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Boks brace for All Black war in Wellington

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Adnaan Mohamed

Wellington has always been a theatre of drama for the Springboks. From that famous 36-34 ambush in 2018 to the nail-biting 16-16 draw a year later, the Cake Tin has witnessed South Africa’s grit under the fiercest spotlight.

On Saturday morning, Siya Kolisi and his men return to the capital with the Rugby Championship title race wide open, the Freedom Cup on the line, and pride at stake against their oldest foes.

Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick knows exactly what it will take.

“Last week we had two soft moments early in the game, and it cost us,” he reflected on the 24-17 defeat in Auckland.

“This time, we need to be at our best for the full 80 minutes. We must be clinical, execute with precision, and turn opportunities into points.”

It is a simple equation against the All Blacks: blink, and you bleed.

Kolisi, who will lead the Boks for his 96th Test, echoed Stick’s call for composure. The chatter around South Africa’s new-look backline being too young, too raw, too untested, doesn’t faze him.


“There’s a good mixture of players in this team,” he said.

“Some have been here before, some have lifted two World Cups. It’s not a completely new side. The new faces bring something different, and that excites me.”

For Kolisi, the challenge feels familiar yet fresh.

“It’s going to be intense, like a World Cup final in the way you need to stay calm and composed. But this is its own battle. There’s enough motivation to win this game and to make our country proud.”

The Freedom Cup adds its own layer of symbolism. South Africa claimed it last year for the first time since 2009, and defending it on New Zealand soil would be another statement of intent.

More importantly, a win would keep them in reach of both the Rugby Championship title and the No 1 world ranking.

The All Blacks will be ready, the crowd baying, the weather unpredictable. But as Kolisi leads his men out one truth remains: matches in Wellington are rarely forgotten.

Teams

New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Fabian Holland, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Ruben Love.

South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.

Springbok Team Photo in Wellington Credit: SA Rugby

Date: Saturday, September 8
Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium
Kick-off: 09.05 SA time
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

Boks Shuffles Deck for Wellington Gamble

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has thrown his cards on the table, unveiling a reshuffled Springbok backline for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks in Wellington. This is a duel doubles as the decider for the Freedom Cup.

Ethan Hooker, 22, barely two caps old, is thrust into the spotlight for his first Test start, joining a back division brimming with new combinations.

Cobus Reinach links with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback, Damian Willemse partners Canan Moodie in midfield, while Cheslin Kolbe and Aphelele Fassi provide the familiar fizz out wide.

Up front, Rassie leans on trusted muscle. Siya Kolisi resumes his captain and flank duties alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit, with Jasper Wiese charging back from suspension like a pent-up bull. Malcolm Marx anchors a front row unchanged, while Lood de Jager’s return adds heft beside Ruan Nortje in the engine room.

The Bok coach has again gone with a 5–3 bench split, deploying RG Snyman and Kwagga Smith as his impact forwards, while Manie Libbok and Andre Esterhuizen wait in the wings to add late spark.

“This is an exciting team, which we believe will provide us with the forward power we require, and spark in the backline against a quality All Blacks side,” Rassie insisted, well aware that last week’s lapse in Auckland gifted New Zealand the upper hand.

“We’ve maintained consistency in selection to a large degree in the last few matches, but apart from what we feel some of the players selected can add to our attack, we’d like to see what some of the players can do against the top-ranked team in the world.

“This is a vital match for our Rugby Championship campaign, and we feel some fresh legs and energy are what we need to come away with the desired result.”

Rassie added: “Every player in this squad knows we believe in them and back them, and this will serve as a great occasion for them to show us what they are capable of against a team such as the All Blacks.

“They have all done the job for us against some of the top teams in the world earlier this year, and others over the last few years, and we know they’ll relish this opportunity to face New Zealand in their backyard.”

History frowns on South Africa in Kiwi stadiums, but Sky Stadium has served up tight battles before, including a 16–16 draw in 2019.

With the Freedom Cup dangling as both carrot and crown, Erasmus’ men will chase redemption in the capital, banking on fresh legs to unsettle the world’s No.1 side.

