Tag: All Blacks

Brilliant Boks seal the deal in Baltimore

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The Springboks have won Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry with a convincing 43-28 victory over New Zealand in the fourth and deciding Test at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

The Boks led 17-14 at halftime and dominated the second half, outscoring the All Blacks 26-14 in front of a record 68,173 crowd, the biggest ever for a rugby match in the United States.

The victory came in coach Rassie Erasmus’s 100th Test in charge and marked the Springboks’ eighth win over the All Blacks in their last 10 meetings.

The Boks scored six tries to New Zealand’s four, with Damian de Allende, Morne van den Berg, Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cameron Hanekom all crossing the line.

New Zealand’s tries came from Codie Taylor, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder and Beauden Barrett.

The result completed a remarkable turnaround after the All Blacks won the opening Test 33-16 in Johannesburg four weeks ago.
The Springboks then won 33-26 in Cape Town, 29-24 in Soweto and finished the series with their most emphatic performance in Baltimore.

The All Blacks briefly threatened, but the Springboks pulled away in the second half through tries from Marx, Du Toit, Arendse and Hanekom.

The victory gives the Springboks another major statement win over their traditional rivals and wraps up the four-Test series in style.

Erasmus makes two changes for RGR series decider

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Rassie Erasmus has made just two changes to his Springbok starting XV for Saturday’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series decider against New Zealand in Baltimore.

Damian Willemse returns at fullback in place of the injured Cheslin Kolbe, while Morne van den Berg has been promoted to the starting lineup at scrumhalf. Cobus Reinach moves to the replacements bench.

The Springboks head into the final Test with a 2-1 lead after a dramatic victory over the All Blacks in Johannesburg last weekend.

A win at M&T Bank Stadium will secure the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series for South Africa, while New Zealand must win to force a drawn series.

Erasmus has opted for continuity after being impressed with his team’s performances over the past two matches.

“We feel that the team is well settled and all the players delivered in their respective roles in the last two matches,” Erasmus said.

“We believe selecting the same matchday squad, and naming Damian back in his regular position, makes sense for the closing match of the series.”

Willemse started the first two Tests before missing the Johannesburg clash because of a minor injury. Erasmus said the Stormers star should slot straight back into the team.

“Morne, meanwhile, made a fantastic impact when he took the field last week, and he deserves a chance to start,” Erasmus added.

The Bok coach expects the All Blacks to respond strongly as they attempt to level the series.

“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,” he said.

“We are under no illusions about the magnitude of the challenge ahead this weekend.”

Erasmus said the Springboks will need another complete performance to secure the trophy.

“We are equally determined to finish the series strongly and give everything to lift the trophy,” he said.

The match kicks off at 23:00 South African time on Saturday and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Springbok team:

15 Damian Willemse
14 Kurt-Lee Arendse
13 Jesse Kriel
12 Damian de Allende
11 Ethan Hooker
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
9 Morne van den Berg
8 Jasper Wiese
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 Siya Kolisi (captain)
5 Ruan Nortje
4 Eben Etzebeth
3 Wilco Louw
2 Malcolm Marx
1 Ox Nche

Replacements:
16 Deon Fourie
17 Gerhard Steenekamp
18 Thomas du Toit
19 Lood de Jager
20 Andre Esterhuizen
21 Cameron Hanekom
22 Cobus Reinach
23 Manie Libbok

Fast Facts:

*Etzebeth will become the first Springbok to reach 146 Test caps when he takes the field, extending his record as South Africa’s most-capped player.

*The Springboks have won seven of their last nine Tests against New Zealand, dating back to August 2023.

*Saturday’s match will also be the first Springbok Test played in Baltimore.

*Wiese needs just one more appearance after Saturday to reach 50 Test caps, while the starting XV boasts a combined 927 caps.

Springboks ready to give FNB Stadium crowd something to celebrate this weekend

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The Springboks are determined to reward their home supporters with a strong performance when they take on the All Blacks at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Springbok assistant coach Daan Human said the team was looking forward to playing in front of what could be a massive crowd, with between 80,000 and 90,000 supporters expected at the 90,000-capacity venue.

