rugbys greatest rivalrylatest news & developments
South Africa has world-class stadiums, yet we haven't hosted a Rugby World Cup since 1995.  |  Leighton Koopman IOL

Changing room gaffes and iPhone TMO farce: Why hasn't South Africa hosted the Rugby World Cup since 1995?

After a changing room camera blunder and TMO phone chaos marred the Perth Test, the farcical scenes raise a serious question: why is South Africa still overlooked as a Rugby…

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.

The Springboks secured a memorable 3-1 series win against the All Blacks, but head coach Rassie Erasmus will be eager to fix lineout inconsistencies and defensive lapses on the edge before their next Test campaign.  |  Backpagepix
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Down Under: Three key areas Springboks must fix following Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry victory

Despite a 3-1 series victory over the All Blacks, Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks have critical areas to refine ahead of future Test matches.

The Lions produced a breathtaking, five-try display against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, reminding rugby fans of the sheer joy and entertainment of the tour matches despite their narrow defeat.  |  Backpagepix
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The best of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry: Lions’ fearless stand against All Blacks reminded us what rugby is about

While the Springboks claimed a 3-1 series victory over the All Blacks, it was the Lions' thrilling mid-tour performance that truly captured the heart and spirit of the rivalry.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu played a crucial role in the Springboks' historic 3-1 series victory over the All Blacks, demonstrating the exceptional vision and talent that make him a key figure for South Africa.  |  AFP
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Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu haters are plain wrong: Boks' prodigy remains pure rugby genius

Despite unwarranted criticism following the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu remains one of South African rugby's most gifted talents.

The Springboks celebrate after defeating the All Blacks 43-28 in Baltimore to seal a 3-1 victory in the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, avenging their iconic 1996 series loss.  |  AFP
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Springboks v All Blacks: Five key takeaways in historic inaugural Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series

South Africa secured a historic 3-1 series victory over the All Blacks in Baltimore. Here are five key lessons from an unforgettable, hard-fought contest.

Springboks utility-back Damian Willemse celebrates another milestone achievement following South Africa's historic 3-1 series victory over the All Blacks in Baltimore.  |  Backpagepix
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Damian Willemse relishing peak Proteas and Springbok dominance after historic All Blacks series win

Damian Willemse has reflected on the Springboks' historic 3-1 series victory over the All Blacks, praising the squad's internal resilience and tactical turnaround after their…

Springbok veteran Deon Fourie extended his record as South Africa's oldest Test player against the All Blacks in Baltimore.  |  Backpagepix

Ageless Springbok Deon Fourie defies time to extend record as oldest Bok ever ahead of 40th birthday

Springbok utility forward Deon Fourie continues to make history, extending his record as the oldest Bok ever as he approaches his 40th birthday.

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 head coach Rassie Erasmus has overseen a historic run of victories against the All Blacks since 2018.  |  AFP
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Five of the best: Rassie Erasmus’ most iconic Springbok wins over the All Blacks ... so far

With Rassie Erasmus hitting a landmark milestone of victories against New Zealand, we look back at five of the Springboks' greatest wins over the All Blacks in the Erasmus era.

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.

Key positional battles — including Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, pictured, against Richie Mo’unga — will highlight the Springboks vs All Blacks series finale at M&T Bank Stadium.  |  AFP
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From Sacha v Richie to front-row wars: Five match-ups to light Up Baltimore

From Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu facing a returning Richie Mo’unga to crucial front-row duels, we look at five match-ups that will dictate the Springboks vs All Blacks decider in…

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.

The Springboks and All Blacks face off at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium as rugby expands its footprint into the US.  |  AFP
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Beyond the tradition: How the US market holds the key to rugby’s financial future

While fans may lament playing the Springboks vs All Blacks decider in the US, World Rugby’s commercial drive targets the lucrative American market ahead of RWC 2031.

Damian de Allende says playing against All Blacks midfielder Jordie Barrett has been a "real pleasure" during Rugby's Greatest Rivalry.  |  AFP
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Damian de Allende hails All Blacks rival Jordie Barrett ahead of brutal Baltimore decider

Springbok inside centre Damian de Allende has praised All Blacks rival Jordie Barrett as a standout player ahead of their midfield battle in Baltimore.

Eben Etzebeth says beating the All Blacks over a four-Test series is harder than winning a Rugby World Cup.  |  AFP
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Springboks eye historic series triumph as Eben Etzebeth prepares for All Blacks decider

Eben Etzebeth has described playing New Zealand four times in a row as rugby’s toughest challenge, with the Springboks set to clinch the series in Baltimore.

Springbok No. 8 Jasper Wiese has been a destructive force in the loose trio against the All Blacks this season.  |  AFP
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Lekkerist part of rugby — Jasper Wiese thrives on physicality in All Blacks showdowns

Upington-born Springbok No. 8 Jasper Wiese opens up about the physical toll and thrill of battling the All Blacks ahead of their final Test 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.

Morné van den Berg has been promoted to the Springbok starting line-up at scrumhalf for Saturday's series finale against the All Blacks in Baltimore.  |  AFP
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Springboks v All Blacks: Uncompromising Rassie Erasmus names heavy artillery for Baltimore finale

Rassie Erasmus has shown no mercy in his team selection, naming a near-unchanged Springbok side for the series decider against a battered All Blacks team in Baltimore.