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South Africa, this Springbok win was bigger than the World Cup

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The Springboks Test series win against the British & Irish Lions is a bigger achievement for this special group of players than winning the World Cup, writes Mark Keohane. And the 2019 World Cup win was pretty darn special.

To those who label the world champion Springboks a ‘one-trick pony’, show these players and coaches the respect the best in the world deserve.

Put your bias to one side and acknowledge the DNA of these Springboks.

The World Cup is the prized possession in the professional game, but it is a one-off final that comes around every four years.

In the context of the Lions, who tour South Africa only every 12 years, a series win is one once in a playing career opportunity, unless of course you are Morne Steyn, who has now tamed the Lions twice with late penalty goals in 2009 and 2021 respectively.

But what makes this series win so significantly sweeter than demolishing England in the 2019 World Cup final, is the adversity this Bok squad had to endure to triumph against a fantastic group of players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and who were coached by Warren Gatland, considered by many to be the best coach of his generation.

That view on Gatland may be influenced with this series defeat, but that is for another day and another discussion.

For now, the focus on Siya Kolisi’s Springboks, who won the World Cup and 22 months later, with just one Test in between against Georgia came from losing the first Test to win back to back Tests against the tourists and secure the most remarkable of series wins.

Kolisi was colossal in the second and third Tests, but he would be the first to object an singling out of an individual. The group, those in the match 23 and otherwise, were magnificent because in both the second and third Tests, the Springboks had to turn a half-time deficit into a victory.

They did it in the second Test through Siya Kolisi and Damian de Allende’s try-saving tackle on Robbie Henshaw and on Saturday night, in the series decider, the three minutes before half-time involved three of the most crucial turnovers, from a scrum penalty on the Lions ball, to a lineout steal and then the most inspiring of turnovers from Kolisi.

Jacques Nienaber, in his first Test series as head coach, could not have faced a bigger examination of his credentials. The most experienced and hardened of international coaches may have buckled under the pressure, but not Nienaber and his National Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus.

The two come as a partnership, and have for the past decade, be it Cheetahs, Stormers, Munster or the Springboks. As Eramus said, it doesn’t matter what title each wears, they work in tandem.

For the World Cup, Nienaber was the defence specialist and assistant coach. For this series, Erasmus was the water boy and sideline coach. Between the two, they made selections that proved decisive and they also made substitutions that provided impact, power and precision in the second and third Tests.

Nienaber was the rookie and Gatland the old warhorse, but the rookie was an emphatic winner in how the Boks responded to the challenge of no international rugby for 20 months, no crowds at the venues, no Test matches at altitude, with all three being played in Cape Town at sea level at the Cape Town Stadium and with 26 players testing positive for Covid after the first Test against Georgia.

There were no excuses from Nienaber or Kolisi. There was only defiance in how they responded to each challenge.

They picked a near Test team to beat the Lions 17-13 in the guise of the SA ‘A team and they also had to start the series without No 8 Duane Vermeulen and start the third-Test decider without Pieter-Steph du Toit, at No 7, Vermeulen, at No 8, and Faf de Klerk at No 9.

The Lions players had experienced a full Six Nations tournament and going into the third Test had played a one-off Test against Japan and seven matches on tour. They could also choose from the best of four very good nations, with two of them (Wales and England) having played in the World Cup last four.

Saturday night was huge South Africa. Take a moment, reflect on every obstacle there was and then consider that in the three Tests and SA ‘A’ game the vaunted Lions backs didn’t score a try and the Lions scored three tries in 320 minutes of rugby, all from driving mauls.

The Boks, so condemned for their lack of flair, scored four tries through their backs and in the SA ‘A’ game there were two home team backline tries.

The South African players, as the national or ‘A’ team had never played as a country at the Cape Town Stadium.

You can break down the list even further and go into the match details.

In the biggest moments of the second and third Test, the Boks produced the winning moments, and even in the SA ‘A’ win, the Boks, with 13 on 15 for 10 minutes, defied the visitors and emerged triumphant.

In years to come they will talk about this series, for the off-field controversies, for the lack of crowds, for the bio-bubble and of course for Morne Steyn’s boot doing the unthinkable and doing the Lions in two series, 12 years apart.

But what will forever be engrained in folklore is this bunch of Springbok players, coaches and management because they couldn’t rely on a one-Test wonder result to beat the best of the British and Irish.

Siya’s super stars had to do it over a three-Test series in which physics said they wouldn’t have the conditioning and the bookies said they weren’t good enough.

I was emphatic from the moment the Lions announced their squad that the Boks would win the series. I predicted three-nil, based on the quality of the Boks, a proper warm-up, two Tests at altitude in front of capacity crowds and the presence of players like Vermeulen, Du Toit and De Klerk.

That they did it 2-1 and did the Lions in an ‘A’ game without this trio, without a warm-up series and without a home crowd makes this bigger and better than demolishing England in the World Cup final in 2019.

Also on www.keo.co.za

How we called Morne Steyn to play against the Lions in an article on the 2nd November, 2020.

Morne Steyn is starting to roar ahead of Lions tour

Jake on Morne Steyn: ‘He is a winner’

 

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KEO News Wire

URC Influence Index: The Top 10 SA players

The URC Influence Index ranks the 10 most impactful players after 12 rounds, based on attacking, defensive, set-piece and tactical metrics.

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SA players are leading the URC Influence Index after 12 league rounds.

WHAT IS THE URC INFLUENCE INDEX? 

Players are ranked based on verified appearances across multiple high-impact categories in the URC:

  • Attack: defenders beaten, metres, breaks, offloads

  • Defence: tackles, turnovers won

  • Set-piece: lineouts, steals

  • Game control: kicking metres, points, goal-kicking

 The more categories a player influences statistically, the higher the ranking.

URC TOP 10 SA INFLUENCE INDEX (AFTER 12 ROUNDS)

1. Sebastian de Klerk (Wing/Centre, Bulls)

The competition’s most complete attacking player

  • 41 defenders beaten

  • 607 metres

  • 17 clean breaks

  • 15 offloads

De Klerk appears across four elite attacking categories, the most among South African players.

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

2. Chris Smith (No 10, Lions)

The URC’s scoreboard controller

  • 92 points (1st)

  • 25 conversions (1st)

  • 14 penalties

  • 1934 kick metres

3. Quan Horn (Fullback, Lions)

Horn’s balance in all areas is his strength

  • 2529 kick metres (2nd)

  • 494 metres

  • 96 carries

  • 13 offloads

4. Jeandre Rudolph (No 8, Bulls)

Breakdown King

  • 16 turnovers won (1st)

  • 112 tackles

Rudolph is the league’s elite jackal.

5. Marnus van der Merwe (Hooker, Cardiff)

Hybrid in his impact as a hooker

  • 85 lineouts won

  • 12 turnovers

6. Andre-Hugo Venter (Hooker, Stormers)

Set-piece anchor

  • 105 lineouts won (1st)

Dominates in contact and carries strongly

7. RG Snyman (Lock, Leinster)

Continuity machine

  • 20 offloads (joint 1st)

Unrivalled in the league with his offloading influence

8. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (No 10, Stormers)

The emerging game driver

  • 62 points

  • 2089 kick metres

  • 70 kicks in play

  • 10 clean breaks

Strong line kicking game, lethal in line break efficiency.

Photo: Gallo Images

9. Evan Roos (No 8, Stormers)

The Finisher

  • 6 tries

  • 97 carries

Plays with high risk and high reward.

