Every story on the wire.
1,234 items · Springboks · Reports
Van der Merwe hat-trick headlines entertaining Springbok victory over Barbarians
Edwill van der Merwe scored three tries as the Springboks opened their 2026 international campaign with an 80-31 victory over the Barbarians in Gqeberha on Saturday. The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium witnessed a high-scoring first half before the world champions pulled clear in the closing stages, running in 12 tries in total against a more competitive Barbarians side than last season's corresponding fixture.
Springboks open 2026 campaign with 80-31 victory over Barbarians in Gqeberha
The Springboks beat the Barbarians 80-31 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to open their 2026 international campaign, with Edwill van der Merwe scoring a hat-trick and Riley Norton marking his debut with a try in a 12-try performance.
Van der Merwe hat-trick powers Boks past Barbarians in Gqeberha
A van der Merwe hat-trick drove the Springboks to a commanding victory over the Barbarians in Gqeberha.
SA 'A' run in six tries to blank Zimbabwe Sables 40-0 in Gqeberha
South Africa 'A' beat Zimbabwe 40-0 in Gqeberha, crossing for six tries despite Yaqeen Ahmed receiving a 20-minute red card in the second half. Ruben van Heerden took the match award.
Springboks host Barbarians in Nelson Mandela Bay with five uncapped players in squad
South Africa face the Barbarians at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, with Junior Bok captain Riley Norton and prop Carlu Sadie among five uncapped players in the matchday squad.
Erasmus warns Springboks of 'intense' Barbarians challenge in Gqeberha opener
Rassie Erasmus has cautioned his Springboks side ahead of Saturday's season-opening clash with the Barbarians at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. The head coach, who led the BaaBaas himself in 2018, expects a fiercely competitive encounter despite the fixture's non-Test status, with Scott Robertson and Felipe Contepomi guiding the invitational side.
Kolisi insists Barbarians clash is no festival as Boks open 2026 season
Siya Kolisi has dismissed any notion of Saturday's encounter with the Barbarians being a festival occasion, declaring the Springboks will treat the Gqeberha fixture as a full international. The match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium kicks off a double-header that also features SA 'A' against Zimbabwe, with Rassie Erasmus handing debuts to Riley Norton and Carlu Sadie whilst experimenting with Quan Horn at fly-half.
Tshituka calls on forwards to unlock SA 'A' backline against Zimbabwe
SA 'A' captain Vincent Tshituka says the forwards must secure front-foot ball to unleash a backline of largely uncapped talent when the team hosts Zimbabwe at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, with Lukhanyo Am providing the experienced anchor in a squad that includes 21 uncapped players.
Kolisi treats Barbarians clash as a full Test match ahead of Gqeberha opener
Siya Kolisi insists the Springboks are treating Saturday's Barbarians clash in Gqeberha as a full Test match, with internal competition, positional battles and the season opener's importance all cited as the camp's driving forces.
Kolisi dismisses exhibition label ahead of Barbarians clash in Gqeberha
Siya Kolisi insists the Springboks are treating Saturday's Barbarians match in Gqeberha as a full Test match, with squad positions at stake and a difficult pre-season camp behind them.
Kolisi and Tshituka ready for serious business in Gqeberha double-header
Kolisi insists the Barbarians match is no festival occasion as the Springboks open their international season in Gqeberha, while SA 'A' captain Vincent Tshituka warns against underestimating a Zimbabwe side motivated by their 2027 Rugby World Cup qualification.
Bulls handed Stormers blueprint as Rassie and Mallett chart path to URC glory
The Vodacom Bulls head into Friday's United Rugby Championship final at Croke Park armed with a template laid out by their Cape Town rivals. Rassie Erasmus and Nick Mallett both point to the DHL Stormers' physical semi-final display against Leinster as proof the Irish province can be rattled—provided the Bulls avoid the discipline lapses that cost their countrymen. With eight consecutive wins and Handré Pollard steering the ship, Johan Ackermann's side arrive in Dublin with momentum and belief.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu confirms successful surgery after ankle injury
Feinberg-Mngomezulu has undergone successful ankle surgery following the injury suffered against Cardiff, with a lengthy absence ahead that could affect his Springbok availability for the Rugby Championship.
Nortjé eyes URC glory in Bulls farewell after decade at Loftus
Ruan Nortjé will bring down the curtain on a ten-year Bulls career when he faces Leinster in Friday's United Rugby Championship Grand Final at Croke Park. The Springbok lock, who is bound for Japan, hopes to sign off his Loftus Versfeld tenure by lifting silverware in Dublin.
Nortjé bids farewell to Bulls in Croke Park Grand Final
Ruan Nortjé ends a decade with the Bulls in Friday's URC Grand Final against Leinster at Croke Park before departing for Japan, reflecting on a journey that began with a WhatsApp message during his matric year.
Manu Tshituka relishing SA 'A' chance as citizenship journey reaches new milestone
Manu Tshituka makes his SA 'A' debut against Zimbabwe in Gqeberha on Saturday, joining brother Vincent in the national team environment after both were granted South African citizenship last year following a two-decade wait.
Nortjé targeting URC title as Bulls farewell
Departing Bulls lock Ruan Nortjé says winning the URC final against Leinster at Croke Park on Friday would be the ideal farewell from the franchise.
Emmanuel Tshituka to make SA 'A' debut alongside brother Vincent in Gqeberha
Emmanuel Tshituka makes his SA 'A' debut against Zimbabwe in Gqeberha on Saturday, starting at flank alongside captain and brother Vincent in what will be the first time the two Congolese-born siblings have shared a green and gold jersey.
Erasmus urges Bulls to follow Stormers blueprint in URC final
Rassie Erasmus has pointed the Vodacom Bulls towards the Stormers' near-miss against Leinster as a tactical template ahead of Friday's United Rugby Championship final in Dublin. The Springbok coach believes Johan Ackermann's side can exploit the vulnerabilities exposed in the semifinal, provided they avoid the disciplinary lapses that have undermined previous South African challenges at Croke Park.
Gelant handed Barbarians stage to showcase counter-attacking flair against Springboks
Warrick Gelant will line up for the Barbarians against the Springboks on Saturday in a side captained by TJ Perenara and featuring players from eight nations. The Stormers fullback, capped 10 times by South Africa, embodies the invitational team's attacking ethos. Rassie Erasmus expects intensity despite the Baa-Baas' limited preparation time, with Scott Robertson and Felipe Contepomi overseeing the visitors.