Frustrated Erasmus reconsidering second Test selection
Rassie Erasmus, head coach of South Africa during the 2025 Qatar Airways Cup captains run for South Africa at Cape Town Stadium in South Africa on 27 June 2025 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Frustrated Erasmus reconsidering second Test selection

A frustrated Rassie Erasmus said he would reconsider his pre-planned selection for the second Castle Lager Tour test in Gqeberha next week, after a “disappointing” 42-24 victory over Italy.

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Springboks secure hard-fought win over Italy
Morne van den Bergh of South Africa scores try embraced by teammates Handre Pollard during the 2025 International Rugby Test match between South Africa and Italy at Loftus Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa on 05 July 2025 @Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

Springboks secure hard-fought win over Italy

The Springbok announced the start of their season in spectacular fashion – at time – at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, beating a willing Italy 42-24 in their first of two Castle Lager Incoming Series Tests.

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Kriel thrilled to lead Boks against physical Italy
Jesse Kriel (Captain) of South Africa runs at Peter Umaga Jensen of the Barbarians during the 2025 Qatar Airways Cup game between South Africa and the Barbarians at Cape Town Stadium in South Africa on 28 June 2025 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Kriel thrilled to lead Boks against physical Italy

Jesse Kriel, who will become South Africa’s 67th Test captain when he leads the Springboks against Italy at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, was delighted about the honour bestowed upon him, but he warned that it would be remiss to underestimate the Italians going into the clash.

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Springbok Women locked and loaded for Canada
Nolusindiso Booi of South Africa is tackled during the 2024 WXV2 Rugby match between South African women and Australia women at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on 5 October 2024 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Springbok Women locked and loaded for Canada

Springbok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi said her team will enter Loftus Versfeld with excitement and determination when they face Canada on Saturday, in the first Test between the two countries on South African soil.

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SARU, SuperSport, SABC align to broadcast Springbok Test match to mark 30th anniversary of 1995 Rugby World Cup win
Francois Pienaar, former Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi current Springbok captain and John Smith former Springbok captain during the 2023 Castle Lager Rugby Championship match between South Africa and Argentina at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on 29 July 2023 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

SARU, SuperSport, SABC align to broadcast Springbok Test match to mark 30th anniversary of 1995 Rugby World Cup win

The South African Rugby Union, SuperSport and the SABC announced a broadcast agreement between the two media houses, to enable the SABC to broadcast the forthcoming second Castle Lager Incoming Series Test match between the Springboks and Italy.

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Experienced core to face Canada in historic Test
Zintle Mpupha of South Africa breaks the tackle by Yume Okuroda of Japan and Marin Kajiki of Japan during day two of the 2022 South Africa Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament at Cape Town Stadium on 10 September 2022 © Haldon Krog/BackpagePix

Experienced core to face Canada in historic Test

Zintle Mpupha and Micke Gunter will make starting returns to the Springbok Women team to face Canada at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, with both facing the North Americans for the first time as well.

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Skill versus power predicted in Pretoria Test
Catha Jacobs of South Africa attempts to get past Sidorella Bracic of Spain and Carmen Castellucci of Spain during the 2022 Women's Winter Series 1st Test match between South Africa Women and Spain Women held at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on 13 August 2022 ©Shaun Roy/BackpagePix

Skill versus power predicted in Pretoria Test

Having played against most of the Canadian team on a regular basis in England, Springbok Women utility forward Catha Jacobs is in a good position to act as soundboard on her team’s opponents for Saturday’s Test in Pretoria.

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Tshituka to make Test debut for Boks against Italy
Vincent Tshituka and Ox Nche during the 2025 International Rugby Springboks training at Johannesburg Stadium in South Africa on 17 June 2025 ©Alche Greeff/BackpagePix

Tshituka to make Test debut for Boks against Italy

Vincent Tshituka will make his Test debut in an experienced match-23 named by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus for Saturday’s Castle Lager Incoming Series opener against Italy in Pretoria, with Jesse Kriel captaining the side for the first time in a Test.

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Cilliers: Trust the process, and the Loftus bounce
Jakkie Cilliers of Bulls Daisies tackled by Shameila Muller of Western Province Women during 2024 Women’s Premier Division rugby match between Bulls Daisies and Western Province Women on the 10 August 2024 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria © Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Cilliers: Trust the process, and the Loftus bounce

Very few women's players – if anyone – have studied the Loftus Versfeld uprights with more intent in recent years that Springbok Women and Bulls Daisies kicking ace, Jakkie Cilliers.

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