All eyes are on the Springboks 2027 World Cup in Australia.

Having won the last two tournaments, Rassie Erasmus’ charges will be gunning for a hat-trick of titles, and legends such as Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth will be aiming to finish their storied careers on the highest of highs.

In the meantime, it remains to be seen how the respective franchises will manage their Boks over the next 12 months, and how the national resting protocols will influence the performances and results of the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers across the club season.

Leading South African players have enjoyed few precious opportunities to rest over the past five years, as the club season has bled into the international schedule.

The 2026-27 season should prove especially challenging from a player- welfare point of view, as the club calendar gives way to a six-round Rugby Championship tournament, before Erasmus and company turn their attention to the global showpiece in Australia.

With all that in mind, the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers may be hard- pressed to improve on their previous showings in the United Rugby Championship – and it may be some time yet before one of these teams ends South Africa’s club title drought.

The Bulls have been South Africa’s most consistent team in the URC, qualifying for four of the past five finals. In each and every decider, poor game management has cost them the title, and that was certainly the case when they lost 36-7 to Leinster in Dublin last term.

The Pretoria-based side took some time to find its feet under new coach Johan Ackermann, but went on to score more points (640) than any other side in the 16-team tournament.

Flyhalf Handré Pollard contributed 129 points to the Bulls’ cause, while scrumhalf Embrose Papier (12) was the competition’s joint top-scorer, along with Stormers No.8 Evan Roos.

Bulls fans may expect their team to go one better this season. Whether they can reach the same heights without Springboks of the quality of Kurt-Lee Arendse, Ruan Nortjé and Wilco Louw remains to be seen.

The Stormers started the 2025-26 season well, winning 10 matches in a row across both competitions, before losing momentum at the back end of the campaign and travelling to Dublin for the penultimate clash.

Coach John Dobson is determined to build a team that can win the URC and the Champions Cup – possibly by 2029 – and has backed up the talk by making several high-profile signings in recent months. Kolisi and Louw have returned to the franchise, while Cheslin Kolbe is back in Cape Town after a long stint in France and Japan.

The Stormers will begin the season with two – and in some cases three – excellent options in each position.

Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg- Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse and Kolbe will headline an explosive backline – although Bok resting protocols may ensure that some of the stars are managed across a club schedule that spans 10 months.

The Lions made history last season when they qualified for the URC playoffs for the first time. While they do not have the same resources as the other three franchises, they should be pushing for another top-eight finish in 2026-27.

Coach Cash van Rooyen has signed Bok prop Boan Venter and forgotten No.8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, and will look to harness a clutch of Junior Boks who recently defended their title at the World. Rugby Junior World Championship in Georgia. The powerful No.12 Ethan Adams is certainly one to watch.

The Sharks come into this URC campaign with everything to prove, having finished 10th in the standings last term. Despite their status as one of the richest teams, they have failed to deliver a trophy of significance over the past five years, and are yet to progress to a URC final.

The Sharks have parted ways with coach John Plumtree, and JP Pietersen, who took charge in the second half of last season’s campaign, will have the opportunity to change the narrative in the coming months. High-profile players such as Kolisi, Aphelele Fassi, Grant Williams and Marvin Orie have moved on, but Bok powerhouse Thomas du Toit and two former internationals in Ivan van Zyl and Stephan Lewies have joined the franchise.

The Sharks pack looks set to dominate, but the questions regarding their best halfback pairing persist. Pietersen may give further opportunities to Junior Bok stars such as Vusi Moyo – who made his Test debut for the senior national side this past July – and Zekhethelo Siyaya, while André “the Giant” Esterhuizen should continue to play a key leadership role from the No.12 position.

Ackermann, Dobson, Van Rooyen and Pietersen will have other fixtures to consider over the course of a long and taxing season.

The South African teams have been criticised for their inconsistent performances in the Champions Cup, but given all the demands at club and national level in 2026-27, they may struggle to shatter the glass ceiling and progress to the semi-finals.

The Lions will make their Champions Cup debut this season, and may be hard-pressed to compete against the best teams from England and France – after delivering an underwhelming performance in last term’s Challenge Cup, where they failed to reach the playoffs.

The Sharks will be desperate to regain their Champions Cup status this season, but may be caught in two minds.

Pietersen’s side has to finish in the top eight of the URC (at least) to qualify for the next edition of the Champions Cup.

