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The Best Of Aphelele Fassi In Black And White
One more look.
Fassi's Japan move leaves the Sharks with a genuine fullback headache
Fassi's confirmed Japan sabbatical strips the Sharks of their first-choice fullback for a season, but with Kunene and Giliomee also gone, Gavin Rich argues the Sharks are dangerously thin in the position — and questions whether teenage prospect Siyaya is ready to carry the load.
Fassi's Japan sabbatical exposes a fullback crisis brewing at the Sharks
Three fullbacks out in one off-season — Fassi to Japan, Kunene and Giliomee to the Bulls — leaves the Sharks dangerously thin at 15, with only a teenager and a few makeshift options to fill the void.
Fassi heads to Japan on sabbatical as Sharks confirm 2026/27 absence
Aphelele Fassi will join a Japanese Rugby League One club for the 2026/27 season on sabbatical, returning to the Sharks in July 2027 under the terms of his renewed contract.
Wiese's Barbarians masterclass deserves more noise than it's getting
Gavin Rich argues Wiese's Barbarians performance — dominant carries, defensive grunt, a lineout try — deserves the same attention being lavished on Pollock, and that a head-to-head on 4 July could quickly recalibrate English expectations.
In Rassie We Trust — and the Squad Depth to Back It Up
Rich argues the Barbarians game confirmed Springbok depth rather than exposed weakness, defends Erasmus's Van der Mescht omission as data-driven rather than arbitrary, and makes the case that — after everything Rassie has delivered — his selection calls deserve trust rather than social-media-driven second-guessing.
Wallabies prop Bell: South Africa has set the modern template for scrums and bench use
Wallabies loosehead Bell credits his Ulster season with exposing him to South African provincial scrums weekly, concluding that the Bomb Squad model and scrum-as-foundation approach has genuinely revolutionised how forward-dominant rugby is structured globally.
From a Grade 11 wake-up call to the Springbok squad: The making of Vusi Moyo
A profile built around Engelbrecht's recollections maps Moyo's development from a talented but unfocused schoolboy to a composed international prospect — one his former coach believes is destined for greatness.
In Rassie We Trust — and Squad Depth That Proves Why
Rich argues the Barbarians game confirmed Bok depth rather than revealed weakness, defends Erasmus's Nations Championship squad selections — particularly the Van der Mescht omission — and makes the case that Rassie's track record now warrants a default position of trust rather than scrutiny.
Bok depth is giving the coaches selection headaches — and England should be worried
Joubert and Rich argue Bok depth is at an unprecedented level, creating real selection dilemmas for the coaches — and a serious warning for England ahead of Ellis Park.
Hougaard: Du Preez was so good the coaches sat down when he spoke
Hougaard recalls du Preez commanding such tactical authority at the Bulls that coaches would defer to him in meetings — a fascinating glimpse into how that era's dominant teams actually functioned.
Boks regroup in Johannesburg ahead of Nations Championship opener against England
The Springboks wrap up a week of Johannesburg training on Thursday and reassemble Sunday for Test-week preparations ahead of their Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park on July 4.
How former Lions doctor's refusal to testify sealed Ntlabakanye's 18-month ban
The IDT's 44-page ruling in the Asenathi Ntlabakanye doping case reveals that former Lions team doctor Rob Collins refused to testify in the prop's defence, a decision the tribunal identified as critical to the outcome. Ntlabakanye, banned for 18 months until November 2027, argued the prohibited substances entered his system entirely through the Lions' internal medical structure, but the panel found his reliance on that system — genuine as it was — fell short of the 'utmost caution' standard required under anti-doping rules.
Springboks host Wales at Kings Park on 18 July in Nations Championship opener
South Africa host Wales at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban on 18 July (17:40 local) in the Nations Championship, with Andrew Brace refereeing and SuperSport broadcasting.
ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE? Springbok Depth Has Reached Another Level
The Springboks have two international-quality teams and the Barbarians game proved it. The Money Man and Gavin Rich breaks down the biggest performances, the selection headaches facing the coaches, and why England should be concerned headin
Erasmus satisfied as Springboks complete Nations Championship training camp
The Springboks concluded their Nations Championship training camp in Johannesburg on Thursday, with head coach Rassie Erasmus expressing satisfaction at the groundwork laid ahead of the competition opener against England. The squad will reassemble on Sunday to begin official Test-week preparations for the 4 July fixture at Ellis Park, following productive sessions that addressed learnings from warm-up matches against the Barbarians and Zimbabwe.
Augustus still in Springboks' plans despite Nations Championship absence
Rassie Erasmus confirms Juarno Augustus remains in Springbok plans but is currently injured and unavailable for the Nations Championship, with the Ulster back-rower still awaiting a first Test cap.
Erasmus confirms squad rotation plans as De Jager and Mostert race fitness clocks
Erasmus confirms the 46-man squad is not his only selection pool for July, with De Jager a fitness doubt for the England Test and Mostert set to miss the first game at minimum.
Rassie satisfied as Boks shift into Test mode ahead of England opener
Rassie Erasmus says he is satisfied with the Springboks' preparation heading into next Saturday's Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park.
Boks wrap Johannesburg camp ahead of England opener
The Springboks have wrapped their Johannesburg training camp and reassemble Sunday for Test-week preparations ahead of their Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park on 4 July.