Every story on the wire.
2,964 items · Springboks
Five Bulls players who could make life uncomfortable for the All Blacks at Loftus
The Bulls, unlike the Sharks, have the personnel to genuinely test New Zealand at Loftus — Papier's game-breaking ability, Rudolph's breakdown dominance, le Roux's experience and Bosch's long-awaited return are the specific weapons the piece identifies as reasons to expect a real contest.
Springboks complete pre-RGR camp in Johannesburg ahead of All Blacks series opener
The Springboks completed their pre-RGR camp in Johannesburg on Saturday, with Rassie Erasmus confirming the squad is recovered and ready ahead of the All Blacks series opener at 10bet Ellis Park on 22 August.
World Rugby rankings set for Ellis Park showdown as Springboks lead All Blacks by 1.68 points
South Africa lead New Zealand by 1.68 World Rugby ranking points ahead of the Greatest Rivalry Series opener at Ellis Park, with any All Blacks win enough to reclaim top spot.
Clarke shoulder injury adds to All Blacks' mounting tour casualty list
Caleb Clarke has been sent home from New Zealand's South African tour with a ruptured shoulder tendon, becoming the third All Blacks player lost to injury. Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie are also carrying knocks ahead of Saturday's match against the Bulls, with the first Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park on 22 August.
Clarke ruled out of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry as All Blacks injury toll mounts
Caleb Clarke has been ruled out of the All Blacks' South Africa tour with a ruptured shoulder tendon, becoming the third player lost to injury as the squad prepares to face the Bulls on Saturday ahead of the August 22 test against the Springboks at Ellis Park.
The racist policy that shaped 60 years of Springbok-All Black history
The Ruck's new series argues that a racist selection policy formalised during the 1921 Springbok tour of New Zealand set the course for six decades of political conflict around the sport's greatest rivalry.
The racist policy that shaped 60 years of Springbok-All Black history
The Ruck's new documentary series opens with the 1921 Blackett telegram scandal, arguing that Springboks manager Harold Bennett's explicit exclusion policy toward Maori players set the racist template that poisoned the rivalry for 60 years.
Kronfeld lowers the bar: Don't judge Rennie on the Springboks series
Kronfeld argues Rennie shouldn't be judged on Springboks series results — his real mandate is building toward the World Cup, and competitive performances matter more than wins right now.
Sale circle Papier as Stormers eye Jantjies return
Sale Sharks are pursuing Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier while the Stormers are exploring a return for Herschel Jantjies from Bayonne, with injury cover a key driver in Cape Town.
All Blacks admit scrum work in progress — and they want referees to sort out the time-wasting problem
All Blacks management and tour captain Codie Taylor are openly flagging frustration with South Africa's tempo-control tactics, while admitting their scrum is still a work in progress ahead of the August 22 Test. Taylor puts the onus on referees to manage game speed — and concedes the Springbok scrum has earned its reputation as the world's best.
Meyer: Bok depth and set-piece dominance give edge in Greatest Rivalry series
Meyer tips the Boks to take the series, pointing to superior depth and a set-piece that he rates as the best in the world — and arguing that New Zealand's NZ-only selection policy has left Rennie without the resources to match it.
Fleck: Rennie is the toughest coach I've faced — and the Boks need to match his edge
Fleck singles out Rennie as the standout coaching operator he's faced, warning the Boks that matching the All Blacks' brutal edge — not just their structure — is the key to the Rugby Championship contest.
Kronfeld: Tony Brown is the Boks' danger factor — and the All Blacks' biggest problem
Kronfeld argues Tony Brown is the Springboks' 'danger factor' because he breaks the predictability that traditionally made them beatable — and warns the All Blacks have a habit of playing into Bok strengths rather than exposing their weaknesses.
Bulls v All Blacks: Rennie's last audition before Ellis Park
A match preview that doubles as a Rennie selection audit — unpacking which Test spots (blindside, wing, scrum-half backup) are still live heading into the Springbok series, and where the Bulls' set-piece and altitude advantage could complicate the All Blacks' preparation.
Beast: Bok forward pack will overwhelm the All Blacks
Beast predicts a Springbok series win built on forward supremacy, tipping South Africa to sweep the home Tests while conceding the Baltimore finale could go the All Blacks' way.
All Blacks expect their toughest tour test at Loftus before the Springbok series
A match preview and prediction for Bulls vs All Blacks at Loftus, framed around Rennie's final selection push before the Springbok Tests — with analysis of the set-piece battle, key head-to-heads, and an All Blacks win by 20 predicted.
Rewind: Carter's 62m monster at Loftus
A Loftus throwback: Carter's 62m penalty against the Boks in 2006, revisited ahead of the All Blacks' Bulls clash in Pretoria.
All Blacks sweat on Jordan fitness as Springbok Test looms
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has confirmed Will Jordan remains a doubt for the opening Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park on 22 August. The prolific wing has been sidelined with a back complaint throughout the All Blacks' South African tour and missed warm-up fixtures against the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls.
Rennie backs Roigard, Jordan and McKenzie to be fit for Springbok Test
Dave Rennie expects Cam Roigard, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie to all be available for the first Test against the Springboks despite their absence from the All Blacks' tour match against the Bulls, with Rennie saying selection for the Test team is close to being settled.
Jordan and Roigard fitness concerns cloud All Blacks' Ellis Park preparations
Will Jordan remains doubtful for the opening Springbok Test at Ellis Park on 22 August after failing to shake a back injury that has kept him out of all three All Blacks tour matches, while scrum-half Cam Roigard is also a fitness concern following a calf niggle.