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Stransky and Zinzan Brooke headline World Rugby Hall of Fame class of 2026
Joel Stransky and Zinzan Brooke have been inducted as the first two members of the World Rugby Hall of Fame class of 2026, honoured at a dinner in Cape Town ahead of the second Test between South Africa and New Zealand.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts as Pollard withdraws; Kolbe replaces Arendse for Cape Town test
Pollard withdraws injured, handing Feinberg-Mngomezulu the flyhalf start against the All Blacks in Cape Town, while Kolbe returns fit to replace Arendse.
Pollard and Reinach recalled as Erasmus seeks control after Ellis Park humbling
Rassie Erasmus has made sweeping changes to his Springbok side for Saturday's rematch with New Zealand at DHL Stadium, recalling Handré Pollard and Cobus Reinach at half-back after the 33-16 defeat in Johannesburg. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu drops to the bench while Grant Williams is ruled out through injury. Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett has backed the alterations, insisting Erasmus remains the man best placed to steer South Africa's response.
Stransky inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame as part of Class of 2026
Joel Stransky has been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026, recognised alongside former All Black Zinzan Brooke at a dinner in Cape Town on Thursday.
Ratima targeting third Test return as Rennie manages scrumhalf resources
Cortez Ratima is in contention for the third Test against the Springboks after a PCL injury, with Dave Rennie managing a stretched scrumhalf group that has relied heavily on Kyle Preston throughout the tour.
Du Toit backs Boks to bounce back in Cape Town as milestone caps add extra motivation
Thomas du Toit says the Springboks have processed last week's loss to New Zealand quickly and are focused on rectifying their errors at DHL Stadium on Saturday, a match that will see Ox Nche earn his 50th cap and Pieter-Steph du Toit become only the 11th Springbok to reach 100 Tests.
Rennie vows All Blacks scrum improvement after World Rugby consultation
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has promised a stronger scrum performance in Saturday's second Test at DHL Stadium, revealing his side have raised concerns with World Rugby following their 33-16 victory at Ellis Park. The New Zealand mentor acknowledged several areas requiring improvement despite the comprehensive win.
Pumas seek back-to-back WSL 2 title as Griquas stand in the way in Nelspruit final
The Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women face AVBOB Griquas in the Pick n Pay WSL 2 final in Nelspruit on Friday, with the Pumas seeking back-to-back titles after winning all seven of their league matches and Griquas having recovered from an opening-round loss to the same opponents to win six straight.
Amashukeli illness forces referee reshuffle for Tests Two and Three
Nika Amashukeli's illness has seen Angus Gardner promoted to referee for Test Two in Cape Town, with the Georgian official rescheduled to take charge of Test Three in Johannesburg on 5 September.
Reinach: All Blacks targeted our breakdowns, not our 9s
Cobus Reinach says New Zealand's game plan targeted the Springboks' breakdown rather than their scrumhalves specifically, and that the resulting pressure directly caused his yellow card in the first Test defeat at Ellis Park.
Gardner steps in as Cape Town Test referee after Amashukeli ruled out ill
Angus Gardner replaces the ill Nika Amashukeli as referee for the Springboks vs All Blacks second Test in Cape Town, with Amashukeli still scheduled to take charge of the third Test in Johannesburg on 5 September.
All Blacks make five changes for Cape Town Test against Springboks
New Zealand have named five changes for Saturday's second Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks in Cape Town, with George Bower replacing the HIA-affected Ethan de Groot and Leroy Carter moving into the starting backline.
Red-zone profligacy exposes Springboks' blunt edge against All Blacks
The Springboks' 16-33 defeat to New Zealand at Ellis Park laid bare a worrying inability to convert territorial dominance into points. South Africa entered the opposition 22 ten times but managed just 0.7 points per visit—the first time they have fallen below the one-point threshold in over two years. Former Bok flyhalf Joel Stransky described the loss as a "massive blow" but believes it may prove the wake-up call Rassie Erasmus' side needed ahead of Saturday's second Test in Cape Town.
Blackadder stakes claim for Bok Test after Lions masterclass
Ethan Blackadder delivered a commanding performance in the All Blacks' 41-35 comeback win over the Lions at Ellis Park, finishing with 16 carries, two tries and 70 metres gained. The 31-year-old loose forward, who missed the opening Test against the Springboks, has given head coach Dave Rennie a significant selection dilemma ahead of Saturday's second Test in Cape Town. With Josh Lord ruled out through concussion, Blackadder could force his way into the matchday squad for the DHL Stadium encounter.
Du Toit reaches century as Boks seek lessons from Ellis Park defeat
Pieter-Steph du Toit will earn his 100th Test cap when the Springboks face New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday, with the hosts determined to level the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series after their 33-16 opening defeat in Johannesburg. Cobus Reinach said the side had identified clear areas for improvement at the breakdown, while the return of Siya Kolisi adds leadership experience to a side under pressure to respond.
Kolisi returns to lead Boks as Erasmus takes personal responsibility for Johannesburg defeat
Siya Kolisi returns from a grade two hamstring tear to captain the Springboks against New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday, with Rassie Erasmus taking personal responsibility for the 33-16 defeat in Johannesburg and warning that defeat in the second Test would end the Boks' chances of winning the four-Test series. Pieter-Steph du Toit, who reaches 100 Test caps, starts in the loose trio but without the captaincy burden.
Segner ruled out of All Blacks' remaining SA tour matches after ankle surgery
Anton Segner is out of the All Blacks' remaining South Africa tour fixtures after ankle surgery, with coach Dave Rennie opting against a replacement call-up.
Blackadder forces his way into Rennie's Test calculations after Lions demolition job
Ethan Blackadder's 16-carry, two-try display against the Lions has put him firmly in contention for Saturday's second Test in Cape Town, with Dave Rennie also forced to cover the lock position following Josh Lord's concussion.
Reinach flags breakdown improvements as Boks prepare for Cape Town rematch
Cobus Reinach has identified breakdown execution as the key focus for the Springboks ahead of Saturday's second Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town, following last week's 33-16 loss at Ellis Park, with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ox Nche set to reach 100 and 50 Test caps respectively.
Rennie pleased with Mo'unga's return but Segner ruled out of Springbok Tests
Dave Rennie says Richie Mo'unga will benefit from his first All Blacks appearance since the 2023 World Cup final, while Anton Segner has been ruled out of the remaining Tests after ankle surgery in Johannesburg — with no replacement to be called up.