultimately counted for nothing as the world champions ran in seven tries.
Springboks demolish England 45-21 in Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park
South Africa ran in seven tries to beat England 45-21 in Johannesburg, building a dominant 17-0 lead before withstanding an England fightback to dominate the Nations Championship opener.
Kolisi and Etzebeth ruled out as Springboks host England in Nations Championship opener
South Africa face England at Ellis Park in Round One of the Nations Championship, with Kolisi and Etzebeth both ruled out through injury, Pieter-Steph du Toit taking the captaincy from the second row.
Marcus Smith starts at fullback for England after Furbank hospitalised with appendicitis
George Furbank is out of England's Nations Championship match at Ellis Park after being hospitalised with appendicitis, with Marcus Smith stepping up from the bench to start at fullback.
Du Toit to captain Springboks as Kolisi and Etzebeth withdraw for England clash
Pieter-Steph du Toit captains the Springboks from the second row after Kolisi and Etzebeth withdraw late, while England lose Furbank to illness with Marcus Smith stepping in to start.
Etzebeth and Kolisi ruled out of historic Ellis Park Nations Championship clash
Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi have been ruled out of Saturday's Nations Championship clash against England at Ellis Park, forcing a significant reshuffle that hands Paul de Villiers a Test debut at No 6 and moves Pieter-Steph du Toit to lock. England are also without George Furbank, with Marcus Smith set to cover fullback.
Kolisi and Etzebeth ruled out of Nations Championship opener against England
Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth are both ruled out of Saturday's Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park, with Pieter-Steph du Toit moving to lock and Cameron Hanekom starting at No.7.
Furbank ruled out of Bok clash with appendicitis
George Furbank has been ruled out of Saturday's Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park after being hospitalised with appendicitis, with Marcus Smith expected to fill the No.15 jersey.
Moerat and Kriel head to La Rochelle in nine-man recruitment drive
La Rochelle have confirmed nine signings for next season, headlined by Springbok lock Salmaan Moerat on a three-year deal and Bulls centre David Kriel, with Scotland fly-half Ben Healy also joining as cover for the departing Ihaia West.
Kolisi admits nerves remain as intense as first Test captaincy
Siya Kolisi has revealed he still experiences the same pre-match nerves he felt when first captaining the Springboks against England in 2018. The double World Cup-winning skipper, who leads South Africa against England at Ellis Park on Saturday, believes losing those butterflies would signal the end of his international career.
Kolisi and Stick warn Boks: England will arrive charged up for Ellis Park opener
Kolisi and Stick have urged the Springboks not to underestimate England ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park, highlighting England's backline threat, set-piece strength and the lessons of the 2023 World Cup semi-final as reasons to expect a fierce contest.
Libbok arrives in Springbok camp fresh and confident after Japan stint
Manie Libbok returns to the Springboks physically fresh and as Japan Rugby League One Division Two's leading points scorer, having accumulated 165 points in 14 matches for the Kintetsu Liners, with former Wallaby Will Genia noting the stint also developed Libbok into a stronger on-field leader.
Borthwick backs Pollock to thrive despite expected Springbok attention at Ellis Park
England coach Steve Borthwick has dismissed concerns that the Springboks will successfully neutralise Henry Pollock when the 21-year-old loose forward takes the field at Ellis Park on Saturday. Named on the bench for the Test, Pollock has been targeted by opposition sides throughout European rugby this season, yet continues to shine.