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2,971 items · Springboks
All Blacks close gap on Springboks in updated World Rankings
South Africa remain top of the World Rugby Rankings but their lead over New Zealand has shrunk to 1.68 points after the Springboks earned no points from their 43-0 win over Wales while the All Blacks gained 1.24 for beating Ireland.
Nations Championship Team of the Week: Paul de Villiers and Jaco Williams headline Bok presence
Planet Rugby's Round 3 Team of the Week features three Springbok starters — Jaco Williams, Jesse Kriel, and Paul de Villiers — with several more earning runner-up recognition, as the piece frames July as a breakthrough month for the new-look Bok pack.
Pollard hamstring blow offset by Feinberg-Mngomezulu return for Argentina
Handré Pollard has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, but Rassie Erasmus confirmed that Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will rejoin the Springboks squad for next month's clash against Argentina in Buenos Aires. The 22-year-old has recovered from surgery following an injury sustained in late May. Pollard's absence forced the coaching staff to hand Vusi Moyo a surprise start against Wales in Durban.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu cleared for Argentina trip as Pollard hamstring injury explained Moyo call against Wales
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will travel with the Springboks to Argentina after recovering from surgery, while Rassie Erasmus confirmed Handré Pollard missed the Wales Test with a hamstring injury — circumstances that led to Vusi Moyo's debut in the 43-0 win.
Nations Championship done — now Erasmus faces his real selection headache
The Nations Championship was the easy part. This piece breaks down the selection puzzle Erasmus now faces ahead of the All Blacks series — who's locked in, who needs to prove fitness in Buenos Aires, and how Paul de Villiers has complicated the Kolisi question.
Wales nilled again as Springboks run in seven tries in Durban
South Africa beat Wales 43-0 in Durban — the second time in eight months the Springboks have nilled the Welsh — with seven different players crossing the try line as Wales struggled to make any impression on attack or defence.
Boks topped the Nations Championship by sacrificing performance, not results
Cardinelli argues Erasmus deliberately traded performance quality for developmental cover in July — topping the Nations Championship while keeping his tactical arsenal hidden ahead of the All Blacks series.
Blair flags 'us against the rest of South Africa' mentality as All Blacks brace for Greatest Rivalry series
Blair is framing the South Africa tour as a siege job — 'us against the rest of South Africa' — and candidly admits the Boks' Nations Championship form represents a genuine step up despite New Zealand's own strong showing against Ireland, France, and Italy.
Blair expects 'us against the rest of South Africa' as All Blacks brace for Greatest Rivalry tour
Blair frames the upcoming South Africa tour as a full-immersion challenge — the Boks' rotation-proof Nations Championship form has New Zealand's attack coach openly acknowledging a step up is coming, with squad management and a hostile environment adding pressure before a ball is kicked in anger.
Erasmus explains Moyo substitution as youngest Bok flyhalf ever impresses on debut
Rassie Erasmus praised Vusi Moyo's composure on debut despite visible nerves, explaining the 47th-minute substitution as fatigue-related after the youngster became the youngest flyhalf in Springbok history in the 48-0 win over Wales.
All Blacks finding form under Rennie — but know the Boks are a different proposition
Rennie's All Blacks are 3-from-3 with growing cohesion and a bold selection at 10, but the real test comes when they face the Boks. The piece tracks NZ's upward trajectory and what it might — or might not — mean for the 'Greatest Rivalry' series.
Esterhuizen avoids surgery on fractured cheekbone, All Blacks Test in contention
Esterhuizen avoids surgery on a fractured cheekbone and remains in the frame for the Springboks' upcoming Test against the All Blacks.
Wessels on making every minute count at scrum time
Wessels on using the Bok scrum's dominance as personal motivation — an insight into competing for front-row minutes at the highest level.
Esterhuizen avoids surgery, All Blacks clash back in play
Esterhuizen avoids surgery on a fractured cheekbone and remains in contention for the Springboks' Rugby Championship match against the All Blacks.
Erasmus satisfied with Wales rout as Bok squad splits for dual campaign
Rassie Erasmus awarded the Springboks a pass mark after their 43-0 demolition of Wales in Durban on Saturday, the third consecutive Nations Championship victory. The head coach confirmed a 26-man squad will travel to Argentina in a fortnight whilst 15 or 16 players remain in South Africa to prepare for the Rugby Championship clashes with New Zealand in August and September. Erasmus praised improved defence and set-piece solidity despite greasy conditions that led to frequent handling errors.
Erasmus satisfied with 43-0 Welsh rout as squad split looms ahead of Argentina tour
Erasmus has passed the Springboks after a 43-0 Nations Championship win over Wales in Durban, confirming a 26-man squad will tour Argentina while a larger group stays behind to prepare for the Rugby Championship. Vusi Moyo became the youngest flyhalf in Springbok history on debut, while Handré Pollard is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Erasmus satisfied with 43-0 whitewash despite handling errors, eyes South America tour
Erasmus says the Springboks took lessons from their 43-0 Nations Championship win over Wales at Kings Park — improving on defence and set-piece from the Scotland match but still carrying too many handling errors — as he prepares to split the squad for a South America tour and home preparation for the New Zealand series.
Pollard hamstring setback as Feinberg-Mngomezulu returns for Rugby Championship Pumas clashes
Handré Pollard is sidelined with a hamstring injury ahead of the Springboks' Rugby Championship clashes with Argentina, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu returning to the squad.
Springboks whitewash Wales 43-0 but leave Durban with more questions than answers
South Africa completed a perfect Nations Championship July with a seven-try demolition of Wales at Kings Park, yet the world champions walked off dissatisfied after an error-strewn display. Four debutants shone—none more so than winger Jaco Williams—and the scrum reduced Wales to rubble, but with New Zealand posting 40 clinical points against Ireland hours earlier, only one southern superpower can claim complete satisfaction with their rugby.
Springbok player ratings vs Wales: Moyo, Williams, Sadie and the Wiese brothers shine in 43-0 demolition
Planet Rugby's player-by-player breakdown of the 43-0 Wales win hands top marks to debutants Vusi Moyo and Jaco Williams, singles out Carlu Sadie's scrum dominance and Cobus Wiese's career-best shift, while flagging Fassi's ongoing handling issues as the standout concern.