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Erasmus reveals the moment Damian de Allende proved his Test class ahead of 100th cap
Rassie Erasmus has cited De Allende's ability to match Sonny Bill Williams as the proof of his Test quality, ahead of the centre's 100th cap against the All Blacks at Ellis Park — making him only the tenth South African men's player to reach the milestone.
Springboks' No.1 ranking on the line as Greatest Rivalry series opens at Ellis Park
South Africa's world No.1 ranking is on the line when the Springboks host the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday in the opening Test of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series. New Zealand, currently 1.68 points adrift at No.2, reclaim top spot with any winning margin.
Springboks' world number one ranking on the line as Greatest Rivalry series opens at Ellis Park
South Africa's world number one ranking is at stake when they host New Zealand in the first of four Greatest Rivalry Tests at Ellis Park on Saturday, with the All Blacks needing any victory to return to the top of the World Rugby rankings.
Rankings on the line as Springboks host All Blacks at Ellis Park in Greatest Rivalry opener
The world number one ranking is on the line at Ellis Park on Saturday as South Africa (93.96) host New Zealand (92.28) in the opening match of the inaugural Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, with the All Blacks able to reclaim top spot with a win of any margin.
Savea relishing Ellis Park Test after strategic rest, warns Boks will push All Blacks to their limits
Ardie Savea, rested for the franchise legs of the Greatest Rivalry tour on Dave Rennie's instruction, leads the All Blacks out at Ellis Park on Saturday for his 110th cap and 18th appearance against the Springboks, warning that the Boks consistently push opponents to their limits while stressing the importance of winning the first Test and maintaining discipline.
Stick backs De Villiers to deliver at openside against All Blacks
Mzwandile Stick backs Paul de Villiers as the right man to start at openside flank for the Springboks against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Stick backs De Villiers to start at openside against All Blacks
Mzwandile Stick says Paul de Villiers is the right man to start at openside for the Boks against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Du Toit to captain Springboks as Kolisi sits out Ellis Park All Blacks Test
Pieter-Steph du Toit captains the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday as Siya Kolisi is held out of the All Blacks opener with a hamstring injury, in a precautionary call by Rassie Erasmus ahead of the four-Test series.
Du Toit to captain Boks against All Blacks as Kolisi sits out Ellis Park opener
Pieter-Steph du Toit captains the Springboks against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday after Rassie Erasmus took a precautionary call to rest a hamstring-troubled Siya Kolisi ahead of the four-Test Rugby Championship series against New Zealand.
Thirteen facts and figures that frame the 2026 Springboks-All Blacks series
The 13th Springbok-All Blacks series opens at Ellis Park with the historical ledger tied at five series wins apiece. Handré Pollard enters the four-match campaign on 169 points against New Zealand — level with Morné Steyn on 36 penalties — and could move clear in both the penalties and dropped-goals records. Bryan Habana's mark of eight tries remains intact, with Malcolm Marx (six) and Cheslin Kolbe (five) the likeliest challengers.
Rennie questions Springboks airing All Blacks discipline concerns publicly
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has criticised the Springboks coaching staff for raising discipline concerns about New Zealand in the media ahead of Saturday's Test at Ellis Park. Bok assistant Felix Jones had highlighted feedback from South African franchises regarding breakdown conduct and maul infringements.
Erasmus opts for caution over Kolisi as De Villiers earns Ellis Park start
Siya Kolisi will miss Saturday's opening Test against New Zealand at Ellis Park despite being declared fit to play. Rassie Erasmus confirmed the captain trained fully this week but elected to take a precautionary approach with three further All Blacks fixtures on the horizon. Paul de Villiers retains the openside jersey after impressing during the Nations Championship, while Pieter-Steph du Toit assumes the captaincy for his 99th Test appearance.
Erasmus backs Feinberg-Mngomezulu's Wellington form and training as reasons for Test one selection
Rassie Erasmus has selected Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf for the first Test against New Zealand, citing his role in last year's record 43-10 Wellington win and his training form, as part of seven changes from the side beaten in Auckland and a broader rotation strategy for the four-Test series.
Erasmus banks on freshness and experience edge as Boks target series win over All Blacks
Rassie Erasmus has outlined a series-long workload strategy ahead of Saturday's first Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, revealing the Boks have averaged 70 fewer playing minutes per player than New Zealand over the past six weeks, with the third Test in Soweto identified as the likely series decider. Damian de Allende reaches 100 caps on Saturday.
Rennie hits back at Boks over public airing of All Blacks discipline concerns
Dave Rennie has criticised the Springbok coaching staff for airing discipline concerns about the All Blacks in the media, while acknowledging his side's improvement in that area ahead of Saturday's first Test.
Erasmus holds Kolisi back for All Blacks series, eyes longer campaign
Erasmus confirms Kolisi was fit but has been held back for the longer All Blacks series, with De Villiers starting at flank. Mostert and De Jager are also out due to limited match minutes, while Erasmus remains sceptical that New Zealand will deliver the high-tempo game they have promised.
Rennie dismisses Erasmus media tactics ahead of Ellis Park test
Dave Rennie has pushed back on the Springboks' decision to publicise their disciplinary concerns in the media, saying he has no plans to reciprocate, while acknowledging the scale of the challenge awaiting his side at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Alexander: Midweek tour games don't work, SA Rugby must rethink format
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander says midweek provincial fixtures during the All Blacks' tour have not worked and must be reconsidered, while also calling for representative 'A' and Country XVs to replace franchise opponents on future tours.
Du Toit to captain Springboks as De Allende reaches century
Pieter-Steph du Toit captains the Springboks in the first Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test, with Damian de Allende earning his 100th cap.
Alexander calls for RGR tour rethink: drop midweek games, use SA Cup teams against All Blacks
SARU President Mark Alexander says midweek provincial games against the All Blacks don't work and will push for SA Cup or Country Districts composite sides to be used in any future RGR tour, while warning that rugby's failure to agree on a global season remains the sport's most pressing structural problem.