SPRINGBOKS – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché.
Bench: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 André Esterhuizen.

All Blacks punish Butterfinger Boks

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Eden Park remains rugby’s most impregnable fortress, and on Saturday the All Blacks once again proved why.

Their 24–17 Rugby Championship win over South Africa was less a spectacle of champagne rugby and more a ruthless masterclass in doing the basics with the precision of a locksmith turning a well-worn key.

For the Springboks, it was a night of buttered fingers, creaky set-pieces and coach-killing errors. Coach Rassie Erasmus’s men were not so much beaten as “out-Bokked” by New Zealand at their own game.

The weight of history

Fifty-one matches now, and still no opponent has left Eden Park smiling since 1994. For the Springboks, that ledger stretches further back to 1937. That’s when their last victory here came in an age of leather balls and long boat journeys. Saturday’s contest was meant to be a fresh chapter, yet the script followed a familiar arc: mistakes punished, momentum squandered, and the All Blacks grinning at the end.

Early jitters, costly gifts

The match began with the Boks wobbling like toddlers learning to walk. Within two minutes, Handré Pollard spilled a pass, gifting the All Blacks field position. From the ensuing ruck, Beauden Barrett floated a kick-pass that found Emoni Narawa, who skipped past Willie le Roux’s flailing arms and sold Cheslin Kolbe with a dummy. Eden Park roared, the scoreboard blinked 7–0, and the Boks had set the tone for a self-sabotaging half.

More wounds followed. Malcolm Marx, normally so reliable, threw three crooked darts and missed a tackle that allowed Will Jordan to slice through untouched for the All Blacks’ second. At 14–0 after 17 minutes, the Boks looked less like world champions and more like tourists fumbling with a foreign map.

Their lineout creaked, their scrums buckled, and Thomas du Toit folded under Ethan de Groot’s weight, while Ox Nché made Fletcher Newell look like a folding deckchair, but cohesion was absent.

The half-time riddle

By the break, the All Blacks led 14–3. It wasn’t champagne rugby with rain squalls turning the ball into a bar of soap, but New Zealand’s economy of effort shone.

Small margins were decisive. Every Springbok error was a black jersey opportunity. Every black jersey misstep was smothered before it became fatal. South Africa, in contrast, trudged into the sheds with just a Pollard penalty to show for their sweat.

A glimmer, then another stumble

The second half began with a flicker of green hope. The Boks finally rumbled into the All Blacks’ 5m zone, only for Nché to be held up by Rieko Ioane. Soon after, Damian McKenzie slotted a penalty to push the lead to 17–3, a cold shower on any Bok momentum.

At last, in the 62nd minute, the visitors’ famed scrum punched a hole in New Zealand’s armour, Marx crashing over to bring life to their challenge.

But as quickly as it arrived, it was undone. Ruan Nortjé’s obstruction at the restart handed momentum straight back, Kwagga Smith saw yellow, and Quinn Tupaea finished off the punishment to make it 24–10.

Cobus Reinach darted through late to set up a nervy finale, but when the Boks sniffed a steal in the dying minutes, Ardie Save, celebrating his 100th Test, swooped like a hawk for the game-sealing turnover. Eden Park roared once more, a citadel unbreached.

Execution vs. errors

The difference was not in ambition but in execution. The All Blacks were serrated in their precision: three tries born directly from Springbok mistakes.

They didn’t overcomplicate, didn’t gild the lily. They kicked, chased, tackled, and played territory like a chess master nudging pawns into position.

The Boks, in contrast, stumbled from one unforced error to the next. Their set-piece, normally their strong point, turned into a blunt instrument. Their backline offered little beyond blunt-force charges, reverting to type when invention was required.

A flattering scoreline

In truth, the seven-point margin flatters South Africa. The All Blacks had more than enough buffer, their victory rarely in doubt. Eden Park remains their canvas, and though this was no masterpiece, it was another brushstroke in a mural of invincibility which is now painted with the inscription “51 unbeaten.”

