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The fear that keeps Rassie going — and ageing
Erasmus opens up on what really drives him — not a fear of losing, but a fear of losing the national togetherness Bok success has created. Nick Mallett adds perspective on the toll the job takes, and the piece paints a fuller picture of how Erasmus stays motivated heading into a potential historic third consecutive World Cup campaign.
Schalk Brits: Pollock will get 'a lot of spice' at Ellis Park
Brits rates Pollock highly but warns Ellis Park will test him — and the back row collision between the two sides shapes up as the match's defining contest.
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, Kolisi and what England might not grasp about Springbok identity
Using Alex Coles's unusual off-field curiosity — including a conversation he sought with Kolisi on racial unity — Robert Kitson questions whether England genuinely grasp the meaning that drives Springbok rugby, and what England's own sense of purpose looks like by comparison.
Rassie on scrum feeds: better enforcement coming, but context will still matter
Erasmus draws on World Rugby's 'Shape of the Game' conference to explain why scrum-feed policing is nuanced rather than negligent — and what will actually be clamped down on.
Springboks edge EPIC game 🤩 | England v South Africa | Rugby World Cup 2023 | Full Match Replay
Ahead of South Africa v England in the 2026 Nations Cup, we look back on one of their most famous encounters, where the Spingboks edged out their old rivals in a classic during the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Paris.
Du Toit's Premiership years give Boks an inside edge on England
Erasmus is using Du Toit's Premiership experience as a key intelligence source, while warning that England's poor Six Nations form is no guide to what the Boks face Saturday — a theme the piece explores through Erasmus's own words on form, altitude, and tactical unpredictability.
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.
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.
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.