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2,972 items · Springboks
2022 déjà vu? Why Saturday's inexperienced Bok squad rings alarm bells against a resurgent Wales
De Koning flags uncomfortable parallels between Saturday's inexperienced Bok lineup and the 2022 Bloemfontein upset, arguing that a settled, improving Welsh side could exploit a Bok team light on cohesion — making the 73–0 Cardiff blowout a dangerously misleading frame of reference.
From Somerset East to Springbok: The rise of Jaco Williams
Jaco Williams' debut against Wales is more than a selection footnote — Mzwandile Stick has explicitly compared his journey from Somerset East to that of Mapimpi, and the piece unpacks why the coaching staff see a long-term story forming around the 20-year-old Sharks winger.
Five reasons the Boks should make it six straight over Wales
Louw identifies five structural advantages — set-piece, red-zone finishing, breakdown personnel, defensive conversion rate, and physicality — that should power the Boks to a sixth straight win over Wales, while acknowledging last week's defensive frailties as the one area Wales could exploit.
Stick sees Wales as a side one result away from turning the corner
Stick warns the Boks against underestimating a Wales side he sees as one result away from a revival, drawing a direct parallel with South Africa's own 2016–2018 rebuilding years — and confirming the preparation has been identical to what they'd do for Ireland or the All Blacks.
Springboks eye Twickenham final as Stick warns of Welsh breakdown threat
Mzwandile Stick has confirmed the Springboks are targeting the Nations Championship Final at Twickenham on 29 November, while warning of Wales's breakdown and set-piece threat ahead of Saturday's Kings Park encounter. Siya Kolisi has returned to training after his hamstring issue, and no changes to the 23 are expected.
Stick and Du Toit warn against underestimating Wales ahead of Durban Test
Mzwandile Stick and Pieter-Steph du Toit have urged full respect for Wales ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship Test in Durban, acknowledging defensive and kicking deficiencies from last week while confirming four debutants — Carlu Sadie, Ruben van Heerden, Vusi Moyo and Jaco Williams — will earn their first caps.
Stick hails 'mature' Moyo and Somerset East's Williams ahead of Test debuts against Wales
Mzwandile Stick has praised uncapped debutants Vusi Moyo and Jaco Williams ahead of Saturday's Test against Wales in Durban, saying selection is driven by how players handle the Springbok system rather than URC minutes, and comparing Williams' Somerset East origins to Makazole Mapimpi's rise.
Hansen: Moyo selection is no surprise — it's Rassie's system working exactly as designed
Hansen argues Moyo's debut is less a gamble and more the natural output of a deliberately constructed system — Erasmus engineering protection around debutants while South Africa's U20 pathway keeps replenishing the pool.
Ireland eye World Rugby summit as Springboks face Wales rankings trap
South Africa's grip on top spot in the World Rugby rankings enters precarious territory this weekend, with the Springboks unable to improve their rating against Wales yet vulnerable to a slip that could hand the summit to Ireland. Andy Farrell's side can leapfrog both New Zealand and the reigning world champions if results align in their favour across Saturday's Nations Championship fixtures.
The ranking scenarios that could unseat the Boks this weekend
Ireland can leapfrog the Boks in the world rankings this weekend — the linked breakdown details the exact permutations from Round 3 of the Nations Championship.
Burger backs Moyo to thrive in Springbok debut against Wales
Former Springbok flanker Schalk Burger believes rookie fly-half Vusi Moyo will be comfortable making his Test debut against Wales in Durban on Saturday, despite minimal top-level experience. The 19-year-old has been surrounded by experienced campaigners including Cobus Reinach, Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel.
Burger and De Villiers back Moyo to hurt Wales
Burger and De Villiers are backing Vusi Moyo to cause Wales real problems at Kings Park, with the Bok bench adding to Welsh concerns — the piece unpacks why two legends see the rookie flyhalf as a threat, not a risk.
Marx dismisses favourites tag ahead of physical Wales test at Kings Park
Malcolm Marx has dismissed the favourites tag ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship clash with Wales at Kings Park, warning of a confrontational physical battle and backing uncapped debutant Carlu Sadie, his former Lions scrumming partner, to seize his Test opportunity.
Nations Championship Round Three: Springboks host Wales in Durban as first-leg climax looms
The Springboks host Wales in Durban on Saturday, 18 July in the final round of the Nations Championship's first leg, with the north and south level at six wins apiece heading into the weekend.
Burger and De Villiers back Moyo's debut — and warn Wales about the bench
Burger and De Villiers argue Moyo's debut is de-risked by the experience around him, while warning that Wales's bigger headache is Erasmus's bench — with Jantjies and Sadie's selections underscoring that overseas form remains firmly on the Bok radar.
Rankings shake-up on the cards: What the Boks stand to lose this weekend
The Boks risk losing top spot to the All Blacks this weekend if they fall to Wales and New Zealand beat Ireland by more than 15 points. Ireland can go all the way to number one, but need a big win and a Bok loss by the same margin. Meanwhile, Australia face a potentially historic rankings low if Italy beat them heavily and other results align.
Springboks risk losing top World Rugby ranking spot this weekend
South Africa's number one World Rugby ranking is under threat this weekend, with a defeat to Wales in Durban combined with a New Zealand win over Ireland by more than 15 points enough to return the All Blacks to the summit. Ireland can go as far as top spot themselves with a big win at Eden Park and a Springbok loss. Australia, meanwhile, risk dropping out of the top 10 for the first time since the rankings were introduced in 2003 if they lose heavily to Italy in Schmidt's farewell.
Four debutants with everything to prove — and a squad cull looming
Rich's preview centres on the four debutants facing an immediate squad cull, with Moyo's inexperience the main tactical talking point and a 30-point Bok win predicted.
Mallett sees Wiese and Van Heerden's moment in the lock crisis
Mallett believes the Bok lock injury crisis has handed Wiese and Van Heerden a chance to make themselves impossible to drop — the piece explores whether they can take it.
Bok flyhalf stocks have never looked richer — and Yaqeen Ahmed is just the latest reason why
Rich argues South Africa's flyhalf depth is at a historic high — Moyo's debut, Ahmed's emergence, and the continued presence of Sacha, Libbok and Pollard all point to a golden generation at 10. The piece also tackles Quesada's referee-criticism ban and what Moyo's Bok status means for the Sharks' internal flyhalf battle.