The SWD Eagles thrashed the Border Bulldogs in George, while there were also Currie Cup First Division wins for Eastern Province and the Leopards on Saturday. Coach Heyneke Meyer’s SWD ran in 13 tries in their 87-17 triumph at Outeniqua Park, with right wing Rosco Syster scoring a hat-trick, and inside centre Nico Leonard and left wing Rune Lucas two each. Coach Allister Coetzee’s EP boosted their push for a home semi-final with a 22-12 win over the Griffons in Gqeberha, while the Leopards recorded a thrilling 48-45 victory over the Valke in Potchefstroom to keep their playoff hopes alive. The result of the penultimate round sees unbeaten SWD firmly in first place on 20 points. They are followed by EP, who scored their third win of the competition, on 15, with the Valke in third on 13, followed by the defending champion Griffons (11), Leopards (10) and Border (nought). WATCH: Stormers gear up for Currie Cup In the last round of league action this Saturday, SWD and EP meet in a top-of-the-table clash in George, the Bulldogs host the Leopards in East London, while the Griffons travel to Kempton Park to face the Valke. SWD EAGLES (87) – Tries: Rosco Syster (3), Nico Leonard (2), Rune Lucas (2), Tiaan Drotskie, Masande Mtshali, Kyle Cyster, Ulrich Stander, Aidan Christians, Niel Beukes. Conversions: Divan du Toit (7), Fred Zeilinga (4). BORDER BULLDOGS (17) – Tries: Dillan Kromhout (2), Sakhe Dingile. Conversion: Isiphe Mbini. EASTERN PROVINCE (22) – Tries: CJ Velleman, Liyema Matyolweni, Lwandile Mapuko. Conversions: Maxwell Klaasen (2). Penalty: Klaasen. GRIFFONS (12) – Tries: Rian Olivier, Chad Tshimanga. Conversion: Adriaan Carelse. LEOPARDS (48) – Tries: Ghudian van Reenen, Daimon O’Connell, Siniothando Tshontsyi, Naiden Jaarts, Jandre Burger, Indiphile Tyeda, Gcino Mdletshe. Conversions: Burger (5). Penalty: Burger. VALKE (45) – Tries: Ilunga Mukendi, Zeilinga Strydom, Sikho Nanto, Ezrick Alexander, Zander van der Merwe, Kelvin Kanenungo (2). Conversions: Stalmeester (5). The post Eagles keep flying high in First Division appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Defeat at the hands of the world champions is no shame, but where is the evidence that Steve Borthwick’s side is improving?In many ways England should be grateful for small mercies. On an old‑style summer tour there would still be two more Tests to come against the formidable Springboks with scant prospect of a happy ending. As they prepare to regroup against Fiji this weekend, they have at least been spared a potentially grim 3-0 thrashing at the hands of the world’s strongest team.Is it not reasonable, however, to expect the best resourced union in the world to be aiming significantly higher? On Saturday night there was hopeful talk of fine margins and South Africa being rattled in the second quarter. Given the final scoreline of 45-21 with England outclassed in many areas, it was not a conclusion universally shared back at home. Continue reading...