Alternatively, they will earn a place at Europe’s top table if they win the Challenge Cup title – as they did back in 2024.

Overall, South African fans will be hoping for a more consistent showing across the board that results in two or more of the local teams progressing to the URC semi-finals, and possibly a decider on home soil.

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The Boks are currently two-one up in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, presented by Castle Double Malt, meaning victory this weekend over the All Blacks would seal the trophy for the team, while a defeat would see the series end in a draw. The Test kicks off at 17h00 (23h00 SA time) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

“Every Test against the All Blacks is special,” said Etzebeth.

“Every time you put on the green and gold jersey it’s memorable, and each time we play the All Blacks we know the rivalry and what it means to both sides.

“This game, in particular, is very special because it will decide whether we win the series or if it will end in a draw, so it’s a massive Test match and we’re very excited.

“Being able to play four Tests against New Zealand in a row is the ultimate test for any player. It’s been tough, and there have been some bruising battles, but that’s what we all want to do, and we love every second of it.”

The physical lock lauded the Springbok coaching staff for the manner in which the team fought back following their opening defeat in the series: “The coaching staff must take a lot of credit. They always keep us honest. If we don’t have a good game, they tell us. But the players have also been immense.

“Every time we don’t start well, we pull together. It happened in the British & Irish Lions series (in 2021). In both World Cups (2019 and 2023) we lost a pool game and there was no more room for losing, so we’ve been in this situation before and it’s happening again.

“It’s a special series being the first time in 30 years New Zealand have toured South Africa, and obviously want to win it, so we knew we had to dig deep in the second and third Tests.”

Adding to the significance of being able to play in RGR after months on the sidelines due to injury, Etzebeth said it added to his motivation to be the best player that he can be on the field.

“The injuries were a bit frustrating, obviously, because I couldn’t get a lot of rugby under my belt, but it’s nice to be back,” he said.

“It was great to play my first Test against Argentina again and get a full 80 minutes, and obviously the last couple of games against New Zealand as well, so I’m just glad to be back on the park and playing rugby.”

With Etzebeth set to extend his record as the most capped Springbok player of all time, he said the experience in the matchday squad was valuable going into such an important encounter.

“Experience is quite important,” he said.

“A lot of us talk about what happens on the field and what we can do better in certain situations. There’s still a big sense of responsibility, not just individually, but as a collective to keep representing South Africa well and to the best of our ability.

“I know we’re getting a bit older, but personally it feels like we’re working a lot harder than when we were younger. I think I speak on behalf of all the older guys who have been here for a while. We understand how fortunate we are to still be here, and I think that’s why were still performing at such a high level and competing with the best in the world.”

Commenting on what the team made of playing against the All Blacks in the USA – the home of the 2031 Rugby World Cup – Etzebeth said it is a fantastic experience and hoped that the match would not only inspire the South African fans attending the match, but also assist in growing the popularity of the sport in the host country.

“There have been a couple of Test matches here before – I know the All Blacks have played here a couple of times,” said Etzebeth.

“But it’s my first time in America, and with the World Cup coming in 2031, they’re definitely trying to grow the game here, and this match is a good start between the Springboks and All Blacks in Baltimore.

“It’s very exciting, and I’m sure there are a lot of South Africans here, but a lot of Americans will also come out and watch, and hopefully they’ll enjoy what they see.”

The team will have Thursday off to rest and switch into match mode for the game after wrapping up their main training block on Wednesday, and will complete their on-field preparations at their traditional captains run on Friday.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

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The Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series finale takes place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday and Wiese said a victory for the Boks – should they pull it through to lift the trophy – would be a special achievement for the group.

“We’ve only been here since Sunday afternoon, so we haven’t spent a lot of time outside the hotel, but it’s obviously an amazing experience,” said Wiese.

“It’s my first time here. Some people have recognised a few guys, but me not as much. But hopefully we can give the people here a good showcase this weekend and give them a taste of what rugby is about.

“The sport is obviously not as big here as it is in New Zealand or South Africa, but for the fans who are there this weekend, they’re going to see some great rugby from both teams who just want to go out there and give it their best.”

With many of the players in the Bok squad having won the Rugby World Cup and British & Irish Lions series, Wiese said if they were to lift the RGR trophy on Saturday, it would be another memorable occasion for the side.

