2 months ago
South Africa and New Zealand conclude the inaugural Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series with a last meeting in Baltimore in the United States.
The Springboks have secured at least a draw after winning the final match on home soil last weekend to take a 2-1 lead into this encounter.
Rassie Erasmus's side will be in no mood, though, to let the All Blacks square affairs, with a strong selection named by the world champions as they search for another statement performance.
Can New Zealand hit back in what should be an enjoyable occasion at the home of the Baltimore Ravens?
Here's everything you need to know:
#zealand #home #south
The Springboks have secured at least a draw after winning the final match on home soil last weekend to take a 2-1 lead into this encounter.
Rassie Erasmus's side will be in no mood, though, to let the All Blacks square affairs, with a strong selection named by the world champions as they search for another statement performance.
Can New Zealand hit back in what should be an enjoyable occasion at the home of the Baltimore Ravens?
Here's everything you need to know:
#zealand #home #south
2 months ago
Old foes South Africa and New Zealand collide in a new series in the first "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" tour.
The Springboks and All Blacks have reached a reciprocal touring agreement that will see the pair clash in a number of Tests every four years.
The first edition sees Dave Rennie's side head for South African soil to take on four United Rugby Championship sides alongside a quartet of clashes with Rassie Erasmus's world champions.
The fourth of those fixtures, which brings together the World Cup finalists from three years ago, will take place in Baltimore on the east coast of the United States.
Here's everything you need to know.
#four #years #africa
The Springboks and All Blacks have reached a reciprocal touring agreement that will see the pair clash in a number of Tests every four years.
The first edition sees Dave Rennie's side head for South African soil to take on four United Rugby Championship sides alongside a quartet of clashes with Rassie Erasmus's world champions.
The fourth of those fixtures, which brings together the World Cup finalists from three years ago, will take place in Baltimore on the east coast of the United States.
Here's everything you need to know.
#four #years #africa
2 months ago
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa and New Zealand fly together to Baltimore on Sunday to conclude their epic rugby test series without key players Cheslin Kolbe and Ardie Savea.
Both suffered series-ending injuries on Saturday as the world champion Springboks beat the All Blacks 29-24 and grabbed a 2-1 lead in the four-test series.
Kolbe, South Africa's flawless goalkicker in the series, broke his jaw when he was run over by Luke Jacobson, and Savea, the All Blacks captain, possibly dislocated his right shoulder in a clearout by Jasper Wiese. Also, New Zealand center Quinn Tupaea damaged his MCL.
Neither team planned to replace them in the squad for the final match next Saturday at the NFL home of the Baltimore Ravens.
Having guided the Springboks into a series lead after losing the first match, coach Rassie Erasmus was relieved.
#series #south #springboks #blacks
Both suffered series-ending injuries on Saturday as the world champion Springboks beat the All Blacks 29-24 and grabbed a 2-1 lead in the four-test series.
Kolbe, South Africa's flawless goalkicker in the series, broke his jaw when he was run over by Luke Jacobson, and Savea, the All Blacks captain, possibly dislocated his right shoulder in a clearout by Jasper Wiese. Also, New Zealand center Quinn Tupaea damaged his MCL.
Neither team planned to replace them in the squad for the final match next Saturday at the NFL home of the Baltimore Ravens.
Having guided the Springboks into a series lead after losing the first match, coach Rassie Erasmus was relieved.
#series #south #springboks #blacks
2 months ago
South Africa edged another ferocious and bruising clash against New Zealand to win the third Test 29-24 on Saturday and go 2-1 up in the four-Test Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series.
Both teams scored four tries in front of 87,976 fans at Soccer City, with the Springboks coming back after trailing in the first half to add to their narrow success in last weekend's second test in Cape Town.
It proved another classic contest of Springbok forward power against the All Blacks' pacey passing attack, with New Zealand starting furiously but eventually being worn down by the physicality of their hosts.
Ardie Savea went off nine minutes before halftime with a shoulder injury in a blow to the tourists and he looks uncertain for the final match, which will be played in Baltimore, in the United States, next Saturday.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus said: "It was epic and intense, fierce battle in all departments. The scoreboard in the end showed how close it was. Were just happy to win."
#springboks #four #rivalry
Both teams scored four tries in front of 87,976 fans at Soccer City, with the Springboks coming back after trailing in the first half to add to their narrow success in last weekend's second test in Cape Town.
It proved another classic contest of Springbok forward power against the All Blacks' pacey passing attack, with New Zealand starting furiously but eventually being worn down by the physicality of their hosts.
Ardie Savea went off nine minutes before halftime with a shoulder injury in a blow to the tourists and he looks uncertain for the final match, which will be played in Baltimore, in the United States, next Saturday.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus said: "It was epic and intense, fierce battle in all departments. The scoreboard in the end showed how close it was. Were just happy to win."
