Springbok coach Rassie Erasmussprang a late surprise when he switchedstarting and replacement front rows
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“Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus sprang a late surprise when he switched the starting and replacement front rows, with Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche moving to the bench.”
Head coach Rassie ErasmussaidHandre has delivered under extreme pressure
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“"Handre has delivered for us under extreme pressure, and we feel that is what he and Cobus have the potential to bring at the beginning of the game," said head coach Rassie Erasmus.”
Rassie Erasmusdelayed namingmatchday 23 squad until Thursday
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“But Erasmus said that this week he will delay naming his team until Thursday, the same day New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie is set to announce his starting XV.”
Rassie Erasmussaidthe squad for the 'Greatest Rivalry' will be announced only after South Africa plays Argentina
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“"We have not done a lot of analysing when it comes to the All Blacks. The squad for the 'Greatest Rivalry' will be announced only after we play Argentina this weekend," said Erasmus.”
South Africa defeated New Zealand 29-24 in the third Test in Johannesburg, taking a 2-1 series lead. Star players Cheslin Kolbe (jaw) and Ardie Savea (shoulder) were injured and ruled out of the series finale in Baltimore.
South Africa defeated New Zealand 29-24 in the third Test in Johannesburg, taking a 2-1 series lead. Star players Cheslin Kolbe (jaw) and Ardie Savea (shoulder) were injured and ruled out of the series finale in Baltimore.
South Africa and New Zealand meet in Johannesburg on Saturday for a 2-1 series lead, following days of verbal sparring over scrumming tactics between the two head coaches and support staff.
South Africa's coach Rassie Erasmus rejected All Blacks coach Dave Rennie's criticism of the Springboks' scrumming techniques following South Africa's 33-26 victory over New Zealand in Cape Town. Erasmus said Rennie's comments about the Springboks "walking around" in scrums were "nonsense," pointing instead to New Zealand's collapsing scrums.
South Africa defeated New Zealand 33-26 in the second of four Tests at Cape Town Stadium, levelling their series after losing the first Test. The Springboks dominated much of the match but had to withstand a fierce All Blacks comeback in the final 14 minutes.
South Africa have changed their half-backs for the second Test against New Zealand on Saturday in Cape Town, promoting Handre Pollard and Cobus Reinach to replace Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Grant Williams. The Springboks also made changes to their backline, with Ethan Hooker replacing Kurt-Lee Arendse on the left wing.
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche are doubtful for the first Test against New Zealand on Saturday in Johannesburg, head coach Rassie Erasmus said Monday. Kolisi suffered a hamstring injury in Argentina this month, while Nche has not played since a knee injury in July.
South Africa and New Zealand are undertaking an extended rugby tour that begins in Cape Town on Friday and concludes in the United States 12,700 kilometres away. From August 29 to September 12, the two world-ranked teams will play exclusive Tests in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Baltimore, with the tour branded the 'Greatest Rivalry' and scheduled to occur every four years.
South Africa and France top their respective tables after the southern hemisphere Tests in the inaugural Nations Championship. The Springboks, New Zealand and other southern hemisphere nations will visit the northern hemisphere in November to play three Tests apiece before a grand final at Twickenham on November 27-29.
Debutant wing Jaco Williams scored a try and created another as South Africa beat Wales 43-0 in Durban to reclaim first place in the Nations Championship southern hemisphere standings on points difference, ahead of New Zealand.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said he would seek more consistency in selection during a challenging 2026 fixture list featuring the Nations Championship, a four-Test series against New Zealand, and an end-of-year tour, with less experimentation than the nine changes per game average in 2025.