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Springboks dismiss Argentina 'warm-up' claims as Kolisi and Etzebeth set for return
South Africa have rejected suggestions that Saturday's Test in Buenos Aires is merely a dress rehearsal for next month's series against New Zealand. Assistant coach Deon Davids insisted the Springboks are treating the fixture as a full Test despite fielding a squad featuring several returning stars, including captain Siya Kolisi and lock Eben Etzebeth.
Van den Berg fit, hungry and back in the No 9 mix
Van den Berg is fit, fired up, and eyeing Saturday's Argentina test as his chance to re-enter the Springbok No 9 battle — the piece profiles what his return means for that competition.
Davids warns against warm-up mentality as Springboks prepare for Buenos Aires test
Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids has rejected suggestions that Saturday's Test in Buenos Aires is a warm-up for the All Blacks series, warning that approaching Argentina on home soil with that mindset would be a serious mistake, as returning stars including Kolisi, Etzebeth and Feinberg-Mngomezulu are set to feature against a Pumas side fielding 10 uncapped players.
Ryan's All Blacks won't flinch from the scrum battle — but know the stakes
Jason Ryan acknowledges the South African setpiece as the All Blacks' primary challenge on tour, framing the Stormers and other franchise games as deliberate preparation to confront — not avoid — the scrum battle ahead of the test series.
Buenos Aires Test to Gauge Feinberg-Mngomezulu Fitness Ahead of All Blacks Series
The Springboks arrived in Buenos Aires on Sunday ahead of Saturday's Test against Argentina, with Rassie Erasmus set to name his side on Tuesday. The fixture offers a crucial opportunity to assess Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's readiness for the All Blacks series opener in Johannesburg on 22 August, following the flyhalf's injury in late May. Assistant coach Deon Davids has dismissed suggestions the match is merely a warm-up.
Davids dismisses warm-up talk ahead of Argentina Test
Deon Davids has shut down suggestions that the Buenos Aires Test against Argentina is merely a warm-up for the All Blacks series.
Pumas legend Méndez urges Argentina to show discipline against Boks after ugly July
With Argentine rugby's discipline under scrutiny after the England Test fallout, Méndez calls for composure against the Boks — while the piece reminds readers that a Pumas side Méndez rates as the best-prepared in the nation's history is no gimme for the world champions.
Parker: All Blacks treating Stormers opener like a Test match
Simon Parker says the All Blacks are approaching Friday's Stormers clash at Cape Town Stadium with full Test-match intensity as they open their first full South Africa tour in 30 years.
Ryan: All Blacks have no choice but to take SA's setpiece head on
Jason Ryan acknowledges the Springboks' scrum and maul dominance and says the All Blacks' only option is to confront it directly — the franchise games against the Stormers and others are deliberate preparation for that test.
World Cup hero Fourie set for All Blacks return after injury ordeal
Deon Fourie has declared himself ready to face New Zealand on Friday after recovering from knee surgery. The 39-year-old Stormers stalwart last played the All Blacks in the 2023 World Cup final, replacing the injured Bongi Mbonambi in the third minute of South Africa's 12-11 victory in Paris.
Fourie raring to face All Blacks again after latest injury comeback
Deon Fourie is set to return from ligament surgery to face the All Blacks for the Stormers, and has not ruled out pushing for a further Springbok recall at 39.
Pumas legend warns Argentina to 'behave and control' themselves as Boks arrive under a cloud
Argentina's conduct — on and off the field across football and rugby — has made this Springbok warm-up a reputation test for the Pumas. Méndez backs the rugby values line while warning the Boks not to underestimate a side that beat the Lions and nearly stole last year's Rugby Championship.
Both camps agree: Friday's Stormers-All Blacks clash is a test match in all but name
Both camps are treating Friday's Stormers-All Blacks tour opener as a de facto test match — driven by internal All Black selection pressure, a 50-year gap since WP last hosted the All Blacks, and the Cape Town venue's importance to the test series.
All Blacks treat Stormers clash as Test-match intensity opener
New Zealand have arrived in Cape Town with no intention of easing into their six-week South African tour, with loose forward Simon Parker confirming the tourists are treating Friday's opener against the Stormers as if it were a Test match. The clash at Cape Town Stadium launches an eight-match tour that includes four provincial fixtures and four Tests against the Springboks.
All Blacks treating Stormers opener like a Test match
Simon Parker signals the All Blacks are going full throttle from the Stormers opener — no easing in on a tour billed as the most significant All Black visit to South African soil in three decades.
Four Boks crack ex-England players' world top 10 — but is the list any good?
Youngs and Watson's Nations Championship-based world top 10 slots in Marx, Du Toit, Kolbe and Wiese — with the latter's ranking effectively settling the Bok No.8 debate. The full list is worth a look if you want something to argue about.
Fourie returns from knee injury for Stormers' All Blacks clash
Deon Fourie returns from a post-surgical knee injury to face the All Blacks with the Stormers on Friday, his second career meeting with New Zealand after coming off the bench in the 2023 World Cup Final.
Franchise matches against the All Blacks are auditions, not throwaway fixtures
Cardinelli makes the case that the four franchise matches against the All Blacks are genuine selection auditions — identifying Evan Roos, André-Hugo Venter, Yaqeen Ahmed and Embrose Papier as the players with the most to gain, and explaining why Erasmus will be watching closely even if the results go New Zealand's way.
Erasmus targets January return for Malherbe as tighthead's contract expires
Rassie Erasmus says Frans Malherbe is targeting a January return from injury, continuing to train with the Stormers while out of contract, with a new deal expected if he resumes playing.
Hansen: All Blacks charm offensive in SA is no accident
Hansen says the All Blacks' charm offensive on their SA tour is deliberate — and contextualises the Cape Town reception amid social media backlash from Bok fans who spotted locals in All Blacks jerseys.