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2,955 items · Springboks
Owen Doyle fires back: Hooper and Hansen are 'totally out of order' over Piardi criticism
Owen Doyle dismantles the Hooper-Hansen critique of Andrea Piardi, defends the Perth yellow cards on their merits, and broadens his attack on the push for a rugby league-style report system — part of his ongoing case against a widening north-south officiating divide.
Rennie's scrum crusade isn't about the laws — it's about the World Cup
Nel cuts through Rennie's latest scrum complaints to argue the real play is simple: create enough referee uncertainty around the scrum that, come a World Cup knockout, the Boks' set-piece edge gets neutralised by chaos rather than beaten on the field.
Rennie's scrum obsession isn't about the laws — it's about the World Cup
Rennie's scrum complaints aren't about fixing the laws — the author argues he's deliberately muddying the waters to create referee uncertainty ahead of a potential World Cup clash with the Boks.
The Japanese tip that's sharpening Lonergan's edge against the Boks
The piece profiles how Lonergan's grip technique — courtesy of a Japanese scrumhalf's tip in 2023 — has underpinned his consistent goalkicking and distribution form, including his starring role in the Wallabies' four-point win over the Boks in Perth.
Fourie backs Paulo as Stormers own line-out collapse collectively
Deon Fourie has defended Vernon Paulo over the Stormers' 11 line-out losses against Edinburgh, calling the set-piece failure a collective issue rather than the young hooker's fault, with the side now turning their focus to hosting the Sharks at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
Matfield flags Australia's aerial game as the All Blacks' biggest Bledisloe danger
Matfield argues the All Blacks' RGR failing — poor decision-making in big moments — could be compounded in the Bledisloe opener by Australia's aerial dominance, the same weapon that hurt the Boks in Perth.
Etzebeth and Van der Merwe silence the Sharks' big-name critics
Van der Merwe, Etzebeth, and Esterhuizen combined for a moment that directly challenged the 'saves it for the Boks' criticism — the piece breaks down why it matters for the Sharks' season.
Etzebeth brilliance seals Sharks statement win over Leinster
Eben Etzebeth produced a moment of attacking magic to set up André Esterhuizen's decisive try as the Hollywoodbets Sharks defeated defending champions Leinster 26-20 in round two of the United Rugby Championship. The victory, built on the defensive steel of returning Springboks, leaves the Sharks top of the standings with maximum points from two matches. Coach JP Pietersen credited his World Cup winners with providing the injection needed to overcome the Irish province.
Etzebeth-to-Esterhuizen try highlights Sharks' Bok combination in URC round two
Edwill van der Merwe, Eben Etzebeth and André Esterhuizen combined for a coast-to-coast try in the Sharks' URC round two match.
Returning Boks flood back for Stormers ahead of derby clash with Sharks
The Stormers host the Sharks on Saturday bolstered by a wave of returning Springboks, though complex loose forward selection and a looming fitness test for Evan Roos cloud an otherwise positive picture after a six-point URC tour. Cheslin Kolbe remains the only Bok unavailable, still out with a broken jaw.
Fourie at 40: Stormers' secret weapon in more ways than one
Rich unpacks how Fourie's hooker versatility gives Dobson an unexpected option after Edinburgh's lineout horror show, and raises the prospect of a hybrid role given the logjam Kolisi's return creates at 6.
Etzebeth brilliance and Bok steel carry Sharks past Leinster as SA franchises dominate URC standings
The Sharks lead the URC with a perfect 10 points after beating defending champions Leinster 26-20, sparked by a stunning Eben Etzebeth break and try assist in the 69th minute. The Lions are third after a 35-19 bonus-point win over the Ospreys, while the Bulls (lost 26-22 to Munster) and Stormers (lost 17-13 to Edinburgh) both dropped points in games their coaches felt were there for the taking.
All Blacks carrying Bok-inflicted scrum damage into Bledisloe
Jason Ryan admits the Boks exposed real set-piece frailties in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series — frailties the All Blacks are still managing as the Bledisloe looms.
Rennie doubles down on Bok scrum critique — and wants World Rugby to rip up the rulebook
Rennie is pressing World Rugby to strip back scrum laws rather than add to them, arguing the brake foot has made refereeing harder while South African tightheads continue to angle and shear unpunished. He wants a simple mandate — scrum square — and believes the All Blacks can handle the Boks' power if the laws are applied cleanly.
Springbok muscle drives Sharks past Leinster in Kings Park classic
The Sharks dismantled Leinster through scrum dominance — Du Toit, Nche, and Koch all winning key penalties — while returning Springboks Esterhuizen, Van der Merwe, and Etzebeth were central to a 26-20 win that also secured a bonus point.
Rennie doubles down on Bok scrum accusations — and wants World Rugby to delete laws, not add them
Rennie has broadened his post-series critique of the Bok scrum into a formal call for World Rugby to strip out laws rather than add them — arguing the brake foot distracted referees from the angling he believes South African tightheads exploit structurally. He's sceptical the upcoming London coaches' meeting will deliver real change, but the implications for how the Bok scrum is refereed heading into the World Cup make this worth following closely.
Jake White emerges as frontrunner for Fiji head coach role
Jake White is the frontrunner to become Fiji's head coach, according to Rapport, with the Fiji Rugby Union shortlisting from 31 applicants and set to announce an appointment imminently. The contract runs to the end of 2027, encompassing November's Nations Championship and a World Cup warm-up against the Springboks.
Pietersen on his returning Boks: 'I see them as Sharks players'
Pietersen credits pre-season culture for how smoothly Etzebeth, Van der Merwe and Du Toit reintegrated after just one training session, while staying measured about a Leinster side that wasn't at full strength.
Rassie was right to back Esterhuizen — but wrong to stonewall
Keohane backs Esterhuizen's captaincy appointment but argues the Boks' stonewalling on a schoolboy incident backfired — the piece examines how management's silence made things worse, not better.
Sharks go top of URC log with unconvincing 26-20 win over Leinster in Durban
The Sharks beat Leinster 26-20 in Durban through two late tries against the run of play, moving top of the URC log, though Leinster's 65 per cent possession and 70 per cent territory exposed the limitations of a Sharks side saved largely by Thomas du Toit's dominance at scrum time.