The All Blacks have trimmed the Springboks’ lead at the top of the World Rugby rankings after the opening round of the Nations Championship. New Zealand’s 34-32 victory over an understrength France in Christchurch lifted their rating to 91.04 points, reducing South Africa’s advantage at the summit from 3.61 to 2.90 points. Despite their convincing 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park, the Boks remain on 93.94 points because the gap between the teams in the rankings (10.03 points) was too big for Rassie Erasmus’ side to gain any rating points. Ireland held on to third place after edging the Wallabies 33-31 in Sydney. France remain fourth and Australia eighth. REPORT: Schoeman strikes as Scots lash Los Pumas Scotland were the biggest movers after beating Argentina 47-38 in Córdoba. The victory lifted Gregor Townsend’s side from seventh to fifth in the rankings at the expense of Los Pumas and leapfrog England. It marks Scotland’s return to their joint-highest position in the rankings, having last occupied fifth place during the 2023 World Cup. ALSO: More big selection calls for Rassie World Rugby rankings (Top 15) 1. South Africa 93.94 2. New Zealand 90.74 (+0.41) 3. Ireland 89.62 (+0.55) 4. France 87.04 (-0.41) 5. (↑2) Scotland 84.41 (+1.51) 6. England 83.91 7. (↓2) Argentina 83.47 (-1.51) 8. Australia 80.98 (-0.55) 9. Fiji 79.83 (-1.31) 10. Italy 77.76 (-1.88) 11. Wales 76.37 (+1.31) 12. Japan 75.97 (+1.88) 13. Georgia 72.97 (+1.02) 14. (↑2) USA 69.10 (+0.84) 15. (↓1) Portugal 68.81 (-0.84) Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images The post All Blacks reduce Boks’ rankings lead appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Mourners grieve as they gather to pray for Iran’s slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the second day of funeral ceremonies at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran on July 5, 2026. Prayers were held July 5 over the casket of Iran’s late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, the second day of funeral ceremonies that have drawn huge crowds to pay their final respects in Tehran. Khamenei ruled the Islamic republic from 1989 until he was killed aged 86 in an airstrike on the first day of the US-Israeli war with Iran on February 28. (Photo by AFP) A kid plays on water-soaked pavement around an open fire hydrant at sunset in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood of the Manhattan borough of New York City on July 2, 2026, during a heatwave. Blistering temperatures and humidity gripped swaths of the United States on July 1, with the worst yet to come for the densely populated East Coast as the nation co-hosts the World Cup and prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday. “Heat dome” conditions — in which high-pressure systems trap warm air like the lid on a pot — persisted over the Midwest and South and were moving east, with some 46 million people under heat alerts. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) Fireworks light up the Brooklyn Bridge during the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks celebration in New York City, on July 4, 2026. (Photo by Leonardo MUNOZ / AFP) A tall ship sails past the Statue of Liberty during Sail 4th 250 in New York, on July 4, 2026. Millions of Americans celebrated the country’s 250th birthday on Saturday — a landmark celebration that comes at a time of deep political division, with a president determined to put his stamp on the festivities. Washington’s traditional fireworks display on the National Mall — lined with monuments celebrating the nation’s Founding Fathers — has been super-sized, and is being touted as the biggest ever. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) A white peacock is pictured at the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala near Colombo on July 3, 2026 marking the zoo’s 90th anniversary. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP) Grant Williams of the Springboks goes over for a try during the Nations Championship match between South Africa and England at 10bet Ellis Park on July 04, 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Johan Orton/Gallo Images) An Impi warrior (Zulu warrior) enters the pitch at the beginning of the rugby Nations Championship match between South Africa and England at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on July 4, 2026. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP) A Springbok supporter in action during the Nations Championship match between South Africa and England at 10bet Ellis Park on July 04, 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Johan Orton/Gallo Images) The 60-foot high faces of (from left to right) U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln are seen carved into the granite at Mount Rushmore National Memorial on July 03, 2026 in Keystone, South Dakota. Trump is holding a rally and fireworks show at Mount Rushmore, kicking off a weekend of 250th Independence Day celebrations across the country. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Lava and pyroclastic flows erupt from the summit of Mount Merapi during an eruption, as seen from Ngori Hamlet, Central Java, on July 3, 2026. (Photo by DEVI RAHMAN / AFP) Community members dance as they run past police vehicles during a gathering outside the Olievenhoutbosch police station in Centurion on July 4, 2026. Community members gathered outside the Olievenhoutbosch police station to protest what they described as inadequate police action against undocumented migrants. Protest leaders handed a memorandum to police and issued a seven-day ultimatum, saying community members would go door to door to remove undocumented foreign nationals from the township if their demands were not addressed. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP) Jockey Richard Fourie rides “Note To Self” after winning the 2026 edition of the Durban July horse race in Durban on July 4, 2026. (Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP) Models present creations by local designers during a fashion show at the 2026 edition of the Durban July horse race in Durban on July 4, 2026. (Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP) Dancers from the Joburg Ballet, and singers from the University of Johannesburg Choir perform The Bacchae: An African Choral Ballet, 2 July 2026, at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein. The production is an African interpretation of the classic Greek tragedy, combining choral performance, dance and theatre to bring the ancient story to life. The show runs until 12 July. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen PICTURES: Glamour, fashion and racing thrills at the 2026 Durban July

Stand-in captain Pieter-Steph du Toit said some inexperienced players grasped their opportunity with both hands during the Springboks’ 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park on Saturday. The bonus-point victory put the Springboks at the top of the Southern Hemisphere table after the first Nations Championship weekend. Twenty-two-year-old prop Zachary Porthen played just his fourth Test, while late injuries to usual captain Siya Kolisi and lock Eben Etzebeth saw flanker Paul de Villiers drafted into the side for his debut, and eighthman Cameron Hanekom played just his second Test since his 2024 debut, and that at the less-familiar position of flanker. Youngsters had extra session Porthen made some strong carries, tackled well and lifted the intensity of the scrum when he came on in the second half. De Villiers won an early breakdown penalty, while he and Hanekom both played well in general play and made their presence known at the breakdown, before the two flankers were replaced after 45 minutes. “If you lose the quality of the players we lost, the young guys are definitely going to step up and take their opportunity with both hands,” said Du Toit. “We had an extra clarity session to make sure they knew exactly what to do. We tried to inform them how the game will go. “But the system is set in stone, and if you buy into the system, it will take care of the player. We have a very good system.” Springbok veteran comfortable stepping in That system saw Du Toit move from flanker to four lock, which he has often covered but rarely started in. That, while having to captain the side in Kolisi’s absence. “I don’t see being the captain as being a burden. It is an opportunity and a massive privilege. “And we have such a well-developed system that if you follow it, you know exactly where to go even if you change positions. “And If I make a mistake, someone else will cover for me. We have a saying that ‘the team will protect you’. I feel very comfortable moving [to lock].” The Springbok captain said youngsters grabbing their opportunities added to the competition of places in the side. However, all they could do as senior players was to give their best and live up to the Springbok standard.

Rassie Erasmus shared this music video on X to show his appreciation for all the support from Springbok fans at Ellis Park and across South Africa this weekend. WATCH: De Villiers on ‘very special’ Bok debut Bit of an AI addict me, but really just wanted to say thank you We feel you !! Lekka Ras pic.twitter.com/Sd4phagSTt — Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) July 5, 2026 Photo: @Springboks/X The post Watch: Rassie thanks Boks’ 16th warrior appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Fehi Fineanganofo’s dream All Blacks debut came with an unexpected hurdle. The young wing admitted he was so nervous before Saturday’s Test against France that he vomited in the changing room. The 23-year-old made his first appearance for New Zealand during their 34-32 victory, replacing Caleb Clarke for the closing stages, but confessed the biggest battle came before he even stepped onto the field. “I was sitting on the bench and nearly vomiting,” Fineanganofo said. “I was like, I’m not even on the field yet, I can’t imagine what it’ll be like when I am on the field.” MORE: Relieved Rennie vows All Blacks will be better The nerves only intensified during the halftime break. “At halftime, I was in the toilet, spewing,” he said. “I felt better after.” Fineanganofo earned his Test call-up after a sensational Super Rugby campaign in which he scored a record 17 tries for the Hurricanes. But he had already signed a contract to play for English club Newcastle from the end of November and New Zealanders playing overseas