The Boks arrived in Gauteng on Sunday and stepped up their preparations with training and gym sessions on Monday and Tuesday ahead of their third Test in the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

It will also be South Africa’s final Test on home soil this year.

“It will be an amazing experience,” Human said.

“There were over 56,000 people at last week’s Test in Cape Town and we could have close to 80,000 to 90,000 at the stadium this week, so we can only imagine how awesome it’s going to be.

“Having that many people supporting you is something to feed off because you get energy from the crowd and enjoy the moment.”

Human said the team was fully aware of the backing they receive from supporters across the country and wanted to repay that loyalty with a positive display.

“South Africa has incredible support and we don’t want to disappoint our supporters. They stand behind us, and we’d like to give back to them.”

Human backs Bok scrum approach

The Springbok scrum has been a major talking point following last weekend’s Test in Cape Town, but Human dismissed suggestions that the team was unhappy with the way the set pieces were refereed.

He also rejected claims that the Boks deliberately walk around during scrums.

“I can assure you, I have never coached that. We want to go forward, not walk around,” said Human, a former Springbok prop.
“Walking around is not ideal for us because it doesn’t give us forward momentum, which is what we want.”

Human said he believed referee Angus Gardner had been consistent in his handling of the scrum during the previous Test.

“I actually thought Angus Gardner was very consistent in his decisions last Saturday. What he called for us, he called for them. It was the same story.”

He added that the Boks would now focus on adapting to the referee appointed for Saturday’s match.

“That’s in the past now. This weekend we need to adapt to how the new referee sees it, and if he tells us to fix something we’ll fix it.”

Human acknowledged that the scrum was not always straightforward to interpret from the outside.

“We’re not perfect and things can happen, but if we see something that can be done better, we try to fix it at the very next scrum.

“The scrum is a very important part of our team. It’s part of our culture and this country.”

Boks focused on improvement

Human said the team’s attention was firmly on its own performance rather than becoming distracted by the All Blacks.

“Honestly, 80% to 90% of our concentration and work is focused on ourselves, and getting better,” he said.

While acknowledging New Zealand’s strengths in both the backline and forward pack, Human said the Boks were concentrating on continued improvement.

“We need to acknowledge that they have very good backs and a strong pack of forwards. But for us, it’s about improving, not just for this game but going forward.”

Springbok lock Ruan Nortje, who will again partner Eben Etzebeth in the second row, said the mood within the camp remained positive.

“The vibe has been really good – I wouldn’t say it’s very different to last week,” Nortje said.

“Every week is a Test week. In our camp, it’s all about sticking to our processes and working hard during the week.”

Nortje also highlighted the importance of continuing to improve the lineout despite a solid performance in Cape Town.

“The set pieces were good last week, but we’ll never be satisfied with just good. We always want to be better.”

He said the team had spent the week preparing for different scenarios and would need to make adjustments once the match was underway.

“Once one gets into the game it’s about adapting, and if we’re under pressure, to look at what to do differently and adjust.”

The Springboks face the All Blacks at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 17:10. The match will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

SACAA investigates Airlink flypast at DHL Stadium in Cape Town

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is investigating Airlink’s flypast at DHL Stadium in Cape Town after the airline operated the flight ahead of the Springboks-All Blacks match on 29 August.

The aviation regulator said it launched compliance checks following the flypast and has obtained flight data recordings and additional information from Airlink as part of its assessment.

According to the SACAA, Airlink submitted three applications for flypasts linked to rugby matches. The Cape Town operation was the second of the three, following an approved flypast in Johannesburg on 22 August.

The regulator said Airlink submitted supporting documentation for the Cape Town flight and completed the required preparations, including a simulator practice flight and safety briefing. The operation was subsequently approved by the SACAA under the requirements for Special Air Events.

The SACAA said it began its compliance verification process after discussions in the media about the weekend’s events. The regulator has since started analysing the flight data and requested further information from Airlink before reaching a final position.

