Category: Rugby

‹ Back

Peter de Villiers: “I’d trade the Bok job for this”

Adnaan MohamedRugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Peter de Villiers: “I’d trade the Bok job for this”
By Adnaan Mohamed

In the storm-tossed sea of the Cape Flats, where life often tackles harder than any front-row forward, one rugby club stands as an unsinkable ark a vessel of hope, discipline, and brotherhood carrying young men toward safer shores.

Hamediehs Rugby Football Club, born in District Six in 1896, is one of South Africa’s oldest rugby institutions. Today, its home in Vygieskraal, Athlone stands as a sanctuary for hundreds of boys navigating life’s toughest scrums.

For these kids, Hamediehs isn’t just a team – it’s a lifeline. A second family. A patch of grass where discipline, identity and pride grow stronger with every pass and tackle.

Ark of Hope – A Hamediehs Story

The following video follows a 13-year-old boy’s journey, as he navigates the harsh realities of life on the Cape Flats in Cape Town.

His salvation comes in the form of Hamediehs RFC, a club that is more than just a team, it is a brotherhood built on love and perseverance.

For this young man and his teammates, Hamediehs is the enduring ark that carries them through the floods of adversity, offering a powerful hope of triumph.

And now, they’ve found a mentor in Peter de Villiers, the former Springbok coach who once led the national side to glory between 2008 and 2011 but now finds meaning far beyond Test arenas.

“For me, rugby is part of my life,” says De Villiers.

“But to them, rugby is their life. Rugby makes them who they are. It makes them enjoy being alive.”

Every weekend at Vygieskraal, the sidelines erupt in noise and emotion with passionate parents doubling as coaches, grandparents cheering through memories, and entire families finding purpose through the game.

“You can see on the sidelines how many coaches they have with parents living through their children, through a club they’ve built over the years,” says De Villiers.

While many rugby systems chase pure talent, Hamediehs takes a different approach – one rooted in patience, heart, and belief.

“Wherever you go, people look for talent,” he explains.

“Here, people don’t care about talent, because everybody has it. They go for potential.

Talent has a sell-by date, but potential can be developed. We’re using rugby to help them become the best human beings they can be.”

It’s an ethos that mirrors life itself.

“With all the emotions that life throws at you, rugby throws them too,” De Villiers adds.

“If you learn how to handle it here, you can go back into life and make a valuable contribution to someone else.”

For a man who’s coached on the biggest stages, it’s the grassroots energy of Hamediehs that has truly captured his soul.

“I said it to them the other night:

“I’d easily trade the Springbok job for a job like this if I’m able to share my knowledge with people like them.”

Through wars, forced removals and decades of struggle, Hamediehs RFC has weathered every storm. What began in District Six still lives on – a brotherhood that refuses to sink.

Today, it remains an ark of hope, carrying each new generation across the turbulent waters of the Cape Flats – one try, one lesson, one life at a time.

130-year-old Hamediehs Rugby Football Club Legacy

Established: 1896
Base: Vygieskraal, Athlone, Cape Town
Origin: District Six – one of South Africa’s oldest clubs
Legacy: Building character, not just players
Motto: Brotherhood Through Rugby

Boks back Asenathi Ntlabakanye despite doping probe

Adnaan MohamedNews, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Boks back Asenathi Ntlabakanye despite doping probe
By Adnaan Mohamed

Asenathi Ntlabakanye’s rugby journey has taken another dramatic twist. Just a week ago, the Lions prop was bulldozing defenders in a Barbarians jersey. Now he’s back in Springbok green and gold right in the middle of a media storm.

The 26-year-old has been called up to replace the injured Ox Nche, who limped off during South Africa’s 61–7 demolition of Japan at Wembley on Saturday.

But Ntlabakanye’s recall comes with added scrutiny, he’s still awaiting an anti-doping hearing in December after testing positive for a non-performance-enhancing substance earlier this year.

Ntlabakanye, who disputes the finding, missed the Boks’ September tour of New Zealand after returning the adverse result. Despite the pending case, he remains eligible to play, and the Bok coaches haven’t hesitated to bring him back into the front-row mix.

“I’m not going to comment on a case that’s ongoing at the moment,” said assistant coach Felix Jones when asked about the issue.

“I’m not sure the world knows about it yet, but his skill set is incredibly impressive. He’s a very dynamic player who can get around for a guy who can handle himself in the scrum or on the ball.”

