It appears that SA Rugby has given up on the prospect of one day hosting another Rugby World Cup, as SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer confirmed, stating that World Rugby needs to do what is in the best interests of World Rugby.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus opened up about the South African contingent’s experience at World Rugby’s Shape of the Game summit in London, where they received certain assurances and were admittedly surprised by the feedback.

The Springboks officially kicked off their 2026 programme on Tuesday with a three-day alignment camp in Cape Town, where the players were exposed to the expectations of them on and off the field this season, the macroplan for the year, as well as the standards expected in each position. 

South African Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer and Springbok General Manager Charles Wessels lifted the lid on the reasons SA Rugby opted to take the Fourth Test to Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States, when the Springboks take on fierce rivals New Zealand in the series dubbed Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus cast his net wide, as he named a 49-man squad featuring 11 uncapped players – five of whom are still in the Junior Bok ranks – for the team’s first in-person alignment camp of the year in Cape Town on Wednesday. 

The Springboks will kick off a novel 2026 season against the Barbarians in Gqeberha on Saturday, 20 June – the second home fixture between the teams in as many seasons – at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, exactly two weeks before their inaugural Nations Championship match against England at Ellis Park. 

The Nations Championship will kick-off in July, with iconic venues around the world confirmed to host the Southern Series of fixtures. 

Newly appointed Sharks head coach JP Pietersen was left in tears after being handed the role permanently by the Durban franchise.

Sharks controlling owner Marco Masotti has confirmed the appointment of JP Pietersen as the club’s head coach.