The Springboks are currently leading the series two-one, meaning a victory or draw this weekend would clinch the title, but if the All Blacks win, the trophy would be shared.

“For this group, it would be something amazing to achieve – we’re taking this series just as seriously as we did the others,” said Wiese.

“The last time they toured in South Africa was in 1996, and the All Blacks won that one, so for this group to achieve a win would be something special.”

Wiese was not perturbed by the absence of injured All Blacks captain Ardie Savea, saying their other players competing for the position were also very talented and would be equally desperate to give everything to win Saturday’s match-up.

“Ardie is obviously a massive player in their team and he was their captain at the start of the series, but I don’t think his absence changes our preparation,” he said.

“Their other loose forwards have a lot of experience and have played in big games as well, so we will show our opponents as much respect as possible. In big games all those guys step up.”

Asked about his emotions after setting a new record for the most Test starts in a loose trio with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Bok captain Siya Kolisi, the physical No 8 – who will run out in his 49th Test match on Saturday – said it was a surreal feeling.

“It’s a massive privilege to play with guys like them, and I never take it for granted,” he said.

“I actually didn’t know about the record until we saw it after the game, but yes, it’s special. We’re great friends, and that makes it so much more amazing to have done something like that together, so I’m really privileged.”

Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids, meanwhile, zoomed into the team’s set piece and said they knew that it would be a big focal point going into the inaugural series between the two best teams in the world.

“We were under no illusions that it was going to be very important to have a good set piece,” said Davids.

“The hard work we’ve been putting into the scrums, the lineouts, and the mauls is starting to show now, and we’re glad things have come together to provide a solid platform for our attack and defence.

“That said, there’s always room for improvement, and we continuously try to evaluate our systems, individual effort, and our performance as a pack of forwards, so we’ll keep striving to improve and find better cohesion.”

The Boks had their first field training session on Tuesday after a series of boardroom sessions on Monday to recover from last Saturday’s match and the long journey to Baltimore, and will continue their on-field preparations on Wednesday.

The match kicks off at 23h00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

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A delighted Rassie Erasmus shrugged off suggestions that his team had clinched a series victory over New Zealand following Saturday’s win at the FNB Stadium in Soweto.

The Boks defeated New Zealand 29-24 in front of a fanatic crowd of 86000 in Johannesburg to take a two-one lead in the series. Hours later, the two sides boarded the same plane to the USA, touching down in Baltimore on Sunday afternoon.

Should the Boks win Saturday’s Test at the M&T Bank Stadium, they will clinch the title, but victory for the All Blacks will see the teams draw the series on two victories apiece.

“Playing in front of close to 90 000 people in Soweto was awesome,” said Hooker after he was named Man of the Match in Saturday’s Test.

“The guys feeding off that atmosphere was something else, and next weekend is going to be awesome too.

“It’s a neutral venue so it’s going to be closer to 50-50 (in terms of the support), but it is my first time in America, and I’m looking forward to the experience.”

Hooker added: “We normally have the privilege of facing the All Blacks twice a year, but now we have the chance to play them four times back-to-back. It’s tough mentally and physically, but we are all honoured and really privileged to be able to face such a prestigious team four times in a row.”

Responding to what switch the Boks made after suffering a defeat in the opening game of the series, Hooker said: “There was quite a bit of pressure, especially after losing the first game, but we knew the third game was always going to be make or break for either team.

“We tried to focus on ourselves, what we do, and what works for us, and as a group we said we’re going to put everything into that game, and if we win, great, but if we lose, we’ll go again next week.

“We still have one game to play, so it’s not done. We want to lift our standards and we’re going to focus all our energy on that.”

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will announce his squad for the match on Monday evening (SA time).

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Given the team’s brave performances in the last two matches to take a 2-1 lead in the four-Test series, the Bok coach opted for continuity in selection with an eye on trying to clinch the series win in the USA, prompting him to make the one injury enforced change at fullback and hand Van den Berg a start, with Cobus Reinach switching to the replacements bench.

A victory for the Springboks at the M&T Bank Stadium will pave the way for them to win the inaugural competition, while a victory for the All Blacks will see the sides draw the series following their victory in the opening match.

Kolbe, who left the field injured at the FNB Stadium last weekend, was one of six players who remained behind in South Africa as the squad travelled to the USA, with the team set to make the journey directly from the USA to Australia for the one-off Test against the Wallabies at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, 27 September.