Photo: Gallo Images

10. Vincent Tshituka (Flank, Sharks)

The Lineout Disruptor

  • 8 steals (1st)

The statistics tell the story of his value

Photo: Gallo Images

Players just outside the SA Top 10 

  • Werner Kok (wing, Ulster): breaks + offloads + tries

  • Johann Grobbelaar (hooker, Bulls): lineouts + tries

  • Paul de Villiers (flank, Stormers): tackles + turnovers

  • Ruan Venter (Flank, Lions): carries + tries

SET PIECE: SOUTH AFRICA’S STRANGLEHOLD

Lineout leaders

Player Lineouts Won
Andre-Hugo Venter 105
Johann Grobbelaar 92
Marnus van der Merwe 85

Lineout steals (SA presence)

Player Steals
Vincent Tshituka 8
Marcel Theunissen 6
Emile van Heerden 5
Marvin Orie 4

South Africa dominates the Influence Index.

  • 10/10 players in top 10

  • Leading in:

    • lineouts

    • turnovers

    • offloads

    • points

    • territorial kicking

  • THE BREAKDOWN: TURNOVERS WON (SA IMPACT)

    Player Turnovers Won
    Jeandre Rudolph 16
    Marnus van der Merwe 12
    Paul de Villiers 9
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International Rugby

Bielle-Biarrey owns the Six Nations stats sheet

In the 2026 Six Nations, France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey owned the stats charts. Nine tries, four assists and a presence across ten statistical categories tell the real story of France’s title.

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Louis Bielle-Biarrey Six Nations 2026 top try scorer France. Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

The Six Nations 2026 stats sheet was owned by France’s magnificent left winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, with teammate Thomas Ramos the best of the many support acts within the squad that won the Six Nations title.

Ramos, without comparison off the kicking tee, kicked a penalty after the final buzzer, to beat England 48-46 in Paris, and ensure France were not denied a second successive Six Nations title.

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

The win was France’s 10th European title (Five Nations/Six Nations) in the last 30 years.

France’s Five and Six Nations titles since professionalism began in 1996

Year Competition Title type
1997 Five Nations Winners
1998 Five Nations Grand Slam
2002 Six Nations Grand Slam
2004 Six Nations Grand Slam
2006 Six Nations Winners
2007 Six Nations Winners
2010 Six Nations Grand Slam
2022 Six Nations Grand Slam
2025 Six Nations Winners
2026 Six Nations Winners

*Grand Slam indicates an unbeaten tournament.

Six Nations 2026 stats

Bielle-Biarrey’s nine tournament tries in 2026 is a record, and he is the first player to score in every match in two successive Six Nations campaigns. He has 18 Six Nations tries in 14 matches, with retired Ireland centre Brian O’Driscoll’s Six Nations record of 26 tries having come in 65 matches.

His strike rate is unmatched at Test level, with 29 tries from 27 Test matches.

Bielle-Biarrey, supreme as a try-scoring finisher, was everywhere the game lived.

Top of the try charts. Among the leaders for metres made. Present in try assists. Leading initial breaks. High in metres per carry. Involved in attacking catch success. Even appearing in the kicking metrics.

Bielle-Biarrey, who played every minute of the Six Nations, featured in 10 categories.

His back three teammate Ramos was as good, in a different way. Ramos featured in eight categories: Carries, metres, offloads, assists and, crucially, points. Ramos missed just four kicks at posts in 32, for an 88% return. He was also the tournament’s leading points scorer and one of the busiest players on attack.

France No 10 Matthieu Jalibert, who played four of the five matches, was top of the offloads, try assist and in the top bracket for defenders beaten. Add in his kicking influence, in tandem with captain and scrum half Antoine Dupont, and Jalibert is prominent in seven categories.

If France owned the attacking narrative, Ireland’s No 12 Stuart McCloskey owned the gainline. Seven categories tell the story: carries, offloads, assists, defenders beaten, dominant contact, post-contact metres and turnovers. There was no cleaner or more complete midfield presence in the tournament. Every carry broke the initial wall and every collision advanced Ireland’s attack.

The little generals in Dupont and Wales’s Tomos Williams don’t dominate tries, but they dominate territory. Kicks in play, kick metres, box kicks, retained kicks meant both No 9s are leading contributors in six categories.

Italy’s mighty midfielder Tommaso Menoncello  has a presence in six categories: Metres made. Defenders beaten. Initial breaks. Turnovers, Jakkals and Metres per carry. He was as consistent in his defence and attack and his Six Nations will be remembered for the try and try assist in Italy’s historic first win against England in Rome in Round 4.

England’s Ben Earl is the forward outlier. Leading carries. Leading post-contact metres. Dominant in contact. A four-category presence in a game that increasingly separates roles. He is the closest England has to a proper hybrid international player. Earl, best at No 8, can also play in the midfield.

Scotland’s versatile winger and Glasgow Warriors captain Kyle Steyn. The South African born former Stellenbosch University and Griquas star was a standout in defenders beaten, top tier in metres made and elite in metres per carry. Steyn enjoyed his most influential tournament, and was strong in Scotland’s wins against England and France at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

Multi-Category Leaders – Six Nations 2026

Player Categories Featured
Louis Bielle-Biarrey 10
Thomas Ramos 8
Matthieu Jalibert 7
Stuart McCloskey 7
Antoine Dupont 6
Tomos Williams 6
Tommaso Menoncello 6
Ben Earl 4
Kyle Steyn 4
2026 Final Six Nations Table
Pos Team P W L BP PD Pts
1 France 5 4 1 5 +81 21
2 Ireland 5 4 1 3 +38 19
3 Scotland 5 3 2 4 -1 16
4 Italy 5 2 3 1 -38 9
5 England 5 1 4 4 +2 8
6 Wales 5 1 4 2 -82 6
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KEO News Wire

SA Schools Rugby: The Springbok Factory

South African schools rugby is the foundation of the Springboks, with historic derbies like Paarl Boys High vs Paarl Gimnasium showcasing the intensity, tradition and talent pipeline that defines the game.

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SA Schools rugby derby between Paarl Boys High and Paarl Gimnasium showcasing South Africa’s top schoolboy rugby rivalry

The road to 100 Springbok Test caps does not start with a professional contract. It starts at SA Schools Rugby and South Africa is blessed to have among the most powerful rugby-centric schooling institutions. The result is nine Test Centurions and four RWC titles and two third place finishes in eight tournaments since the Springboks won the 1995 World Cup on their first attempt.

SA Schools Rugby

South African rugby starts on school fields in Paarl, Newlands, Durbanville, Stellenbosch, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, where reputations are made long before players earn contracts, caps or salaries.

This is where the edge is built, with rivalries more than 100 years old. This is where the journey of the greatest Springboks began and it is the playground of future Springboks and South Africa’s professional rugby elite.

Photo: Paul Kane/Gallo Images

The scale of the system is unmatched globally: structured leagues, nationally broadcast derbies, Easter festivals that act as early-season measuring sticks, and the annual Coca-Cola Craven Week, which remains the definitive pathway into SA Schools selection.

The Premier Schools: The heavyweights of South African rugby.

There is no officially sanctioned national ranking body in South African schools rugby. However, multiple independent platforms compile results-based rankings using fixtures, strength of schedule and head-to-head outcomes.

The most widely referenced is NextGenXV, whose final 2025 rankings are also incorporated into broader consensus rankings by platforms such as SchoolboyRugby (which combines data from NextGenXV, SA School Sports and Rugby365).

