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Eben Etzebeth Red-Card Fury Overshadows Bok Brilliance in Cardiff Rout

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By Adnaan Mohamed

The Springboks’ 73–0 evisceration of Wales in Cardiff should have been remembered purely as a victory of ruthless precision, a night when Rassie Erasmus’ men turned the Principality Stadium into a eleven-try scrapyard.

Instead, the Test has been plunged into global debate after Eben Etzebeth, the most-capped Springbok in history, was shown a red card for alleged eye-gouging. This incident that happened just before the final whistle to mercifully end the Welsh carnage, has dominated headlines from Cape Town to Cardiff.

While the Boks celebrated an unbeaten season and a flawless November tour, the image of Etzebeth leaving the field cast a long, uncomfortable shadow. Critics, former internationals, fans and pundits have fired up social platforms, arguing everything from “stone-cold red” to “unintentional and harsh.”

The timing was especially jarring: a night designed to honour Springbok milestones became a night consumed by disciplinary outrage.

Coach Rassie Erasmus did not try to sugar-coat it.

“It didn’t look good, and I thought it was a justified red card,” he admitted.

A rare moment where Erasmus openly conceded a fault on an evening when everything else went right.

Reinach Reaches 50: A Milestone Deserving More Light

Lost beneath the Etzebeth storm was a story that deserved to headline the night: Cobus Reinach finally reaching his 50th Test, a feat 11 years in the making.

The 35-year-old Bok scrumhalf, who buzzed around the breakdown like a hornet with a fresh battery pack, called the honour a dream fulfilled.

“It’s always special just to put on the Springbok jersey… If it’s cap one or cap 140 like Eben, it’s special.

But playing my 50th Test was definitely great,” he said.

“It’s every boy’s dream to play for the Springboks and having done that 50 times is unreal. It’s a privilege and something I’ll always be thankful for.”

That this milestone arrived during a historic win, and in a season where the Boks finished world No.1, made it sweeter.

“It wasn’t just about the end-of-year tour. It was about the whole season,” Reinach reflected.
“We learned and adapted more than previously, and I think we grew immensely as a team.”

The veteran scrumhalf, still as sharp as a new studs-on-soft-ground boot, even dared to dream further.

“I definitely want to play another one or maybe two World Cups,” he smiled.

“I feel good… it’s just my hairline moving back a little, and my beard getting thicker.”

His gratitude extended to the beating heart of Bok rugby: the supporters.

“From London to Wales, France, Ireland… thank you. We are one. We can’t do what we do without you.”

A Night of Dual Narratives: Dominance and Disruption

The Etzebeth incident ignited a worldwide rugby firestorm precisely because the Test was so lopsided. At 73–0, the Springboks were in full command. The back-to-back World Champions were ruthless, clinical, and controlled, suffocating Wales like a python tightening with every carry.

But the red card, shown late in the second half, shifted the conversation from dominance to controversy. Analysts have already begun dissecting angles, freeze-frames and intent, with disciplinary hearings expected to become the next battleground.

Yet, amid the noise, Reinach’s golden milestone, the Boks’ unbeaten tour, and their world No.1 finish remain significant markers of a team still evolving and still hungry. Reinach himself summed it up best:

“The way we work for each other and how tight-knit we are is special. If we keep that, there’s a lot more in the tank.”

Reinach’s Golden Milestone and Rassie’s Clever End-of-Year Chess Move

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By Adnaan Mohamed

There’s a reason the Springboks never really feel “under-strength” even when half the squad is scattered across Europe, Japan and club rugby obligations. South Africa, more than any other rugby nation, has turned adversity into opportunity, disruption into design. And this week in Cardiff, as the Boks close out their season against Wales, that philosophy takes centre stage.

Saturday marks more than just the end of the Outgoing Tour. It marks a moment of quiet, powerful significance in a year defined by rotation, regeneration, and ruthless forward-thinking.

Because while the headlines will rightly celebrate Cobus Reinach’s 50th Test, the deeper story is how Rassie Erasmus is using this final match of the year to subtly tighten the screws on South Africa’s long-term blueprint.

