Two-time World Cup winner Mazalole Mapimpi is back as Vodacom United Rugby Championship action returns this week after a month-long international break, with the Hollywoodbets Sharks taking on Connacht in Galway, Ireland, on Saturday evening.
Rassie Erasmus takes his men into the battlefield one last time for 2025 as the Springboks aim to conclude the end-of-year tour unbeaten and with the number one world ranking intact following decisive victories over Japan, France, Italy, and Ireland, with a meeting against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
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. The starting XV for the final match of the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour – which kicks off at 17h10 (SA time)
As the Springboks prepare for their final match of the year against Wales, Johan Grobbelaar reflected on a successful five-week stretch that included notable victories over France and Ireland, as well as a tough encounter against Italy.
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.
Two-time Rugby World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus will have to make do with a depleted squad heading into the final international fixture of the season.
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.
Rugby World Cup Champions South Africa have grown used to regular silverware and accomplishments. It’s embedded in the DNA of the team.
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.