Top 20 Schools (Results-based – 2025 Final Ranking)

Rank School
1 Paarl Boys’ High
2 Paarl Gimnasium
3 Grey College
4 Affies
5 Oakdale Landbou
6 Westville
7 Paul Roos Gymnasium
8 DHS
9 Garsfontein
10 Rondebosch
11 Helpmekaar
12 Outeniqua
13 Hilton College
14 Wynberg
15 Stellenberg
16 Menlopark
17 Northwood
18 Noordheuwel
19 Boland Landbou
20 Queen’s College


The Western Cape dominates the depth conversation. Free State has Grey College and the Eastern Cape has heritage. Gauteng and KZN bring muscle, but no province matches the Western Cape for weekly jeopardy and top-20 spread.

Western Province: The Deepest Schools League in the Country

South African schools rugby’s heart beats the loudest in the Western Cape.

On a single WP Schools Day card in 2026, you get: Paarl Boys, Paarl Gim, Paul Roos, SACS, Bishops, Rondebosch, Wynberg, Boland Landbou, Durbanville and Stellenberg.

In the 2025 Top 20 rankings, the Western Cape placed eight schools in the top tier, including Paarl Boys, Paarl Gim, Oakdale, Paul Roos, Rondebosch and Wynberg.

No province produces pressure like this and no province produces Springboks like this. It is borne out by how Western Province dominated the annual Coca Cola Craven Week.

FNB Classic Clashes & King Price Derby Series

South African schoolboy rugby attracts some of the biggest sponsors, with FNB having the longest association with Schools Rugby. The additional exposure, through SuperSport’s live coverage of Schools 1st XV matches has added to the value of commercial alignment with Schools rugby.

The SuperSport Schools app has exceeded one million downloads.

The FNB Classic Clashes, launched in the early 2000s, grew from 10 fixtures to more than 50 nationwide, becoming a cornerstone of school rugby broadcasting on SuperSport Schools.

Today, the King Price Derby Series carries that torch, packaging the biggest rivalries into a national viewing product built on history, tribalism and crowd energy.

This is where schoolboy rugby becomes appointment viewing.

The Biggest Schoolboy Derbies in South Africa

This is the soul of the South African game.

Paarl Boys’ High vs Paarl Gimnasium

  • Crowd: 20,000+ regularly

  • Described as the biggest schoolboy derby in the world

Grey College vs Paul Roos Gymnasium

  • Two of the biggest Springbok-producing schools combined

Bishops vs Rondebosch

  • Bishops leads historic wins (103 vs 80, with 19 draws recorded)

Jeppe vs KES

  • Over 100 meetings; rivalry dates back to 1935

Affies vs Waterkloof

  • Began in 1987; Affies dominant historically

Hilton vs Michaelhouse

  • Played since 1904; one of KZN’s big rivalries

SACS vs Wynberg

  • Among the oldest Cape school rivalries

Boland Landbou vs Oakdale

  • The farmers’ derby physical, proud and unforgiving

Easter Rugby Festivals: The National Measuring Stick

The four major national festivals:

  • Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival

  • KES Easter Rugby Festival

  • St John’s College Easter Festival

  • St Stithians Easter Festival

  • Graeme College WildeKlawer Rugby Festival

Craven Week: Where Schoolboys Become Internationals

First played in 1964, the Coca-Cola Craven Week remains the pinnacle of schoolboy rugby.

At the end of the tournament:

  • SA Schools is selected

  • SA Schools ‘A’ is selected

The Schools That Built the Springboks

Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images

Most Springboks Produced by School

Source:

Rank School Springboks
1 Paul Roos Gymnasium 56
2 Grey College 49
3 Bishops 43
4 Paarl Gimnasium 32
5 SACS 32
6 Paarl Boys’ High 26
7 Kimberley Boys High 23
8 Rondebosch 21
9 Grey High School 17
10 Maritzburg College 17


The Western Cape production line of Springboks is unmatched.

Springbok Test Centurions and Their Schools

Springbok Test Centurions, by their School

Player Tests School
Eben Etzebeth 141 Tygerberg
Victor Matfield 127 Pietersburg
Bryan Habana 124 KES
Tendai Mtawarira 117 Peterhouse (Zimbabwe)
John Smit 111 Pretoria Boys High
Jean de Villiers 109 Paarl Gimnasium
Siya Kolisi 103 Grey High
Percy Montgomery 102 SACS *
Willie le Roux 101 Paul Roos

*2007 World Cup winner Percy Montgomery, SACS, was the first Springboks Test Centurion. 

Photo: Duif du Toit / Gallo Images

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International Rugby

From bolter to banished: Augustus defines Bok 2026 omissions

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Juarno Augustus Ulster URC

The Springboks 2026 alignment camp is, by definition, Rassie Erasmus naming his best 70 players. That is the starting point for any analysis, and it is why the omission of Juarno Augustus is the story.

Springboks 2026 alignment camp

A year ago ‘Trokkie’ Augustus was the bolter.

He forced his way into the 2025 alignment camp on the back of consistent performances in Europe, carrying with authority and playing with the kind of physical edge that traditionally translates to Springbok rugby. His inclusion suggested momentum and acknowledgement from Erasmus that the player, formerly of the Stormers, had moved from the periphery into genuine national contention.

Augustus made the on-field statement playing for Northampton Saints, but never made it to the Springboks camp because he had not passed a transfer medical to Ulster at the time.

Post this injury-enforced failed medical, Augustus moved to Ulster and has been a strong influence when fit. He had been on the sidelines in early 2026 but showed no rust in dominating the collisions as Ulster beat Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship last weekend.

Augustus, in the 2025/26 season, has started seven of nine matches for Ulster, with an average playing time of 54 minutes. He has played seven URC matches and two EPCR Challenge Cup matches.

In 2024/25, he started 15 of Northampton’s 19 matches, averaged 56 minutes a game, went past 1000 on-field minutes and was a star performer as the Saints marched toward the Investec Champions Cup final. Augustus missed the losing final against Bordeaux because of injury, but was fabulous in the semi-final win against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Less than a year ago, Augustus, a former Junior Springboks Player of the Year, was a headline for all the right reasons. This week, his omission is the headline, given just a few days ago he was named Player of the Match 

It does not seem like a minor selection call from Erasmus.

In a system where the alignment camp reflects the coach’s thinking and pretty much his strongest available player pool, absence is definitive. Augustus has not been managed out. On the surface he has been left out, and the distinction matters. It tells you that, right now, he is not viewed as one of the leading options at No 8 or within the broader loose forward mix.

And that is where the context becomes important.

The Springboks are not short on depth in the back row. Established internationals remain in the system, while younger players have been backed through consistent exposure and selection. The competition among No 8 options is intense and Erasmus never selects on sentiment or for the sake of a good news story.

What is perplexing is what has changed regarding Augustus because his on-field performances remain as imposing as they did a year ago.

Erasmus has omitted players from alignment camps previously and picked them to play Test rugby that season.

The exclusion, this week when Erasmus named a virtual alignment camp group of overseas-based South African players eligible for the Boks, does not mean the door is locked, but it certainly doesn’t promise an easy way back in when the reality is that Erasmus has invited 70 players to his two respective camps, 49 for the early March camp in Cape Town, and a further 21 for the virtual camp.

Six players drop out of the Springboks 2026 alignment camp from 2025, but it is the absence of Augustus that defines the shift – from bolter to outside the Bok top 70.