Let’s dive in.

1. Reinach at 50: A Triumph of Perseverance Over Spotlight

At 35, Cobus Reinach reaching his milestone half-century is a testament to patience in an era obsessed with instant stardom.

He’s never been the loudest, the flashiest, nor the headline-grabber. Instead, he has been the Springbok who always arrives when needed, slips into the system seamlessly, and changes the tempo with a veteran’s calm.

Rassie’s admiration was heartfelt:

“Cobus is a true team man… he’s grabbed every opportunity with both hands.”

There’s something beautifully poetic about Reinach not starting on the day he reaches 50 caps, but sitting quietly on the bench.

He will be the lone backline reserve among seven hulking forwards. It captures his role perfectly: the dependable firefighter, trusted when the match burns hottest.

This is not just a milestone. It is a tribute.

2. The Selection Puzzle: Rassie Turns Limitations Into Leverage

Test matches outside the international window are usually a nightmare for southern hemisphere coaches. Erasmus lost a dozen frontline stars to club commitments – Handre Pollard, Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, and Pieter-Steph du Toit among them. Many coaches would be forced into damage control.

Rassie?
He sees a laboratory.

This is where South African rugby’s conveyor belt gets tested in fire. 49 players have earned Test caps this year alone. It’s a staggering number, but one rooted in planning, not panic.

“We’ve been rotating players all year… many of these combinations are fully settled.”

There is no “second-string Springboks.”

There are only Springboks in different phases of readiness.

3. The 7–1 Split Isn’t a Gamble – It’s a Statement

The rugby world still blinks when seeing a team sheet with seven forwards on the bench. But to the Boks, it’s as natural as breathing.

This week’s 7–1 split is partly forced by availability, but it also reinforces the core of South African Test identity: win the collisions, control the set piece, choke the opponents’ oxygen.

Wales, even in a rebuilding phase, are happiest in the trenches. A weaker team would try to outplay them.
South Africa plan to outmuscle them.

Rassie explained it plainly:

“Our pack has performed incredibly well… and we believe it will be a key area of the match.”

This is Rassie’s selection strategy.

4. Quiet Evolution: The Next Generation of Boks Steps Forward

Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Zachary Porthen, Asenathi Ntlabakanye are not household names yet, but they are seen as the building blocks of South Africa’s post-2027 pack.

Steenekamp starting his first Test is no coincidence. The Boks’ current front-row titans will not be around forever. Rassie is not waiting until 2026 to find their successors.

Erasmus is making changes early, deliberately, and unapologetically.

This Wales Test is seen as an investment.

5. The Bigger Picture: Wales, Rankings and the RWC Draw

Wales arrive with their own headaches and absentees, but they’re dangerous precisely because of it. Young players with everything to prove, veterans trying to hold onto jerseys, and a home crowd hungry for a scalp.

And then there’s the looming Rugby World Cup draw next week.

For both teams, the rankings matter. Momentum matters. Perception matters.

Rassie expects an ambush:

“They’ll come out firing… they’ll give everything to finish on a high note.”

This will not be a polite end-of-year handshake.
It’s a cage fight with diplomatic flags.

6. What This Match Really Represents

This final Test of 2025 can arguably be seen as a microcosm of South African rugby philosophy:

  • Celebrate the unsung (Reinach).
  • Trust the young (Steenekamp, Ntlabakanye, Porthen).
  • Prepare for the future early (49 players used).
  • Double down on identity (the 7–1 split).
  • Stay unpredictable (mixing stalwarts with debutants).
  • Never fear disruption – weaponise it.

If the Boks win, they end the year with a statement.
If they lose, they still walk away with priceless data.

Either way, South Africa wins something.

On Saturday night, as Reinach steps onto the field for the 50th time, he’ll do so as the embodiment of everything this Bok season has stood for: quiet excellence, depth, resilience and relentless preparation for the future.

South Africa are building towards 2027. And Reinach’s milestone, achieved with humility, hunger and heart. It reminds us what really powers the Springbok machine: people who show up, again and again, long after the spotlight has moved on.