Erasmus’ headache

For Rassie Erasmus, the takeaways are stark. His side were dominated in the very arenas they pride themselves on: set-piece, physicality, and ruthlessness. New Zealand’s defence coach Scott Hansen promised a direct, aerial, physical approach during the week. The All Blacks delivered it with the cold efficiency of craftsmen.

Next week in Wellington, with the Freedom Cup on the line, Erasmus will demand sharper execution, calmer heads, and a return to their true DNA. Because in Auckland, the Boks were hunted, harried, and ultimately humbled in rugby’s Garden of Eden, where the fruit remains forbidden.

Scorers
New Zealand (24): Tries – Emoni Narawa, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea. Conversions – Jordie Barrett, Damian McKenzie (2). Penalty – McKenzie.
South Africa (17): Tries – Malcolm Marx, Cobus Reinach. Conversions – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2). Penalty – Handré Pollard.

Latsha’s Troops Ready for French Fire at Franklin’s Gardens

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By Adnaan Mohamed

The Springbok Women march into Northampton on Sunday with their scrum set like a fortress wall and their backline primed like a slingshot, ready to test themselves against France in a Pool D decider that feels more like a quarterfinal dress rehearsal.

At the heart of it all stands Babalwa Latsha, the iron anchor of the Bok front row, now entrusted with the captain’s armband. Like a general forged in the trenches, she will lead South Africa into battle for the first time at a Rugby World Cup, her experience as the most capped prop in national history providing both shield and sword.

There’s fresh blood in the ranks. Mary Zulu, the flyhalf debutant, has the playmaking instincts of a chess master who suddenly finds herself on the biggest board of all. Alongside her, towering lock Anathi Qolo earns her maiden start, a new pillar of green and gold muscle tasked with turning French lineouts into shaky scaffolds.

Coach Swys de Bruin has rolled the dice with bold squad rotation. With quarterfinal qualification already secured, he’s handed debuts to several bench warriors such as Luchell Hanekom, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Nomsa Mokwai, and Faith Tshauke. They will all be eager to stamp their names into the Bok folklore. It’s not a gamble, though, but more like resting heavy artillery while unleashing new cavalry to test their mettle.

France, ever the flamboyant juggernaut, are as unpredictable as a gust of Parisian wind. Their flair can cut through defences like a rapier, but De Bruin has his eyes on the scrum, that darkened colosseum of eight-on-eight where South Africa believe they can draw French blood.

Add to that a clever kicking strategy designed to turn Les Bleues’ structure inside out, and the Bok Women may just find cracks in their armour.

“Every player in our 32 has now had skin in this World Cup,” De Bruin reminded.

“That unity is our sharpest weapon.”

For veterans like Tayla Kinsey, sharpening her arrows for a 41st Test cap, this clash is about composure and craft. For the new faces, it’s about showing that the jersey sits on their shoulders as naturally as it does on legends.

The French will bring firepower; the Bok Women will bring grit. At Franklin’s Gardens, expect collisions as heavy as iron gates slamming shut, with Latsha’s warriors looking to prove that South African steel doesn’t bend easily, even against one of the most polished teams in world rugby.

What’s at Stake in Pool D

The Springbok Women have already punched their ticket to the quarterfinals, a historic achievement in itself. But this clash with France will decide the finishing order in Pool D, and with it, the calibre of their next opponent.

  • A victory over France would be a statement win, catapulting the Boks into the knockouts with momentum and belief, possibly avoiding a clash with the tournament’s heavyweights in the very next round.
  • A loss would still see them progress, but likely on the tougher side of the draw, where giants like England or New Zealand lurk.

For South Africa, the stakes are as much about sending a message as they are about scoreboard math: that they belong not just in the knockouts, but in the conversation among the world’s elite.

