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2,970 items · Springboks
Ackermann: Rennie's All Blacks are on the rise — but the Boks will still be too strong
Ackermann rates Rennie's All Blacks as a genuine step up from recent New Zealand teams but backs Springbok depth and set-piece to win out across the four-Test series — while flagging the tour match as a formative moment for his younger Bulls squad.
Tour catch-22: Why the franchise games against the All Blacks are set up to disappoint
Gavin Rich identifies a structural catch-22 for the All Black tour franchise games: URC sides must field their best available teams but are three weeks into pre-season, missing all their Boks, and facing a tourists who've played three tests together — conditions that make competitive games nearly impossible and raise real injury risk ahead of the URC season.
Lowe replaces Kolbe at Suntory as Kolbe returns to Stormers
James Lowe joins Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath on a two-year deal, replacing Cheslin Kolbe who has returned to the Stormers after three seasons in Japan.
The All Black tour catch-22: underdone franchises, star players in Bok camp, and a pricing problem
Gavin Rich argues that the RGR franchise tour games face a near-unsolvable structural problem: Bok players are unavailable, remaining squad members are barely three weeks into pre-season, and ticket prices are already dampening demand — creating a real risk the opening tour fixtures undermine the concept before the Test series even begins.
Contepomi names 10 uncapped players in Argentina's 34-man Rugby Championship squad
Felipe Contepomi has included 10 uncapped players in Argentina's 34-man squad for their upcoming Rugby Championship matches against the Springboks and Australia.
Rennie tips his hat to Rassie ahead of the Rivalry Series
Rennie calls Erasmus the most innovative coach in the game and says the Boks' ability to rotate heavily and still dominate Scotland underlines their depth — while keeping his own expectations for the Rivalry Series deliberately close to his chest.
Fourie du Preez on decision-making, the 2015 World Cup, and why getting sent home in 2003 was the best thing that ever happened to him
Du Preez reflects on being cut from the 2003 World Cup squad, explains the nomination-based decision-making system that defined the Bulls' dominance, and draws a direct line between his own game and the modern French playmakers.
Dan Cole: Why the Springbok scrum is unbeatable for 80 minutes
Dan Cole lays out why the Springbok scrum is unplayable — raw mass, psychological dominance that bends 50/50 refereeing decisions their way, and a bench that doubles down on the pressure rather than easing it.
Hansen predicts 2-all split and praises Erasmus's 'drip-feed' squad management
Hansen argues Erasmus's rotation strategy is cohesion-building rather than risk-taking, predicts a 2-all series split, while McKenzie suggests the All Blacks' new-era flexibility could be the key variable across four Tests.
Planet Rugby's combined Bok-All Black XV: South Africa dominate, but who makes the cut?
Planet Rugby's combined Bok-All Black XV ahead of the four-Test series gives South Africa nine of fifteen spots, with SFM, Willemse and a Bok-dominated forward pack leading the way — Roigard and Jordie Barrett carry the All Black case.
Rennie's honest assessment: Rassie is 'one of the most innovative coaches in world rugby'
Rennie calls Erasmus one of the game's most innovative coaches ahead of the Greatest Rivalry Series, while framing the four-Test contest as a direct collision between Bok physicality and All Black tempo — with New Zealand's last series win in South Africa now 29 years ago.
Mchunu recalled as Springboks squad swells to 44 ahead of Argentina Test
Ntuthuko Mchunu has been recalled to the Springboks squad, taking the Johannesburg training group to 44 players as Erasmus prepares to name his Argentina travelling party later this week.
Mchunu recalled to Springbok squad ahead of Argentina and New Zealand Tests
Rassie Erasmus has called up Stormers prop Ntuthuko Mchunu to the Springbok squad as preparations intensify for the one-off Test against Argentina and the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand. The 27-year-old, who earned his fourth cap against Scotland during the Nations Championship, rejoins a 44-man group in Johannesburg after initially being released for midweek franchise duty.
Mchunu called up as Springboks ramp up Buenos Aires preparations
Ntuthuko Mchunu has joined the 44-man Springbok squad in Johannesburg as Rassie Erasmus prepares to name his travelling party for the 8 August Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
Mchunu called up as Bok squad swells to 44 ahead of Argentina and All Blacks series
Ntuthuko Mchunu has been recalled to the Springbok camp in Johannesburg, taking the squad to 44 players ahead of Saturday's Test in Buenos Aires and the subsequent Rugby Championship series against New Zealand.
Erasmus's selection artistry, the All Blacks' tour squad curiosity, and rugby's discipline problem
Erasmus's 44-man squad assembly is framed as promotional genius, Rennie's bloated touring party signals serious intent, and the piece comes down hard on referee Berry's Jacobson call — leaning on Owens and Doyle to argue the yellow was indefensible and damaging to the game's safety narrative.
Mchunu drafted into Springbok squad ahead of Argentina test
Ntuthuko Mchunu has been added to the 44-man Springbok squad in Johannesburg as Rassie Erasmus prepares to name his travelling party for the 8 August test against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
NZ pundit's 'legally correct, morally corrupt' dig at Boks ahead of Greatest Rivalry Series
NZ pundit Mark Watson accuses the Boks of 'legally correct but morally corrupt' game-slowing tactics ahead of the Greatest Rivalry Series, while Rennie confirms his staff will brief match officials on the tempo they need — a revealing look at the off-field battle lines being drawn before the series starts.
Rennie's All Blacks are playing catch-up before a ball is kicked in the Test series
Rennie's All Blacks carry a telling experience deficit into South Africa — 59% of the squad haven't toured here this cycle — and Cardinelli breaks down why the warm-up schedule, altitude adjustment and Savea's delayed integration make this a genuine race against the clock before the first Test at Ellis Park.
Sopoaga's warning: Don't sleep on Ruben Love
Sopoaga warns that Ruben Love could be a decisive factor in the four-Test series against the Boks — and that he'll only improve as the series progresses.