Lesser known names must step up if the franchise is to fulfil its aim of winning the URC and Champions Cup this season.
Enforced rotation, poor results, and logistical and political issues have raised questions over the viability of South African Champions Cup involvements.
The Springboks came within two late kicks of a perfect record across 2024. A Ciaran Frawley drop goal in the 80th minute in Durban and a shanked Manie Libbok Libbok penalty in the 79th minute...
Ox Nche was initially one of eight players retained from last Saturday’s starting side versus England named to start versus the Welsh in the final match of South Africa’s three-game Autumn Nations Series.
It is a strange scenario where a defeated coach hails a 17-point loss as “one of their best performances” in recent times and the victorious coach claims he is “not very proud” of a victory where his side prevented dangerous opponents from scoring a try.
Townsend praised the display as ‘one of our best performances of the last few seasons’.
If you missed it, you might assume that the Springboks monstered their Scottish counterparts with another brutal display of Bomb Squad powered brutality. And to a degree, you’d be right.
The hosts rallied impressively in the second half and at one stage got to within four points of the world champions.
Reigning Rugby World Cup champions South Africa got their Autumn Nations Cup off to the perfect start with a 32 - 15 win over Scotland.