Franco Mostert Cleared as Rugby’s Referees Enter Full Circus Mode

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Opinion – Adnaan Mohamed

Welcome to another breathtaking episode of Rugby Officials Gone Wild, where referees improvise, TMOs hallucinate, and World Rugby’s disciplinary panels sweep up the mess like long-suffering parents at a children’s birthday party.

This week’s headliner? Springbok lock Franco Mostert sent off in Turin after referee James Doleman and his French TMO partner squinted at a replay and dramatically declared “clear head contact” and “always illegal”, which we now know was about as accurate as a prop attempting a chip-and-chase.

On Wednesday, actual functioning adults on the disciplinary panel calmly overturned the red card, downgrading it to a yellow and effectively telling the match officials:

“You were wrong. Spectacularly wrong. Please stop embarrassing yourselves at this altitude.”

But wait, the chaos gets better. Not only was Mostert’s dismissal wrong, but Harry Hockings’ red card was ALSO declared incorrect by a separate independent panel.

That’s right: two red cards, two panels, zero functioning officiating moments. Rugby’s governance is starting to feel like a group project where one guy does the work and the rest just show up with snacks.

And Rassie Erasmus? Eddie Jones? Oh, they were THRILLED.
Both stormed into their press conferences like two coaches who’d just watched their debit orders bounce. Steam, fire, smoke signals, everything short of interpretive dance.

Meanwhile, the bunker review system, the expensive technological safety net installed specifically to stop this exact variety of nonsense, was NOT USED.
Not consulted.
Not even glanced at.
They left it sitting there like a lonely gym bike in January.

Instead, Doleman and his TMO opted for the “wing it and pray” method: a bold, innovative approach with a near-perfect failure rate.

The ruling now exposes rugby’s head-contact framework as a full-blown Picasso painting: abstract, confusing, and open to interpretation by anyone with enough confidence and a whistle.

One weekend a player gets red for breathing too aggressively; the next weekend someone performs a WWE finishing move and walks away with a warning.

And through it all, the Springboks just keep winning, like a team powered entirely by spite and trauma.

Two weekends.
Two red cards for the No. 5 jersey.
Two matches with 14 men for ridiculous lengths of time.
Two victories.

France? Beaten with 40+ minutes a man down.
Italy? Smashed with 65+ minutes one man short, AND fielding fringe players.
The message?
“Give us 14, give them 15 – see who cries first.”

Now South Africans are coping the only way they know how:
By laughing at the officiating until it cries back.

With Mostert cleared, he’s available for the showdown in Dublin, a place where the Boks haven’t won since the world last took Blackberry phones seriously.

The last time the Boks were on the winning side in Ireland was 13 years go. The Irish have won four of the last five against South Africa, including that World Cup group-stage arm wrestle in 2023.

The Boks name their team Thursday. And if fate has a sense of humour, the referee will keep his red card in his pocket this weekend, or at least try to.

But with the way things are going in rugby’s officiating universe, expect anything: a red card for tying your boots too slowly; a yellow for “intent to run upright”; a penalty for existing in the wrong postcode.

Sit tight.
The circus continues.
And the clowns, unfortunately, are still in charge.

Springbok Stars Dominate World Rugby Awards Nominations

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By Adnaan Mohamed

South Africa’s rugby powerhouse flexed its muscles again this week as four Springboks crashed through the global recognition line like flankers hitting a ruck at full tilt.

Pieter-Steph du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche and rising star Ethan Hooker were all shortlisted for major honours at the 2026 World Rugby Awards announced on Tuesday.

Du Toit, already etched in history as the first South African to win the World Men’s 15s Player of the Year twice, is once more in the running for the sport’s highest individual accolade. He is joined by teammates Marx and Nche as well as France’s electric winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Marx earns his second career nomination after also being recognised in 2018.

Hooker, meanwhile, finds himself in the global limelight as one of four nominees for World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, lining up alongside New Zealand’s Fabian Holland, England’s Henry Pollock and Australia’s Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

SA Rugby President Mark Alexander praised the quartet’s impact, saying:

“I’d like to congratulate Pieter-Steph, Malcolm, Ox and Ethan for being recognised among the best players in the world.”