“We feel that the team is well settled and all the players delivered in their respective roles in the last two matches, so we believe selecting the same matchday squad, and naming Damian back in his regular position, makes sense for the closing match of the series,” said Erasmus.

“These players also know exactly what to expect from a very determined All Blacks team, who will give everything to draw the series this weekend.”

Erasmus elaborated on Willemse and Van den Berg’s inclusion in the run-on team, saying: “Damian started the first two Tests and had it not been for a niggle last week, he would have also started that match, so it’s good to have him back. He is a quality player, and he knows the guys around him very well, so it will simply be a matter of him picking up where he left off before last week.

“Morne, meanwhile, made a fantastic impact when he took the field last week, and he deserves a chance to start, so Cobus switches to the bench where he will add experience and skill in this vital match.”

Erasmus expected a massive backlash from the All Blacks this weekend, but he said his charges were prepared for another big battle.

“We have faced the All Blacks three weeks in a row, and just like us, they are a proud team who showed last week that they will never stop fighting until the final whistle, so we are under no illusions about the magnitude of the challenge ahead this weekend.

“That said, we are equally determined to finish the series strongly and give everything to lift the trophy, and the players are excited about the match.

“We have no doubt that it’s going to be another epic encounter that will require a full-blown 80-minute effort on attack and defence, so we will manage the players well this week to ensure that they are ready physically and mentally for Saturday.”

The match kicks off at 23h00 SA time (17h00 EDT) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Springbok team to face the All Blacks in Baltimore:
15 Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 54 caps, 76 pts (8t, 9c, 4p, 2dg)
14 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars) – 34 caps, 130 pts (26t)
13 Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 93 caps, 125 pts (25t)
12 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 102 caps, 60 pts (12t)
11 Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 12 caps, 10 pts (2t)
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 23 caps, 184 pts (9t, 47c, 15p)
9 Morne van den Berg (10bet Lions) – 9 caps, 25 pts (5t)
8 Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 48 caps, 20 pts (4t)
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 101 caps, 70 pts (14t)
6 Siya Kolisi (captain, DHL Stormers) – 106 caps, 75 pts (15t)
5 Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears) – 23 caps, 5 pts (1t)
4 Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 145 caps, 45 pts (9t)
3 Wilco Louw (DHL Stormers) – 34 caps, 10 pts (2t)
2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 92 caps, 140 pts (28t)
1 Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 51 caps, 0 pts

Replacements:
16 Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers) – 15 caps, 10 pts (2t)
17 Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 22 caps, 10 pts (2t)
18 Thomas du Toit (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 36 caps, 10 pts (2t)
19 Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 76 caps, 25 pts (5t)
20 Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 34 caps, 30 pts (6t)
21 Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls) – 5 caps, 5 pts (1t)
22 Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers) – 56 caps, 100 pts (20t)
23 Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners) – 33 caps, 143 pts (2t, 47c, 13p)

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

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The 29-24 victory gave the Springboks a 2-1 lead in the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, with one test remaining in Baltimore, USA on Saturday.

“I know a lot of people said that this is the series here in South Africa, but it is not – we’ve played three games here and we’re one up, but the final game is still to come,” said Erasmus.

“I know we can’t lose it anymore because there’s not points difference or tries scored (as a tie breaker). But the trophy was actually designed in two halves to be shared if it’s a draw. So, it’s game on.”

Both teams will share a flight to the USA to prepare for the final match on Saturday night in a tour that has lived up to its branding as “Like no Other”.

Erasmus said: “Hopefully me and Dave (Rennie, All Blacks head coach) will have a beer. His will be a little bit more bitter and mine will be a little sweeter. But then on Sunday we arrive there and we get into camp again.

“We assess the injuries; we start planning and it’s number one and two again. It’s the greatest rivalry and we play to try and win the series, and they will try and to draw the series. So, no, it’s going to be flipping important.”

The Springboks trailed in the match until the 58th minute and only established a two-score lead with ten minutes remaining in a match of high action and drama.

Erasmus said: “We are happy tonight. It was epic. It was intense. I think the scoreboard at the end showed how close the game was. We’re just happy we won.