A full report, including recommendations, will be shared with the airline once the assessment has been completed.

Meanwhile, Airlink notified the SACAA on Wednesday, 1 September, that it was withdrawing its application for approval for a third flypast planned for this weekend.

The SACAA said aviation safety and security compliance remain its priority, adding that the investigation is intended to establish whether any safety concerns arising from the recent flypast require further review.

The regulator also noted that South Africa is ranked seventh globally and first in Africa for aviation safety standards by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Airlink flypast inspires cheeky new ‘Flappy Link’ game

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
What started as a spectacular Airlink flypast over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium has now taken an unexpected turn: it has become a video game.

Just days after two Airlink aircraft captured worldwide attention with their low formation flight over the stadium, an online game called Flappy Link has appeared, turning the controversial flypast into a tongue-in-cheek challenge.

The game, which states that it is not affiliated with Airlink, gives players control of a small passenger aircraft flying above Cape Town. The aim is simple - fly as close to DHL Stadium as possible without hitting the ground.

The closer you get, the better your score, with the game even displaying the rather ominous instruction: “LOW IS GOOD.”

Players can also see their clearance from the stadium, compete on a leaderboard and receive a rather cheeky warning if they push their luck a little too far.

Essentially, it’s Flappy Bird with an airliner and Cape Town’s most famous stadium thrown into the mix.

The game takes its inspiration from Saturday’s much-discussed Airlink flypast, staged before the Springboks faced the All Blacks at DHL Stadium.

Two specially painted Embraer aircraft flew in formation over the venue in a dramatic display that was shown during the live broadcast before footage quickly spread across social media and international news platforms.

The flypast subsequently became a major talking point, with viewers debating everything from the aircraft’s altitude and safety to the skill involved in executing the manoeuvre.

Airlink has defended the flight, saying the operation was extensively planned and rehearsed. The airline said the South African Civil Aviation Authority and Air Traffic Navigation Services were involved and provided the necessary guidance, approvals and support.

According to Airlink, each aircraft was operated by three senior captains, while flight data showed that both aircraft stayed within the approved altitude and speed parameters established during the planning and rehearsal process.

Check out the Flappy Link Game here

Boks must improve against ‘brilliant’ New Zealand, warns Erasmus

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has warned that South Africa will need to improve significantly in the third Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test against New Zealand in Johannesburg next Saturday.

The Springboks levelled the three-match series at 1-1 with a hard-fought 33-26 victory over the All Blacks at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday (29 August 2026) following their 33-16 defeat in the opening Test in Johannesburg.

Despite the victory, the Boks were outscored four tries to three. Cheslin Kolbe produced a flawless kicking display, landing four penalties, while Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende and Siya Kolisi scored the Springboks’ tries, with Kolbe converting all three.

“They are a brilliant team and there are definitely things we must fix,” Erasmus said.

“I don’t want to be technical about the edge defence, but they have really smart players, and they are two classes up from what they were last year.

“The one thing we immediately agreed in the changing room is that this is a really good New Zealand team. This week we did a lot of things much better, and I can tell you now that this is not the same New Zealand team we played last year.

“They attacked with width, they got offloads away, they’re really well coached and they’ve got athletes who can beat you on a dime. A couple more phases at the end and it could have been a draw.”

The Springboks scored inside the opening two minutes and were never headed as they secured a crucial victory to ease some of the pressure following last week’s heavy defeat.

Erasmus acknowledged the pressure surrounding the team after the opening loss.

“We 100% understand the pressure and why people are upset because no one wants to support a losing team,” he said.

“No one in South Africa wants to support anything that’s not working. A loss here and there doesn’t make you a losing team immediately, but it’s when you go on a losing run that the pressure comes on.

“But of course, I felt the pressure. I think the players will tell you I felt the pressure. I was nervous.”

Erasmus said the victory should not lead to complacency ahead of the deciding Test.

“We must make sure we’re not comfortable after this win and think we’re all good again because there were things we didn’t do well.”