 

2025 vs 2026 – Players OUT

Forwards omitted (2025 → not in 2026)

Player Position 2025 Status 2026 Status Note
Juarno Augustus No 8 Virtual camp (overseas) ❌ Omitted Biggest omission
Vincent Koch Prop Local camp ❌ Omitted Senior tighthead depth
Bongi Mbonambi Hooker Local camp ❌ Omitted Double RWC winner
Renzo du Plessis Loose forward Local camp ❌ Omitted Uncapped Test player

 Backs omitted (2025 → not in 2026)

Player Position 2025 Status 2026 Status Note
Willie le Roux Fullback Local camp ❌ Omitted Double World Cup winner
Ntokozo Makhaza Wing Local camp ❌ Omitted Varsity Cup standout

Springbok fixtures 2026:

International:
Saturday 20 June: Springboks v Barbarians (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha) – TICKETS

Nations Championship:
Saturday 4 July: Springboks v England (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday 11 July: Springboks v Scotland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday 18 July: Springboks v Wales (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry:
Saturday 22 August: Springboks v All Blacks (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday 29 August: Springboks v All Blacks (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday 5 September: Springboks v All Blacks (FNB Stadium, Johannesburg)
Saturday 12 September: Springboks v All Blacks (M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA)
For available RGR tickets in SA, CLICK HERE

Once-off Tests:
Saturday, 8 August: Argentina v Springboks (venue TBC)
Sunday 27 September: Wallabies v Springboks (Optus Stadium, Perth)

Nations Championship:
Saturday 7 November: Italy v Springboks (venue TBC)
Friday 13 November: France v Springboks (Stade de France, Paris)
Saturday 21 November: Ireland v Springboks (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November: Finals Weekend (Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London) – SOURCE

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KEO News Wire

United Rugby Championship: South Africa’s rugby powerhouse

South Africa has redefined the United Rugby Championship since 2021, turning a northern league into a cross-continental powerhouse driven by Stormers flair, Bulls consistency and relentless Springbok influence.

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United Rugby Championship

The United Rugby Championship was never meant to belong to South Africa, but in many respects it now does.

The United Rugby Championship shifted rugby’s power

South Africa has redefined the United Rugby Championship since 2021, turning a northern league into a cross-continental powerhouse driven by Stormers flair, Bulls consistency and relentless Springbok influence. From four finals in four seasons to hosting the first three deciders, the United Rugby Championship South Africa story is one of immediate impact, growing dominance and a competition that now runs through Cape Town and Pretoria as much as Dublin.

It is an evolution of the Pro 12, which was a northern hemisphere competition, built on Celtic identity, Irish excellence, Welsh tradition, Italian innovation and Scottish swagger. It had history, rivalry and relevance but it did not have the the presence of South Africa, the breeding ground of World Cup winning Springboks.

When South Africa arrived in the newly formed 16-team United Rugby Championship, it reshaped the league.

Four seasons into the URC era a South African franchise has featured in every single final. The country hosted the first three deciders. Two of those finals were in Cape Town and one was in Pretoria.

From Celtic comfort to cross-continental combat

The league started life in 2001 as the Celtic League,  a tight, regional competition. Then came evolution: Italy joined and it became the PRO12 and then the PRO14, with the South Africa’s Cheetahs and Kings more of an exercise in flirtation than finality.

The reset came in 2021, with the league played behind mostly with Covid restrictions.

The South African quartet, plus their Pro 14 predecessors the Cheetahs and Kings, had played in Super Rugby since 1996, and while South Africa’s decision to go north was deemed controversial by some, most in South Africa acknowledged the value of playing in the northern hemisphere.

What was once a northern league is now rugby’s most compelling cross-continental competition.

Different climates.
Different tempos.
Different rugby identities.

South Africa’s imprint: Immediate, Physical, Decisive

South Africa didn’t need time to adjust, as borne out by the first four finals.

  • 2022 Final (Cape Town): Stormers

  • 2023 Final (Cape Town): Munster beat Stormers

  • 2024 Final (Pretoria): Glasgow beat Bulls

  • 2025 Final (Dublin): Leinster beat Bulls

The 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks coach Jake White guided the Bulls to three finals in four years and the Stormers, under John Dobson, own South Africa’s most significant chapter, winning the inaugural URC season in beating the Bulls 18-13.

Dobson’s Stormers: The blueprint of URC success

Dobson’s Stormers play with instinct, speed and counter-attack but beneath it sits structure and belief. Western Province school rugby pipelines feeding a professional system that trusts its talent.

At home, at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, they are difficult to beat.

And in doing so, they’ve defined what URC rugby can look like when South African skill meets South African confidence.

The Bulls: Power, altitude and unfinished business

If the Stormers are all about expression, then the Bulls are about power and pressure.

Loftus Versfeld, in Pretoria, remains one of the toughest assignments in club rugby, with the altitude and the attitude of the hosts often a tonic for opposition scoreboard strain.

The Bulls have been relentless contenders:

White did a fine job in getting them to three finals, but former Springboks lock Johan Ackermann has been tasked in the 2025/26 season in turning silver into gold.

Leinster, Munster and the Irish machine

The Irish provinces still set the standard system excellence. Leinster, in particular, operate like a production line of Test players, and their 2025 demolition of the Bulls in Dublin was clinical, ruthless and expected.

Munster remain knockout specialists, with their 2023 win against the Stormers in the final in Cape Town the stuff of folklore. Munster won their final four league matches to make the play-offs and travelled – and won – for the quarter-final, semi-final and final.

Glasgow’s Loftus miracle

Glasgow’s 2023/24 title win at Loftus made a statement that a good enough team can win a final anywhere and can overcome travel, fatigue, altitude and the odds of the bookies to triumph.

Glasgow’s title win proved the league is wider than the South Africa and Ireland power axis.

The URC has never been predictable, especially finals.

The rivalries that matter

This competition is built on collisions not just of teams, but identities.

  • Stormers vs Bulls – South Africa’s defining franchise rivalry

  • Leinster vs Munster – tradition, edge, history

  • Irish vs South African franchises – control vs chaos, system vs instinct

  • Glasgow v Edinburgh – a national trial
  • Benetton v Zebre – a national trial
  • Cardiff v every Welsh club – culturally so much bigger than a rugby match

South Africans have fallen in love with the URC because there are more wins than defeats, it fits their style of play, the times zones work, there is European relevance and the league is a proving ground for Springboks and for Springboks selection.

  • South African teams have featured in 100% of URC finals

  • The Bulls have played 75% of those finals

  • The Stormers have a title and multiple finals appearances

  • South African franchises win around 60% of matches since entry

  • Home venues like DHL Stadium and Loftus rank among the toughest in the league

What comes next? SA dominance or European resistance?

The next chapter of the URC will be defined by one question: Can Europe’s club, across the league, have enough title contenders to stop the South African surge to turning final appearances into consistent gold medals.

Ireland’s Leinster will always be there, Munster will always threaten and Scotland’s Glasgow have shown what’s possible. All three have won the title.

But South Africa has scale that is overwhelming when assessing their potential as the league grows because the country’s rugby players have an identity built on winning, as borne out by four Rugby World Cup golds and two bronze medals in eight tournaments.

The Final Word

The URC didn’t save South African rugby, as much as South Africa elevated the URC.

The South African four-club participation has brought intensity, edge and consequence to every fixture.

And it made the competition matter beyond its traditional borders.

Four finals in four years is a show of the country’s rugby strength as much as it is an impressive statistic.