are ineligible to play for the All Blacks. Fineanganofo’s agent is now working to extricate him from the contract with Newcastle to allow him the chance of playing for New Zealand at next year’s World Cup. FARRELL: Hell of a Test, but plenty to fix As of Saturday night there was no change in the contract situation, but the 23-year-old said family had helped him realise that he wanted to stay in New Zealand. They celebrated his debut with a homemade Polynesian-style “lolly necklace”. “It’s kind of a Tongan or Polynesian thing just to celebrate achievement,” he said. “Sadly I can’t have any of these because I’m watching my weight, so I’ll give them to the boys.” Fineanganofo admitted it was an emotional moment for those closest to him. “All my family, parents, they couldn’t stop crying and I was just trying to keep it strong and not cry outside. “I’ll cry back in the changing room.” ALSO: More big selection calls for Rassie All Blacks captain Ardie Savea praised the debutant’s contribution after the match. “The guys that played their first Test match were outstanding,” Savea said. “They came on, did their job and had a few good carries so I’m just really pleased for them and their families.” – AFP Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images The post All Blacks wing ‘in the toilet, spewing’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed will make his first appearance at the U20 Junior World Championship after he was named as one of six changes to the Junior Springboks starting XV for their final pool match against Wales U20 at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi on Tuesday afternoon (kick-off 4pm). In total Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote has made eight changes to the match 23, as they target a third straight win to confirm their place in the tournament knockouts, after they beat Uruguay 104-7 in their opener and hosts Georgia 33-5 in their second match. Four of the changes to the run-on side that defeated Georgia at the same venue last Thursday are in the backline. Alzeadon Felix moves from the bench to start at fullback in place of Akahluwa Boqwana, while Ethan Adams returns from injury to take over at inside centre from Markus Muller. Muller is set to enter the action off the bench as one of the three back replacements, while at left wing, Jack Benade makes way for Khuthadzo Rasivhaga. Ahmed is also back in the fold after serving his suspension for a red card playing for SA A against Zimbabwe last month, and will start at flyhalf in place of Luan Giliomee, who suffered a concussion against Georgia and is currently completing the graduated return-to-play protocols. The two changes among the forwards see Risima Khosa come into the starting lineup at loose forward, with Gert Kemp providing impact from the bench. Vuyo Gwiji got the nod over Kebotile Maake at No 8. Pool decider Tuesday’s late afternoon encounter is effectively a decider between the two unbeaten teams in Pool A. Wales followed up their close-fought opening-round victory over Georgia with a win against Uruguay and trail South Africa by just one log point. The winner of the clash will top the pool and secure a place in the semi-finals. In announcing his match-23, Foote said they are prepared for the challenge that awaits: “We want to continue building on our work ethic and battle-rate areas because we’re going to need that against a tough Welsh side that keeps fighting until the very end.” The Welsh underlined their resilience with a one-point victory over the tournament hosts in their opening fixture, demonstrating the character and determination Foote expects to see from their opponents on Tuesday. “Wales never go away. They are a gritty outfit and will provide a stern test. We’ve selected what we believe is a very competitive squad, and the players are fully focused and excited for what will be a decisive match for both teams. There is everything to play for,” admitted Foote. Reflecting on his side’s 33-5 win over Georgia, Foote praised the way his players adapted after their dominant opening-round performance against Uruguay. “Georgia is a tough team to beat at home. They are extremely physical and place a strong emphasis on their set piece. I thought we did exceptionally well to absorb the early pressure before imposing ourselves on the game, which ultimately led to a deserved victory,” said Foote. The Junior Boks will complete their preparations with the customary captain’s run on Monday morning. Junior Springbok starting XV Alzeadon Felix, Cheswill Jooste, Samuel Badenhorst, Ethan Adams, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, Yaqeen Ahmed, Hendré Schoeman, Vuyo Gwiji, Luke Cannon, Risima Khosa, JD Hattingh, Heinrich Theron, Danie Kruger, Siphosethu Mnebelele (c), Oliver Reid Bench: Liam van Wyk, Rambo Kubheka, Luan van der Berg, Jaythen Orange, Gert Kemp, Jayden Brits, Markus Muller, Jordan Steenkamp

