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Erasmus admits Bomb Squad experiment backfired in Ellis Park defeat
Rassie Erasmus has accepted responsibility for the Springboks' 33-16 defeat to New Zealand in the opening Test of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, conceding that his bench strategy misfired for the first time in years. The director of rugby acknowledged that Kurt-Lee Arendse's head injury forced a backline reshuffle that disrupted South Africa's attacking flow, with Andre Esterhuizen pressed into midfield duty rather than his intended impact role. Erasmus has overhauled the bench for the second Test, retaining only Gerhard Steenekamp and Esterhuizen from the original replacements.
Fourie always in Rassie's plans as emergency Springbok option
Deon Fourie, approaching 40, is one of two Stormers forwards on Rassie Erasmus's emergency Springbok call-up list.
Fourie never out of Springbok picture, Rassie confirms
Rassie Erasmus confirms Deon Fourie was always on his radar, with the veteran Stormers forward among two emergency call-up options for the Springboks.
All Blacks to tour South Africa for first time since 1996 in 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' series
The All Blacks will tour South Africa in 2026 for the first time since 1996, facing the Springboks in a series branded 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'.
Erasmus explains Pollard's selection over Libbok at No 10
Rassie Erasmus says Pollard's record and knowledge of Cape Town conditions earned him the Springbok No 10 start over Manie Libbok on Saturday.
Erasmus takes personal blame for Ellis Park collapse, targets Cape Town response
Rassie Erasmus has taken personal responsibility for the tactical errors — including the 5-2 bench backfire and decisions around the Arendse and Kolbe injuries — that he believes cost the Springboks the first Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, and is targeting a series-levelling response in Cape Town.
Kolisi and Pollard return as Rassie revamps Boks for second All Blacks Test
Kolisi and Pollard are among the changes as Rassie reshapes the Springbok side for the second Test against the All Blacks on Saturday.
Kolisi and Kolbe race against clock ahead of Cape Town Test as injury toll mounts
Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe are both racing to be fit for Saturday's Test in Cape Town, with Grant Williams, Ben-Jason Dixon and Canan Moodie already ruled out through injury.
Kolbe and Kolisi in fitness race ahead of All Blacks clash in Cape Town
Cheslin Kolbe is carrying a hamstring and ankle injury ahead of the All Blacks Test in Cape Town, while Siya Kolisi's availability hinges on Monday's training session after his hamstring strain from the Argentina match in Buenos Aires.
Pollard returns as Erasmus shuffles fly-half pack for Cape Town decider
Handré Pollard will start at fly-half for the Springboks in Saturday's second Test against New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium, with head coach Rassie Erasmus citing the double World Cup winner's ability to deliver under extreme pressure. The selection sees Pollard return to the starting XV after South Africa's 16-33 defeat at Ellis Park, where Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu wore the number 10 jersey. The match offers the Springboks a chance to level the Greatest Rivalry series and maintain their recent dominance over the All Blacks.
Pieter-Steph du Toit set for 100th cap as Springboks field record 1,012-cap starting XV against All Blacks in Cape Town
Pieter-Steph du Toit reaches his 100th cap in Cape Town as the Springboks field a record 1,012-cap starting XV against the All Blacks, with Kolisi, Pollard, Reinach and Hooker among three changes from the side beaten 16-33 at Ellis Park.
Erasmus backs Pollard to start at 10 as Feinberg-Mngomezulu waits
Erasmus has retained Handré Pollard at fly-half for the second Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town, pointing to his ability to deliver under pressure over Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Erasmus gamble on Williams backfires as All Blacks expose familiar flaw
The Springboks' decision to start Grant Williams at scrumhalf proved costly in their 33-16 defeat to New Zealand at Ellis Park, with all five All Blacks tries coming against the diminutive No.9. Williams and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who had started together just once before at Test level, lost control of the game as the visitors' defensive pressure forced errors. Rassie Erasmus has since recalled Cobus Reinach and Handre Pollard for the second Test.
Erasmus explains Kolisi bracketing ahead of Cape Town Test
Erasmus has bracketed Kolisi for Saturday's Cape Town Test to monitor his condition, while also singling out Du Toit and Nchè ahead of milestone caps.
Kolisi and Pollard return as Rassie revamps Boks for second All Blacks Test
Kolisi and Pollard are back in the Springbok team for the second Test against the All Blacks, with Erasmus ringing the changes.
Mallett criticises Springbok halfbacks after All Blacks defeat at Ellis Park
Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett has identified Grant Williams and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu as the key reasons behind South Africa's 33-16 defeat to New Zealand in Johannesburg. Mallett singled out the halfback pairing for their inability to capitalise on numerous attacking opportunities, rating both players four out of ten for their performance.
Lions name Quan Horn and two Bok debutants for All Blacks clash at Ellis Park
Quan Horn starts at fullback and Francke Horn captains the side as the Lions name their team to face the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Tuesday, with Boan Venter among the replacements and three new signings — Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Hyron Andrews and Boeta Chamberlain — set for their Lions debuts.
Louw backs Boks to recover from Ellis Park defeat despite clinical failings
Tighthead prop Wilco Louw remained confident the Springboks can still claim the four-match series against New Zealand despite their 16-33 defeat at Ellis Park. Louw, whose scrum dominated for 55 minutes, acknowledged the All Blacks' clinical edge but insisted the Boks have the belief to improve.
Louw backs Boks to recover as Erasmus details cascade of disruption in Ellis Park defeat
Wilco Louw believes the Springboks can still win the series despite the 16-33 loss to New Zealand at Ellis Park, where the SA scrum was dominant for 55 minutes. Rassie Erasmus detailed how Kurt-Lee Arendse's early injury triggered a positional cascade that undermined his game plan, while Jesse Kriel attributed the defeat primarily to New Zealand's clinical finishing.
All Blacks call up Tu'ungafasi and Hannah after head-clash injuries
New Zealand have summoned prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi and lock Jamie Hannah to South Africa following head injuries to Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord during Saturday's 33-16 victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park. Both players left the field in the 37th minute after clashing heads at a ruck and will miss Tuesday's fixture against the Emirates Lions. The call-ups extend a mounting injury crisis that has already seen four players sent home from the tour.