Vodacom URC ERA GRAND FINALS 

2024/25: Aviva Stadium, Dublin (Leinster) – 46,127

2023/24: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (Vodacom Bulls) – 50,388

2022/23: DHL Stadium, Cape Town (DHL Stormers) – 56,344 (record)

2021/22: DHL Stadium, Cape Town (DHL Stormers) – 31,000 (sell out based on available capacity)

Key Takeaways from the 2024-25 season.

  • Leinster dominance: 16 wins from 18 benchmark consistency in the URC

  • Bulls best of South Africa: Clear No.1 local franchise in league phase

  • Stormers playoff presence: Still competitive despite inconsistency

  • SA depth tested: All four SA teams inside top 10

  • Home-ground impact remains decisive across both hemispheres

URC 2024–25 Final League Table (Regular Season)

Position Team Played Wins Losses Draws Points
1 Leinster 18 16 2 0 73
2 Bulls 18 13 5 0 63
3 Munster 18 12 6 0 58
4 Glasgow Warriors 18 11 7 0 54
5 Stormers 18 10 8 0 50
6 Ulster 18 9 9 0 45
7 Edinburgh 18 9 9 0 44
8 Connacht 18 8 10 0 41
9 Lions 18 8 10 0 40
10 Sharks 18 7 11 0 36
11 Benetton 18 7 11 0 35
12 Cardiff 18 6 12 0 30
13 Ospreys 18 6 12 0 29
14 Scarlets 18 5 13 0 27
15 Dragons 18 3 15 0 18
16 Zebre 18 2 16 0 12

LATEST 2025/26 URC NEWS

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Stormers make it 10 wins from 12 vs Bulls in URC derby

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Stormers Bulls URC Loftus 2026 Gallo Images

The Stormers 32-19 win against the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday, 14 March extended their remarkable United Rugby Championship derby record to 10 wins from 12 matches. It was also their fourth win in five URC visits to Pretoria since the competition started in 2021.

Stormers and Springboks utility back Damian Willemse was Saturday’s official Player of the Match. The Paul Roos Gimnasium product is a fan favourite and an exceptional rugby player. He is the youngest double winner in the history of Rugby World Cup, having been just 25 when he won his second successive Rugby World Cup gold medal.

Photo: Gallo Images

Willemse, on Saturday afternoon, scored a try and created the Stormers fourth try with a 50 metre kick through. Among his stats were seven tackles and seven carries, but those are tangibles. What isn’t is his off-the-ball work, his on-field presence and what he offers as a support and guide to flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mnogomezulu.

Willemse, just 27 years-old, has played in excess of 8000 minutes of rugby since making his debut for the Stormers in Super Rugby in 2016. He was 18 years-old. He is a Stormers centurion and has gone past 50 Tests for the Springboks.

Stormers vs Bulls URC Record (2021–2026)

Overall

  • Played: 12

  • Stormers wins: 10

  • Bulls wins: 2

Venue breakdown: Cape Town vs Pretoria

Cape Town (DHL Stadium)

  • Matches: 7

  • Stormers wins: 6

  • Bulls wins: 1

Matches

  • 9 Apr 2022 Stormers 19-17 Bulls (League)

  • 18 Jun 2022 Stormers 18-13 Bulls (URC Final)

  • 23 Dec 2022 Stormers 37-27 Bulls (League)

  • 6 May 2023 Stormers 33-21 Bulls (Quarter-final)

  • 23 Dec 2023 Stormers 26-20 Bulls (League)

  • 8 Feb 2025 Bulls 33-32 Stormers (League)

  • 3 Jan 2026 Stormers 13-8 Bulls (League)

Pretoria (Loftus Versfeld)

  • Matches: 5

  • Stormers wins: 4

  • Bulls wins: 1

Matches

  • 22 Jan 2022 Stormers 30-26 Bulls (League)

  • 18 Feb 2023 Stormers 23-19 Bulls (League)

  • 2 Mar 2024 Bulls 40-22 Stormers (League)

  • 1 Mar 2025 Stormers 19-16 Bulls (League)

  • 15 Mar 2026 Stormers 32-19 Bulls (League)

Correct overall URC split

  • Played: 12

  • Stormers wins: 10

  • Bulls wins: 2

  • League matches: 10 five in Cape Town, five in Pretoria

  • Playoff matches: 2 both in Cape Town, the 2022 final and 2023 quarter-final

League matches vs URC play-offs

League Matches

  • Played: 10

  • Stormers wins: 8

  • Bulls wins: 2

URC play-off meetings

  • Played: 2

Year Stage Venue Result
2022 Final Cape Town Stormers 18–13
2023 Quarter-final Cape Town Stormers 33–21

Playoff record

  • Stormers: 2 wins

  • Bulls: 0 wins

URC derby snapshot

Stormers vs Bulls URC results since 2021

Category Played Stormers Bulls
Overall URC 12 10 2
Cape Town 7 6 1
Pretoria 5 4 1
League matches 10 8 2
Play-offs 2 2 0
  • The Stormers won the inaugural URC final in 2022 in Cape Town.

  • They repeated the knockout dominance in the 2023 quarter-final, also in Cape Town.

  • The Bulls’ two URC derby wins have both come in league matches, one in Pretoria (2024) and one in Cape Town (2025).

LATEST STATISTICS & MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 

MATCH STATS

BULLS V STORMERS IS SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY’S BIGGEST RIVALRY

BULLS v STORMERS, 14th March, 2026.

Loftus, Pretoria

MATCH SQUADS

BULLS – 15 David Kriel, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Bench: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Willie le Roux.

STORMERS – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel (c), 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Bench: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Paul de Villiers, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Imad Khan, 22 Jonathan Roche, 23 Wandisile Simelane.

BREAKDOWN WARRIORS

Since the URC began in 2021, the Stormers have owned South Africa’s fiercest franchise rivalry: 10 wins from 12 meetings, home and away, and two play-off victories at DHL Stadium.

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Europe reacts to France’s dramatic Six Nations title

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France players lift the Six Nations trophy after beating England in Paris Photo: Shaun Botterill Getty Images

France claimed the 2026 Six Nations title in extraordinary fashion, beating England 48-46 in Paris after Thomas Ramos landed a penalty with the final kick of the match.

The Stade de France thriller produced 94 points and 13 tries, making it one of the highest-scoring Tests in the history of the rivalry.

For France it was their 10th Six Nations title in the professional era, while England’s defeat denied Ireland the championship after a weekend that had swung wildly between contenders.

Across Europe the reaction was dramatic – French media celebrated the spectacle, English outlets lamented the heartbreak and Irish newspapers reflected on a title that slipped away in the final seconds.

France media reaction: ‘A victory of nerve and spectacle’

L’Équipe

Headline: “Ramos au bout du suspense: la France championne!”
(Ramos at the death: France champions!)

France’s leading sports daily focused on the composure of Ramos and the brilliance of winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who scored four tries in a match that will be remembered as one of the greatest “Crunch” encounters.

The paper called the final moments “pure theatre in front of a roaring Stade de France.”


Midi Olympique

Headline: “Un Crunch de folie: les Bleus sacrés au bout du pied de Ramos.”

The rugby weekly described the match as one of the wildest finales in Six Nations history, praising France’s attacking intent but warning that conceding 46 points to England exposed defensive vulnerabilities.


Rugbyrama

Headline: “Un final historique: Ramos offre le Tournoi aux Bleus.”

Rugbyrama highlighted the emergence of Bielle-Biarrey as the star of the tournament, noting his try-scoring feats while praising the resilience of Fabien Galthié’s side.


