Springboks

Jaden Hendrikse of the Sharks during the 2023 United Rugby Championship game between the Stormers and Sharks at Cape Town Stadium on 30 December 2023 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Sanity must prevail on when Boks can play

MARK KEOHANE argues for a crucial discussion between Rassie Erasmus and South Africa’s franchise coaches to find a balance in managing the availability of Springbok players.

Kurt-Lee Arendse of Bulls during the United Rugby Championship 2022/23 match between Bulls and Leinster at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria on 22 April 2023 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Arendse goes the distance

Kurt-Lee Arendse is one of the most impactful players on the planet, and a key stat reveals what makes the Springbok and @Vodacom Bulls flyer so prolific.

Manie Libbok of South Africa during the 2023 Castle Lager Rugby Championship Springbok training session at Loftus Stadium Field B in Pretoria on 20 July 2023 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Watch: Libbok attempts record drop goal

Springbok and Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok steps up as the latest sharpshooter in a World Rugby series to discover who can successfully land the longest drop kick.

RG Snyman, Ox Nche and Jean Kleyn after a URC clash

Nienaber: Boks playing for clubs abroad a win

Former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has spoken on the benefits of South African players plying their trade overseas, emphasising financial constraints as a key factor.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 15: Cheslin Kolbe of South Africa makes a run during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and South Africa Springboks at Mt Smart Stadium on July 15, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)

Bok star survives earthquake scare

Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe and his family emerged unscathed from the recent 7.5-magnitude earthquake in Japan.

Malcolm hit the mark

A key stat has shown why Malcolm Marx is invaluable for the world champion Springboks, and widely considered the best hooker on the planet.

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 21: Eben Etzebeth of the Hollywoodbets Sharks during the Hollywoodbets Sharks training session at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on November 21, 2023 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images)

Plum: You can’t buy success

John Plumtree believes the route back to the top for the Sharks is through player development and smart recruitment to help cope with the Boks’ “compulsory rest period” in 2024.

No Boks on club duty for two months?

Stormers head coach John Dobson said the local franchises are in talks with SA Rugby regarding the “compulsory rest period” for top Springboks early in 2024.

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 28: Handre Pollard of South Africa kicks the team's fourth penalty during the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France.

Best of 2023: Pollard comes up clutch for Boks

Handre Pollard made a timely recovery from injury to cap a sensational 2023 by kicking the Springboks to a World Cup title defence.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matthieu Mirville/DPPI/Shutterstock (14151422e) Damian PENAUD of France and Cheslin KOLBE of South Africa during the World Cup 2023, Quarter-final rugby union match between France and South Africa on October 15, 2023 at Stade de France in Saint-Denis near Paris, France - Photo Matthieu Mirville / DPPI RUGBY - WORLD CUP 2023 - 1/4 - FRANCE v SOUTH AFRICA, , Saint-Denis, France - 15 Oct 2023

Watch: Kolbe flays French defence

Cheslin Kolbe’s score for the Springboks against France features in this selection of standout tries from the double world champion across two World Cup campaigns.