Springboks 19/02/2024 - Springboks Name Squad For First 2024 Alignment Camp - The Springboks will get the wheels in motion for the 2024 season in Cape Town in the first week of March with the first in-person coaches’ strategic session and a two-day alignment camp with a group of 43 players, which will mark the 16/02/2024 - Rian Oberholzer, CEO, SA Rugby Wrote An Open Letter To South Africa - That conversation is incomplete, and any agreement that may ultimately be reached, requires the approval of the 14 member unions of SA Rugby before it could be signed. But there has been much speculation, misdirection and misunderstanding of what the purpose and practicalities of such an agreement 14/02/2024 - The Unions Unanimously Chose Ackerley Sports Group (ASG) As Preferred Bidder - What is the state of play? SA Rugby has been approached by private equity companies who wish to acquire a shareholding in the sport’s commercial activities. Why would you do such a deal? A private equity partnership offers not just an immediate financial boost but also crucially provides the 14/02/2024 - Ackerley Sports Group Announces Investment in Springboks - South Africa’s top four franchises have written a collective letter to SA Rugby expressing concern over the deal with the Seattle-based Ackerley Sports Group (ASG) following a press release issued by the Ackerley Sports Group. They wanted clarity over the potential private equity deal with ASG. 13/02/2024 - Tour Spots Up For Grabs At Springbok Women Camp - Springbok Women head coach Louis Koen has named a squad of 32 players for a 10-day alignment camp in Cape Town, with places in the squad’s touring group to Europe next month an added incentive. The squad to depart on 7 March will have training sessions against Scotland and Wales in the first two weeks before taking on 13/02/2024 - "Jerry Flannery Joined Springboks Before The 2024 World Cup" - Jaques Nienaber - Jacques Nienaber said to the Irish Independent that newly appointed Springbok defence coach, Jerry Flannery was identified by Rassie Erasmus as the man to run South Africa’s defence before the Springboks defended their 2019 World Championship title. Harlequins confirmed that 12/02/2024 - Springboks Remain At The Top Of World Rugby Rankings - The Top 10 Nations ranked by World Rugby did not change despite several tests that were played by the Northern Hemisphere nations. Despite Ireland's 36-00 win over Italy on Sunday afternoon, they did not make any inroad into the Springboks' lead at the top of the rankings as they gained nothing from beating Italy due 09/02/2024 - Springbok Fixtures For 2024 Updated - The Springboks will line up against the Wallabies in back-to-back Castle Lager Rugby Championship matches in Brisbane and Perth in August, adding to an exciting 2024 campaign which features two home Tests against New Zealand in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and a clash against Argentina in Nelspruit. The matches against 08/02/2024 - Systems Aligned At Springbok Women's Forwards Camp - A successful Springbok Women's forwards camp concluded in Stellenbosch on Thursday, with the team’s coaching staff aligning with their Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok counterparts. Springbok assistant coaches Deon Davids and Daan Human joined the Bok Women coaching staff – Louis Koen, Laurian Johannes- 06/02/2024 - Harlequins Confirmed Jerry Flannery's Departure End Of February To Join Springboks As Defence Coach - Harlequins, who have a home Round of 16 draw against Glasgow Warriors in the Investec Champions Cup on April 5, will have to do without the services of defence coach Jerry Flannery following Tuesday’s announcement that he is to take up a coaching role with 26/01/2024 - Bloemfontein To Host Historic Springbok Test Against Portugal - Bloemfontein has been confirmed as the venue when the Springboks face Portugal in the historic first Test between the nations on Saturday, 20 July, in the final match of the Castle Lager Incoming Series as part of a thrilling 2024 home Test schedule. The back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions return to the Toyota 08/12/2023 - Mouthwatering 2024 Springbok Home Test Schedule Revealed - Two of the Springboks’ biggest rivals both head to South Africa in 2024 for a mouth-watering two-Test series, while a brand-new opponent will also make an appearance as the re-crowned World Champions come out of international hibernation from 6 July. Old foes New Zealand – presently 08/11/2023 - Duane Vermeulen Retire - The 37-year-old Vermeulen’s illustrious Springbok career spanned 76 Tests over 11 seasons and if it wasn’t for injuries, he would probably have racked up a century of appearances in the green and gold. He started 68 of his Tests in the No. 8 jersey, played three times at flanker and five times off the bench, scoring three tries for South Africa. 