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Rassie backs Pollard through Bulls slump — but the pressure is real
Erasmus is publicly backing Pollard through his Bulls slump, but with Libbok in form, Feinberg-Mngomezulu out, and Moyo now in the mix, the piece argues the pressure on Pollard ahead of the international season is more acute than the coach's measured words let on.
The Stormers, not the Bulls, are the real URC story of what might have been
Gavin Rich argues the Stormers, not the Bulls, carry the real regret of the URC season — a Cardiff loss that cost them home-ground advantage they would likely have converted. He also delivers a frank verdict on the Sharks' poor campaign and rates the Lions as the season's biggest movers.
Kolbe's kicking arm eases Rassie's flyhalf headache
Kolbe's kicking form against the Barbarians gives Erasmus a safety net that softens the flyhalf selection dilemma — Rich breaks down what the Gqeberha weekend really revealed ahead of England on 4 July.
Kolbe's boot eases Rassie's flyhalf headache — but Pollard's form is a real concern
Rich's wrap identifies Pollard's form — not just the URC final but his broader Bulls season — as a genuine concern, while arguing Kolbe's confirmed place-kicking ability gives Erasmus a tactical safety valve when selecting his 10. Wiese, Kolisi, and the defensive system also feature.
Nations Championship squad: Winners, losers and the forgotten man who's back
Planet Rugby's winners-and-losers breakdown of Erasmus's 46-man Nations Championship squad covers Jantjies's comeback, the bold U20 call-ups of Norton and Moyo, Papier's eight-year exile ending, and the notable omissions of Am, De Klerk and Koch.
A Local Laaitie | Grant Williams
Grant Williams took the road less travelled to make from being a promising schoolboy player all the way to professional rugby and the Springboks, with a lot of help from his brother, Marco. Check it out in the second installment of our new
Embrose Papier returns to Springbok fold as Rassie Erasmus names 46-man Nations Championship squad
Scrumhalf Embrose Papier has been recalled to the Springboks' 46-man squad for the Nations Championship after a lengthy absence from the international setup. The selection comes as Rassie Erasmus casts a wide net ahead of fixtures against England, Scotland and Wales, with six uncapped players also included. Papier's return offers fresh depth at nine as South Africa begin preparations for their title defence.
Jantjies returns, U20 duo fast-tracked, and De Klerk left to join the Baa-baas
Herschel Jantjies ends a three-year Bok absence, Norton and Moyo are fast-tracked from U20 rugby, Papier returns after eight years, and De Klerk is left to join the Baa-baas — Planet Rugby breaks down the standout inclusions and omissions from Erasmus's Nations Championship squad.
De Klerk and Koch join Barbarians for Wales clash after Nations Championship snub
Faf de Klerk and Vincent Koch, both left out of the Springbok Nations Championship squad, have joined the Barbarians for their match against Wales at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
260612 Barbarians v Springboks v2
Catch all the updated highlights from the Springboks victory over Barbarians in the YesPlay Cup at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Sunday, 20 June 2026.
Siyaya concussed, Ahmed red-carded but Stick pleased with SA 'A' shutout of Zimbabwe
Zekhethelo Siyaya is in a race against time for the U20 World Championship after suffering a concussion against Zimbabwe in Gqeberha, while Yaqeen Ahmed's yellow card was upgraded to red — but Mzwandile Stick was largely satisfied with SA 'A''s shutout performance, singling out fullback Luan Giliomee for special mention.
Die Bokke is terug op die veld en ons kyk waar het dinge vir die Bulle fout gegaan
#Springboks #RugbyChampionship #KeoZels
Erasmus credits SA Rugby pipeline after Boks rout Barbarians 80-31
Erasmus praised the composure and maturity of five uncapped players after the Springboks beat the Barbarians 80-31 in Gqeberha, crediting SA Rugby's pipeline for the depth available, while playing down franchise form as a selection concern following the Bulls' heavy URC Final loss to Leinster.
Doping panel decision reveals how Ntlabakanye's prescribed medication defence unfolded
The written decision of the doping panel that heard Asenathi Ntlabakanye's case sets out how a doctor's clearance of his prescribed medication underpinned his defence.
Norton among six uncapped players as Papier and Engelbrecht return in 46-man Nations Championship squad
Riley Norton and five other uncapped players are included in the Springboks' 46-man Nations Championship squad, alongside the return of scrumhalf Embrose Papier.
Mostert ankle injury clouds Springbok season opener despite 80-point romp
Franco Mostert's ankle injury has emerged as the principal concern from the Springboks' 80-31 victory over the Barbarians in Gqeberha, with Rassie Erasmus admitting worry ahead of scans. The lock's departure compounds a second-row crisis already depriving South Africa of RG Snyman, Lood de Jager and Salmaan Moerat. Despite the points haul, Erasmus highlighted defensive lapses and discipline issues that must be addressed before the Nations Championship begins in a fortnight.
Van der Merwe hat-trick headlines 12-try Barbarians rout in Port Elizabeth
The Springboks opened their 2026 international season with an 80-31 victory over the Barbarians at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. Edwill van der Merwe claimed a hat-trick as the hosts ran in 12 tries, though the invitational side proved far more competitive than in last year's 54-7 defeat in Cape Town. The first half delivered non-stop entertainment before South Africa pulled clear in the final quarter.
Bulls' Dublin humiliation a warning shot ahead of All Blacks tour
The Bulls' Dublin collapse gets a withering post-mortem, but the column pivots quickly to the bigger picture — the Hurricanes' record-breaking Super Rugby title run signals exactly the kind of tempo-driven threat Rennie's All Blacks will bring on their first South African tour in 30 years.
Erasmus and Stick flag defensive lapses and Mostert injury concern despite dominant Gqeberha double-header
The Springboks beat the Barbarians 80-31 and SA 'A' shut out Zimbabwe 40-0 in Gqeberha, but Erasmus and Stick both identified defensive lapses, discipline and cohesion as work-ons ahead of the Nations Championship, with Franco Mostert's ankle injury the most immediate concern.
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.