#springboks #four #rivalry
2 months ago
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus was looking forward to watching New Zealand counterpart Dave Rennie squirm for the next week after tying their four-test series on Saturday.
The Springboks relied on a masterclass of goalkicking by Cheslin Kolbe — seven from seven off the tee — to win the second test 33-26 after New Zealand outscored them on tries 4-3.
World champion South Africa dropped the first test in Johannesburg and hasn't lost consecutive tests at home on Erasmus' watch — since 2018 — and he was relieved they got back into a series in which they started as the heavy favorite.
"Of course I felt the pressure, and the players will tell you I felt the pressure. I try not to put it on them but I was nervous," Erasmus said.
He noted he and the older Rennie were November babies, both Scorpios, and quipped: "That's why he's able to work me out.
#south #africa #erasmus #series
The Springboks relied on a masterclass of goalkicking by Cheslin Kolbe — seven from seven off the tee — to win the second test 33-26 after New Zealand outscored them on tries 4-3.
World champion South Africa dropped the first test in Johannesburg and hasn't lost consecutive tests at home on Erasmus' watch — since 2018 — and he was relieved they got back into a series in which they started as the heavy favorite.
"Of course I felt the pressure, and the players will tell you I felt the pressure. I try not to put it on them but I was nervous," Erasmus said.
He noted he and the older Rennie were November babies, both Scorpios, and quipped: "That's why he's able to work me out.
#south #africa #erasmus #series
2 months ago
South Africa and New Zealand collide in the first of four huge Tests in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series.
The All Blacks have won all three of their warm-up games since arriving in South Africa, and now take on a Springboks side that beat them in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
Rassie Erasmus' world champions are unbeaten in their last 12 matches and were narrow victors in the pair's last encounter at Ellis Park.
Another blockbuster encounter could be in store as the landmark series launches in style.
Here's everything you need to know.
#south #africa #series
The All Blacks have won all three of their warm-up games since arriving in South Africa, and now take on a Springboks side that beat them in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
Rassie Erasmus' world champions are unbeaten in their last 12 matches and were narrow victors in the pair's last encounter at Ellis Park.
Another blockbuster encounter could be in store as the landmark series launches in style.
Here's everything you need to know.
#south #africa #series
2 months ago
Old foes South Africa and New Zealand collide in a new series in the first "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" tour.
The Springboks and All Blacks have reached a reciprocal touring agreement that will see the pair clash in a number of Tests every four years.
The first edition sees Dave Rennie's side head for South African soil to take on four United Rugby Championship sides alongside a quartet of clashes with Rassie Erasmus's world champions.
The fourth of those fixtures, which brings together the World Cup finalists from three years ago, will take place in Baltimore on the east coast of the United States.
Here's everything you need to know.
#south #greatest
The Springboks and All Blacks have reached a reciprocal touring agreement that will see the pair clash in a number of Tests every four years.
The first edition sees Dave Rennie's side head for South African soil to take on four United Rugby Championship sides alongside a quartet of clashes with Rassie Erasmus's world champions.
The fourth of those fixtures, which brings together the World Cup finalists from three years ago, will take place in Baltimore on the east coast of the United States.
Here's everything you need to know.
#south #greatest
2 months ago
And so it begins.
Rugby ***** ans South Africa and New Zealand have finally arrived at their long-awaited test series, the culmination of the first full-size tour between them in 30 years.
Both teams just need an injury niggle or two to clear up before they run out on Saturday in the high veld citadel of Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
The odds favor the undisputed two-time world champion Springboks in their first four-test series with the No. 2-ranked All Blacks since 1976.
As Springboks coach or director for eight years, Rassie Erasmus has an 8-6 record against New Zealand, with one draw. It goes against historical records. The All Blacks lead the head to head by 20 wins primarily because the Springboks find it harder to win in New Zealand.
#blacks #first #Rugby
Rugby ***** ans South Africa and New Zealand have finally arrived at their long-awaited test series, the culmination of the first full-size tour between them in 30 years.
Both teams just need an injury niggle or two to clear up before they run out on Saturday in the high veld citadel of Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
The odds favor the undisputed two-time world champion Springboks in their first four-test series with the No. 2-ranked All Blacks since 1976.
As Springboks coach or director for eight years, Rassie Erasmus has an 8-6 record against New Zealand, with one draw. It goes against historical records. The All Blacks lead the head to head by 20 wins primarily because the Springboks find it harder to win in New Zealand.
#blacks #first #Rugby
2 months ago
One point.
That is what separated South Africa and New Zealand in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, as the Springboks went back-to-back to become the first nation to win the ***** le four times.
Rassie Erasmus' world champions sit top of the rankings and have won back-to-back Rugby Championships. They are indisputably the game's dominant force.