The timing of his recall couldn’t have been tighter. Ntlabakanye scored a second-minute try for the Barbarians against the All Blacks XV at Twickenham on Saturday, before flying across London to rejoin the Bok squad the very next morning.

A few hours later, he was en route to France, ready to line up against Les Bleus in the Autumn Nations Series this weekend.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus said the call-up was an easy decision:

“We feel for Ox and wish him well in his recovery. Asenathi has been with us for a big part of the season, he knows our systems, and he was already on standby. The fact that he was in London made it an easy fit to slot back in straight away.”

At 141 kilograms, Ntlabakanye brings raw power and energy to the Bok front row. And he’ll need all of it as he battles Gerhard Steenekamp and Boan Venter for a spot against France.

It’s been a whirlwind few months for the Johannesburg-born prop. From Test debut, to controversy, to this sudden recall.

But now, under the bright lights of Paris, he has a shot at redemption and a chance to remind everyone what he does best: dominate the scrum, not the headlines.

Zach Porthen set for Bok Debut against Japan

Adnaan MohamedRugbyLeave a Comment on Zach Porthen set for Bok Debut against Japan
Adnaan Mohamed

Zachary Porthen will wade straight into the Test rugby surf this weekend and there’s no lifeguard on duty.

The 21-year-old former Junior Springbok captain is set to become the youngest prop of the professional era to debut for South Africa when the Springboks face Japan at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Coach Rassie Erasmus has named a largely settled side for the November International opener, sticking with 16 players from the team that edged Argentina 29–27 to clinch the Rugby Championship title.

“He proved at Vodacom URC level and with the Junior Springboks what he can do,” said Erasmus.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what he offers in his first Test. At this level, you have to sink or swim.”

Porthen joins Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx in a heavyweight front row, with Lood de Jager and RG Snyman locking the scrum. Siya Kolisi leads a loose trio alongside Franco Mostert and Jasper Wiese.

Kurt-Lee Arendse, De Jager, and Mostert return after time out, while Gerhard Steenekamp and Johan Grobbelaar bolster the bench.

The backline sees Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback, Arendse and Ethan Hooker on the wings, and Cheslin Kolbe shifting to fullback.

Erasmus highlighted the value of experience within the squad:

“It’s great to have players back. You can feel their hunger. This is the best team we could field against a quality Japan outfit who’ll want to make a strong statement.”

With six Japan-based Boks in the mix, Erasmus expects a tactical arm wrestle.

“Their experience in that league helps, but Japan will also know them well,” he said.

“They’re well-coached by Eddie Jones and won’t hold back.”

For Porthen, it’s a baptism in Bok green, a plunge into the roaring scrum where the brave either sinks or rise like foam.

Source: SA Rugby

Japan looking to repeat history against Springboks

Adnaan MohamedNews, RugbyLeave a Comment on Japan looking to repeat history against Springboks
Adnaan Mohamed

Springbok assistant coach Jerry Flannery says the Boks are bracing for a fired-up Japanese side eager to repeat history when the teams clash at Wembley on Saturday, the opening Test of South Africa’s gruelling five-week European tour.

Japan beat South Africa 34–32 in their first match of pool play at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in Brighton in England. At the time it was described as the “greatest Rugby World Cup shock ever”.

With stops in Paris, Turin, Dublin, and Cardiff to follow, the Boks are kicking off what Flannery likened to a “mini–World Cup”, facing fresh opposition each week.

“Japan showed resilience in the first half despite picking up yellow cards, and they showed how well they can defend against one of the best attacking teams,” said Flannery.

“Australia scored six tries against us in the first game in the Rugby Championship, so we are aware that Japan are not just a good attacking side; they can defend well too, and in the last quarter, they came back into the game. They would be disappointed that they didn’t win.”

Japan, smarting from a 19-15 defeat to the Wallabies, will arrive in London hungry and dangerous, and Flannery knows it.

“I’m expecting that Eddie [Jones] will be building up his team all week and they’ll believe that they can win and rewrite history by beating the Boks at Wembley,” he said.

“We need to ensure that we are as well prepared as we can be.”

The vastly experienced Jones, now 65-years old, has already turned up the heat, boldly declaring his current squad “better than the 2015 side” that stunned the rugby world in the ‘Miracle of Brighton’, when Japan famously toppled the Boks at the World Cup.

Flannery, the Bok defence guru, believes that controlling the team’s rhythm after the Rugby Championship remains a key priority, keeping the game plan tight and composed rather than loose and frantic.

