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1,205 items · Springboks
Mitchell hamstring blow leaves England sweating on scrumhalf depth ahead of Ellis Park
Alex Mitchell faces a race against time to be fit for England's Nations Cup opener against the Springboks on 4 July after suffering a hamstring injury in training. The 29-year-old, a fixture in last year's British and Irish Lions squad, is unlikely to feature again for Northampton Saints this season. His absence compounds England's scrumhalf concerns, with Steve Borthwick now weighing options including Jack van Poortvliet as the Tests in South Africa loom just five weeks away.
Betway to print 23 fans' names on Springbok shorts for Barbarians Test
Betway is running a competition to place 23 fans' names on the back of the Springbok shorts for the Barbarians Test in Gqeberha on 20 June, with entries closing 11 June 2026.
O'Keeffe defends performance in controversial France quarter-final
New Zealand referee Ben O'Keeffe has said he remains proud of his handling of the 2023 World Cup quarter-final between France and the Springboks, despite sustained criticism of several key decisions in South Africa's 29-28 victory. The match, widely regarded as one of the greatest in tournament history, saw O'Keeffe face backlash over incidents involving Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Kwagga Smith.
O'Keeffe stands by his 2023 RWC quarter-final performance
Ben O'Keeffe says he is still proud of his performance in the controversial 2023 RWC quarter-final between the Springboks and France.
O'Keeffe stands by his calls in France vs Springboks — still proud, still scarred
O'Keeffe revisits the France-Springboks quarter-final controversy, stands by his performance, and opens up on the personal fallout — while drawing a pointed parallel to Wayne Barnes as someone defined by one call but remembered for a career.
Scrumhalf injury crises hit both Boks and England ahead of Nations Cup opener
With the Boks potentially without Reinach, Williams, Hendrikse and Van den Bergh, and England sweating on Mitchell, Rich examines the scrumhalf crises facing both sides ahead of the 4 July Nations Cup opener — and who might fill the void for the Boks if the depth chart keeps thinning.
Barrett ruled out of South Africa tour after back surgery setback
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett will miss the four-Test tour of South Africa after being ruled out for up to five months with a back injury requiring surgery. The 32-year-old lock's sabbatical to address ankle and Achilles problems has been derailed by the fresh setback, forcing him to undergo an operation this week.
Barrett ruled out for five months as back injury derails All Blacks captaincy
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett will miss the next five months after a back injury requiring surgery, ruling him out of the four-Test tour of South Africa and the Nations Championship fixtures against France, Italy and Ireland. The 32-year-old lock had taken a sabbatical to address ankle and Achilles issues but suffered the setback upon returning to training.
Barrett ruled out of South Africa tour as back injury requires surgery
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett will miss the four-Test tour of South Africa after a back injury forced him to undergo surgery this week. The 32-year-old lock, who took a sabbatical to address ankle and Achilles problems, will be sidelined for up to five months and also miss the Nations Championship fixtures against France, Italy and Ireland.
Scrumhalf headaches on both sides as England-Bok Nations Cup opener looms
Both England and the Boks head into their 4 July Nations Cup opener with scrumhalf injury concerns — Mitchell is doubtful for England, while Erasmus faces a deeper crisis with four No. 9s sidelined, potentially opening the door for Faf, Papier, and Van Zyl.
Barrett ruled out of South Africa tour with back injury requiring surgery
Scott Barrett faces back surgery and is ruled out for up to five months, missing the four-Test series against the Springboks in August and September as well as the July Nations Championship Tests — with his All Blacks captaincy already under question ahead of Dave Rennie's first squad announcement.
Coetzee: Bulls' URC struggle was actually the perfect knockout prep
Coetzee makes the case that the Bulls' rocky URC campaign was unintentional preparation for the pressure of knockout rugby — with Munster coming to Loftus on Saturday.
Dobson draws a line: Kolisi and Kolbe are the Stormers' limit on marquee Bok signings
Dobson explains why Kolisi's signing sits outside the Project 2029 timeline but is justified on merit, while Kolbe is a genuine long-term fit — and why both represent the hard limit on marquee Bok acquisitions at the Stormers.
Kolbe takes pay cut to return to Stormers, Dobson eyes 2029 with two icons back
Cheslin Kolbe returns to the Stormers on a below-market deal, taking a substantial pay cut from his Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath salary to join John Dobson's Project 2029 rebuild alongside fellow returning icon Siya Kolisi.
Kolbe took pay cut to force Stormers return after four failed attempts
Cheslin Kolbe accepted a significant pay cut to rejoin the Stormers for 2026/27, with coach John Dobson confirming the deal came after four previous failed attempts and that Kolbe turned down far more lucrative options to return to Cape Town.
Kolbe made financial sacrifices to seal Stormers return after four failed attempts — Dobson
John Dobson says Cheslin Kolbe took a significant financial cut to rejoin the Stormers for 2026/27, dismissing suggestions it is a Galactico or retirement signing and insisting Kolbe is driven by the desire to win trophies in Cape Town.
Leinster failed Nienaber — not the other way around
Keo & Zels defend Nienaber against Irish criticism, arguing Leinster failed him rather than the reverse — and make the case that South African supporters have every reason to keep the faith.
Kolbe confirms Stormers return through 2029 as Dobson hails commitment
Cheslin Kolbe has finalised his return to the DHL Stormers on a deal running until 2029, with director of rugby John Dobson confirming the double World Cup winner made financial sacrifices to rejoin the Cape Town side. The move forms part of the Stormers' Project 2029 vision, which also sees Siya Kolisi and Wilco Louw returning to bolster the squad.
Kolbe returns to Stormers with trophy ambitions as Dobson assembles 2029 project
Cheslin Kolbe has confirmed his return to the DHL Stormers on a deal through to 2029, joining Siya Kolisi and Wilco Louw in a Cape Town recruitment drive aimed at silverware. Director of rugby John Dobson emphasised that the double World Cup winner has made commercial sacrifices to rejoin the franchise, dismissing suggestions of a retirement move. The signing forms part of Dobson's Project 2029, targeting Champions Cup success.
Kolbe confirms Stormers return through 2029 after Japan stint
Cheslin Kolbe has signed with the DHL Stormers through to the end of 2029, ending his spell in Japan and returning to the Cape Town franchise where he made 49 appearances earlier in his career. The double World Cup winner described the move as a homecoming and expressed his commitment to the club's Project 2029 vision.