Andre Esterhuizen’s man-of-the-match performance in the Springboks’ historic victory over Wales in Cardiff is indicative of the transformative year the powerful centre-flanker hybrid has had in the green and gold jersey.
Springbok scrum coach Daan Human played down any disruption to the camp following a mass exodus of players, saying it would not be any different from other Tests, given the team’s habit of rotating the squad.
Six Springboks players – Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Ox Nche, as well as Thomas du Toit, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Cheslin Kolbe have been named in the 2025 World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team on Tuesday.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus admitted on Saturday that although the Boks’ performance in their victory against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium was not perfect, they were pleased to break their 13-year winning drought in Dublin.
Double Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx became the fourth South African to be crowned the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year on Saturday in a historic occasion for South African rugby, with two Boks winning the award back-to-back for the first time in history.
The Springboks finally laid the ghost of Dublin to rest, defeating Ireland for the first time in 13 years – the last victory coming way back in 2012.
Springbok duo Thomas du Toit and Grant Williams insist that Saturday’s clash against Ireland is not a grudge match, despite the high-stakes nature of the upcoming showdown at the Aviva Stadium — a venue where the four-time world champions are yet to win under head coach Rassie Erasmus.
SA Rugby President Mr Mark Alexander congratulated Springboks Pieter-Steph du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, and Ethan Hooker on their nominations for prestigious World Rugby Awards for 2026.
On a grey, gloomy evening in Turin, the Springboks did battle against a motivated and confident-looking Italy in a tantalising prospect with much to offer.