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Kolisi set to return for Cape Town Test as Erasmus delivers blunt Ellis Park verdict
Siya Kolisi is set to return for the Cape Town Test next Saturday, with Rassie Erasmus delivering a candid post-mortem on the Ellis Park defeat — citing the All Blacks' red-zone defensive tactics as something the Boks were not equipped to handle.
De Klerk masterclass sends Cheetahs to home semifinal
A man-of-the-match Faf de Klerk inspired the Toyota Cheetahs to a 33-24 Currie Cup win over the Boland Kavaliers in Bloemfontein, securing the Cheetahs a home semifinal and moving them level with Griquas at the top of the table ahead of the final round.
Kolisi set to return for Cape Town Test as Kolbe and Arendse face fitness checks
Rassie Erasmus has confirmed Siya Kolisi is set to return for next weekend's Test in Cape Town after being managed through the Ellis Park defeat, while Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse both face fitness assessments following their early exits from Saturday's 33-16 loss to the All Blacks.
Rennie wary of Springbok backlash after All Blacks grind out Ellis Park win
Dave Rennie has cautioned against complacency after the All Blacks beat the Springboks 33-16 at Ellis Park, warning that the scoreline flattered his side and that a Springbok backlash awaits in Cape Town next weekend.
Kriel calls for clinical edge ahead of Cape Town rematch
Jesse Kriel, capped for the 91st time, says the Springboks must be more clinical after their 33-16 defeat to the All Blacks in Johannesburg, with the second series match at DHL Stadium in Cape Town set for next Saturday.
Rennie warns of Springbok backlash after All Blacks hold on in Ellis Park arm wrestle
Dave Rennie has warned of a Springbok backlash in Cape Town after the All Blacks ground out a 33-16 win at Ellis Park that was far tighter than the margin suggests, with South Africa dominating much of the first hour before a scrum penalty shifted the contest.
Erasmus pulls no punches after Ellis Park collapse: 'We didn't play well'
Erasmus admitted the Springboks were thoroughly outplayed in the second half of their 33-16 defeat to the All Blacks at Ellis Park, conceding New Zealand were dominant across most facets of play and that South Africa must now win three consecutive Tests to claim the Greatest Rivalry series.
Kolisi to return for Cape Town Test as Erasmus counts cost of Ellis Park chaos
Rassie Erasmus has confirmed Siya Kolisi returns for the second Test in Cape Town after the Springboks lost the series opener 16-33 at Ellis Park, a match derailed by the early removal of Arendse, Kolbe's injury, and late yellow cards to Van Staden and Reinach.
Kriel calls for clinical edge as Boks regroup after Ellis Park loss
Jesse Kriel cited a lack of clinical finishing and breakdown struggles as the key reasons for South Africa's 33-16 first Test defeat to the All Blacks at Ellis Park, with the Boks now turning their attention to the second Test in Cape Town.
Kolisi set to return for second Test as Boks assess Kolbe injury
Rassie Erasmus has confirmed Siya Kolisi will return for the second Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town after missing most of the season with injury, while Cheslin Kolbe's second-half exit in the 16-33 loss at Ellis Park is believed to be cramp-related.
De Allende's rugby intelligence the secret behind century of Tests, says Erasmus
Damian de Allende will become the 10th Springbok centurion when he faces New Zealand on Saturday, 12 years after his debut against Argentina. Rassie Erasmus credits the 34-year-old's game understanding and passing rather than physicality as the foundation of his longevity. De Allende's battles against Sonny Bill Williams during his Stormers days first convinced Erasmus of his Test quality.
Erasmus and Stick back De Villiers for All Blacks debut at Ellis Park
Paul de Villiers will make his first start against New Zealand on Saturday after Siya Kolisi's latest hamstring injury ruled the captain out of the Ellis Park clash. The 23-year-old Stormers flank has earned the trust of the coaching staff after three consecutive starts in the Nations Championship, with Rassie Erasmus and Mzwandile Stick describing him as a warrior ready for rugby's biggest stage.
Erasmus invokes past comebacks as Boks slip to second in world rankings
South Africa dropped to second in the World Rugby rankings after a comprehensive 33-16 defeat to New Zealand at Ellis Park on Saturday. Rassie Erasmus drew parallels with previous setbacks — the 2021 Lions opener and the 2019 World Cup pool loss to the All Blacks — as he insisted the Springboks have navigated catastrophic situations before. The world champions now face a three-match winning streak to claim the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series.
All Blacks punish wasteful Springboks as clinical finishing trumps scrum dominance at Ellis Park
New Zealand claimed a shock 33-16 victory in the opening Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry at Ellis Park on Saturday, seizing a 1-0 series lead despite being comprehensively outplayed in the scrums. The Springboks dominated territory and possession for 55 minutes but lacked clinical edge, with Malcolm Marx dropping the ball over the line and crucial penalty decisions going awry. The All Blacks scored five tries through ruthless counter-attack, exposing South African inaccuracy in a result that leaves Rassie Erasmus searching for answers ahead of next weekend's second Test in Cape Town.
All Blacks tear Springboks apart at Ellis Park to claim 33-16 first Test victory
New Zealand ran in five tries to beat South Africa 33-16 at Ellis Park on Saturday night, taking a 1-0 series lead in the opening Test of the four-match tour. The Springboks led 13-12 at half-time but collapsed in the second period as the visitors scored three unanswered tries. Cheslin Kolbe's injury departure proved pivotal as the hosts failed to fire in a chastening defeat.
Cape Town Springbok-All Blacks Test sold out for months as Joburg tickets linger
The August 29 Springbok-All Blacks Test at DHL Stadium sold out in February, driving a secondary market with prices reaching R18,000 for hospitality, while Ellis Park tickets for the second Test remained available as late as Friday.
Erasmus: Injuries wrecked bench plan but yellow cards cost Boks the match
Rassie Erasmus says the Arendse HIA and Kolbe cramp forced repeated backline reshuffles that wrecked his bench strategy, but maintains the two yellow cards — not the injuries — ultimately decided the Ellis Park defeat to New Zealand.
All Blacks punish Springbok wastefulness to take series lead at Ellis Park
New Zealand defeated South Africa 33-16 at Ellis Park to take a 1-0 lead in the Greatest Rivalry Series, running in five tries to one as the Springboks repeatedly squandered chances in the All Blacks' red zone.
Savea relieved after escaping punishment for Wiese tackle
Ardie Savea admitted nerves over a contentious tackle on Jasper Wiese but avoided punishment, with coach Dave Rennie defending the hit as fair.
All Blacks reclaim world No.1 ranking after Ellis Park win
New Zealand have moved to the top of the World Rugby rankings after beating the Springboks 33-16 at Ellis Park, with South Africa dropping to second.