Le Figaro

Headline: “Les Bleus arrachent le Tournoi dans un Crunch irrespirable.”

Le Figaro framed the victory as a triumph of nerve, describing the contest as an instant classic of French attacking rugby.


England media reaction: ‘Heartbreak in a Paris epic’

The Guardian

Headline: “France win Six Nations with last kick as England fall just short.”

The Guardian described the match as an epic finale, praising England’s attacking ambition but noting discipline and key moments ultimately cost Steve Borthwick’s side.


The Times

Headline: “England heartbreak as Ramos penalty steals Six Nations title.”

The Times focused on England’s inability to close out the match after taking the lead late in the contest, questioning game management in the final minutes.


BBC Sport

Headline: “Last-gasp Ramos penalty denies England in Paris thriller.”

BBC analysis praised England’s seven tries but said the defeat would haunt the players after producing their most attacking display of the championship.


The Telegraph

Headline: “Brave England fall short in 94-point Paris epic.”

The Telegraph labelled the match one of the most extraordinary attacking Tests between the nations, highlighting the spectacle despite the defeat.


Ireland media reaction: ‘Title dreams shattered at the death’

Ireland began the final day of the championship still in the hunt for the title and, for several minutes late in the Paris match, looked set to benefit from an English victory.

Ramos’ penalty changed everything.


Irish Times

Headline: “Ireland denied as France snatch Six Nations in Paris drama.”

The Irish Times described the closing minutes as “a cruel twist” for Ireland, who had earlier completed their own victory but were forced to watch events unfold in Paris.


Irish Independent

Headline: “France break Irish hearts with last-kick title win.”

The paper wrote that Ireland’s title hopes were alive until the final whistle, only to be extinguished by Ramos’ decisive kick.


The42.ie

Headline: “Ireland’s title hopes dashed by Ramos’ dramatic penalty.”

Ireland’s leading rugby platform described the finish as “a brutal reminder of the margins that define championship rugby.”


One of the greatest Six Nations finales

Across Europe there was a rare consensus.

The match will be remembered as one of the greatest Six Nations finales ever played a contest that combined relentless attacking rugby, scoreboard chaos and a title decided with the final kick.

 

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France Rugby World Cup Record: Finals, History & Why They Never Won

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France rugby world cup record

France has produced unforgettable Rugby World Cup moments, yet in 10 tournaments, over 40 years, they have never won the tournament. Their Rugby World Cup record betrays their status as one of the great rugby nations.

France Rugby World Cup Record Explained

The France Rugby World Cup record includes three final appearances and three silver medals, but they remain the strongest rugby nation never to win the Rugby World Cup.

Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images

They have enjoyed success in the Six Nations, with their 2026 title win their 10th in Europe’s premier international rugby tournament, which started as the Five Nations and is now the Six Nations, with Italy’s inclusion.

Understanding France rugby World Cup record requires looking at several factors: their repeated finals heartbreak, the inconsistency of the professional era, and their historical struggles against southern hemisphere opposition.

France in World Cup finals

France have reached the Rugby World Cup final three times, but have lost on every occasion.

Year

Host

Final

Result

1987

New Zealand

New Zealand vs France

Lost 29–9

1999

Wales

Australia vs France

Lost 35–12

2011

New Zealand

New Zealand vs France

Lost 8–7

Overall

3 finals

0 wins – 3 losses

The closest France have come to lifting the trophy was in 2011. In a dramatic final at Eden Park, they pushed New Zealand all the way before losing 8–7 in one of the tightest finals in Rugby World Cup history.

France’s journey to that final was turbulent, including internal disagreements within the squad, yet they still produced one of the most spirited performances seen in a World Cup final.

Across tournament history, France have also reached the semi-finals six times, confirming their status as a consistent contender even without a title.

France rugby World Cup record

France have competed in every Rugby World Cup since 1987, maintaining one of the stronger overall tournament records among northern hemisphere nations.

Tournament

Played

Won

Lost

Drawn

1987

6

5

1

0

1991

4

3

1

0

1995

5

3

2

0

1999

6

5

1

0

2003

7

5

2

0

2007

7

5

2

0

2011

7

4

3

0

2015

5

3

2

0

2019

5

3

2

0

2023

5

4

1

0

Overall

57

40

17

0

France’s 70% tournament win rate reflects a team that regularly progresses deep into the competition, but they have struggled to finish the job when facing the world’s strongest sides in knockout matches.

Most capped French players at the World Cup

Rank Player RWC Matches World Cups
1 Fabien Pelous 18 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007
2 Philippe Sella 17 1987, 1991, 1995
3 Raphaël Ibanez 16 1995, 1999, 2003
3 Olivier Magne 16 1999, 2003, 2007
5 Thierry Dusautoir 15 2007, 2011, 2015
5 Vincent Clerc 15 2007, 2011
5 Serge Blanco 15 1987, 1991
8 Frédéric Michalak 14 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015
8 Fabien Galthié 14 1999, 2003
8 Abdelatif Benazzi 14 1991, 1995, 1999

 

Most tries at the World Cup

Rank Player Tries World Cups
1 Vincent Clerc 11 2007, 2011
2 Christophe Dominici 8 1999, 2003, 2007
3 Jean-Baptiste Lafond 6 1991
3 Émile Ntamack 6 1995, 1999
3 Damian Penaud 6 2019, 2023
6 Didier Camberabero 5 1987
6 Philippe Saint-André 5 1991, 1995
6 Philippe Sella 5 1987, 1991, 1995

Most points at the World Cup

Rank Player Points World Cups
1 Thierry Lacroix 124
2 Frédéric Michalak 116
3 Christophe Lamaison 65
4 Jean-Baptiste Elissalde 61
5 Didier Camberabero 59
6 Camille Lopez 53
7 Gérald Merceron 50
8 Morgan Parra 48
9 Romain Ntamack 45
10 Thomas Castaignède 45

 

Professional era inconsistency

One of the key reasons often cited when asking why France never win the World Cup is inconsistency during the professional era.

Since rugby union turned professional in 1995, France have often struggled to maintain continuity at international level. Their domestic league, the Top 14, is one of the richest and most demanding competitions in the world. While it produces elite players, the long season and physical toll can make it difficult for the national side to build stability.

Between 2011 and 2019, France experienced a turbulent period marked by coaching changes, fluctuating performances and inconsistent results against top-tier opponents.

However, the current generation has helped restore stability. Under head coach Fabien Galthié, France won the 2022 Six Nations Grand Slam and re-established themselves as one of the world’s leading teams.

 

Record vs southern hemisphere

Another key factor behind France’s World Cup struggles is their historical record against the southern hemisphere powers.

France vs southern hemisphere nations (all-time Tests)

Opponent

Played

France Wins

Opponent Wins

Draws

New Zealand

67

15

51

1

South Africa

47

12

29

6

Australia

64

28

34

2

Argentina

56

40

15

1

Overall

234

95

129

10

 

France have historically struggled against New Zealand and South Africa, with both nations holding dominant head-to-head records.

Australia have also maintained a slight advantage, while France hold a strong record over Argentina.

Despite these numbers, France have produced some of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, including their famous 1999 semi-final victory over New Zealand and the 2007 quarter-final win against the All Blacks in Cardiff.

Those matches highlight France’s unique reputation in world rugby: a team capable of defeating anyone on the biggest stage.

 

Why France are different at home

France have traditionally been a very different team when playing at home.