Yaqeen Ahmed returns from suspension in one of a number of changes for the Junior Boks ahead of their decisive World Rugby U20 Championship Pool A clash against Wales in Tbilisi. Victory on Tuesday will secure a place in the semi-finals. Coach Kevin Foote has made six changes to the starting XV that beat Georgia, with four of those coming in the backline as South Africa prepare for what is effectively a pool decider against the unbeaten Welsh. FOOTE: Georgia gave us the fight we expected Alzeadon Felix comes into the starting side at fullback, while Ethan Adams returns from injury to start at inside centre. Khuthadzo Rasivhaga is recalled on the left wing and Ahmed takes over at flyhalf after Luan Giliomee was ruled out with concussion. Among the forwards, hat-trick hero against Uruguay Risima Khosa starts at flank and Vuyo Gwiji comes in at No 8. Foote believes his side is ready for one of its biggest tests of the tournament. “We want to continue building on our work ethic and battle-rate areas because we’re going to need that against a tough Welsh side that keeps fighting until the very end.” The Junior Bok coach expects another fierce contest against a Welsh outfit that has also won its opening two matches. “Wales never go away. “They are a gritty outfit and will provide a stern test. We’ve selected what we believe is a very competitive squad, and the players are fully focused and excited for what will be a decisive match for both teams. There is everything to play for.” KEMPSON: Kids paying the price for quotas Foote was also pleased with the way his players adapted to overcome hosts Georgia in their previous outing. “Georgia is a tough team to beat at home. They are extremely physical and place a strong emphasis on their set piece. I thought we did exceptionally well to absorb the early pressure before imposing ourselves on the game, which ultimately led to a deserved victory.” South Africa head into the clash at the top of Pool A, with Wales just one log point behind. The winner will finish top of the pool and book a place in the semi-finals. JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS – 15 Alzeadon Felix, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Samuel Badenhorst, 12 Ethan Adams, 11 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Hendré Schoeman, 8 Vuyo Gwiji, 7 Luke Cannon, 6 Risima Khosa, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele (c), 1 Oliver Reid. Bench: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Rambo Kubheka, 18 Luan van der Berg, 19 Jaythen Orange, 20 Gert Kemp, 21 Jayden Brits, 22 Markus Muller, 23 Jordan Steenkamp. Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images The post Ahmed back to marshall Junior Boks’ attack appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Nick Mallett believes the Springboks’ emphatic 45-21 victory over England did not fully reflect how competitive Saturday’s Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park was. While the Boks eventually pulled away, Mallett felt England remained firmly in the contest until two yellow cards swung the momentum decisively towards the hosts. “In the second half, the yellow cards really counted in our favour,” Mallett said on the Talking Boks podcast. “When they got those two yellow cards towards the end of the game, we really murdered them. I think the score flattered us a little bit. It felt to me more like a 10- to 15-point win, not a 24-point win we got in the end.” MORE: More big selection calls for Rassie Mallett was, however, full of praise for several of the younger Boks, singling out flanker Paul de Villiers for his influence during an impressive first Test start. “I thought the youngsters did really, really well – Paul de Villiers in particular in the first 15 minutes of the game. “He won us that first penalty on the ground, his run off the back of the lineout set up that first try and he and Cameron Hanekom drove Thomas du Toit over the line for his try.” ALSO: Wrong Damian named Man of the Match The former Bok coach also credited the Boks’ replacements with lifting the intensity when the game opened up in the final quarter. “The bench was excellent. The bench came on at just the right time, and because we weren’t having too many driving mauls and scrums, we ended up having tremendous mobility from those tight forwards. “Zach Porthen had a rampaging run, as did Jan-Hendrik Wessels. We saw Ben-Jason Dixon score a try but he was also all over the field.” VAN GRAAN: Russell can hurt Springboks The Springboks will now turn their attention to Saturday’s meeting with Scotland at Loftus Versfeld. Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images The post Mallett: Scoreline flattered Springboks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Rassie Erasmus awaits news on several Springboks’ readiness to face Scotland, but is upbeat on his squad depth going forward after “destiny took charge” at Ellis Park. Erasmus provided an injury update ahead of the Nations Championship clash against the Scots at Loftus Versfeld next week, following the Boks’ 45-21 win over England on Saturday. Ox Nché (knee) hobbled off early in Johannesburg, while André Esterhuizen left the field following a head knock. Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth were withdrawn before kick-off. PLUS: Bok fans can’t bank on cheaper tickets “I think Ox will be out. That’s just my gut feeling of seeing a guy like Ox, when he says he can’t go on, then there’s something not great,” admitted Erasmus on the availability of Nché. “Because he [Etzebeth] got the head knock early in the week, maybe he can be available, depending on his symptoms. “André, definitely got a head knock concussion in the game, I’m not sure which category that will be. “Lood [de Jager] might be ready. I think Sous [Franco Mostert] is another two weeks. But we have Cobus Wiese and Vincent Tshituka there. ALSO: Wrong Damian named Man of the Match “Siya, the scans will be tomorrow [Sunday]. If it’s a grade one, then there’s a chance. If it’s a grade two, then probably not next week.” Kolisi and Etzebeth’s late withdrawals saw openside flank Paul de Villiers make his senior debut and Cameron Hanekom promoted to the starting XV. Erasmus said the outcome offered a timely test of his squad depth. “I wouldn’t prescribe it for any team to lose the guys on the team photos that sit to the left and the right of me, which are the most caps in the team, or the captain, prior to a game,” he said. “But we must see the positive in that. Paul will certainly learn from that experience and so will Cameron. It takes courage to swap players in and out in a new competition. VAN GRAAN: Russell can hurt Springboks “We’ve got a saying: it will come to us. We believe in that, that it will come to us, but certainly we’ll have to make some big calls in this year to be 100% sure about next year, that when we go into the World Cup that we test our depth. “Today, destiny took charge of that, and we could go with that, and luckily it worked out the right way.” He also highlighted Stormers prop Zachary Porthen’s cameo off the bench, noting the 22-year-old’s toughening up against quality scrummagers in training had clearly paid off. “We would’ve loved Zach to have played more games in the URC and really get roughed up as a tighthead,” Erasmus said. “There’s no doubt about his general plan, he’s a fantastic player. He’s mobile, he can tackle and so on. We’re very happy for him.” Photo: Steve Haag – Nations Championship/Nations Championship via Getty Images The post More big selection calls for Rassie appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

A try and a second consecutive strong performance with the boot capped a great game for Cheslin Kolbe in his 50th Test match for the Springboks. Last year’s World Rugby Player of the Season nominee said he was grateful to reach the milestone (along with Damian Willemse) when the Springboks beat England 45-21 in their opening Nations Championship match at Ellis Park on Saturday. Kolbe scored a try using a signature side-step to pass the defender, and was given the tee for all seven conversions even though Manie Libbok was available at flyhalf. The wing slotted five of them for a decent success rate of 71%, after nailing nine out of 11 conversions (82%) against the Barbarians in their non-Test two weeks earlier. Before that game, he had rarely taken on the goal-kicking duties, slotting only eight kicks for his country in total. Cheslin Kolbe knocked over some difficult conversions against England. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images ALSO READ: ‘Small man… big heart’: Bok coach salutes Cheslin Kolbe on milestone Kolbe sees kicking as more than a bonus “It’s something I’ve been working on since I was a young kid,” Kolbe said afterwards. “You never know when something will go wrong in the team and at the end of the day, you need to stay on top of those extras that you do. “I don’t see the kicking as a bonus. It’s something I have worked on since I was at school and for my whole professional career, and my time in Japan [at Tokyo Sungoliath] has contributed to that.” Still, Kolbe was not happy about missing the posts twice. He said he could “get better”, focusing on contributing with his next opportunity. He thanked his coaches and teammates for their faith in him in this area. OPINION: It’s a shame Cheslin Kolbe won’t reach 100 Springbok caps ‘It wasn’t an easy journey’ Kolbe said every time he wore the Springbok jersey, from his first cap to his 50th Test, it was a dream come true. “If you had to ask me when I was a young kid if I would represent the Springboks and get to 50 I’d probably say no, even though it was the dream. “Now to stand here with Damian as well, I’m super grateful for the coaches who believed in me, who gave me an opportunity. “It wasn’t an easy journey, especially not being the biggest oke amongst all the giants on the field.” Kolbe said his father had warned him early on that making it in rugby would require more time and effort than others. Now to come this far, the wing said he rated the England win as high among his victories in a Springbok jersey.