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Erasmus and Stick take positives but flag work-ons after Gqeberha double-header
Erasmus and Stick both identified discipline and execution as areas requiring improvement despite comfortable victories for the Springboks (80-31 vs Barbarians) and SA 'A' (40-0 vs Zimbabwe) in Gqeberha, with the Nations Championship two weeks away. Mostert's ankle injury is a concern heading into the England series.
Norton shines on debut as Mostert injury adds to Boks' second-row headache
Franco Mostert's ankle injury in the Barbarians win has added to South Africa's lock crisis, but Eben Etzebeth is confirmed fit and 20-year-old Riley Norton impressed on his senior debut, scoring his first try in a commanding 80-minute display.
Erasmus and Stick see promise but identify clear work-ons after Gqeberha double-header
Rassie Erasmus and Mzwandile Stick took positives from Saturday's wins over the Barbarians and Zimbabwe respectively but identified discipline, defensive consistency and execution as areas needing improvement ahead of the Nations Championship. Franco Mostert's ankle injury is an added concern for Erasmus.
Springboks v Barbarians player ratings: Van der Merwe stars, Horn experiment delivers mixed verdict
A full player-by-player ratings breakdown of the Barbarians win, with the Quan Horn fly-half experiment, Riley Norton's debut and Edwill van der Merwe's hat-trick the key talking points.
Stick defends Ahmed after red card in SA A's 40-0 rout of Zimbabwe
SA A coach Mzwandile Stick says Yaqeen Ahmed was unlucky to receive a red card during an otherwise strong performance in the 40-0 win over Zimbabwe.
Rassie fears lock injury setback after Barbarians rout
Rassie Erasmus welcomed the Springboks' 80-31 win over the Barbarians but expressed concern over a possible lock injury sustained during the match.
Baa-Baas player ratings: World-class moments couldn't hide the gulf in class against the Boks
Planet Rugby's Barbarians player ratings from the 80-31 loss to the Boks identify Perenara, Vakatawa and Albornoz as the quality standouts, but a front row rated as low as 3 and a dominant Bok scrum tell the real story of a side outclassed up front.
Rassie Erasmus & Siya Kolisi | Springbok Press Conference | 20 June 2026
Rassie Erasmus and Siya Kolisi addressed the media after the Springboks' season-opening victory over the Barbarians at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday afternoon.
Van der Merwe hat-trick and Horn audition headline 12-try Springbok rout of Barbarians
Edwill van der Merwe scored a hat-trick and Sacha Horn caught the eye at flyhalf as the Springboks ran in 12 tries against the Barbarians in Gqeberha, though the visitors' five-try haul and a 35-26 halftime scoreline highlighted defensive and disciplinary concerns for Rassie Erasmus.
Springboks open 2026 campaign with 80-31 demolition of Barbarians in Port Elizabeth
The Springboks opened their 2026 international season with an 80-31 win over the Barbarians in Port Elizabeth, scoring 12 tries including a hat-trick from Edwill van der Merwe and a debut try for 20-year-old lock Riley Norton.
Norton shines, Horn struggles, and discipline wobbles — five takeaways from the Boks' Barbarians romp
Five takeaways from the Boks' 80-31 win over the Barbarians — Norton impresses at lock, Horn's flyhalf experiment underwines, midfield defence raises questions, and the first-choice back row looks ready for England.
Springboks host Barbarians in Nelson Mandela Bay with five uncapped players in the mix
South Africa take on the Barbarians at Nelson Mandela Bay with five uncapped players — Riley Norton, Carlu Sadie, JJ Kotze, Paul de Villiers and Vusi Moyo — in the matchday 23.
Springboks open 2026 with 80-31 demolition of Barbarians in Gqeberha
The Springboks opened their 2026 international season with an 80-31 win over the Barbarians in Gqeberha, with Edwill van der Merwe grabbing a hat-trick and Cheslin Kolbe kicking 10 conversions in a 12-try haul.
Springboks run in 12 tries in 80-31 demolition of Barbarians in Gqeberha
The Springboks ran in 12 tries to beat the Barbarians 80-31 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
Van der Merwe hat-trick headlines entertaining Springbok victory over Barbarians
Edwill van der Merwe scored three tries as the Springboks opened their 2026 international campaign with an 80-31 victory over the Barbarians in Gqeberha on Saturday. The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium witnessed a high-scoring first half before the world champions pulled clear in the closing stages, running in 12 tries in total against a more competitive Barbarians side than last season's corresponding fixture.
Springboks open 2026 campaign with 80-31 victory over Barbarians in Gqeberha
The Springboks beat the Barbarians 80-31 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to open their 2026 international campaign, with Edwill van der Merwe scoring a hat-trick and Riley Norton marking his debut with a try in a 12-try performance.
Ratings: Edwill bags a hat-trick, Norton impresses on debut, and Kolbe is Kolbe
A full player-by-player breakdown of the Barbarians win — Van der Merwe and the loose trio lead the way, Norton's debut earns glowing marks, and the Horn fly-half experiment gets a cautious green light.
Van der Merwe hat-trick powers Boks past Barbarians in Gqeberha
A van der Merwe hat-trick drove the Springboks to a commanding victory over the Barbarians in Gqeberha.
SA A ratings v Zimbabwe: Am the standout, a future 50-cap Bok, and a red card that's a learning curve
Planet Rugby rates the SA A squad after a 40-0 win over Zimbabwe — Am leads by example, a 20-year-old hooker is tipped as a future Bok stalwart, and Ahmed's red card is the main cautionary note.
Am makes steady return as SA A whitewash Zimbabwe in Gqeberha showcase
Lukhanyo Am featured for South Africa A in their 40-0 victory over Zimbabwe at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, marking his first appearance in national colours since November 2024. The two-time World Cup winner provided a steadying influence in midfield alongside teenage sensation Markus Muller, though the occasion was marred by a red card for flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed. Am's selection signals his intent to force his way back into Rassie Erasmus's plans after missing the entire 2025 international season through injury.