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Coles relishes Etzebeth and Nortjé challenge as England prepare for Ellis Park opener
England lock Alex Coles has spoken of his excitement at facing Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortjé in Saturday's Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park. The Northampton Saints forward, set to deputise for the absent Maro Itoje, described the Springbok pair as among the world's best and views the fixture as an opportunity to stake his claim for a regular starting role under Steve Borthwick.
Fassi heads to Japan on sabbatical as Sharks full-back joins Brave Lupus triple signing
Aphelele Fassi joins Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo on sabbatical for the 2027 Rugby League One season, with Scotland's Jack Dempsey and ex-All Black David Havili signing permanent deals at the same club.
Erasmus defends lock-depleted bench but concedes Snyman absence is 'big loss'
Rassie Erasmus has dismissed talk of a soft underbelly despite naming no specialist lock on the bench for Saturday's Nations Championship Test against England at Ellis Park, while conceding that Snyman's ACL injury is a major loss. Elrigh Louw has been called up as cover after Riley Norton suffered a hamstring tear, with Mostert and De Jager expected back within two weeks.
Coles, Kolisi and the deeper stakes of England vs the Boks
Kitson uses Northampton lock Alex Coles — who once sought out Kolisi to discuss racial unity — to explore whether England truly grasp the meaning Springboks attach to pulling on the jersey, and what that gap might mean when the series kicks off.
England leave nothing to chance in Highveld preparation — Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield says England have left nothing to chance in preparing for the altitude challenge of Saturday's Nations Championship Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park.
Nations Championship explained: Format, conferences and SA's July fixtures
The Nations Championship is a 12-team cross-hemisphere tournament contested across the July and November windows. South Africa open at home to England on 5 July, followed by Scotland at Loftus and Wales in Durban.
Rassie confirms midfield maul was a calculated protest — and it worked
Erasmus confirms the midfield maul was as much a statement to World Rugby as a tactical weapon — and the resulting law clarification suggests it landed. He explains the lineout mauling context that drove it, and why he expects the innovation to persist.
Brits backs Libbok but flags the bench gamble Erasmus is taking against England
Brits backs the Libbok selection but flags a real structural risk in having no credible backup 10 on the bench, while arguing that a more mature Libbok — operating behind a dominant forward pack — could use this Nations Championship as a genuine World Cup audition.
Easter's blueprint: pressure Libbok, survive Nché
Nick Easter sees a route to an England upset, but only if they can pressure Libbok and manage Nché's scrumming dominance.
Erasmus reveals SA Rugby blocked Janse van Rensburg cap after England commitment
Rassie Erasmus has disclosed that he wanted to cap Bristol centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg in June but was prevented by SA Rugby, who had already committed to World Rugby not to pursue the South Africa-born midfielder. Janse van Rensburg, now in England's Nations Championship squad, was keen to represent the Springboks but could not be guaranteed Test rugby in 2024. The centre qualifies for England on 8 July and is expected to debut against Fiji rather than face the Springboks at Ellis Park this weekend.
Erasmus reveals SARU blocked late Janse van Rensburg capping push
Rassie Erasmus has revealed SARU blocked a late push to cap Benhard Janse van Rensburg after he gave CEO Jurie Roux an early assurance the Bristol Bears centre was not an immediate selection target — a promise Roux then committed to World Rugby and England.
Kolbe and Willemse hit 50: Rassie reflects on a career built on heart over size
Erasmus reflects on Kolbe's unlikely rise to 50 caps — once doubted for his size, now a two-time World Cup winner — as both Kolbe and Willemse hit the milestone against England on Saturday.
Kriel on motivation, milestones and making it count
Kriel opens up on sharpening motivation late in his Bok career, extends his record midfield partnership with De Allende to 42 caps, and flags unfinished business after last year's Ellis Park loss to Australia as the Boks prepare to host England.
Journey to Greatness | Rambo Kubheka
"Love isn't just a word, it's an action" ❤️ We caught up with Rambo Kubheka, who will lead the Junior Boks out in their Junior World Championship opener against Uruguay in Tbilisi on Saturday, 27 June, in the next installment of our series,
Coles relishes the Etzebeth-Nortjé test as England prepare for Ellis Park opener
Alex Coles previews facing Etzebeth and Nortjé at Ellis Park, framing Itoje's absence as an opportunity while acknowledging the scale of the second-row challenge awaiting England in the Nations Championship opener.
Nations Championship kicks off with a Super Saturday — but the format's problems are already showing
Gavin Rich previews a blockbuster opening Saturday for the Nations Championship — six matches back-to-back, from Rennie's All Blacks debut against a depleted France to the Boks hosting England at Ellis Park. He also dissects the competition's scheduling absurdities, the Dupont-as-world's-best debate, and what the southern hemisphere shift means for France's ambitions ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Murley set to start on the wing as England target Ellis Park upset
Cadan Murley is set to start on the wing for England against the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday, with Tommy Freeman expected to retain the No 13 jersey, as England look to end a four-match losing run.
England set to start Murley on the wing against Springboks at Ellis Park
Cadan Murley is set to start on the wing for England against the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday, with Tommy Freeman expected at No 13 as England look to end a run of four consecutive Test defeats.
Rassie Erasmus, Ox Nche and Jesse Kriel | Springbok Press Conference | 30 June 2026
Rassie Erasmus, Ox Nche and Jesse Kriel fronted the media in Johannesburg on Tuesday, looking forward to Saturday's season-opening Test against England at Ellis Park, which is also the first round of the new Nations Championship.
BABY BOKS ON FIRE 🔥 | South Africa v Uruguay | Junior World Championships 2026 | Full Match Replay
Watch the full match replay as South Africa got their World Rugby Junior World Championship title defence underway in an iconic fashion. The Baby Boks were ruthless against newcomers Uruguay as they racked up over 100 points!