Erasmus explains front-row changes

The Springbok coach also explained the late change to the starting front row, with the trio initially named among the replacements promoted to the starting XV.

He said the decision was influenced by the change to drier weather conditions.

“The closer we came to the game the weather was said to be dry, so we felt that a front row that was a little bit lighter would be better on a dry field,” Erasmus said.

Du Toit celebrates 100th cap

The Test was also a landmark occasion for Pieter-Steph du Toit, who earned his 100th Springbok cap
.
Du Toit took over the captaincy after Siya Kolisi was replaced in the second half.

“I started at Newlands and now to be here at Cape Town Stadium was very special for me; being able to have all my family here. I’m just very grateful for how things played out,” Du Toit said.

The series will be decided in the third Test at FNB Stadium in Nasrec, Johannesburg, on Saturday 5 September 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 17:10. The match will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

DHL Stadium sold out for Springboks-All Blacks clash

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Cape Town’s excitement for the Springboks-All Blacks rivalry has reached fever pitch, with all 62,000 seats at DHL Stadium sold out ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated Test.

Despite ticket prices reaching as much as R4,000, demand has remained strong for one of Cape Town’s biggest rugby fixtures of the year. Tickets went on sale earlier this year from R850 to R4,000, with the cheaper options among the first to sell out.

The match will also be a milestone occasion for the Springboks, with utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit set to earn his 100th Test cap, becoming only the 11th player in South African history to reach the landmark.

Prop Ox Nche will also celebrate a significant milestone, earning his 50th Test cap.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a largely unchanged starting XV following last weekend’s match against New Zealand in Johannesburg.

Siya Kolisi has been bracketed with Paul de Villiers at flank, with Kolisi expected to start if he comes through training comfortably this week. Handre Pollard and Cobus Reinach will form the halfback pairing, while Ethan Hooker replaces Cheslin Kolbe on the wing after Kolbe picked up a niggle in the first Test.
If Kolisi starts, he will join Du Toit and Jasper Wiese in the loose trio, while Kurt-Lee Arendse will move to the right wing, forming a back three with Damian Willemse.

Du Toit will retain the captaincy.

Should Kolisi take the field, the Springbok starting XV will boast a combined 1,012 Test caps - the most experienced team South Africa has ever fielded. The backline accounts for 428 caps, with the forwards contributing 584.

Erasmus said the changes were aimed at ensuring the team is prepared for the intensity of another physical encounter.

“Cheslin and Grant (Williams) suffered niggles last weekend, which ruled them out of contention for selection, while we have bracketed Siya alongside Paul to allow us time to monitor how Siya comes through training this week,” said Erasmus.

“The changes we made are in line with what we want to achieve on the field, and it is valuable that almost all of the players have been involved in the last two games, so they will be able to cope with the intensity and physicality of this match.”

The coach also highlighted the different options available to him at flyhalf and scrumhalf.

“Handre has delivered for us under extreme pressure, and we feel that what he and Cobus have the potential to bring at the beginning of the game, and then have Morne and Sacha come on later with their different styles of play will be good for us this weekend,” he said.

On Du Toit and Nche reaching their respective milestones, Erasmus praised their contribution to the Springbok set-up.

“Pieter-Steph and Ox have been pillars of strength for us on and off the field, and they both deserve these accolades,” he said.

“It is a remarkable achievement to play 100 Test matches, and for Pieter-Steph to deliver week in and week out the way he has over the years is incredible.

“We are equally proud of Ox for the player and team man he has grown into, and to see him reach 50 Test caps is fantastic.”

The Springboks will be looking to respond after New Zealand won the first Test, with Erasmus acknowledging that South Africa failed to capitalise on several scoring opportunities.

“There were a handful of positives and negatives last week, but the main thing that let us down was that we created so many chances, but mistakes at crucial times cost us,” he said.

“We’ll put in a lot of work this week to ensure that we are sharp in that regard this weekend because if we had used even some of those chances, the result could have been completely different.”

