A much-changed Springbok team came through a see-sawing slugfest with Scotland to produce a 42-28 victory in an inaugural Nations Championship match at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Pieter-Steph du Toit made it clear on Friday that Scotland would provide a stern test when the teams meet in their second Nations Championship encounter on Saturday in Pretoria.
The strong rugby bond between South Africa and Georgia was further strengthened when the Junior Springbok assistant coaches hosted a highly successful coaching seminar at the team’s hotel in Tbilisi.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will enter uncharted territory on Saturday when he sends out a Springbok team for a record-breaking 55th time as head coach – the most of any coach since South Africa’s first Test match in 1891.
Talented brothers Vincent and Emmanuel Tshituka have made a decisive career move by joining the ever-expanding South African rugby roster at Roc Nation Sports International.
Junior Springbok assistant coach Lumumba Currie was pleased with their progress through the pool stages of the Junior World Championship but insisted there is still significant room for improvement as the defending champions prepare for a heavyweight semi-final against England in Tbilisi.
Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote praised his side’s resilience and attacking intent after they defeated Wales in their final pool match at the Junior World Championship in Georgia, securing a place in the semi-finals against England.
Barely four months ago, Aphiwe Ngwevu felt that her international rugby ambitions and playing career was going downhill fast – perhaps even over the cliff – despite earning 31 Test caps and scoring 13 tries in the green and gold.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus stayed true to his objective to give as many players in his squad the opportunity to put up their hands at the highest level this season, as he made 10 changes to his starting team for Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against Scotland in Pretoria.
Swys de Bruin rated the Springbok Women’s first half performance against the USA Eagles Women at Ellis Park as the best 40 minutes of rugby since he was appointed as head coach, but admitted that their second half effort fell short of the same standard in a match they won 34-21.