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Human hits back at walking accusations: 'I'm a farmer, I can't cheat'
Springbok scrum coach Daan Human has dismissed Dave Rennie's walking-around accusations ahead of the series decider at Soccer City, insisting his methods are built on legal, straight-forward dominance and have not changed in six years. Lock Ruan Nortje says the Boks are focused on repeating their lineout dominance from Cape Town.
Jacobs eyes second chance against Black Ferns as Bok Women bank on improved skillset
Catha Jacobs says the Springbok Women's sevens-enhanced skillset will be central to their plans against the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with the clash offering a direct chance to revisit their World Cup quarter-final defeat to the same opposition.
Human backs referees as Boks chase FNB Stadium send-off against All Blacks
Daan Human has dismissed scrum-walking allegations and backed referee Angus Gardner's Cape Town performance, while Ruan Nortje says the squad is focused on further set-piece improvement ahead of Saturday's third Test against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium, where a crowd of up to 90,000 is expected for the Boks' last home match of 2024.
Erasmus's selectorial brinkmanship divides opinion as series reaches Soweto decider
Rassie Erasmus's late team changes before the Cape Town Test—six alterations to the announced XV, including a front-row swap an hour before kick-off—have drawn both praise and criticism. Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett lauded the tactical nous behind the weather-driven switches, while All Blacks attack coach Mike Blair admitted his side now takes Erasmus's Monday announcements with a pinch of salt. With the series locked at 1-1, the third Test in Soweto looms as a psychological and tactical chess match.
Pollard, Williams and Moodie return as Boks and All Blacks share charter to Baltimore
The Springboks have received a timely injury boost ahead of the series finale in the United States, with Handré Pollard, Grant Williams and Canan Moodie all declared fit for selection. In an unusual twist, South Africa and New Zealand will travel together on a charter flight to Baltimore on Sunday, just a day after the third Test at FNB Stadium.
Pollard, Williams and Moodie return as Boks and All Blacks share flight to Baltimore
Pollard, Williams and Moodie are all fit to travel and available for selection as the Springboks head to Baltimore for the fourth Test, with both teams sharing a charter flight to the United States days after the third Test in Johannesburg.
Boks and All Blacks to share charter flight to Baltimore series decider
The Springboks and All Blacks will share a charter flight to Baltimore, where they meet in the fourth and deciding Test at M&T Bank Stadium on 13 September.
Barrett likens Soweto decider to World Cup knockout as All Blacks seek aerial edge
Jordie Barrett has described the build-up to Saturday's third Test in Johannesburg as resembling a Rugby World Cup knockout fixture, with the Greatest Rivalry series locked at one-all. The All Blacks midfielder identified aerial contests and defensive starts as critical areas requiring improvement after the Springboks' seven-point victory in Cape Town. Barrett acknowledged New Zealand's superior attacking statistics have not translated into results, with the visitors now facing a must-win encounter at FNB Stadium.
Erasmus fires back at Rennie over scrum claims: 'I've been burned for that before'
Rassie Erasmus has responded sharply to Dave Rennie's accusation that the Springboks deliberately manipulated scrums during the second Test in Cape Town. The South African head coach insisted his frustration stemmed not from Rennie's opinion but from the manner in which it was aired publicly, bypassing official World Rugby protocols. Erasmus warned that such media commentary risks creating narratives that place undue pressure on match officials.
Erasmus explains front-row rotation as Steenekamp drops to bench for third Test
Rassie Erasmus has revealed that weather conditions drove his controversial front-row swap before the second Test in Cape Town, with the Springboks coach opting to start Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit on a dry pitch. For Saturday's third Test against the All Blacks in Johannesburg, Erasmus has reversed the selection, restoring Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw to the starting XV. The coach insists the rotation reflects tactical planning rather than any performance concerns.
Airlink defends low-level flyby over Cape Town Stadium before Springboks-All Blacks Test
Airlink is defending a pre-match flyby over Cape Town Stadium before the second Springboks-All Blacks Test, after Flightradar24 estimated the lead Embraer jet passed just 12-14 metres above the roof in front of a crowd of 56,000.
Erasmus opts for continuity as Boks chase 2-1 series lead over All Blacks
Erasmus makes only two changes — Kolbe to fullback, Arendse on the wing — for Saturday's third test against New Zealand, citing continuity and a per-man 60-minute workload advantage over the All Blacks as the Boks look to take a 2-1 series lead ahead of the Baltimore finale.
Airlink defends low-level flyby ahead of second Springbok-All Blacks Test in Cape Town
Airlink's low-level twin-jet flyby before the second Springbok-All Blacks Test in Cape Town wowed a 56,000-strong crowd but sparked a safety debate, with the airline insisting the stunt met all regulatory requirements.
Erasmus Hits Back at Rennie Over Scrum Allegations After Cape Town Victory
Rassie Erasmus has accused All Blacks coach Dave Rennie of bypassing official channels by publicly criticising the Springboks' scrum technique following South Africa's 33-26 victory in Cape Town. Rennie claimed the Boks' loosehead props were 'walking around' at the set-piece, prompting a furious response from Erasmus, who insisted his counterpart cannot 'make opinion facts' and should have raised concerns through World Rugby's formal protocols.
Kolbe shifts to fullback as Erasmus rings four changes for third All Blacks Test at FNB Stadium
Erasmus makes four changes for the third Greatest Rivalry Test at FNB Stadium, with Kolbe shifting to fullback and Arendse starting on the wing after Willemse's injury, while the original front-row of Nche, Louw and Marx is restored.
Kolbe's boot levels Greatest Rivalry series as Boks avoid 'Blou Maandag'
Cheslin Kolbe's 18-point haul proved decisive as South Africa levelled the Greatest Rivalry series 1-1 with a 33-26 victory over New Zealand in Cape Town. The winger landed three conversions and four penalties to overturn the disappointment of the previous week's 16-33 defeat at Ellis Park.
Erasmus accuses Rennie of bypassing official channels in scrum row
Erasmus hits back at Rennie, accusing the All Blacks coach of airing scrum grievances in public instead of using official channels.
Rassie accuses Rennie of going public instead of through official channels
Rassie Erasmus has accused Dave Rennie of going public with his grievances about the Springboks' scrum technique instead of using official channels.
Erasmus reverts to original front row and moves Kolbe to full-back for third All Blacks Test at FNB Stadium
Erasmus reverts to his original front row of Nche, Louw and Marx for the third Greatest Rivalry Test at FNB Stadium, with Kolbe moving to full-back to cover the injured Willemse and Arendse coming onto the wing. The series is locked at 1-1, with the winner going two Tests clear ahead of the USA finale.
Erasmus backs continuity as Kolbe shifts to fullback for FNB decider
Rassie Erasmus has named a largely unchanged side for Saturday's third Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test against New Zealand at the FNB Stadium, making only four personnel changes and one positional switch. Cheslin Kolbe moves to fullback in place of the injured Damian Willemse, with Kurt-Lee Arendse drafted onto the wing. The front row of Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw returns to the starting XV as the Springboks look to secure bragging rights on home soil.