He added: “To have three of the four nominees for Men’s 15s Player of the Year from South Africa, as well as Ethan in the Breakthrough category, is a testament to the quality of our players on the global stage.”

Alexander said the recognition reflected the green-and-gold’s consistency and class:
“They have all performed exceptionally well this season and deserve this recognition. On behalf of SA Rugby and the entire country, I want to express how proud we are of them.”

He concluded with a message of encouragement ahead of the final announcement:

“We wish them well ahead of Saturday’s announcement. Regardless of the outcome, being nominated is already a remarkable achievement.”

Only Schalk Burger (2004), Bryan Habana (2007) and Du Toit himself have previously lifted the prestigious World Rugby Player of the Year crown. Other South Africans nominated over the past decade include Willie le Roux, Duane Vermeulen, Faf de Klerk and Lukhanyo Am.

The winners will be announced on Saturday, 22 November, with World Rugby’s Dream Team of the Year set to follow on Tuesday, 25 November.

Springbok Front-Row Boost for Tour Finale

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By Adnaan Mohamed

The Springboks have bolstered their touring front row with the arrival of seasoned hooker Bongi Mbonambi and powerful prop Ntuthuko Mchunu, who will link up with the squad in Ireland on Sunday as Rassie Erasmus sharpens his blades for the final two Tests of the Outgoing Tour.

Mbonambi, a trusted warhorse from the Rugby Championship trenches, was on Erasmus’ standby list, while Mchunu last donned the green and gold against Portugal in Bloemfontein, but both now thunder back into the Bok scrum as reinforcements ahead of battles with Ireland and Wales.

“This is a longer tour than usual, and we have two big matches lined up against Ireland and Wales, which prompted the decision to call up Bongi and Ntuthuko,” said Erasmus.

“Both players have done the job for us on the international stage, so we are excited to have them in the group.

“Several players will not be eligible for selection for the final Test on tour against Wales, as the match falls outside of the international window, so it makes sense to call up the players now to get back into the swing of things with us at training this week, while at the same time increasing the depth we have within the squad for our next challenge against Ireland.”

The Springboks will shift camp from Italy to Dublin on Sunday, where preparations begin in earnest on Monday. With reinforcements ready and the tour’s heaviest collisions still to come, the Bok machine is tightening its bolts for an Irish onslaught that promises to be as unforgiving as winter steel.

Source: SA Rugby

Two Weeks, Two Reds, One Relentless Springbok Spirit

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By Adnaan Mohamed

For the second week in a row, the Springboks walked into a northern-hemisphere storm and refused to be blown over.

Another early red card, another No 5 lock gone, yet the world champions simply bent, adjusted and found a new way to win, beating Italy 32–14 in Turin with the kind of grit that can only be forged in chaos.

Franco Mostert’s 12th-minute red card echoed Lood de Jager’s fate against France a week earlier. Same number on the jersey. Same sinking moment. Same response: the Boks shifted shape like a scrum rearranging itself in a gale, and played as though the missing man had simply been absorbed into their collective heartbeat.

Captain Siya Kolisi said the team has learned to solve problems while sprinting.

“We went through it last weekend, and this week we went through the same thing. So, we make plans in the game as we go along because such things happen,” he said.

“The biggest thing that we were asked this week is to show our ‘Africanness’ and that’s about making plans because there are always stumbles… They (the coaches) are always prepared for any scenario, and even the guys who are not playing sit and make plans and decisions.”

Kolisi admitted the emotional sting was real:

“It doesn’t make it easy for us… seeing a guy like Franco sitting there, we could see the hurt in his eyes. But I really love the way this team is able to stand up and fight.”

Rassie Erasmus, visibly exasperated, didn’t hide his frustration.

“It is what it is. What I say can’t make a difference,” he said. “It’s sad that our captain had to make that sacrifice twice in a week.”

The Bok coach questioned how much lower a two-metre lock can physically tackle.