Springbok Women Team to Face France

Starting XV
15. Byrhandré Dolf – 24 caps, 57 points
14. Jakkie Cilliers – 21 caps, 106 points
13. Eloise Webb – 18 caps, 30 points
12. Chumisa Qawe – 23 caps, 20 points
11. Maceala Samboya – 5 caps, 20 points
10. Mary Zulu – 15 caps, 40 points
9. Nadine Roos – 20 caps, 45 points
8. Aseza Hele – 30 caps, 85 points
7. Catha Jacobs – 24 caps, 5 points
6. Lerato Makua – 17 caps, 20 points
5. Anathi Qolo – 9 caps, 5 points
4. Vainah Ubisi – 20 caps, 15 points
3. Babalwa Latsha (captain) – 38 caps, 30 points
2. Micke Gunter – 15 caps, 5 points2. Micke Gunter – 15 caps, 5 points

1.Yonela Ngxingolo – 37 caps, 15 points

Replacements
16. Luchell Hanekom – 9 caps
17. Xoliswa Khuzwayo – 8 caps
18. Nombuyekezo Mdliki – 7 caps
19. Nomsa Mokwai – 13 caps
20. Faith Tshauke – 3 caps, 15 points
21. Sinazo Mcatshulwa – 40 caps, 60 points
22. Tayla Kinsey – 40 caps, 53 points
23. Aphiwe Ngwevu – 29 caps, 65 points

Springboks charge Eden Park hoodoo head-on

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By Adnaan Mohamed

History stands on the tryline. The Springboks return to Eden Park on Saturday, the All Blacks’ impenetrable fortress since 1994, chasing a first victory in Auckland since 1937.

“Facing New Zealand away from home is always a challenge, and playing at Eden Park will make both teams equally desperate,” said coach Rassie Erasmus.

“There’s no doubt the players will throw everything out there on Saturday. There is a massive rivalry between the sides, and the history between us is tremendous.”

The Boks’ two lone wins at Eden Park came in 1921 and 1937. Since then, seven defeats and one draw have left the ground a graveyard of green-and-gold dreams.

Now Erasmus’ men, back-to-back World Champions and reigning Rugby Championship holders, want to flip the script.

“Playing against New Zealand in their backyard… is special, and we don’t need more motivation than that. It’s going to be a nervy week for both teams,” he admitted.

Erasmus brushed off talk of Eden Park being an impossible fortress:

“People are making a big deal of the Eden Park record and, of course, it adds pressure. But if one looks back a few weeks ago, we lost against Australia at Ellis Park, and it’s now history.

For us, it’s a huge honour to get the chance to play at Eden Park, and it’s a great opportunity for us.”

And when asked if this was the biggest Test since the World Cup Final? His answer was blunt:

“It would be a slap in the face to Australia and Argentina for us to say this is the biggest game since then.”

With both sides ranked one and two in the world, Saturday’s Test match will be a collision of legacies and settle the argument for now as to who can claim the bragging rights of being the best rugby team on the planet.

Springbok Women’s Historic World Cup Win

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By Adnaan Mohamed

The Springbok Women tore through the history books in York on Sunday, barging past Italy 29–24 to clinch their first-ever Rugby World Cup play-off spot. It was a tackle-busting, line-breaking moment that also catapulted South Africa into the world’s top ten for the first time.

Head coach Swys de Bruin hailed the victory as a true pack effort:

“We stuck to our game plan, scrummed down as one, and outplayed them in the backs. Italy showed their Six Nations pedigree, but our team simply wanted it more.”

De Bruin said his team’s refusal to back down when Italy came with a determined fight back to twice draw level in the game, as well as the tactical acumen of his coaching staff were highlights in this exceptional win.

“I am so proud of everyone, this was really a team effort, not only from all here in England, but also our support structures back home, and this performance justifies the belief SA Rugby had in us,” said De Bruin.

“We had a plan on how to beat Italy and credit to my coaches, as it worked to a tee. Our first phase helped us to score some tries, while we also outplayed them in the backs with some delightful tries.

“We improved on every positive statistic out there and we are only two rounds into this tournament. It is such a relief and one can only thank God that it worked as planned.”

Italy twice levelled the scores after trailing 17–5, yet the Bok Women refused to fold. Their grit in defence and flair on attack delivered tries that split the Azzurri line like a well-timed crash ball.