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, lock enforcer Eben Etzebeth and prop Ox Nche, along with hybrid star André Esterhuizen are all in doubt for their Nations Championship second round clash against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld this coming Saturday. Kolisi and Etzebeth were late withdrawals from the Bok side on Saturday that went on to beat England 45-21 in their tournament opener at Ellis Park, while Nche was replaced early in the match with a knee injury, and replacement Esterhuizen came off with a head knock. Erasmus, who explained that Etzebeth had been concussed earlier in the week and that Kolisi pulled up with a hamstring injury at captain’s run on Friday, admitted that all four could miss the game against Scotland, or be available once the severity of the injuries is confirmed in the coming days. “Ox came off with a knee injury, and I must be honest, it does not look good. It is just my gut feeling, but I think he will be out. When a guy like Ox says he can’t go on it is usually serious,” said Erasmus at the post match press conference following the win at Ellis Park. “Eben took a knock to the head in training, and he could be okay for Scotland this week, but we wait and see. André also got a concussion in the game and I am not sure what category that will be, so we await clarification on that one. “Siya picked up a hamstring strain late in the week, and we’re not yet sure what the grade is. He will go for scans tomorrow (Sunday). If it is grade one, he might recover in time, as that is usually 10 days, but if it is a grade two he won’t be ready.” Better news In slightly better news, Erasmus said that Lood de Jager might be ready for Scotland, while Franco Mostert was still two weeks out from returning. Despite the injury worries the Boks should be pretty pleased with a solid night’s work against England that has given them a great start to the inaugural Nations Championship. Things did not go all their own way as despite a fast start that saw them race into a 17-0 lead after just 12 minutes, the Boks showed the same frailties they did when they started similarly against Australia last year, before capitulating to a bitterly disappointing defeat at the same ground. This time round however, despite allowing England to fight back to 17-14 at halftime, they produced a much better second half effort to reestablish a good lead, and then pull away emphatically after England’s ill-discipline cost them late in the match. “We did have flashbacks to last year and it’s easy to say after you win that you learn from mistakes, but the chat at halftime was definitely, ‘Boys we’ve been here before and we know how it feels if we don’t rectify things in the second half’,” said Erasmus. “A lot of things that Tony (Brown) and Stokke (Mzwandile Stick) said were spot on. Obviously, we had to be really honest with one another at halftime, but luckily, we had that game last year and we could rectify things during the half-time chat.”

As difficult as his lengthy injury lay-off was, it helped Springbok loose forward Cameron Hanekom develop mental fortitude. Now the 24-year-old rising star is set to have a breakout international season after a decent showing in South Africa’s Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park on Saturday. Hanekom was moved into the starting XV from the bench after late injuries to Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth necessitated a reshuffle. He also had to play seven flanker instead of his usual position, eighthman. But he made a few good carries and harried England at the breakdown before he was replaced after 45 minutes. In the end, the Springboks scored seven tries to England’s three, winning the game 45-21 and topping the Southern Hemisphere log. Hanekom returns to Bok picture The rising Bulls star earned one Test cap against Wales in November 2024. He returned to the United Rugby Championship and was named URC Next-Gen Player of the Season before tearing his hamstring in the Bulls’ semi-final victory over the Sharks in 2025. The injury was meant to last four to six months, but Hanekom, by his own admission, exacerbated the situation in his rehabilitation and extended the recovery to nine months. That meant missing the entire 2025/26 international season. However, after returning in the 13th round of the URC, Hanekom produced a string of impressive performances for the Bulls, helping them win eight of their next 10 matches. Their only defeats came against Glasgow Warriors in the Champions Cup round of 16 and Leinster in the URC final, where Hanekom was one of the Bulls’ few standout performers. ‘I thought my career was basically over’ “Getting injured in that URC semi-final, I thought my career was basically over. That is how it felt at the time,” Hanekom said. “It was heartbreaking as a youngster still trying to climb through the ranks, getting opportunities, getting into the Springbok setup at that time. “Getting it taken away in one clean sweep was quite hard to take in at the beginning but there is definitely a bigger picture and plan for everybody on earth.” He said the greatest challenge when injured is the mental battle. There were good days and bad days. “It was mostly my fault,” he said of the injury extension. “I was trying to do too much extra to get myself back faster and get confidence going, and I tore it a little bit again after six months. “At that time it was dark and difficult but look where I am now. Even if you are knocked down seven times, you stand back up each time. You keep on going and eventually the wheel will turn.” Hanekom said he is now at peace with his hamstring, which still hurts when he sits for long periods. In fact, the discomfort left after surgery is “nice” in that it challenges him mentally that all is in fact well. “I keep on going. If it breaks again, then it has to. I don’t want to leave any regrets out there.”