The match kicks off at 17:10 on Saturday and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Springbok team
15 Damian Willemse
14 Kurt-Lee Arendse
13 Jesse Kriel
12 Damian de Allende
11 Ethan Hooker
10 Handre Pollard
9 Cobus Reinach
8 Jasper Wiese
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain)
6 Siya Kolisi / Paul de Villiers
5 Ruan Nortje
4 Eben Etzebeth
3 Wilco Louw
2 Malcolm Marx
1 Ox Nche

Replacements: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

If selected, 39-year-old Fourie could also become the oldest player to represent the Springboks in a Test, surpassing Victor Matfield and Schalk Brits, who were 38 when they played their final Tests.

The match will be Fourie’s first appearance for South Africa since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, when the Springboks defeated New Zealand 12-11 to lift the trophy.

South Africa have won five of their last seven matches against the All Blacks dating back to August 2023. The last meeting between the sides in Cape Town came in 2024, when the Springboks won 18-12.

Saturday’s clash forms part of the Castle Lager Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series and marks the All Blacks’ first traditional rugby tour of South Africa since 1996.

Springboks face All Blacks in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry opener

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The Springboks will take on New Zealand’s All Blacks in the opening Test of the inaugural Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus said the squad combines players who remained in South Africa to prepare for the series with those who featured against Argentina.

Erasmus said the squad was well balanced and that the return of several players from injury, along with sufficient recovery time for others following the Nations Championship, had helped with preparations.

“The All Blacks are a quality team, and we selected combinations we think would be best suited for the challenge this weekend,” Erasmus said on the Springboks website.

He added that the squad had been together for more than a week and was fully aligned with the team’s approach for the match.

“We are preparing for an 80-minute grind. They have a well-rounded squad with physical forwards and an exciting backline, so we have to be sharp and accurate in our execution from the outset.”

Erasmus expects another closely fought encounter between the two rivals and stressed the importance of taking opportunities and maintaining discipline.

“Many of the matches between the sides have come down to the wire, so it is important that we use the chances we create and ensure that our discipline is on point. It is going to be a big battle, but the entire squad is excited about the match and looking forward to it,” he said.

PRASA to Run Special Trains for Springboks and All Blacks Matches

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) will operate dedicated train services for rugby fans attending the upcoming Barbarian Tour and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry fixtures in Gauteng and the Western Cape.

The special services will support three major matches: the Springboks’ Test against the All Blacks at 10BET Ellis Park in Johannesburg, the Lions’ clash with the All Blacks at the same venue, and the Springboks’ second Test against the All Blacks at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

PRASA said the additional services form part of its commitment to providing safe, reliable, affordable and convenient public transport for major sporting events.

“Supporters are encouraged to arrive at their departure stations early and to buy return tickets before travelling. This will reduce queues and make for a smoother journey,” PRASA said.

Commuters using Isitimela Sabantu and travelling through PRASA stations have also been urged to comply with rail safety regulations.

Train services

Springboks vs All Blacks - 10BET Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday, 22 August 2026

PRASA will operate a free shuttle service between Johannesburg Park Station and Ellis Park Station for supporters with valid match tickets.

Trains will run every 15 minutes from 12:30pm to 8:30pm, with connections to Gautrain services at Park Station. The last Gautrain service departs at 9pm.

Lions vs All Blacks – 10BET Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Tuesday, 25 August 2026

A shuttle service will operate between Johannesburg Park Station and Ellis Park Station every 15 minutes from 2:30pm to 10:30pm.

Connections to Gautrain services will be available at Park Station, with the last Gautrain departing at 11pm. A return ticket will cost R20.

Springboks vs All Blacks – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday, 29 August 2026

PRASA Western Cape will operate additional train services to accommodate the thousands of supporters expected to attend the match at DHL Stadium.

The services are intended to provide a convenient alternative to private vehicles and help reduce traffic congestion around the Cape Town CBD and Green Point.

PRASA said further information on train schedules will be shared through its official digital platforms, including WhatsApp commuter groups.

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