Captain Nolusindiso Booi, playing her fourth and final World Cup, likened the triumph to lifting silverware after years of hard graft:

“This win is for those who laid the foundations before us. From where we started to breaking into the top ten. It’s magic. This is just so rewarding for everyone, especially the coaches who prepared us for this moment. I couldn’t have asked for a more rewarding send-off.”

The Boks now return to their Northampton base, preparing for a heavyweight pool clash with unbeaten France. This game will be yet another massive test in their quest to keep this fairytale rolling.

adidas Back into the Stormers Scrum

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By Adnaan Mohamed

After eight years on the sidelines adidas has dusted off its boots and jogged back into the DHL Stormers’ starting XV as official technical sponsor.

The three stripes are back in Cape Town, and they’ve come to make a statement not just as a rugby kit, but as part of the culture.

“It’s a great honour for us to be reunited with the DHL Stormers again,” says Tom Brown, Senior Brand Director at adidas South Africa.

“The team and the dynamic way they play rugby embodies the flair and passion of their supporters. This partnership is about more than sport; it’s about honouring tradition whilst also celebrating a new era of bold ambition.”

Home Kit: Reunite the Stripes

The home jersey is rugby’s equivalent of a well-timed hand-off: classic, powerful, impossible to ignore. Those blue and white hoops are stitched like the DNA of Newlands itself.

It’s bold, uncompromising, and unapologetically Stormers. It’s heritage with a modern polish, a jersey that looks just as good under the Saturday sun as it does when drenched in the sweat of a one-point thriller.

It honours history with every stripe a reminder of where the club’s been, and every hoop a promise of where it’s going.

Away Kit: Remix the Stripes

The away jersey concept “Remix the Stripes” takes on a vibrant twist. Inspired by the spirited streets of Bo-Kaap, a neighbourhood known for its deep rugby heritage, cultural diversity and vibrantly decorated homes, the jersey bursts with electric hues of lucid pink, lime burst, and lucid cyan. A remix of tradition that celebrates freedom, energy, and individuality.

It’s rugby kit reimagined for a generation that refuses to blend in. Call it the sidestep to convention with a vibrant celebration of freedom, individuality, and the multicultural heartbeat of Cape Town. If the home kit is the anthem, the away jersey is the remix.

DHL Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson said that having adidas back on board is a big moment for the team and their supporters.

“We are all thrilled to have adidas back and we know that our fans will embrace this move and the incredible kit that we will be playing in this season.

“The two designs speak to the rich rugby heritage of this region. The iconic blue and white hoops are synonymous with the rich history of rugby in the Cape, while the away jersey pays homage to the Bo-Kaap which has produced so many passionate rugby people over the years, including those who were involved in some of the first organised matches on the Green Point Common, just a stone’s throw away from our stadium.

“Our players and supporters will wear this kit with pride this season and we can’t wait to get going,” he said.

Kit Built for Collisions

Of course, flair is nothing without function. These aren’t jerseys made to hang politely in sports shops but they’re engineered for bruising battles in the trenches.

Crafted from 100% recycled polyester doubleknit, they wick away sweat quicker than a winger spotting space in the backfield. Lightweight yet stubbornly durable, with reinforced stitching in high-stress zones, they’re designed to hold up against the dark arts of the scrum.

The athletic fit is snug but never strangling. Think of it as a jersey that knows how to tackle but can still dance.

The Comeback We’ve Been Waiting For

At R999, Stormers fans can finally pull on the stripes and hoops once more. The home jersey drops on 19 September, while the Bo-Kaap-inspired away kit lands on 3 October.

The home jersey is available from 19 September, and the away jersey is available from 3 October at stormersshop.co.za, select adidas retail stores, adidas.co.za, select sports retailers and at DHL Stadium on matchdays.

Eight years apart, and now reunited. The DHL Stormers and adidas are back together and ready to charge head-down into a new era.

Stripes and hoops, stitched for glory, built to withstand hits harder than a Frans Malherbe scrum.

Cape Town, your jersey has come home.