SA Rugby has confirmed that the Cheetahs will be taking part in the European Challenge Cup next season as South Africa’s entry into the two major European tournaments was made official on Thursday.
In a bold step to fast-track the development South Africa’s elite black rugby coaches and drive transformation, SA Rugby has been actively presenting its custom-made programme to equip outstanding emerging coaches with the skills to ply their trade at provincial and international level.
The popular leg of the World Sevens Series returns to the Mother City this year, when the best men’s and women’s teams will compete at Cape Town Stadium for the first time since 2019.
Jacques Nienaber will only announce the Springbok squad for the July series against Wales once all the SA teams are done competing in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
Rassie Erasmus is considering changing his job title to work around World Rugby’s expected new rules proposing he be barred from being the Springboks’ water-carrier.
The Springboks will feature in the premier division of a biennial mini World Cup, according to reports that World Rugby is planning to introduce a global competition in 2026.
The Springboks will be without a trio of key players, including scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, when they take on Wales in a three-Test series on home soil in July.
The national junior rugby programme will resume after Easter with the intake of 36 promising players who will attend the SA Rugby Academy, based in Stellenbosch.
SA Rugby has reportedly sent a request to the Japan Rugby Union for their clubs to release seven Springboks for the 26 November Test against England at Twickenham.
The Springboks will get their preparations for a testing international season under way on Sunday as head coach Jacques Nienaber and his management team host the first of two alignment camps.