Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones remained calm and composed ahead of the highly anticipated clash against France at the Stade de France on Saturday, downplaying media hype about the hosts seeking revenge.

Rassie Erasmus lauded his team for their physicality, intensity, and the respect they showed Japan as they registered an emphatic 61-7 victory at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday, and although the Springbok coach was pleasantly surprised with the result, he said the next few weeks would pose completely different challenges. 

With its sense of mystique, Wembley provides a fantastic setting for any event, sporting or non-sporting, as the Springboks crushed Japan by 61-7 in their first game on their year-end tour on Saturday.

As the Springboks prepare to face Japan at Wembley, talk of this fixture being a mere warm-up has been swiftly shut down inside the South African camp. While some may have once viewed the match as a gentle start to the end-of-year tour, recent evidence has demanded full respect – and the Boks are giving exactly that.

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi said it would be a massive mistake to underestimate Japan going into their opening clash in the November Internationals at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, and stressed the importance of delivering on their own standards to start their five-match tour on a positive note. The teams will

Two-time World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus is viewed by many as a brilliant innovator – his methods unorthodox and sometimes controversial (if you speak to any non Springbok fan) – however, it is through his brilliance, success, and penchant to go against the grain that he shares a frosty relationship with those in the North, fans and pundits alike. 

Former Junior Springbok captain Zachary Porthen will make his Springbok debut against Japan at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday as Bok coach Rassie Erasmus named a largely settled match-23 for the opening match of the November Internationals.

Hollywoodbets Sharks head coach John Plumtree admitted that team owner Marco Masotti “won’t be happy” watching from New York after the Sharks suffered a 26–34 defeat to Ulster in the United Rugby Championship (URC) clash at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday.

A Springbok-laden Hollywoodbets Sharks side fell 26–34 to Ulster in their United Rugby Championship encounter at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday.