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Stick defends rotated Springbok XV as Scotland loom at Loftus
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has rejected suggestions that South Africa will field a B team against Scotland on Saturday, despite the starting XV carrying 347 fewer caps than the side that thrashed England. The backline guru pointed to the calculation behind selections such as Wilco Louw and Boan Venter, while warning that the Scots present a tougher proposition than the English outfit dismantled 54-21 at Ellis Park.
Du Toit hails Erasmus as best coach 'by a mile' ahead of record 55th Test
Pieter-Steph du Toit has delivered a powerful endorsement of Rassie Erasmus on the eve of the Springbok coach's record-breaking 55th Test in charge. The milestone, which comes against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, moves Erasmus past 2007 World Cup-winning coach Jake White as the most-capped Springbok head coach. Du Toit and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick praised Erasmus for his humanity and the culture he has built around the squad.
Stick: Bok side to face Scotland is no B team despite 347-cap deficit
Mzwandile Stick has rejected the B-team label for Saturday's Nations Championship clash against Scotland at Loftus, despite the Springbok starting XV carrying 347 fewer caps than last weekend's side that beat England, and has cautioned that Scotland — fresh from an away win over Argentina — will be a stiffer test than the scoreline suggests.
Erasmus set to break Springbok coaching record as Boks prepare for Scotland test
Pieter-Steph du Toit and Mzwandile Stick have praised Rassie Erasmus ahead of his record-breaking 55th Test as Springbok head coach, while warning that a fifth-ranked Scotland side — led by Finn Russell and an experienced matchday squad — will pose a stern challenge at Loftus on Saturday.
Unbeaten records and title ambitions on the line in WSL 2 Round 2
Round 2 of the Pick n Pay Women's Super League 2 features three matches on Saturday, with SWD Eagirls hosting the Leopards in the pick of the fixtures, the Griffons opening their campaign against defending champions the Pumas in Welkom, and Limpopo Blue Bulls facing Valke in a first-win decider in Polokwane.
Stick dismisses B-team label ahead of Loftus clash with Scotland
Mzwandile Stick has rejected the B-team characterisation of the Springbok side set to face Scotland at Loftus on Saturday, despite a combined cap count 347 lower than last week's England Test, and warned that Scotland — fresh from beating Argentina away — will be a tougher proposition than the English.
Ngxingolo set to become Springbok Women's second most capped prop at Loftus
Yonela Ngxingolo will earn her record 44th Test cap as a prop off the bench when the Springbok Women host the USA Eagles at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with Babalwa Latsha captaining the starting side.
Du Toit hails Rassie as Springboks' most-capped head coach
Springbok captain Pieter-Steph du Toit has paid tribute to Rassie Erasmus on the occasion of the coach becoming the Springboks' most-capped head coach, saying the record is fitting for someone so deeply invested in the team.
Erasmus to break Springbok coaching record against Scotland at Loftus
Rassie Erasmus breaks Jake White's record of 54 Tests as Springbok head coach when he leads the team against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with SARU's leadership hailing him as the greatest coach in Springbok history. His overall win ratio of 75.93% across two stints rises to 85.7% since resuming the head coaching role in 2024.
Van der Merwe eyes dual milestones as Erasmus demands fast start against Scotland
Edwill van der Merwe will make his first Springbok appearance at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday when South Africa face Scotland in the Nations Championship. The Sharks wing, who returns after almost a year out through injury, has scored five tries in five Tests and will come up against former Stellenbosch University teammate Kyle Steyn. Coach Rassie Erasmus has called for another high-intensity start after the Springboks raced into a 17-0 lead against England last week.
Van der Merwe chasing two firsts as Scotland arrive at Loftus
Edwill van der Merwe faces Scotland at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday seeking his first cap at the venue and his first Test against Scotland, returning from nearly a year out injured with five tries already to his name from five appearances.
Rennie weighing Savea workload ahead of Springbok Tests
Dave Rennie says Ardie Savea may not start New Zealand's provincial warm-up matches in South Africa in August, with the All Blacks managing their captain's workload ahead of four Tests against the Springboks.
Springboks face rankings threat as Scotland clash looms in Pretoria
South Africa's grip on the world number one ranking could slip this weekend if they lose to Scotland by more than 15 points in Pretoria, provided New Zealand beat Italy. The Springboks can gain a maximum of 0.03 rating points with victory due to the 9.83-point differential between the sides.
Rankings permutations: How Scotland could reach a new high and what South Africa must avoid
World Rugby's Round Two ranking permutations show South Africa's top spot is safe barring a 15-point loss to Scotland, while a Springbok defeat combined with an All Blacks win over Italy would hand New Zealand first place. Scotland could reach a new high of fourth with a win in Pretoria and a France loss in Brisbane.
Townsend's Scotland eye fast start to unsettle Springbok pack at Loftus
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend considered deploying a seven-one bench split against the Springboks but ultimately opted for a more conventional selection. The visitors will look to replicate their early-scoring tactics from Six Nations victories over England and France when they face South Africa at Loftis Versfeld on Saturday. The Scots' game plan centres on quick ruck ball and a wide attacking game designed to exploit the Springbok pack's reduced mobility in the opening exchanges.
SAIDS conducts drug testing at U18 Craven Week in Gqeberha
SAIDS confirms drug testing is taking place at the U18 Craven Week in Gqeberha.
Smit refuses to rule out Nienaber return to Springbok set-up
Former Springbok captain John Smit has suggested Jacques Nienaber could yet rejoin Rassie Erasmus' coaching staff, despite the defence specialist's current role at Leinster. Smit dismissed conspiracy theories about Nienaber acting as a spy but acknowledged the pair's long-standing partnership makes a reunion plausible.
Venter and Louw relish familiar faces as scrum battle looms at Loftus
Boan Venter and Wilco Louw are set to face former Edinburgh teammate Pierre Schoeman in a front-row battle loaded with familiarity at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with both Bok props and assistant coach Duane Vermeulen flagging the Scottish scrum — shaped by coach Pieter de Villiers — as a serious test.
Bulls' Glasgow battles hand Springboks crucial Scotland blueprint ahead of Loftus clash
The Springboks enter Sunday's Nations Championship fixture against Scotland armed with detailed intelligence gleaned from the Bulls' recent URC encounters with Glasgow Warriors. With 19 Glasgow players in Gregor Townsend's squad, South Africa's Bulls contingent believe their semifinal meeting earlier this year offers valuable insight into how the visitors will attack at Loftus Versfeld. Scotland arrive in Pretoria having scored 47 points against Argentina in round one.
Erasmus breaks all-time Springbok coaching record with 55th test in charge
Rassie Erasmus becomes the most capped Springbok head coach in history when he takes charge for the 55th time against Scotland in Pretoria on Saturday, surpassing Jake White's record of 54 tests. His win rate of 75.93% across two spells dwarfs the 62.5% he inherited, rising to 85.7% since his return as head coach.