And while the road ahead is long, the Irishman sees opportunity in the challenge.

“It’s a great challenge for us,” Flannery said.

“For this tour, we have five different opponents from week to week. That’s how the World Cup will work as well, with a short turnaround between matches, so your ability to stay mentally fresh and keep bringing energy all the time will be good for us.”

As the Boks prepare to charge out under the Wembley lights, they know the Brave Blossoms won’t be mere spectators.

The men from the Land of the Rising Sun are champing at the bit, ready to test South Africa’s mettle in a match that promises sparks, steel, and perhaps another chapter in rugby folklore.

Kick-off is at 4:10pm.

Rassie’s Springboks Gears Up for Gruelling Northern Tour

Adnaan MohamedRugbyLeave a Comment on Rassie’s Springboks Gears Up for Gruelling Northern Tour
By Adnaan Mohamed

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus jetted off to London on Sunday, bracing for a five-week European tour that promises to test every sinew and synapse of the world champions.

The full squad will regroup in the UK on Monday morning, ready to tackle a sequence of five Test matches that reads like a gauntlet of rugby heavyweights.

The Boks kick off their campaign against Japan at Wembley Stadium on 1 November, before locking horns with France in Paris, Italy in Turin, Ireland in Dublin, and Wales in Cardiff. Each encounter will present a fresh challenge in vastly different conditions.

Erasmus, ever the strategist, knows that touring Europe in November is no spring picnic. It’s more like a muddy, cold-weather arm wrestle, where slick southern flair must survive in the trenches.

“We are excited about the tour and to measure ourselves against some of the best teams in the world,” he said before departure.

“A lot of hard work has been put in behind the scenes since the Rugby Championship, and hopefully this will set us in good standing to build on our season so far.”

The Bok mentor is acutely aware of the curveballs awaiting his squad. This includes the heavy air, damp pitches, and bruising opposition. But he believes his players are well-prepared for the north’s wintry grind.

“The conditions are vastly different in the UK and Europe to South Africa this time of the year,” Erasmus noted.

“But fortunately, most of the players have been exposed to those conditions either during their United Rugby Championship tours or by playing for overseas clubs.

“The time zone is also very similar to South Africa, which means we can slot back into full Test mode immediately from our first training session on Monday.”

If the schedule looks daunting on paper, Erasmus embraces it like a seasoned flanker facing down a charging number eight.

He knows the mental battle will be just as fierce as the physical one. It’s been 10 years since Japan caused one of the biggests upsets in the rugby world when the Brave Blossoms beat the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup in Brighton in England in 2015.

Coaches, Eddie Jones (Japan) and Rassie Erasmus (South Africa), will be going head-to-head at Wembley Stadium. Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

“Japan have been improving steadily over the last few years, and they defeated us a few years ago, so we have no doubt they will come out guns blazing next Saturday and throw everything at us,” he said.

France and Ireland, both top-four sides, loom as potential tour-defining tests.

“The last time we faced France in Paris was in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, and that result will psyche them up going into the match against them,” said Erasmus.

“They are also ranked fourth in the world currently, and Ireland third, and we all know how tough matches at the Aviva Stadium are against them.”

He also expects spirited resistance from Italy and Wales. These two teams have plenty to prove on home turf.

“Italy put up a brave fight against us in Pretoria, and that will give them confidence going into our match in Turin. Wales will also be up for the challenge after recovering from a tough few years earlier this season, so we need to be ready mentally and physically each week to get the desired results.”

For Erasmus, the tour is a measure of mettle, a proving ground for depth, discipline, and determination.

“It won’t be easy,” he concluded, “but we have a quality group of players, and we know what they are capable of doing when we stick to our structures and play to our potential on the day.”

Stormers eye Ospreys scalp in URC showdown

Adnaan MohamedNews, RugbyLeave a Comment on Stormers eye Ospreys scalp in URC showdown

By Adnaan Mohamed

The Stormers have never beaten the Ospreys in the United Rugby Championhip (URC). On Friday night at DHL Stadium, John Dobson’s men intend to smash that hoodoo.

Fresh off a 35-0 demolition of defending champions Leinster, the Capetonians know there’s no room for complacency.

“We saw how well Ospreys played in Pretoria and we know our record against them is a draw and two losses,” Dobson warned.

“The feeling is one of desperation to back up last week because you don’t want it to be a fluke.”

