Rugby Championship

Kwagga Smith against the All Blacks in 2019

Readers: Boks won’t sweep All Blacks, but will win Rugby Champs

With the away leg of the Boks’ Rugby Championship campaign looming large, a reader’s poll has backed South Africa to add to their vast trophy collection with a fifth title.

Stats and facts: Boks close in on Rugby Champs record run

Victory against Argentina in Port Elizabeth on Saturday will see the Springboks match a record unbeaten run in the Rugby Championship.

GQEBERHA, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 14: Damian Willemse congratulates try scorer Aphelele Fassi of South Africa during the Castle Lager Rugby Championship match between South Africa and Argentina at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Gqeberha, South Africa. (Photo by Richard Huggard/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Poll: Predict what’s next for Boks in Rugby Championship

While the Springboks are on a roll, an especially arduous away leg of the Rugby Championship following this Saturday’s clash against Argentina promises to challenge the world champions’ hot streak.

South Africa A Lions Springboks PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 02: Jasper Wiese of South Africa looks on during the Rugby Union international match between South Africa and Georgia at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on July 02, 2021 in Pretoria, South Africa.

‘Sponge’ Wiese living up to Nienaber’s expectation

Jacques Nienaber says No 8 Jasper Wiese’s steady growth and development in the Springbok jersey is thanks to his willingness to learn from his peers. MARIETTE ADAMS reports.

Rassie to resume pitchside role after ‘family break’

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has confirmed Rassie Erasmus will resume duties as a ‘sideline assistant’ in this Saturday’s second Rugby Championship Test against Argentina. CRAIG LEWIS reports.

Jacques Nienaber, coach of South Africa during the Second Test of the 2021 British and Irish Lions Rugby Tour between South Africa and BI Lions at Cape Town Stadium on 31 July 2021 ©BackpagePix

Nienaber reveals reason behind Boks’ rotation policy

With the Springbok match-day squad overhauled for a second successive Test match, coach Jacques Nienaber has attributed the changes to managing the players’ workload while building squad depth.

Watch: De Villiers impressed with Wiese

Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has praised Bok No 8 Jasper Wiese following his man-of-the-match performance against Argentina on Saturday.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 14: Ardie Savea of the All Blacks makes a break during The Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies at Eden Park on August 14, 2021 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

All Blacks close in on Boks, Wallabies sink to new low in rankings

New Zealand have reduced South Africa’s lead at the top of the World Rugby rankings while Australia have sunk to a record-equalling low on the list.

Watch: Fassi’s superb finish vs Los Pumas

A precise cross-kick from flyhalf Elton Jantjies set up Springbok wing Aphelele Fassi for his second Test try during Saturday’s victory over Argentina.

Watch: Reinach outstrips Los Pumas defence for 55m try

After pouncing on a loose ball, Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach once again showed his turn of pace to beat the covering Argentinian defence during this past Saturday’s Rugby Championship opener.