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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.
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.
Ox Nché warns Springboks not to underestimate England's scrum threat at Ellis Park
Ox Nché has dismissed suggestions that England will arrive at Ellis Park as easy opposition, highlighting the quality of their scrum and the energy brought by a crop of young talent. The veteran loosehead, speaking ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener, pointed to the standard of the English Premiership and warned that the visitors possess the variation and finishing ability to punish any lapses. Coach Rassie Erasmus echoed the sentiment, refusing to write off a side that has lost five consecutive matches.
Nché and Erasmus warn against underestimating England ahead of Nations Championship opener
Ox Nché and Rassie Erasmus have urged against dismissing England ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park, with both citing the tourists' Premiership pedigree and physical forward pack as reasons for respect despite England's poor Six Nations campaign.
Rassie on Alles Ep 2 | England at Ellis Park
The first Test of 2026 is here, and for the Boks, facing England at Ellis Park brings a number of tough challenges. Check out what Rassie Erasmus, Mzwandile Stick and Deon Davids had to say about this clash in the second episode of "Rassie
Faf de Klerk leads Cheetahs' Currie Cup recruitment drive
Faf de Klerk headlines a five-player Cheetahs recruitment drive for the 2026 Currie Cup season, joined by Henry Immelman, Simon Muller, Siya Ningiza, and Kobus Janse van Rensburg.
Erasmus explains the Janse van Rensburg decision — it wasn't a snub, it was a pecking order
Erasmus confirms BJvR was on the Bok radar but couldn't be promised a cap — so England moved first. The piece frames it as a depth problem rather than a rejection, and is worth reading for Rassie's candid account of how the conversation unfolded.
Borthwick's silo culture drove Felix Jones back to the Boks
Telegraph sources reveal Jones was sidelined within Borthwick's coaching structure, barred from cross-department input and frustrated by a culture that lacked winning ruthlessness — the antithesis of the Springbok environment he'd come from. Walters' exit sealed the decision, and South Africa made clear they wanted him back.
Why the Joe Lewis appointment is bigger than just England week
Joe Lewis's appointment as Bok analyst is getting attention because of his Borthwick ties, but the piece argues the real story is Erasmus quietly closing a significant resource gap — the Boks have been operating with one analyst while rivals field five or more.
Louw recalled to Springbok squad as Norton's Grade 3 hamstring rules him out of Nations Championship debut
Elrigh Louw returns to the Springbok squad for the Nations Championship after Riley Norton suffered a Grade 3 hamstring tear in training, ruling the SA under-20 captain out for eight to ten weeks and ending his chance of a senior debut in the tournament's opening rounds.
Matfield 'nervous' ahead of England opener — and his concerns deserve attention
Matfield is openly nervous about the Boks' readiness for England despite the rankings gap — he questions cohesion, scrum supremacy, and tactical identity heading into an opener against a team that, despite poor form, is more match-hardened.
Lewis Appointment Gives Boks Edge Over England, Confirms Erasmus
Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that former England analyst Joe Lewis, who joined the Springboks after working with Steve Borthwick's side during the Six Nations, brings valuable inside knowledge ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park. The appointment is part of a broader modernisation of the Boks' analysis department to match Tier One rivals, though Erasmus acknowledged that intellectual property regularly moves between international setups.