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2,960 items · Springboks
Tuipulotu treats Ellis Park clash as a final for All Blacks
Patrick Tuipulotu says Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park feels like a final for the All Blacks, while downplaying the underdogs label.
Erasmus: Media has become the only referee briefing room left
Erasmus explains why World Rugby's joint-attendance rule for referee meetings has backfired — it's eliminated useful pre-match dialogue and pushed tactical lobbying into the press, which is exactly where the All Blacks' 'slow game' narrative is playing out.
Kolisi and Nche the only injury doubts as Erasmus delays Springbok team naming until Thursday
Erasmus confirms Kolisi and Nche as the only fitness doubts for the Ellis Park Test against the All Blacks, with Thursday's team announcement timed to limit New Zealand's preparation window. Two fly-halves will feature in the 23, pointing away from a Bomb Squad bench.
Erasmus asks Ellis Park crowd to stay silent for the haka — and delays squad announcement out of respect for All Blacks
Erasmus has urged the Ellis Park crowd to stay quiet during the haka, citing the experience of Grobbelaar and Louw with the Bulls last week, while confirming he will delay his squad announcement until Thursday to limit New Zealand's preparation time.
De Villiers: All Blacks will get a surprise if they think they can outrun the Boks
De Villiers rejects the All Blacks-will-outrun-the-Boks narrative as outdated, while taking a pragmatic stance on refereeing inconsistency — arguing adaptation beats complaint.
Kirwan points finger at Rassie over Rugby's Greatest Rivalry imbalance
Kirwan accuses Rassie of deliberately skewing the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks — the piece details what he told Matfield and why.
Kolisi and Nche remain doubtful for Ellis Park Test against All Blacks
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche are uncertain for Saturday's opening Test against New Zealand at Ellis Park, with coach Rassie Erasmus describing their conditions as niggles rather than confirmed injuries. The pair must prove their fitness in training, while the rest of the squad has been given a clean bill of health ahead of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series.
Erasmus flags Kolisi and Nche doubts as Boks gear up for Ellis Park All Blacks Test
Erasmus has flagged Kolisi and Nche as injury doubts for Saturday's Ellis Park Test against the All Blacks, with team announcement due Thursday. The Bok coach and Jaco Peyper also addressed the debate around South African teams slowing down play at set piece.
Kolisi and Nché in race to be fit for All Blacks opener at Ellis Park
Siya Kolisi and Ox Nché are doubtful for Saturday's Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, with both players' fitness to be assessed after Monday's training session.
Kolisi and Nche in race against clock for All Blacks opener at Ellis Park
Siya Kolisi and Ox Nche are doubtful for Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, with Erasmus saying Monday's training would be a key indicator of their availability.
Hansen: Bok depth is a gift — and a trap
Hansen praises South Africa's fly-half depth as the best he's seen but warns Erasmus that too many options can tempt coaches into being 'too clever' — and that whoever starts at 10 will reveal exactly how the Boks plan to play Ellis Park.
Kolisi and Nche in fitness race for All Blacks opener at Ellis Park
Rassie Erasmus says Siya Kolisi and Ox Nche are carrying niggles rather than injuries and could yet prove their fitness ahead of Saturday's first Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
All Blacks back their expansive game to find gaps in Bok armour
All Blacks assistant coach Mike Blair says New Zealand have identified specific attacking opportunities in the Bok defensive structure ahead of the Ellis Park opener — but concedes their offload-heavy game will need to hit near-Sharks-level execution to make them count.
Kitshoff reveals brutal Bok build-up ahead of All Blacks Test
Kitshoff has lifted the lid on the intensity of the Springboks' build-up to Saturday's first Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
All Blacks hit by injury wave ahead of first Springbok Test
Four All Blacks players have now left the tour through injury, with scrumhalf cover Noah Hotham called up as both Cam Roigard and Cortez Ratima carry knocks ahead of the first Springbok Test. Richie Mo'unga has joined the squad but will not feature in the opener, with Ruben Love to start at flyhalf.
The scrum that broke the Bulls — and what it means for the Boks
Coetzee pins the Bulls' loss on a single first-quarter scrum — a moment that flipped momentum decisively and carries a direct warning for how the Boks approach set-piece dominance against New Zealand.
All Blacks' 'saviour' narrative takes a hit from Craig Ray
Craig Ray challenges the All Blacks' 'saviours of rugby' narrative, arguing that the Springboks' back-to-back World Cup success makes a compelling case against New Zealand's high-tempo style being the only path forward.
Kitshoff reveals brutal Springbok preparation ahead of All Blacks opener
Steven Kitshoff has described the Springbok squad's Test preparation as a 'week from hell' ahead of Saturday's clash with the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
McKenzie injury concern clouds All Blacks' first-Test preparations
Damian McKenzie's ankle injury is the All Blacks' primary concern ahead of the August 22 Test opener against the Springboks at Ellis Park, with Dave Rennie more confident that Will Jordan and Cam Roigard will be available after both returned to training.
Rennie Eyes Bok Test After All Blacks Tune Up Against Bulls
Rennie's post-Bulls comments make clear the All Blacks treated the tour match as Springbok preparation — but they head into Ellis Park on Saturday with injury doubts over three key backs and Savea only just arriving in-country. The Boks look the better-prepared side.