South Africa rugby

Boks call up 'consistently superb' rookie to replace Arendse

Arendse was banned for a dangerous tackle against New Zealand in Nelspruit last Saturday, which will only see him cleared to return to action in mid-September. This means the flyer won’t be available for the Boks next three games and will only be available for selection for their final outing.

The collision saw both Arendse and Beauden Barrett needing medical assistance, with the South African speedster ultimately being taken off on a medical cart. Barrett player on, despite landing directly on his head after being hit in the air.

Rugby Championship to go ahead in 2022 with all four teams

The 2020 tournament was played in Australia without the Springboks, while last year all four teams took part with most of the competition held in Australia.

There has been speculation that South Africa was keen to join the Six Nations.

Rugby Australia, New Zealand Rugby, South Africa Rugby and Union Argentina Rugby have all committed to the organisation through to the end of the current broadcasting cycle in 2025, a SANZAAR statement said.

South Africa confirm home tests for 2022 - including All Blacks double

South African Rugby released the 2022 schedule of home matches on Tuesday, which includes Tests against Wales in Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Cape Town in July.

It will be Wales’ first trip to South Africa since 2014, when they lost 38-16 in Durban, before suffering a 31-30 defeat in Nelspruit.

With COVID-19 travel restrictions likely to still be in force later in the year, the Boks are hoping to play both Rugby Championships matches against the All Blacks at home – in Nelspruit on August 6 and Johannesburg a week later.

Springboks deny All Blacks southern hemisphere grand slam

The lead changed four times in a frenetic last five minutes on Australia's Gold Coast but the world champions kept their nerve to deliver Jantjies the opportunity to secure a famous victory from in front of the posts.

The All Blacks were already assured of the championship title after their victory over the Springboks last weekend, but Saturday's win will send South Africa back above their great rivals to the top of the world rankings.

Springboks make 2 XV changes for All Blacks and rejig bomb squad

Lood de Jager, who was ruled out last time due to concussion, is recalled for Marvin Orie while Kwagga Smith is promoted from the replacements in place of the benched Franco Mostert.

The Springboks coach has also decided to reconfigure the shape of his bomb squad bench, going for a split of five forwards and three backs on this occasion rather than the usual six/two split. Following criticism of the excluded Damian Willemse, Elton Jantjies and Frans Steyn are the new players amongst the replacements.

South Africa captain to start against British and Irish Lions

Kolisi leads a side which includes 11 of the players who started the World Cup final win over England in 2019.

Handre Pollard will win his 50th international cap after being selected at fly-half.

"We know what the players selected can do," said head coach Jacques Nienaber.

"The fact that most of the players participated in the Rugby World Cup means they know one another well on and off the field."

Kolisi, 30, played in the win over Georgia on 2 July, but only joined up with the squad in Cape Town on Monday after having to self-isolate for 10 days.

South Africa cleared to resume training after positive Covid tests

The Springboks squad had been isolating after three of their players tested positive for Covid-19.

They say they will "immediately resume" preparations for warm-up games against Georgia after feedback from the Medical Advisory Group of the Lions tour.

The Lions tour will start on 24 July with the sides playing three Test matches.

Scrum-half Herschel Jantjies, prop Vincent Koch and wing S'bu Nkosi were named as the three players who had tested positive.

South Africa Super Rugby sides can play for European title with Club World Cup mooted

The Sharks, Stormers, Lions and Bulls have replaced the Cheetahs and Southern Kings in an upgraded and expanded Pro14 renamed as the United Rugby Championship starting in September.

The plan announced on Tuesday is for the South African sides to be allowed to play for the European club title from 2022-23, subject to contract terms being finalized with European organisers.

They join Pro14 sides Cardiff, Ospreys, Scarlets and Dragons from Wales; Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht from Ireland; Edinburgh and Glasgow of Scotland; and Bennetton and Zebre of Italy.

South African rugby mourns death of S&C coach Sandile Sibeko at 42

  SA Rugby President, Mr Mark Alexander, and Springbok Women’s coach, Stanley Raubenheimer have led tributes to a man they describe as ‘one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the country.’

“This is a deeply sad day for the rugby fraternity,” said Mr Alexander. “We have lost a passionate and dedicated rugby man and one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the country.

Bath announce signing of South African flyhalf on 18-month contract

Schoeman will join the squad on Tuesday for training after following a strict self-isolation process since arriving in England on Wednesday 6 January.

The 29-year-old, who was linked with the club last year, joins on an 18-month contract and will the club say his role will be to support Rhys Priestland, “whilst also helping to develop younger players, in particular Orlando Bailey.”

Director of Rugby Stuart Hooper, said: “Tian brings a wealth of experience from his time in Super Rugby and also in the PRO14.