07/11/2023 - Siya Kolisi Thanks South Africa For Passionate Support - Springbok captain Siya Kolisi expressed his sincere gratitude to South Africa’s passionate rugby supporters on behalf of the national team on Monday after they concluded their four-day trophy tour, saying they witnessed a “united nation” in the last few days. 01/11/2023 - "Whether I Will Still Be Captain, I Don’t Know, I’m Not The Springbok Coach" - Siya Kolisi - Springbok Captain Siya Kolisi confirmed he has no plans to retire from international rugby and is still up for selection as the team touched down on Tuesday at a packed OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday. Siya Kolisi will play for French Top 14 club Racing 92 this season and said he still 31/10/2023 - Siya Kolisi Pays Tribute To Departing Jaques Nienaber - Springbok captain Siya Kolisi paid an emotional tribute to head coach Jacques Nienaber, who led the team to a second successive Rugby World Cup title and will be joining Irish giants Leinster in the coming weeks. Nienaber's involvement with SA Rugby and the Boks date back more than a decade to 2011, when he joined the 26/09/2023 - Etzebeth, Libbok And Nienaber Nominated For World Rugby Awards - World Rugby has today revealed the first shortlists for the prestigious World Rugby Awards 2023, which will be presented at the Opéra Garnier in Paris on Sunday, 29 October. Winners in 11 categories are set to be honoured in a star-studded showcase taking place just hours after the conclusion of 04/09/2023 - "It Will Take A Lot Of Hard Work, Commitment And Sacrifices" - Cheslin Kolbe - The Springboks arrived at their Rugby World Cup base in Toulon in the south of France on Sunday morning in high spirits after a ten-and-a-half-hour ferry overnight trip from Corsica. Cheslin Kolbe was delighted to be in Toulon, a place he admitted was particularly special for him after becoming one of 04/09/2023 - “Squad Depth Is The Main Difference Compared To 2019” - Jaques Nienaber - Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber singled out squad depth as the biggest difference in the team going into the Rugby World Cup compared to the 2019 showpiece, and said they cannot wait to start their campaign next weekend against Scotland. The defending champions will begin their title defence on 30/08/2023 - Springboks Are Looking Forward To Get Preparations In Place - The Springboks landed on the Mediterranean island on Saturday and returned to the training field on Monday in hot and humid conditions. Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok spoke of the conditions, saying: “It’s hot over here, but it’s good for our preparation because we are expecting 29/08/2023 - "It’s Important To Remain In Control Of What We Have To Do" - Canan Moodie - Springbok utility back Canan Moodie stressed the importance of remaining grounded and improving a few key areas of their game as they look ahead to their opening Rugby World Cup match against Scotland in Marseille on Sunday, 10 September. Moodie, who earned his first 28/08/2023 - “It Was A Great Game And A Special Occasion” - Damian Willemse - “It was a great game and a special occasion,” said Willemse, who was named the player of the match. “It was a good team win for us and we are over the moon. We can take a lot of confidence from this into the World Cup, which is only a few days away. 28/09/2023 - "We Have To Sharpen Up On Our Discipline" - Duane Vermeulen - Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen celebrated the team’s record-breaking victory over New Zealand but quickly turned his attention to the Boks’ next outing – Scotland. Marseille. 10 September. Rugby World Cup. Game One. Vermeulen was one of seven forwards who were replaced 26/08/2023 - Springboks Player Ratings - It was not flawless but if the brutal first forty minutes is what we can expect in the World Cup it is going to be fun in France. 