The passionate atmosphere in French stadiums, combined with the emotional style of play often associated with Les Bleus, has helped the team produce some of their best performances on home soil.

This advantage was evident during the build-up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, when France entered the tournament among the favourites after several strong seasons.

Crowd support, momentum and confidence have often played a major role in France’s performances in major tournaments.

Can they win in 2027?

Looking ahead, France appear well positioned to challenge for the Rugby World Cup again in 2027.

The current generation of players has developed within a strong domestic system and has gained valuable experience competing at the highest level. Combined with the tactical clarity introduced under Fabien Galthié, France have become one of the most balanced teams in world rugby.

However, the ultimate challenge remains the same as it has been throughout their World Cup history: defeating the southern hemisphere giants in knockout matches.

If France can consistently overcome teams like New Zealand, South Africa and Australia when it matters most, they may finally end their long wait for a first Rugby World Cup title.

 

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Bulls v Stormers is South African rugby’s biggest derby

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Bulls v Stormers. South African rugby's biggest derby.

The Bulls v Stormers is South African rugby’s biggest derby. The clash is north v south and historically it has never gotten bigger in any South African domestic or international provincial or club competition, as will be the case in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship match at Loftus, Pretoria.

The most recent match-up played out in front of 52 000 fans at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium and the Stormers needed a 78th minute try to win the URC league fixture 13-8.

STORMERS EDGE BULLS 13-8

LATEST BULLS AND STORMERS NEWS

Bulls v Stormers: The Complete Record of South Africa’s North–South Rugby Rivalry

Few rivalries in world rugby stretch across three centuries of competition and identity.

The battle between the Bulls and Stormers is the modern face of a rivalry that began long before professionalism when Northern Transvaal and Western Province first met in 1891.

From Currie Cup wars at Newlands and Loftus Versfeld to modern URC derby clashes, the North–South rivalry remains one of the defining fixtures in South African rugby.

Today the Stormers brand represents Western Province professionally, while the Bulls remain the professional flagship of the old Northern Transvaal union.

This is the complete statistical breakdown of Bulls v Stormers and the historic Western Province rivalry that created it.

Bulls v Stormers Head-to-Head Record

The Stormers and Bulls first met in Super Rugby in 1998, marking the professional chapter of the rivalry.

Bulls vs Stormers Record (1998–2025)

Matches Bulls Wins Stormers Wins Draws
44 27 17 0

The Bulls dominated much of the early professional era, particularly during the Heyneke Meyer and Frans Ludeke years, when Pretoria became the powerhouse of Super Rugby.

The Stormers have been more competitive in the URC era, winning seven successive matches with John Dobson as coach.

Bulls v Western Province: The Rivalry Before Professional Rugby

Before the creation of the Stormers franchise, the rivalry existed as Western Province v Northern Transvaal in the Currie Cup.

These matches built the mythology of North vs South rugby.

Western Province vs Northern Transvaal Record (1891–1996)

Matches WP Wins Northern Transvaal Wins Draws
120 54 61 5

Northern Transvaal held the edge through much of the 1970s, while Western Province dominated the 1980s with their legendary Currie Cup streak.

Bulls v Western Province Record (1997–Present)

After professionalism and the renaming of Northern Transvaal to the Blue Bulls, the rivalry tightened.

Bulls vs Western Province

Matches WP Wins Bulls Wins Draws
65 32 31 2

Few provincial rivalries in rugby have remained so evenly balanced across decades.

The North vs South Rivalry in Numbers

Combining all eras Northern Transvaal, the Bulls, Western Province and the Stormers the rivalry stretches back more than 130 years.

Combined Rivalry Record

Matches Northern teams wins Cape teams wins Draws
229 119 103 7

Pretoria’s teams hold a slight historical advantage, though the rivalry has repeatedly swung between dominance in the north and the south.

STORMERS BEAT BULLS FOR URC TITLE 

Bulls v Stormers Centurions

Every Player With 100+ Club Caps

The Bulls v Stormers rivalry is one of the defining fixtures in South African rugby.

Across the Super Rugby and United Rugby Championship eras, only a small group of players have reached the milestone of 100 franchise appearances for either side.

Below is the verified list of Stormers and Bulls centurions, based on franchise records and official announcements.

Stormers Centurions

(100+ Stormers caps)

Player Position
Brok Harris Prop
Andries Bekker Lock
Jean de Villiers Centre
Peter Grant Flyhalf
Schalk Burger Flanker
Siya Kolisi Flanker
Frans Malherbe Prop
Steven Kitshoff Prop
Deon Fourie Hooker / Flanker
Scarra Ntubeni Hooker
Damian Willemse Utility Back
Neethling Fouché Prop

Key Stormers appearance records

  • Most Stormers caps: Brok Harris

  • First Stormers centurion: Andries Bekker

  • Most Stormers centurions by position: Prop (Harris, Malherbe, Kitshoff, Fouché)


Bulls Centurions

(100+ Bulls franchise caps)

Player Position
Victor Matfield Lock
Morné Steyn Flyhalf
Fourie du Preez Scrumhalf
Bakkies Botha Lock
Danie Rossouw Utility Forward
Pedrie Wannenburg No 8
Wynand Olivier Centre
Pierre Spies No 8
Akona Ndungane Wing
Werner Kruger Prop
Embrose Papier Scrumhalf
Lizo Gqoboka Prop
Marco van Staden Flanker

Key Bulls appearance records

  • Most Bulls franchise caps: Victor Matfield

  • Most Bulls centurions by position: Lock

  • First Bulls centurion of the professional era: Bakkies Botha

What It Means To Be A Franchise Centurion

Reaching 100 appearances for a South African franchise is a rare milestone.

Several factors limit player totals:

  • Springbok duty removes players for long periods

  • Overseas contracts reduce long-term continuity

  • Squad rotation in Super Rugby and the URC

This makes the Stormers and Bulls centurions clubs among the most exclusive groups in South African professional rugby.

The Rivalry Enters a New Era

With Stormers now replacing Western Province in the Currie Cup from 2026, the professional identity of the rivalry is clearer than ever.

What began as Western Province v Northern Transvaal has evolved into the modern Bulls v Stormers derby but the essence remains unchanged.

Cape Town versus Pretoria.

Newlands tradition versus Loftus power is now Cape Town buzz at the youthful DHL Stadium versus the endearing beauty of the old lady Loftus.

North versus South.

And in South African rugby, no internal showdown carries the same history or significance as Bulls v Stormers.

FAQ

What is the Bulls v Stormers record?
The Bulls lead the Stormers 27 wins to 17 since 1998.

When did Western Province first play Northern Transvaal?
The first recorded meeting was in 1891.

 

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Springboks v All Blacks: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry

The Springboks and All Blacks have played 110 Tests and produced the fiercest contest in rugby. Here is the full head-to-head record, rivalry history, biggest wins and why it remains rugby’s greatest rivalry.

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The Springboks and All Blacks have played 110 Tests and produced the fiercest contest in rugby. Here is the full Springboks vs All Blacks record, rivalry history and why it remains rugby’s greatest rivalry.


Springboks vs All Blacks record: the full story behind rugby’s greatest rivalry

  • What is the Springboks vs All Blacks record?

  • The biggest Springbok win over the All Blacks

  • The biggest All Blacks win over the Springboks

  • Why this is rugby’s greatest rivalry

  • The latest chapter in the rivalry

  • Springboks vs All Blacks: the verdict

There is no bigger fixture in rugby than the Springboks against the All Blacks.

