Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has been handed a 12-match ban after being found guilty of an eye-gouging incident on Wales back-row Alex Mann.
The Springboks have been drawn with Italy, Georgia, and Romania for the pool stages of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, where they will be aiming for for an unprecedented third consecutive title after lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan in 2019, and France in 2023.
The Springboks were congratulated by Mr Mark Alexander, the President of SA Rugby, for an outstanding 2025 season, which included the successful defence of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title, as well as a second successive unbeaten Castle Lager Outgoing Tour to Europe.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus lauded his team for a “clinical performance”, paving the way for an emphatic victory against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, which saw the Boks complete the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour with a clean sweep of victories for the second year in a row.
The Springboks continued their dominance after cruising to a commanding 73-0 victory over Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi said the Boks are determined to finish their season on a high note when they line up against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, although both stressed that they would not make the mistake of underestimating their hosts.
Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach will earn his 50th Test cap when he takes the field against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday in a settled team named by national coach Rassie Erasmus.
Springbok hooker Johan Grobbelaar said the Boks were bracing themselves for a full-on 80-minute battle against Wales at the Principality Stadium on Saturday in their final match of the season.
Springbok scrum coach Daan Human said he did not believe in the “favourites” tag as the team began their preparations on Monday for their final Test of the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, and said they treated all opposition teams with utmost respect.
Springbok lock RG Snyman was still in awe of reaching the significant career milestone of earning his 50th Test cap in the team’s 24-13 victory against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night – his home ground for Irish club Leinster – and said it was an occasion he will always remember.