26/08/2023 - "There Is Still Work To Do" - Jaques Nienaber - The Springboks were not reading too much in their emphatic win against the All Blacks. Giving the All Blacks their most emphatic reality check ahead of the Rugby World Cup when claiming a record 35-07 victory at Twickenham on Friday. Mounting attacking pressure from the outset, the Springboks were 25/03/2023 - Springboks Maul All Blacks At Twickenham With Record Winning Margin - The Springboks made a brilliant start against the All Blacks at Twickenham to lead 14-00 at the halftime break. The Springboks continued their dominance, especially up front, to win with a record winning margin, beating the All Blacks 35-07. Despite the Springboks' dominance and 25/08/2023 - Springboks Can Start 2023 Rugby World Cup As World Number 1 - World Rugby has published the ranking permutations for the final round of Rugby World Cup 2023 warm-up matches this weekend. A win of any margin will see the Springboks climb above the All Blacks, however, South Africa could return to the top of the rankings if they beat New Zealand 25/08/2023 - Kolisi Has No Issue With The Way Tackle Height Laws Are Applied - South Africa had been paying attention to tackle heights well before they came to an issue for England in their warm-up programme, and Kolisi had no issue with the way the laws were applied. "We train over and over with our technique. Rugby is played at a certain height now, with the mauling, 24/08/2023 - "Hopefully It Will Be An Ugly, Tough Game" - Siya Kolisi - Kolisi reiterated that while it may be their last warm-up game, the Boks would give everything as they looked to finetune their game before the World Cup. “The fact that the All Blacks selected a full-strength side for the match shows their intent,” said Kolisi. “This is not a friendly. In fact, we’ve never had 24/08/2023 - "Springboks An Ideal Opportunity To Get Us Battle-ready" - Ian Foster - All Blacks selectors Ian Foster, Jason Ryan and Joe Schmidt have named the team to play South Africa at Twickenham on Friday. A packed ground of nearly 82,000 is fans set to watch the first meeting between the All Blacks and South Africa at Twickenham since the 2015 Rugby 24/08/2023 - Canan Moodie Has The Full Support Of Springboks - Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen on Wednesday gave his new midfield partner Canan Moodie his full backing as the Boks prepare to line up against the All Blacks in their final Rugby World Cup warm-up game at Twickenham on Friday. Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber moved Moodie from the wing, 23/08/2023 - All Blacks Name Experienced Side For Twickenham - The All Blacks have named a match-23 with over 1000 Tests of international experience to take on the Springboks at Twickenham in London on Friday evening. A starting forward pack with over 500 Test caps is set to be bolstered by a reserves bench featuring six forwards and two backs. In the run-on side for 23/08/2023 - "Springboks Will Do Everything Possible To Secure Win Against All Blacks" - Andre Esterhuizen - Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen said he was thrilled to get a run in the important Springboks vs All Blacks clash on Friday at 20:30 in London. Esterhuizen said they would give everything possible to secure a victory and enter the RWC with 23/08/2023 - “We Are Playing In The Springbok Jersey, It Is A Test Match" - Eben Etzebeth - Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth stated unequivocally on Tuesday that the team viewed their final Rugby World Cup warm-up game as a fully-fledged Test match rather than a preparation match for the global showpiece in France, and said they would give everything to win this 23/08/2023 - Expect A Lot Less Box Kicks From The Springboks In The World Cup - Springboks scrumhalf Faf de Klerk said they were not fixated on Friday's warm-up game with the All Blacks at Twickenham and that they are looking to make final adjustments to their game plan. De Klerk said the Springboks' box kick of recent times is likely to feature less in their bid to win 22/08/2023 - There Is No Such Word As "Warm-up" For All Blacks - Ardie Savea - Savea said as the team prepared in London for Saturday morning's [NZT] game at Twickenham that there was no such word as 'warm-up' for the All Blacks. For them, it was a case of doing the jersey proud every time they pulled it on. That was part of the All Blacks' legacy. "It's not part of 21/08/2023 - Springboks Made Eight Changes For All Blacks Battle - Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber