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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.
Am makes steady return as SA A whitewash Zimbabwe in Gqeberha showcase
Lukhanyo Am featured for South Africa A in their 40-0 victory over Zimbabwe at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, marking his first appearance in national colours since November 2024. The two-time World Cup winner provided a steadying influence in midfield alongside teenage sensation Markus Muller, though the occasion was marred by a red card for flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed. Am's selection signals his intent to force his way back into Rassie Erasmus's plans after missing the entire 2025 international season through injury.
Ahmed red card clouds SA A's 40-0 whitewash of Zimbabwe
SA A beat Zimbabwe 40-0 in Gqeberha, but a red card for Junior Boks flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed — who could face a ban that affects his Junior World Championship participation — overshadowed a six-try performance.
SA 'A' run in six tries to blank Zimbabwe 40–0 in Gqeberha
South Africa 'A' beat Zimbabwe 40–0 in Gqeberha, scoring six tries in a performance headlined by several members of the 2025 Junior Bok squad, despite carrying a 20-minute red card for most of the second half.
SA 'A' run in six tries to blank Zimbabwe 40–0 in Gqeberha
SA 'A' beat Zimbabwe 40–0 in Gqeberha, scoring six tries in a performance dominated by graduates of the Junior Bok programme, including Haashim Pead, Yaqeen Ahmed and Markus Müller.
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.
Pollard and Le Roux endure nightmare as Bulls suffer fourth URC Final defeat
The Bulls' 36-7 capitulation to Leinster at Croke Park marked their fourth consecutive URC Final defeat, with World Cup winners Handré Pollard and Willie le Roux delivering performances well below their usual standards. Two yellow cards for deliberate knock-ons and a series of uncharacteristic handling errors left the Pretoria side chasing shadows as Leinster secured back-to-back titles. The margin of defeat was established within the opening half-hour, raising questions about whether the Bulls had left their best performance at Murrayfield a fortnight earlier.
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.
Leinster dismantle Bulls 36-7 to retain URC title in Dublin
Leinster retained the URC title with a 36-7 dismantling of the Bulls at Croke Park, the Pretoria side's fourth Grand Final defeat in five seasons after a dismal first-half display yielded a 22-0 deficit.
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.
World Rugby scraps home weighting from rankings calculations ahead of Nations Championship
World Rugby removes home weighting from rankings calculations from July 1, responding to the growing number of international matches played at neutral or out-of-country venues. South Africa remain top of the men's rankings on 93.94 points.
George North to end career in Barbarians jersey against Wales at Twickenham
George North will make his final professional appearance for the Barbarians against Wales at Twickenham on 27 June, joining a squad that also features Duhan van der Merwe, TJ Perenara and Tomás Albornoz.
George North to bow out in Barbarians jersey against Wales at Twickenham
George North will play his final professional match for the Barbarians against Wales at Twickenham on 27 June, capping a career of 121 Wales caps, four Six Nations titles, two Grand Slams and two Lions tours.
Fainga'anuku fibula fracture rules him out of Nations Championship and clouds Greatest Rivalry availability
Leicester Fainga'anuku's fibula fracture rules him out of the All Blacks' Nations Championship Tests and puts his availability for the opening Greatest Rivalry matches against the Springboks in serious doubt, shelving the hybrid back-row experiment the Crusaders had been building across the second half of the Super Rugby season.
World Rugby scraps home weighting in first rankings overhaul since 2003
World Rugby will eliminate home weighting from its rankings points calculation from July 1, 2026 — the first major change to the system since its 2003 introduction — citing the surge in Tests played at neutral venues, including the Springboks vs All Blacks Baltimore clash.