The clash doubles as a milestone night: veteran scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage earns his 100th Stormers cap, while lock Adré Smith reaches 50.

Duvenage replaces Stef Ungerer, Connor Evans takes the No 7 jersey ahead of Ben-Jason Dixon, and Marcel Theunissen comes in for Paul de Villiers.

Dobson hammered home the stakes:

“If something goes wrong [against the Ospreys], we’d have to win every game on tour. So it’s very, very important from that point of view.”

With props Ali Vermaak and Sazi Sandi set for their first outings of the season, the Stormers want another statement win before their European road trip

“While we were happy with the result last week, we know that there can be no complacency heading into this match against an Ospreys side that have proven tough customers for us in the past,” Dobson stressed.

The Stormers know they must strike hard and early to exorcise their Ospreys ghost. Victory would not only break the hoodoo but also give them a flying start before Europe beckons.

STORMERS
15 Wandisile Simelane, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (c), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Connor Evans, 6 Marcel Theunissen, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.

Bench: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Paul de Villiers, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Clinton Swart.

Bulls lose Serfontein, Jooste for Leinster clash

Adnaan MohamedNews, RugbyLeave a Comment on Bulls lose Serfontein, Jooste for Leinster clash

By Adnaan Mohamed

The Vodacom Bulls will face Leinster in a United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday without two of their backline sparks, Jan Serfontein and Cheswill Jooste, both injured in last week’s 53–40 shootout against the Ospreys.

Harold Vorster steps in at inside centre, with Sebastian de Klerk moving to the wing and Stravino Jacobs recalled. In the pack, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg retains the No 4 jersey after covering for Cobus Wiese’s HIA, while Sintu Manjezi joins the bench.

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann expects Leinster to arrive wounded but dangerous after their 35–0 defeat to the Stormers.

“Credit to the Stormers, but that was probably a Leinster performance we won’t see again,” he warned.

“They’ll want to rectify it and we expect a lot more pressure.”

Ackermann also bristled at his side’s soft defence in Swansea:

“It wasn’t good to concede that many points. Leinster will punish us if we repeat that.”

And he has no illusions about the defensive stranglehold Jacques Nienaber’s Leinster side usually applies.

“Jacques Nienaber’s defensive setup seldom gives a team as many opportunities as they did against the Stormers,” Ackermann said.

“That’s why we aren’t taking anything from that loss and focusing on improving ourselves.”

BULLS – 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 JJ Theron, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 N Janse van Rensburg, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Bench: 16 Juann Else, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Willie le Roux.

Ox Nche back for Rugby Championship ‘Final’

Adnaan MohamedNews, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Ox Nche back for Rugby Championship ‘Final’

By Adnaan Mohamed

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has recalled powerhouse prop Ox Nche for Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider against Argentina at Twickenham in London.

Nche, a late withdrawal in Durban last week, returns to the front row alongside Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit. Grant Williams, Jesse Kriel and Bongi Mbonambi are back on the bench in the only other changes to the match-day 23.

“This match is a Final for us, and we know how dangerous Argentina can be, so we selected combinations we feel will be best suited for this game,” said Rassie.

“There are minimal personnel changes, with the bulk of the team having done the job for us last week against the Pumas in Durban and our other Rugby Championship matches.

“Ox and Grant could have played last week if we really needed them, but Boan (Venter) and Morne (van den Berg) did really well, while Jesse was rotated in the last two matches and is raring to go.

“The same applies to Bongi, who last played against Australia, and who is excited for this opportunity.

“Their experience, combined with the younger players in the team, makes this an exciting squad, which is exactly what we need in a match that will essentially be the Rugby Championship decider.”

Eben Etzebeth wins his 138th cap in the second row, while Siya Kolisi will lead the side in his 98th Test.

The rest of the starting XV is unchanged, with Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu again at halfback and Damian Willemse at fullback.

Erasmus warned of a backlash from the Pumas:

“They may be out of the title race, but they have beaten the All Blacks, Wallabies, and British & Irish Lions this season. It’s going to be another hard grind.”

The Boks will know exactly what result is needed after Australia face New Zealand earlier in the day.

Kick-off is at 15:00 (SA time).

SPRINGBOKS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Jesse Kriel.

Source: SA Rugby

Boks brace for All Black war in Wellington

Adnaan MohamedNews, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Boks brace for All Black war in Wellington

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

Adnaan MohamedNews, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Boks Shuffles Deck for Wellington Gamble

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.