made eight personnel changes – and one positional switch – to his starting lineup for the final warm-up game, against the All Blacks at Twickenham on Friday, as he continued to fine tune preparations for the opening Rugby World Cup clash against Scotland in 21/08/2023 - Springbok Wing Canan Moodie Confident That Boks Are On The Right Track - Springbok wing Canan Moodie was confident that the Boks were on the right track with one warm-up game remaining before launching their Rugby World Cup title defence, but he said there was still room for improvement as they strive to peak at the right time at the 20/08/2023 - Siya Kolisi Confirmed His Value To Springboks' 2023 Rugby World Cup Dreams - Springbok captain Siya Kolisi made an impressive return from injury and needed just 40 minutes to confirm his value and hopefully satisfy even the biggest cynics that he is good to go to the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Despite suffering a knee injury that threatened to end his 20/08/2023 - “We Have To Get Better Going Into France” - Jaques Nienaber - Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber quickly put behind him his team’s record victory over Wales in Cardiff on Saturday (52-16) and focused on improving as the Rugby World Cup kick-off moved a day closer. South Africa’s 36-point victory surpassed the previous best of 22 points (34-12) 19/08/2021 - Springboks Cruise To A Scrappy Win Against Wales - The Springboks started their last leg of preparations with a brilliant 52-16 win against Wales on Saturday at the principality stadium. The first half was still an arm wrestle with the Springboks leading 24-09. However, signs of the dam wall cracking were clear to see. Twenty-eight unanswered points were scored by the 19/08/2023 - Is Kurt-Lee Arendse The Springbok's Christian Cullen? - Vodacom Bulls assistant coach Chris Rossouw has compared Kurt-Lee Arendse to All Black great Christian Cullen and believes the Bulls and Springbok star will only get better. Speaking after Arendse cleaned up at the Vodacom Bulls’ annual awards evening where he claimed five individual awards, Rossouw was 19/08/2023 - "Wales Are Hard-working Individuals Who Don’t Get Things Easy" - Siya Kolisi - Kolisi also spoke highly of Welsh captain Jac Morgan, who will steer the ship at only 23 years old and said: “He’s a good leader. He may be 23 years old, but he has good leaders around him that will help him a lot. He’s the kind of guy that wants to lead by example, so I’m looking forward to the 18/08/2023 - "No One Is Bigger Than The Next Person" - Cheslin Kolbe - Chester Kolbe expects a tough match against Wales, particularly with them including several senior players who did not play in the loss against England at Twickenham. “They’ve brought back a few experienced guys, so they have a nice balance of youth and experience. It is a good team with guys who can run the show, 17/08/2023 - “Wales Are A Quality Team With Good Plans” - Frans Malherbe - Veteran Springbok prop Frans Malherbe said that although Saturday’s Test against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff would be a massive battle, it was exactly what the team needed to get them into prime shape for the Rugby World Cup which kicks off on Friday, 8 September. The Boks will line up against 17/08/2023 - Ox Nche Is Determined To Make A Strong Comeback - Springbok prop Ox Nche is determined to make a strong comeback in what will mark his first Test of the year against Wales on Saturday in Cardiff after spending weeks on the sidelines with a torn pectoral muscle. And with only two matches to get into the best possible form before the Rugby World Cup, he is keen to hit the 16/08/2023 - Wales Announce Team To Face Springboks - “In the first couple of games what was really pleasing for me was the physicality we brought and the way we defended. There are still things for us to work on in terms of being much more accurate. There’s been a lot of learning from that second England game and hopefully, we put that into practice against South Africa. There’s another 15/08/2023 - Springboks And All Blacks To Clash For Qatar Airways Cup At Twickenham - One of global rugby’s greatest rivalries, between South Africa and New Zealand, will be reignited at Twickenham in London later this month with the two nations playing for a brand-new trophy, the Qatar Airways Cup, on Friday 25 August. The match – which kicks off at 19h30 (20h30 SA time) –