“Losing two locks in two games now for going lower than they can go… it’s tough to understand,” Erasmus said. “We don’t know how to coach guys to go lower, especially when someone is on his knees.”

Yet amid the frustration, he applauded his team’s ability to morph on demand.

“Yes, we have a way to adapt,” he said. “That certainly makes us tighter as a team… I’m happy with the result, but still sad for the players who have to take the brunt for something that happened by accident.”

Three wins from three, two red cards navigated, and a squad that keeps inventing new ways to survive the storm. The Boks now head to Ireland, hardened once more by fire and fallout.

Featured Photo: Andre Esterhuizen/ https://x.com/springboks

Source: SA Rugby

Springboks Brace for Brutal Torino Clash With Resurgent Italy

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Adnaan Mohamed

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has warned that Italy are no side to stroll past, likening Saturday’s showdown in Torino to a scrum where one wrong step can send you skidding backwards.

The Boks face the Azzurri at Allianz Stadium at 14:40 (SA time), live on SuperSport. And Stick made it clear the visitors aren’t treating this as a gentle warm-up jog.

“It’s a tough week because we are facing a team that comes off a good game against Australia,” said Stick.

“A few other players are getting an opportunity to play, and that motivates us immensely.”

Stick said the squad’s hunger runs deeper than selection rotation:

“The players have been working very hard and waiting for their opportunity, such as Handré (Pollard) and Canan (Moodie), among others.

“For us, whoever gets a chance to represent the country, it’s not just about playing for yourself, but close to 60 million South Africans at home. This Test is a massive game for us.”

He also brushed aside whispers that the matchday group lacked bite.

“There’s no such thing as a trial match when it comes to the Springboks,” Stick insisted.

“We need to respect the players who are receiving an opportunity to play. We all know Italy are in a good space as a team, and improving week in and week out.

“In Pretoria, they posed big challenges in the second half, so they are a side you can never underestimate. That said, we’ll be prepared, and the players are excited and looking forward to the match.”

Kolisi: Breakdown will be the battleground

Captain Siya Kolisi who is set to notch his 101st Test cap, expects the breakdown to be the heart of the contest, the place “where matches are won and lost like turnovers at a street fight.”

“It’s been one of the big areas we looked at this week, just as we did when we played against them in South Africa,” said Kolisi.

“We struggled in the first match against them back home, and that was one of the main reasons we had to work so hard to win that match.

“We know how good they are there, so we’ve worked hard this week to ensure we look after the ball properly. The pack will be important this weekend. We know what we have to do, and we have to make sure we are up for it.”

Kolisi dismissed concerns about cohesion within the fresh-faced forward unit:

“We’ve done the work on the field during the week, and that’s where we get to know one another. The coaches have been crucial in that regard. The senior guys obviously need to lead by example, but we feel good as a group in general.”

Van Staden’s hooker switch “a long-term project”

With Marco van Staden named as the reserve hooker, Stick revealed this is no spur-of-the-moment gamble.

“It was always the plan for him to be a backup hooker in the squad,” said Stick.

“At the 2023 World Cup, he was always training and working on extra skills in that position to ensure he was ready when the opportunity arose. So, it’s a project we’ve been working on for the last few years.

“He’s a tough guy who always plays with his heart on his sleeve, and he’s a breakdown specialist, which will be valuable against a side like Italy. It’s great that we can move him to hooker later in the game.”

Italian backline “will punish you” if given space

Stick also flagged Italy’s dangerous midfield and backline, a unit he describes as sharp enough to slice through any defensive line that drifts for even a moment.

“If you look at the Italian centres, they are probably one of the best centre partnerships in the country at the moment, and they have great players all around at the back,” he said. “They are also playing really well, so it’s going to be a tough game with ball in hand.

“If you give the Italian players time and space, their backline players will punish you.”

Teams:

Italy: 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex (captain), 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Ross Vintcent, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: 16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Riccardo Favretto, 21 David Odiase, 22 Martin Page-Relo, 23 Tommaso Allan.

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Boan Venter.
Replacements: 16 Gerhard Steenekamp, 17 Wilco Louw, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.

Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Turin
Kick-off: 13.40 (14.40 SAST; 12.40 GMT)
Expected weather: There will be some drizzle and light winds with a temperature around 14°C
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Jérémy Rozier (France)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)

SOURCE: SA RUGBY

‘You’re my friend and my idol’: Jürgen Klopp hails Siya Kolisi on 100-Test milestone

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has sent a heartfelt message to Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, congratulating him on reaching an incredible milestone of 100 Test matches for South Africa.

Despite having to play with 14 men for the entire second half after lock forward Lood de Jager was controversially red-carded, Kolisi’s Bok side produced an inspiring performance to earn a crushing 32-17 win over France .

In a special video message shared on his Instagram account, Klopp spoke with deep admiration about Kolisi’s journey from humble beginnings in Zwide to becoming a two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain.

“Siya, my friend, another milestone in one of the most incredible sports careers I’ve ever heard of,” Klopp said.
“The things I love in life the most are stories about people who made their way. Obviously, the most inspiring stories are the stories where the start was at a time when nobody could even imagine that a positive future was possible, and I think that’s your story.”

Kolisi, who led the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2019 and again in 2023, became only the seventh South African to play 100 Tests for his country when he captained the Boks against New Zealand earlier this year.

A lifelong Liverpool fan, Kolisi has often spoken of his admiration for Klopp — and the German coach clearly feels the same.

“Calling you my friend is one of the biggest honours I can imagine,” Klopp added.
“Having an idol in a sport I don’t understand at all is pretty special as well.

“Congratulations. One hundred, isn’t it crazy? And the best is still to come. Much love from Germany. See you.”

Klopp’s message struck a chord with South Africans and Liverpool fans alike, as two of sport’s most respected leaders shared a moment of mutual respect, proof that inspiration knows no boundaries.

Red Card, Green Heart: Springboks Turn Adversity into Glory in Paris

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By Adnaan Mohamed

On the night Siya Kolisi reached his century of Tests, the Springbok captain reminded the rugby world that leadership isn’t only about charging into tackles, but sometimes it’s about stepping back for the team.

Up against a fired-up French side, a cauldron of 80,000 roaring fans at Stade de France, and a hotly debated red card to lock Lood de Jager, the world champions could easily have cracked.

Instead, they dug deep, showing the kind of grit that has become as familiar to South Africans as the green and gold itself.

The Boks turned pressure into purpose, clawing their way to a 32–17 win that felt more like a statement than a scoreline.

When halftime arrived, the coaches faced a brutal call that resulted in Kolisi’s 100th Test ending early. The team needed to reshuffle, and the captain had to make way for tactical balance. His response was pure Siya.

“To take our captain off in his 100th match because we had to put Andre [Esterhuizen] on to play loose forward and centre, depending on whether we had a scrum or a line-out, was a tough call,” said coach Rassie Erasmus.

“But when we said it to him, he just took it on the chin and understood. Same with Damian de Allende, who was playing really well, but we had to sub him so Andre could play both in the scrums and the backline.”

Kolisi’s calm acceptance rippled through the team like a silent war cry.

“The impact Siya made from the bench was when the whole team saw the moment he was told he wasn’t going to play the second half, and he said he totally understands,” Erasmus added.

“That impact is enough. Then the other players say, ‘Our captain, who has played 100 games, is willing not to go in the second half for the team to win.’ That impact is enough.”

It was a reminder that Kolisi doesn’t just wear the armband, he embodies the Springbok creed: team before self, always.

Erasmus also tipped his hat to the brains trust behind the victory, the Bok assistant coaches who helped rewrite the game plan on the fly.

“The bench had a good impact, but it’s the plans the coaches made at half-time that made it easier for the guys that went on,” he said.

“The defence coach, attack coach, Duane [Vermeulen] with the breakdowns, Deon [Davids] with the line-outs, Daan [Human] the scrums, and Tony [Brown] the attack.

“I take very little credit. This bunch of players and a lot of people said they are getting old, they are wiser and calmer under pressure.”