Their predecessors as rugby union's supreme team were the All Blacks, who won their own back-to-back World Cups, in 2011 and 2015.
The landscape may have changed and their roles may have reversed of late, but they remain the game's most glamourous and marketable teams.
#africa #zealand
That is what separated South Africa and New Zealand in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, as the Springboks went back-to-back to become the first nation to win the ***** le four times.
Rassie Erasmus' world champions sit top of the rankings and have won back-to-back Rugby Championships. They are indisputably the game's dominant force.
Their predecessors as rugby union's supreme team were the All Blacks, who won their own back-to-back World Cups, in 2011 and 2015.
The landscape may have changed and their roles may have reversed of late, but they remain the game's most glamourous and marketable teams.
#africa #zealand
2 months ago
Old foes South Africa and New Zealand collide in a new series in the first "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" tour.
The Springboks and All Blacks have reached a reciprocal touring agreement that will see the pair clash in a number of Tests every four years.
The first edition sees Dave Rennie's side head for South African soil to take on four United Rugby Championship sides alongside a quartet of clashes with Rassie Erasmus's world champions.
The fourth of those fixtures, which brings together the World Cup finalists from three years ago, will take place in Baltimore on the east coast of the United States.
Here's everything you need to know.
#World #four #zealand
The Springboks and All Blacks have reached a reciprocal touring agreement that will see the pair clash in a number of Tests every four years.
The first edition sees Dave Rennie's side head for South African soil to take on four United Rugby Championship sides alongside a quartet of clashes with Rassie Erasmus's world champions.
The fourth of those fixtures, which brings together the World Cup finalists from three years ago, will take place in Baltimore on the east coast of the United States.
Here's everything you need to know.
#World #four #zealand
3 months ago
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus insists the world champions face a "massive challenge" against Argentina on Saturday despite the recent poor form of their opponents.
The Springboks stretched a winning Test run to 11 matches with home victories over England, Scotland and Wales during July in the inaugural Nations Championship.
Facing the same northen hemisphere teams in South America, the Pumas beat Wales, but lost to Scotland, and England in an ill-tempered clash.
Argentina thought they had scored a late try against England, giving them a chance to draw the Test.
When Australian referee Angus Gardner disallowed it after a lengthy review, Pumas fly-half Tomas Albornoz was furious.
#england
The Springboks stretched a winning Test run to 11 matches with home victories over England, Scotland and Wales during July in the inaugural Nations Championship.
Facing the same northen hemisphere teams in South America, the Pumas beat Wales, but lost to Scotland, and England in an ill-tempered clash.
Argentina thought they had scored a late try against England, giving them a chance to draw the Test.
When Australian referee Angus Gardner disallowed it after a lengthy review, Pumas fly-half Tomas Albornoz was furious.
#england
3 months ago
Old foes South Africa and New Zealand collide in a new series in the first "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" tour.
The Springboks and All Blacks have reached a reciprocal touring agreement that will see the pair clash in a number of Tests every four years.
The first edition sees Dave Rennie's side head for South African soil to take on four United Rugby Championship sides alongside a quartet of clashes with Rassie Erasmus's world champions.
The fourth of those fixtures, which brings together the World Cup finalists from three years ago, will take place in Baltimore on the east coast of the United States.
Here's everything you need to know.
#africa
The Springboks and All Blacks have reached a reciprocal touring agreement that will see the pair clash in a number of Tests every four years.
The first edition sees Dave Rennie's side head for South African soil to take on four United Rugby Championship sides alongside a quartet of clashes with Rassie Erasmus's world champions.
The fourth of those fixtures, which brings together the World Cup finalists from three years ago, will take place in Baltimore on the east coast of the United States.
Here's everything you need to know.
#africa
4 months ago
World champions South Africa have made 10 changes to their starting side to face Wales in the Nations Championship on Saturday.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus has included four uncapped players, with wing Jaco Williams, fly-half Vusi Moyo, lock Ruben van Heerden and prop Carlu Sadie all making their Test debuts in Durban (16:40 BST).
Flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit will again captain the side in the absence of Siya Kolisi, while the bench is packed with quality such as Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse and Herschel Jantjies.
Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Andre Esterhuizen, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard and Ox Nche are all unavailable due to injury.
South Africa are looking to make it three wins from three in the new tournament's first block of games, having beaten England 45-21 and Scotland 42-28.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus has included four uncapped players, with wing Jaco Williams, fly-half Vusi Moyo, lock Ruben van Heerden and prop Carlu Sadie all making their Test debuts in Durban (16:40 BST).
Flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit will again captain the side in the absence of Siya Kolisi, while the bench is packed with quality such as Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse and Herschel Jantjies.
Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Andre Esterhuizen, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard and Ox Nche are all unavailable due to injury.
South Africa are looking to make it three wins from three in the new tournament's first block of games, having beaten England 45-21 and Scotland 42-28.
4 months ago
South Africa have handed chances to four uncapped players as Rassie Erasmus shuffles his pack again for the meeting with Wales.
A heavily-rotated Springboks side made it two wins from two in the Nations Championship as they overcame Scotland in a tough battle in Pretoria, and Erasmus again takes the opportunity to look at the depth of his squad.
20-year-old playmaker Vusi Moyo is given a first opportunity at fly half, with Sharks teammate Jaco Williams installed on the wing for his first cap.
Carlu Sadie, a key figure in Bordeaux Begles’ back-to-back Champions Cup crowns, starts at tighthead, while fellow French-based forward Ruben van Heerden (Montpellier) starts in the second row.
Pieter-Steph du Toit again captains the side with Siya Kolisi not involved.
A heavily-rotated Springboks side made it two wins from two in the Nations Championship as they overcame Scotland in a tough battle in Pretoria, and Erasmus again takes the opportunity to look at the depth of his squad.
20-year-old playmaker Vusi Moyo is given a first opportunity at fly half, with Sharks teammate Jaco Williams installed on the wing for his first cap.
Carlu Sadie, a key figure in Bordeaux Begles’ back-to-back Champions Cup crowns, starts at tighthead, while fellow French-based forward Ruben van Heerden (Montpellier) starts in the second row.
Pieter-Steph du Toit again captains the side with Siya Kolisi not involved.
4 months ago
South Africa and Scotland tussle on the second weekend of the inaugural Nations Championship.
The pair were both opening round winners, with the Springboks putting England away comprehensively and the Scots impressive in beating Argentina.
Gregor Townsend will know his side face a tall task here, though, even with home head coach Rassie Erasmus freshening up his matchday 23.
It is 12 years since Scotland last played the Springboks on South African soil, while they have failed to muster a try in their last two outings against Erasmus's team.
Here's everything you need to know.
The pair were both opening round winners, with the Springboks putting England away comprehensively and the Scots impressive in beating Argentina.
Gregor Townsend will know his side face a tall task here, though, even with home head coach Rassie Erasmus freshening up his matchday 23.
It is 12 years since Scotland last played the Springboks on South African soil, while they have failed to muster a try in their last two outings against Erasmus's team.
Here's everything you need to know.
4 months ago
South Africa and England collide on the opening weekend of the inaugural Nations Championship in a mighty meeting at Ellis Park.
Steve Borthwick’s side face a gruelling itinerary over the next three weeks as they play in Johannesburg, Liverpool and Santiago del Estero bidding to put their worst-ever Six Nations behind them.
It is a daunting start to their summer campaign after four successive defeats, with the world champion Springboks fully loaded for their arrival.
Rassie Erasmus’s squad worked off some rust in a fixture against the Barbarians and may just be looking to make a statement in their first meeting with England since November 2024.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Steve Borthwick’s side face a gruelling itinerary over the next three weeks as they play in Johannesburg, Liverpool and Santiago del Estero bidding to put their worst-ever Six Nations behind them.
It is a daunting start to their summer campaign after four successive defeats, with the world champion Springboks fully loaded for their arrival.
Rassie Erasmus’s squad worked off some rust in a fixture against the Barbarians and may just be looking to make a statement in their first meeting with England since November 2024.
Here’s everything you need to know.
4 months ago
Eben Etzebeth will make an instant return to the South Africa starting side against England after suspension, with Manie Libbok trusted by the Springboks at fly half.
Etzebeth was handed a long ban after being sent for an eye gouge in his last Test against Wales, and has featured only once since for the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship.
But Rassie Erasmus has immediately thrown his most-capped player back into the second row alongside Ruan Nortje as South Africa begin their Nations Championship campaign in Johannesburg.
With Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu sidelined by injury, Libbok is preferred to Handre Pollard at fly half, while Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse win their 50th caps in the back three.
Siya Kolisi captains a familiar-looking side full of World Cup winners with Erasmus looking forward to an encounter with an England side arriving at Ellis Park on a run of four consecutive Six Nations defeats.
Etzebeth was handed a long ban after being sent for an eye gouge in his last Test against Wales, and has featured only once since for the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship.
But Rassie Erasmus has immediately thrown his most-capped player back into the second row alongside Ruan Nortje as South Africa begin their Nations Championship campaign in Johannesburg.
With Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu sidelined by injury, Libbok is preferred to Handre Pollard at fly half, while Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse win their 50th caps in the back three.
Siya Kolisi captains a familiar-looking side full of World Cup winners with Erasmus looking forward to an encounter with an England side arriving at Ellis Park on a run of four consecutive Six Nations defeats.
