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Libbok relishing England challenge as Boks prepare for Ellis Park opener
Manie Libbok has backed the Springboks to handle a testing encounter against England in Saturday's Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park. The flyhalf praised England's quality and organisation whilst expressing confidence in South Africa's preparation for what he expects to be an epic battle.
Libbok relishing England challenge as Springboks finalise Nations Championship preparations
Manie Libbok expects a tough Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park on Saturday, praising Fin Smith as a creative threat while highlighting his well-established combination with Damian Willemse, who earns his 50th cap.
England dismiss IP concerns as Jones and Lewis reunion looms at Ellis Park
England assistant coach Kevin Sinfield says the movement of former colleagues Felix Jones and Joe Lewis into the Springbok setup is simply part of modern rugby, as England head to Ellis Park on Saturday using the Nations Championship to benchmark their progress after a troubled Six Nations.
England deploy hypoxic training and breathwork protocols ahead of Ellis Park Test
England have prepared for Ellis Park's altitude by training with hypoxic generators set to around 3,500 metres — double the Johannesburg elevation — and implementing structured breathwork protocols ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener against the Springboks.
Schalk Brits questions Rassie Erasmus' fly-half cover for England clash
Former Springbok hooker Schalk Brits has raised concerns over the absence of a recognised fly-half on the bench for Saturday's Nations Championship opener against England. With Handré Pollard omitted from the matchday 23 and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu injured, Manie Libbok will start at 10 with limited replacement options should a change be required.
Fassi heads to Japan on sabbatical as Sharks full-back joins Brave Lupus for 2027 season
Aphelele Fassi will join Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo for the 2027 Rugby League One season on a sabbatical, having signed a new deal to remain at the Sharks long-term. The Springbok full-back is part of a triple signing alongside Scotland's Jack Dempsey and ex-All Black David Havili, who have both committed permanently to the Japanese club.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bok Women target defensive dominance ahead of historic Ellis Park clash with USA
Springbok Women assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt says Tuesday's training at St. John's College centred entirely on defensive systems ahead of Saturday's Test against the USA Eagles at Ellis Park — the first meeting between the sides on African soil — with the match-23 to be announced on Thursday.
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.