“Now we’re on the same flight and now we must try and go replicate that in Baltimore. They were definitely on top (in the first half). All of us I think envy the way they can handle the ball and they’re certainly brilliant at that. Luckily we went in level at halftime which gives you some hope.

“I’m not sure what my heart rate was but we were certainly nervous. And I think they were nervous.

“It’s massive, this is. You’re playing number one and two in the world and it switches one week to the next and it certainly lives up to that (hype), and I can tell you now, we’re not sitting here thinking we are flipping awesome. We’re thinking there was also a lot of luck that that went our way.”

Erasmus also revealed that Cheslin Kolbe, who left the field with an injury in the first half, had fractured his jaw and will not make the trip to the USA.

Also staying behind are props Carlu Sadie, Boan Venter, and Ntuthuko Mchunu, as well as utility forwards Cobus Wiese and Ben-Jason Dixon, while backs Damian Willemse, Grant Williams and Canan Moodie, all of whom had struggled with injuries in recent weeks, are fit and will travel to the USA.

The fourth Test takes place at M&T Stadium in Baltimore, USA, on Saturday (kick-off 23h00 SA time), live on SuperSport.

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The Boks produced their most compelling rugby of the year as second half tries from Jesse Kriel and Malcolm Marx – to add to first half scores from Kurt-Lee Arendse and a penalty try – plus three successful kicks at goal from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu put a brave and ever-threatening All Blacks to one side.

A try after the final hooter from Samisoni Taukei’aho was reward for the visitors’ spirit but flattered the All Blacks after they were outplayed in a thunderous and mesmerising encounter of skill and passion.

The Springboks began at a furious pace and dominated field position for the first ten minutes – but for a long-range Will Jordan break out – but a double blow coincided with the All Blacks taking the lead.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu was yellow-carded for a failed intercept attempt 10 metres from his own line – nipping an almost certain try in the bud – and went to the sideline at the same time as fullback Cheslin Kolbe who disappeared up the tunnel for a facial injury to be replaced by Manie Libbok.

From the resulting kick to the corner NZ captain Ardie Savea scored his second in successive matches, picking up and scampering over from five metres after a powerful first carry from the lineout got the Boks’ defence back-pedalling. First blood All Blacks.

The Boks held out while down to 14 men and answered with a try of their own playing some of their best rugby of the Tour. It was finished in the right hand corner by Arendse – his 26th try in only 34 appearances – but the credit belonged to centre Damian de Allende, who got his hands free to make the scoring pass after handing off wing Leroy Carter.

Carter extracted revenge with a break down the left wing shortly afterwards to create the chaos for Savea to score a second try. Arendse held on to the coat rails of his opposite number five metres short but, as the ball popped loose, the All Black captain was in first to pick up and again cross from five metres.

The match was being played at furious pace and intensity with punch and counter-punch. The All Blacks looked to keep the ball alive at all times with offloads and passes; the Boks began to play more expansively than at any time in the series. And it was they who struck next.

A lovely, mazy, long-range break from his own half by Libbok saw him tackled centimetres short from scoring what would have been a try for the ages.

It was a great field position – under the poles – and although the All Blacks were in disarray they were able to thwart a succession of drives at the line before they knocked on to give a five metre scrum to the Boks. Their flyhalf, Ruben Love, was yellow carded for a professional in the sequence.

Daan Human’s tractors fired up, and the All Blacks were imperiously shunted backwards into their own in-goal with referee Nika Amashukeli instantly awarding a penalty try.

The half ended with the Boks on attack after great work from left wing Ethan Hooker – who was having an outstanding half – chasing Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s grubber kick, to within five metres. The All Blacks held out, winning a free kick at the resulting scrum. There was nothing to separate the teams at 12-12.

With the swirling and chilling wind the game settled down into a war of small moments in the second half with the handling of both sides being tested.

A measure of that was the fact that the All Blacks took their first shot at a penalty in the series – from 45m by Jordie Barrett – in the 55th minute after winning a rare scrum penalty. It went wide.

But the second half deadlock exploded into points after 15 minutes of play with the Springboks taking the lead for the first time at the end of it.

The All Blacks celebrated first as the prolific Will Jordan crossed yet again in the series. It was made by Cam Roigard’s grubber behind the Bok defence and although Carter was hauled down his offload inside to Jordan allowed him to cross untouched from a few metres.