Even with the crowd roaring like a Parisian thunderstorm, the Boks never lost their composure.

“Playing here, and the French can be so proud of their supporters, but for us it was intimidating,” Erasmus admitted.

“But luckily, we’ve been through this before in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023. The experience showed at half-time, making plans, staying calm, sacrificing for the team.”

Kolisi may have played only 40 minutes, but his presence was felt for all 80. From the moment he stepped off the field, he became the team’s heartbeat on the sideline, steady, selfless, and still leading every ruck and run from afar.

His 100th Test wasn’t only about glory. It was about grace, the kind that wins not just games, but hearts.

Source: SA Rugby

Rassie’s Secret Weapon: The Clip That Lit the Fire in the Bok Camp

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By Adnaan Mohamed

This week, in the quiet hum of Springbok camp before the thunder of the tackling France at the Stade de France in Paris, Rassie Erasmus pressed play on a short video, and silence fell.

The clip came from Hamediehs Rugby Football Club (RFC), a 130-year-old Cape Flats institution that’s been a lifeline for generations of kids dodging the dangers of the streets. In it, a 13-year-old boy battles the daily storms of township life, poverty, violence, temptation, until he finds his refuge on the rugby field.

It’s not just a club. It’s an ark in a flood.

Featuring former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, who mentors at Hamediehs, the video’s message “Rugby Saved Us” struck a chord deep within the Boks.

Erasmus, marking his 50th Test in charge, knew the story would speak louder than any team talk. When he showed it, the room grew still. Every player saw a reflection of their own journey.

“Salaam! (Peace), yes, that video is special for so many reasons,” said Siya Kolisi, preparing for his 100th Test as captain.

“In that clip we saw what club rugby does for kids in the community.”

Then his voice slowed, his words carrying the weight of lived truth.

“Rugby is more than just a sport to us. People say that, but for us, it saved us. It kept us from so many things we were never supposed to be exposed to as children.”

Kolisi knows the boy’s pain because he once was that boy, the kid from Zwide who found light in a muddy field, who rose from hunger to hoisting the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019 and again in 2023.

“To see that clip and know kids are still going through that, it hits deep,” he said.

“I’ve been given a platform, and it’s our duty to make sure we create a better tomorrow for those kids — to make it safer, to give them choices. That’s what rugby has done for me.”

For Kolisi, this 100th cap isn’t about records or medals. It’s about meaning.

“It’s not just about the trophies,” he said. “The trophies give us a platform to give back. This game isn’t about me, it’s for those kids at Hamediehs, for every boy and girl whose lives are changed by rugby.”

Erasmus, ever the innovator, often reminds his team that victory isn’t just on the scoreboard.

“Coach Rassie speaks about it all the time,” Kolisi added. “It’s not just about winning or losing. Our drive goes deeper. Rugby doesn’t just change lives for 80 minutes; it saves them from the things that can take their lives away.”

So when Kolisi leads the Boks onto the Stade de France turf on Saturday night, that Hamediehs boy, and every child who’s found safety in rugby’s embrace, will run beside him.

Because for Kolisi and the millions who see themselves in his story, rugby isn’t just a game.

It’s hope.
It’s family.
It’s the hand that pulls you from the storm.

Watch the video: Rugby Saved Us

https://www.theathlete.co.za/2025/11/04/peter-de-villiers-id-trade-the-bok-job-for-this-hamediehs-rfcs-heartbeat-of-hope

Related story:

https://www.theathlete.co.za/2023/10/08/watch-siya-kolisi-congratulate-hamediehs-in-a-special-selfie-video

Source: SA Rugby

Teams:

France: 15 Tomas Ramos, 14 Damien Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Gaël Fickou, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Nolann le Garrec, 8 Mickaël Guillard, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Régis Montagne, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Baptiste Erdocio.
Replacements: 16 Guillaume Cramont, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Dorian Aldegheri 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Hugo Auradou, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Nicolas Depoortère

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Boan Venter.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Ruan Nortje, 21 Andre Esterhuizen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.

Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Kick-off: 21.10 (22.10 SAST; 20.10 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) & Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)