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Pollard at 12 isn't an emergency — it's a World Cup plan
Erasmus has spent four weeks preparing Pollard to cover inside centre, and Saturday's shift against Scotland was the live test. The piece makes the case that a Pollard-at-12 option gives the Boks a genuine World Cup tactical weapon — freeing up the No.10 jersey for a more attacking option without losing control or defensive structure.
Horn credits Pollard for easing flyhalf transition in Bok win over Scotland
Quan Horn has described how Handré Pollard helped him thrive in the flyhalf role during the Springboks' 42-28 win over Scotland, with the arrangement part of a planned second-half experiment by Rassie Erasmus as he maps out World Cup combinations.
Jeff Wilson and Justin Marshall: Boks, France and All Blacks are in a squad depth class of their own
Jeff Wilson and Justin Marshall argue that the Boks, France and All Blacks occupy a different tier of squad depth — using the Nations Championship round two results to show that all three can rotate heavily and still win convincingly. Marshall's specific point on South Africa: the fact that it was 14-all at half-time against Scotland, before a largely second-string Bok side found a way through, is exactly the kind of problem-solving under pressure Erasmus will value most.
Warburton sees only five certainties as Tandy reshapes Wales for the Boks
Tandy is set for a major reshuffle before facing the Boks, with Warburton identifying only five certain starters in the Welsh XV.
SA Rugby mourns death of former SA Schools prop Luqobo Makwedini
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has mourned the death of former SA Schools and SA U18 prop Luqobo 'Bibo' Makwedini, who died during a training session with French club Béziers at the age of 20.
De Villiers voted Bok MVP after Loftus demolition of Scotland
Paul de Villiers claimed the fan-voted Bok MVP award after the Springboks beat Scotland 42-28 at Loftus Versfeld.
Hits & Misses: Scotland earn respect at Loftus, Women Boks stumble at the finish line
Scotland pushed the Boks harder than the 42-28 scoreline suggests, the Women Boks let a series win slip through ill-discipline, Will Jordan broke the All Blacks try-scoring record, and France made history in Brisbane — Wynona Louw's weekend review covers the highs and lows.
Erasmus relieved as experimental Springboks survive Scotland scare at Loftus
A heavily rotated Springbok side weathered a spirited Scotland challenge to claim a 42-28 victory in the Nations Championship at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Rassie Erasmus made 10 changes from the England win, fielding 12 players with fewer than 10 caps, and watched his side surrender two separate leads before pulling clear in the second half. The result keeps South Africa atop the Southern Hemisphere conference on points difference from New Zealand.
Erasmus satisfied with 'learning while winning' after Boks survive Scotland scare at Loftus
A 10-change Springbok side beat Scotland 42-28 at Loftus in the Nations Championship, surviving a series of Scottish counter-attacks to stay top of the Southern Hemisphere conference on points difference from New Zealand. Erasmus defended the mass rotation, citing squad depth development with 12 players in the match-day group carrying fewer than 10 caps.
Boks lead the Nations Championship depth race — and it's not close
Rich argues the Boks' true edge in the Nations Championship is squad depth and player rotation — with Erasmus having fielded 25 different starters across two tests compared to England's 17 and New Zealand's 19, the piece makes the case that South Africa is turning this competition into purposeful World Cup preparation while rival coaches, particularly Borthwick, lack the security to do the same.
Mnebelele: Junior Boks focused on fast start against England in World Championship semifinal
Junior Springbok captain Siphosethu Mnebelele says the squad's focus is on a fast start and executing their roles against England in Monday's Junior World Championship semifinal in Tbilisi, with utility back Luan Giliomee returning at fullback after missing the Wales pool match.
Craven Week standouts and the SA Schools squads in full
A performance-by-performance breakdown of the U18 Craven Week, with analysis of the more interesting SA Schools selection calls — including the Sharks' dominance of the main squad's pack and the standout individuals who shaped the tournament.
De Bruin names 49-player Springbok Women squad for packed international schedule
Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin has named an extended 49-player squad for the remainder of the 2026 season. The group includes several new faces alongside those who competed in the Rugby Africa Women's Cup and the recent two-Test series against the USA Women's Eagles.
De Bruin names 49-strong Springbok Women squad for busy second-half schedule
Swys de Bruin has named a 49-player Springbok Women squad for the upcoming tour cycle, which includes Tests against Fiji, the Black Ferns in Soweto, Global WXV matches in Europe and a home series against Ireland.
Rassie's Boks at one extreme, Rennie's All Blacks at the other: the kicking spectrum that's reshaping Test rugby
The hosts argue that South Africa's attacking kicking game, backed by striking round-one statistics, places the Boks at a structurally different level to the All Blacks' phase-heavy approach — and that New Zealand's refusal to adapt is already showing up in results.
De Bruin names 49-player Springbok Women squad for packed second half of season
Swys de Bruin has named a 49-player extended Springbok Women squad for the second half of the season, which includes a Fiji tour, the Black Ferns test in Soweto, Global WXV matches in Europe against Wales, Italy and Spain, and a home series against Ireland in Cape Town.
Pumas and Leopards make it two from two in WSL 2
The Pumas thrashed the Griffons 65-13 in Welkom and the Leopards won 26-17 in George to make it back-to-back wins in the WSL 2, while the Valke beat Limpopo 37-36 in a last-kick thriller in Polokwane.
Junior Boks target historic run as they face England in Tbilisi semifinal
The Junior Springboks face England in the Junior World Championship semifinal in Tbilisi on Monday at 18h30 SA time, with a tenth consecutive JWC win putting them within one of New Zealand's all-time record streak. Captain Siphosethu Mnebelele says the lessons of a nervy final pool match against Wales have sharpened the squad's focus on a fast start, while Luan Giliomee returns at fullback after missing that game.
De Allende eyed for Stormers return as Lions land Du Preez and Notshe
The Stormers are pursuing Damian de Allende as a replacement for the outgoing Dan du Plessis, while the Lions have secured JP du Preez from Red Hurricanes and are set to add Sikhumbuzo Notshe from relegated Montauban. Jannes Kirsten, meanwhile, leaves the Bulls for French Championnat Fédéral Nationale side Mont-de-Marsan.
Yellow card aside, Dixon is cementing his place in Erasmus's long-term thinking
Dixon's yellow card against Scotland was costly but Bester argues it shouldn't obscure the bigger picture — his gain-line impact, breakdown work, and lock/blindside versatility keep him firmly in Erasmus's long-term plans despite a turbulent 2025 off the field.