Three minutes later the Boks had the lead. Carter was the man who was exposed by a Springbok centre for a second time as this time Kriel brushed off an attempt at a choke tackle to open up an unopposed 40-metre run to the line.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted from halfway in from the right to put his side into the lead for the first time at 19-17 and when that was extended by seven points eight minutes later the stadium almost exploded.

Once again it was down to forward power. Libbok kicked a penalty into the 22 on the left and from the resulting lineout maul the Bok pack marched the All Blacks to their own poles for Marx to break away and score his 28th try in 92 Tests.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted and then slotted a 45-metre penalty goal into the tricky wind to stretch to lead 12 minutes at 29-17 with ten minutes remaining. It was too much for the All Blacks.

Scorers:

Springboks 29 (12) – Tries: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Penalty try, Jesse Kriel, Malcolm Marx. Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2). Penalty goal: Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

All Blacks 24 (12) – Tries: Ardie Savea (2), Will Jordan, Samisoni Taukei’aho. Conversions: Ruben Love, Damian McKenzie.

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That view was voiced by the team leadership after they completed their preparations for this match – a double header with the Springboks and All Blacks playing later in the afternoon – at St John’s College with the traditional captain’s run.

Bok Women captain Babalwa Latsha said they have a clear understanding of the task at hand and are not bothered by the fact that they are taking on the second-ranked team in the women’s game, nor that they were defeated 46-17 by the same side in the quarter-finals of last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.

“We have a plan and that includes being direct and physical and playing to our strengths, which is a very strong set piece,” said Latsha.

“They are a very skilful team and will no doubt try to get around us, while the direct route is our preferred option.

“We are also aware of the historical nature of this clash, being the first one between us played in South Africa as well as our first match at FNB Stadium, the biggest stadium in the country.”

Libbie Janse van Rensburg, the team’s vice-captain, said they had good lessons from their previous encounter in Exeter last September.

“We had a plan and it worked for the first half, when we were 10-10,” said Janse van Rensburg.

“We did not maintain that composure in the second half and that allowed them to run away with it. We cannot afford just one half, we need to play equally well in both.”

The move up the world ranking is a motivation, but the growth of the team is as important, she said: “We wanted to break into the top 10 and needed to play against teams in that bracket to get there. We did that.

“Now our next focus is getting into the top five and for that we need to play against teams in the top five. Tomorrow we are doing that. Those things are all part of our growth spurt which over the last two years was impressive.”

According to the World Rugby rankings South Africa will jump three places to a record high of seventh if they can beat New Zealand, with an additional place gained if the margin is by more than 15 points.

Match details: Springbok Women v Black Ferns
Venue: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 13h30
Referee: Zoe Naude
Assistant Referees: Giana Viljoen, Angie Bezuidenhout
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
Bunker: Christie du Preez (SARU)
TV: SuperSport

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South Africa and New Zealand are currently level on one win apiece in the four-Test Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, with the final clash scheduled for Baltimore in the USA next week Saturday.

Both Kolisi and Stick emphasised the importance of doing their utmost to win this match and step onto the airplane hours after the match with a two-one lead to stay in the running to win the series. Fuelling their motivation, the match will mark the Boks’ last game on home soil this year.

“So many things that happened in Soweto helped shape the South Africa we have today,” said Kolisi.

“So many heroes have come from there, and a lot of the football history of this country is from Soweto, so we know how special that is.

“We’re not going to act like it’s not a special ground in a significant area. All of that gives us more to play for. We are also thankful for the people who came from there and fought for people like me and Stick to be sitting here today.

“They fought for the freedom we have now and never got to experience it, and giving our best tomorrow is part of us saying thank you. Hopefully we can do that with a win and change the history between the two teams there.”

Kolisi elaborated on those remarks, saying: “Obviously what we’d like to achieve is to win. We’d like to say thank you to the people of South Africa.

“It hasn’t always been easy. We didn’t win the first Test, but the numbers that showed up at the stadium and the vibe was fantastic, and we felt it and saw it. Even the people who can’t come to the stadium, see us while we are driving on the bus to ground and get up and scream, which has been very special.

“This is the memory the people of South Africa will remember, and hopefully we can give them a good one because we want to say thank you, not just in words but through our efforts tomorrow.”

