Mike Greenaway

Creator

Mike Greenaway

Veteran South African rugby journalist and author. Based in Durban, he has been reporting on the Sharks and Springboks for Independent Media since the mid-1990s, travelling the rugby world and chronicling both on-field triumphs and off-beat stories.  His books include:  Captain in the Cauldron: The John Smit Story – a compelling autobiography of Springbok captain John Smit that blends personal insight with top-level rugby leadership. The Fireside Springbok: The Untold Stories That Make the Boks Great – a richly illustrated collection of captivating tales from Springbok history, from the 1890s to the present. Bok to Bok – a vivid chronicle of the Springboks’ 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign, blending analysis, player voices and photography to capture the drama of their title defence.

SA Rugby chief executive Rian Oberholzer says commercial realities mean South Africa and New Zealand are unlikely to host another Rugby World Cup soon.  |  AFP
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Why South Africa and New Zealand are building their own Rugby World Cup alternative

SA Rugby and NZ Rugby are leveraging Rugby's Greatest Rivalry as traditional powers face commercial hurdles to hosting future Rugby World Cups.

Duane Vermeulen says Australia will present a tough challenge for a much-changed Springbok team in Perth.  |  Backpagepix
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Duane Vermeulen warns Springboks to expect well-prepared Australia in Perth Test

Springbok assistant coach Duane Vermeulen believes the Wallabies will be thoroughly prepared for Sunday's Test in Perth after analysing South Africa’s series against the All…

Siya Kolisi called on South African men to unite and take action against gender-based violence.  |  Backpagepix
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Siya Kolisi makes emotional call to action for men to fight gender-based violence

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has urged South African men to take responsibility and act against the nation's gender-based violence crisis following recent tragedy in Gauteng.

Springboks wing Kurt-Lee Arendse goes over to score in their victory over the All Blacks in Baltimore.

The best team rugby has ever seen? Springboks rout All Blacks to win Baltimore decider

The Springboks secured a memorable 3–1 World's Greatest Rivalry series victory.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says the team will go all-out to defeat the All Blacks in their series finale in Baltimore.  |  AFP
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Siya Kolisi insists Springboks 'don't want to draw' as Boks target series win over All Blacks in Baltimore

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says South Africa are out to win their series against the All Blacks outright in the fourth and final Test in Baltimore.

Richie Mo’unga returns to the All Blacks starting line-up for the final Test against the Springboks in Baltimore.  |  AFP
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Dave Rennie recalls Richie Mo’unga and All Blacks veterans for Baltimore Test against Springboks

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has turned to veteran playmaker Richie Mo’unga and several experienced stars to save the series in Baltimore.

Jasper Wiese has formed a record-breaking loose-forward combination alongside Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit for the Springboks.  |  Backpagepix
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Springbok record-breaker Jasper Wiese relishing loose-trio partnership ahead of Baltimore finale

Jasper Wiese, Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit set a new Springbok record, with the No. 8 praising their bond on and off the field.

Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids says the team's set-piece hard work is providing a solid platform ahead of the fourth Test in Baltimore.  |  Backpagepix
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Springbok set-piece hard work paying dividends ahead of Baltimore finale, says Deon Davids

Springbok forwards coach Deon Davids believes their dominant set-piece is hitting top gear ahead of Saturday’s series finale against the All Blacks in Baltimore.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for continuity in the flyhalf position with Sacha Feinburg-Mngomezulu ahead of Saturday’s series finale against New Zealand.  |  AFP
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Springboks v All Blacks: Rassie Erasmus backs Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu for Baltimore finale

Rassie Erasmus has named an unchanged squad for the Springboks' series decider against the All Blacks in Baltimore, keeping faith with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

SIYA Kolisi is the Springboks’ most successful captain with a record 55 Test wins.
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Siya Kolisi: the Boks’ most successful captain and his team want Baltimore too

Siya Kolisi says the Springboks must improve if they are to clinch the Greatest Rivalry series this week in Baltimore.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi insists South Africa are out to win the series against the All Blacks ahead of Saturday’s crucial third Test at FNB Stadium.  |  Backpagepix
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Siya Kolisi’s blunt Springboks message: Only series victory will do against All Blacks

Siya Kolisi says the Springboks are going for a series win, not a draw, as they prepare for Saturday’s third Test against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium.

Springbok lock Ruan Nortjé has labelled the lineout a crucial battleground ahead of Saturday’s third Test against New Zealand, praising All Blacks lock Fabian Holland.  |  Backpagepix
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Ruan Nortjé highlights line-out clash and praises All Blacks lock Fabian Holland ahead of Soweto Test

Ruan Nortje says the lineout battle will be key to deciding the winner of Saturday's thrid test between the Springboks and the All Blacks.

Power, precision, and plenty of cake — Ox Nche will start for the Springboks this weekend at FNB Stadium.  |  Backpagepix
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Rassie Erasmus targets home series victory ahead of Boks' final 2026 Test in SA

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus insists his team must secure a third Test win over the All Blacks to ensure they cannot lose the series in their final home fixture of 2026.

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has rejected claims by All Blacks counterpart Dave Rennie that South Africa’s pack deliberately "walks around" in scrums, accusing Rennie of trying to influence referees through the media.  |  Backpagepix
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Rassie Erasmus hits back at All Blacks coach Dave Rennie over scrum claims

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has slammed Dave Rennie for using the media to criticise South Africa’s scrum tactics instead of using World Rugby’s official protocols.

GRANT Williams and the Springboks lost to New Zealand in the first Test of Ruggby's Greatest Rivalry

Springboks fans make early Ellis Park exit after All Blacks masterclass

Thousands of Springbok fans left Ellis Park early as a ruthless All Black second-half performance sealed a comprehensive 33–16 win in Johannesburg.

Pieter-Steph du Toit reflected on Friday on the honour of captaining the Springboks in his 99th Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.  |   Backpagepix

Pieter-Steph du Toit embraces nerves as he captains Springboks in 99th test

Springbok captain Pieter-Steph du Toit says he will embrace his pre-match nerves as he prepares to lead South Africa against the All Blacks in his 99th Test at Ellis Park.

Rassie Erasmus admits to feeling nervous ahead of the Springboks' showdown with the All Blacks, but insists both teams will go "full out" at Ellis Park.  |  Backpagepix
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Nervous Rassie Erasmus vows Springboks will go 'full out' against All Blacks

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus admits to feeling nervous ahead of the clash against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, promising both teams will go full out to land the first…

Former captains Gary Teichmann, left, and Sean Fitzpatrick unveiled the innovative new Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry trophy ahead of the Springboks and All Blacks series on Wednesday.  |  Supplied

A trophy divided: Springboks and All Blacks to battle for unique split silverware

A unique magnetic trophy that splits in two if the series is drawn has been unveiled by Gary Teichmann and Sean Fitzpatrick ahead of the Springboks vs All Blacks clash.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche, pictured, are closing in on a return ahead of the opening Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.  |  Backpagepix
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Siya Kolisi and Ox Nche track well for Springboks ahead of All Blacks clash

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche are on track to play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, while coach Felix Jones reveals insights gained from tour matches.

Rugby pundit Jim Hamilton has thrown his support behind the Sharks Rugby Club’s new identity, praising the Durban side for moving with the times.  |  Backpagepix

Jim Hamilton backs Sharks rebrand as rugby pundit praises new identity

Former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton has given his seal of approval to the Sharks’ new logo and identity, praising the Durban club for embracing modern rugby culture.