Stick agreed whole-heartedly with Kolisi and said: “Personally, I see this game as an opportunity for the players to create their own history. Every stadium in South Africa has its own unique history and we try to protect that. Ellis Park and the DHL Stadium are two of them, and now we are playing at the FNB Stadium.

“It’s a football stadium, but can you imagine getting South Africans from all around the country together in Soweto. Driving past the tents and seeing how they are preparing for the game is something else.

“For the guys playing now, almost none of them have played there before, so it’s an opportunity to create their own history, and that excites me.”

Commenting on the importance of registering a victory this weekend, Kolisi said: “We lost the first match and had to dig our way back and fight to win the second one, so tomorrow we want to give ourselves the best possible chance to try to win the series. We do not want to play for a draw in the series.

“We have a lot to defend, not just the trophy for the tournament, but also the Freedom Cup, which we’d like to keep, so we are not taking it lightly. Our ultimate goal is to win the series, while we are well aware of what their motivation is. We also want to protect what we stand for as South Africans.”

Zooming in on the match, Stick expected a fierce encounter against the All Blacks with both teams being desperate to win this match, and he stressed the importance of accurate execution as one of the keys to earning the desired result.

“The message from their side is clear – they say how they want to play and then they play that way,” said Stick.

“We can all see that New Zealand want to maximise ball-in-play time. They want to keep the ball in hand, and if you look at their personnel, it’s clear they want more ball carriers who can keep the ball alive.

“That said, the one thing I enjoy about where we are is that we have our own DNA. They’re not going to change their DNA for the weather or anything else. They’ll still try to enforce it on us, and we’ll do the same.

“The team that creates opportunities and turns them into points has a better chance to win. So, we know they’re going to come hard at the breakdowns and target that area.

“And if we create opportunities, we have to be clinical. The team that puts everything together and executes it well, will stand the best chance of winning tomorrow.”

Kolisi, who has a deep passion for the Bok Women’s team and women’s sport in general, was thrilled that the Springbok Women would play a curtain raiser for the match against the New Zealand Black Ferns.

“It’s special and exciting – it’s been awesome to see how excited the girls are to play tomorrow,” said Kolisi.

“I’ve really enjoyed seeing how many All Blacks fans have enjoyed South Africa on this tour. Their people are getting to experience our country, our mood, and what rugby means here, and now the women get to experience that as well.

“The Black Ferns have won the Rugby World Cup, and they’ve been one of the most successful teams for a very long time, so, it’s going to be a great game alongside ours.

“Babalwa (Latsha, Springbok Women’s captain) is really looking forward to it, and the more people we can get to that game, the better. The more we support the women’s game, the bigger our sport grows. So, it’s not just the women’s game, it’s our game as a whole.”

The women’s Test kicks off at 13h30, and the clash between the Boks and the All Blacks is scheduled for 17h10. Both matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

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The Boks travelled from the Mother City back to their training base in Johannesburg on Sunday morning to resume their preparations for the Test match, and will have a recovery day before returning to the training field on Monday.

Commenting on the prospect of playing in front of a crowd of more than 80,000 at the FNB Stadium, Nche said: “I think it’s going to be massive and we hope it will be sold out. It’s going to be a huge occasion, and a challenge for both teams, and we’re looking forward to it.”

The Bok prop was delighted about earning his 50th Test cap in the memorable match, which South Africa won 33-26, and he praised everyone who had an influence in playing a role in this achievement.

“Looking back at the journey, it was special, in fact, one of my high school coaches messaged me this afternoon,” said Nche.

“He literally used to take time out of his family schedule to come and help us with gym and on the field sessions during the holidays. From him to all the coaches who have been involved in my life over the years, it’s amazing.

“It was a day of reflection, seeing how far I’ve come and thinking about all the people who believed in me and backed me through the years, I just wanted to make them proud and keep going.”

Looking back at Saturday’s game against the All Blacks at the DHL Stadium, Nche was satisfied with the result, but he said there were areas of the game they could work on with two more matches left in the series.

“I think we played and defended very well,” said Nche.

“I feel like we could have done better in attack and taken a few more chances, and we didn’t look after the ball as well as we could have. But the result is what matters.

“We saw the mistakes we made last week and tried to fix them this week. They’re (the All Blacks) are probably feeling now the way we felt last weekend, and they will obviously come back better, so it’s our responsibility to keep improving and capitalise on our chances.”

The match at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 5 September, kicks off at 17h10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

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