LATEST NEWS ON RUGBY’S GREATEST RIVALRY

This is the one.

It is rugby’s most loaded rivalry, the one with the deepest history, the greatest tension, and the strongest claim to excellence. Between them, South Africa and New Zealand have set the standard for what Test rugby should look like: hard, clever, physical, unrelenting. They don’t just play for points. They play for hierarchy.

As of the end of the 2025 Rugby Championship meetings, the teams had met 110 times in Test rugby. The All Blacks lead the all-time series with 63 wins, the Springboks have 43, and there have been 4 draws.

That number matters, but it only tells part of the story.

Every era has had its own version of South Africa versus New Zealand. The early tours gave it its edge, but the apartheid years also gave it political charge. Professionalism gave it speed and scale, and the rivalry, in the Rassie Erasmus era, is at its most intense.

ALL BLACKS COACH DAVE RENNIE IS A RED FLAG FOR RASSIE’S BOKS

What is the Springboks vs All Blacks record?

The raw record is straightforward enough.

The Springboks and All Blacks have played 110 Tests. New Zealand have won 63, South Africa 43, with 4 draws. That makes New Zealand the only major nation with a positive all-time record against South Africa, which is why every Springbok win over the All Blacks carries outsized value.

The recent trend, however, tells a sharper story.

South Africa beat New Zealand twice in 2024 31-27 at Ellis Park and 18-12 in Cape Town to reclaim the Freedom Cup. In 2025, the All Blacks won 24-17 at Eden Park, but the Springboks answered a week later with a seismic 43-10 win in Wellington, a result SA Rugby described as the biggest defeat ever inflicted on the All Blacks.

So while New Zealand still lead the century-long rivalry overall, the modern contest is tighter, nastier and far less predictable than the old numbers suggest.

The biggest Springbok win over the All Blacks

South Africa’s biggest win, 35-7 at Twickenham a month before the 2023 World Cup, was the Boks benchmark 100-plus years in the making, but within two years that record was broken.

The new high-water mark came in Wellington on 13 September 2025, when the Springboks demolished the All Blacks 43-10. SA Rugby explicitly called it the All Blacks’ biggest defeat ever, and noted that it surpassed the 35-7 margin from London in 2023.

That matters historically and psychologically.

South Africa have always believed they can beat New Zealand. But there is a difference between belief and force. The 43-10 result was force. It was a reminder that when the Springboks got their collision game, bench impact and tactical pressure exactly right, they could break even the All Blacks in New Zealand.

The biggest All Blacks win over the Springboks

New Zealand’s biggest win in the rivalry remains the brutal 57-0 victory in 2017, still South Africa’s heaviest defeat in Test history. SA Rugby itself referred to it in retrospect as a record defeat by New Zealand.

That result remains one of the rivalry’s most important reference points because it sits at the opposite end of the emotional scale from the Springboks’ recent resurgence. It was humiliation then. The modern Bok revival has been built, in part, on making sure that kind of capitulation never happens again.

Why this is rugby’s greatest rivalry

The phrase is not marketing fluff.

South Africa and New Zealand have been the sport’s two most imposing rugby nations across generations. They have the tradition, the depth, the public pressure, the tactical intelligence and the expectation. More than that, each has usually been measured most accurately by how it performs against the other.

SA Rugby itself now brands the fixture as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, and the 2026 tour has been designed around that idea, with four Tests scheduled between the Springboks and All Blacks, including a Test in Baltimore, USA. That commercial packaging works because it is built on a truth rugby people already understand: no fixture carries more historical weight.

There are bigger sporting events globally, but in rugby, nothing feels more final than Springboks versus All Blacks.

The latest chapter in the rivalry

The latest sequence of matches has added another layer to the story.

In 2024, South Africa beat New Zealand twice in one Rugby Championship campaign, first at Ellis Park and then in Cape Town. The second win secured the Freedom Cup and kept the Springboks unbeaten in that championship stretch.

In 2025, the All Blacks protected Eden Park with a 24-17 win in Auckland, before South Africa hit back with the 43-10statement in Wellington. The official Springbok record published before the Auckland match was 108 played, 42 won, 62 lost, 4 drawn; after Auckland it became 109 played, 42 won, 63 lost, 4 drawn; and after Wellington the all-time tally moved to 110 played, 43 won, 63 lost, 4 drawn.

Springboks vs All Blacks: the verdict

The All Blacks still lead the rivalry on total wins.

But the modern Springboks have changed the feel of the contest. They have beaten New Zealand in World Cup finals, beaten them back-to-back in South Africa, and in 2025 handed them the heaviest defeat in their history in their own country.

That is why the Springboks versus All Blacks fixture remains unmatched. It is not just the best rivalry because of the past. It is the best rivalry because the next chapter still matters.

And in this rivalry, more than any other in rugby, history is never finished.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour fixtures 2026

Friday 7 August: DHL Stormers v All Blacks at DHL Stadium, Cape Town

Tuesday 11 August: Hollywoodbets Sharks v All Blacks at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban

Saturday 15 August: Vodacom Bulls v All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Saturday 22 August: First Test – Springboks v All Blacks at Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Tuesday 25 August: Lions v New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Saturday 29 August: Second Test – Springboks v New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town

Saturday 5 September: Third Test – Springboks v New Zealand at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg Saturday 12 September:

Saturday 12th September: Fourth Test – Springboks v New Zealand in Baltimore, Maryland

SPRINGBOKS v ALL BLACKS – EVERY TEST RESULT

Date Status Team Score Team Score Venue
13/08/21  Test South Africa 5 New Zealand 13 Dunedin
27/08/21  Test South Africa 9 New Zealand 5 Auckland
17/09/21   Test South Africa 0 New Zealand 0 Wellington
30/06/28   Test South Africa 17 New Zealand 0 Durban
21/07/28   Test South Africa 6 New Zealand 7 Johannesburg
18/08/28   Test South Africa 11 New Zealand 6 Port Elizabeth
01/09/28   Test South Africa 5 New Zealand 13 Newlands
14/08/37   Test South Africa 7 New Zealand 13 Wellington
04/09/37   Test South Africa 13 New Zealand 6 Christchurch
25/09/37   Test South Africa 17 New Zealand 6 Auckland
16/07/49   Test South Africa 15 New Zealand 11 Newlands
13/08/49   Test South Africa 12 New Zealand 6 Johannesburg
03/09/49   Test South Africa 9 New Zealand 3 Durban
17/09/49   Test South Africa 11 New Zealand 8 Port Elizabeth
14/07/56   Test South Africa 6 New Zealand 10 Dunedin
04/08/56   Test South Africa 8 New Zealand 3 Wellington
18/08/56   Test South Africa 10 New Zealand 17 Christchurch
01/09/56   Test South Africa 5 New Zealand 11 Auckland
25/06/60   Test South Africa 13 New Zealand 0 Johannesburg
23/07/60   Test South Africa 3 New Zealand 11 Newlands
13/08/60   Test South Africa 11 New Zealand 11 Bloemfontein
27/08/60   Test South Africa 8 New Zealand 3 Port Elizabeth
31/07/65   Test South Africa 3 New Zealand 6 Wellington
21/08/65   Test South Africa 0 New Zealand 13 Dunedin
04/09/65   Test South Africa 19 New Zealand 16 Christchurch
18/09/65   Test South Africa 3 New Zealand 20 Auckland
25/07/70   Test South Africa 17 New Zealand 6 Pretoria
08/08/70   Test South Africa 8 New Zealand 9 Newlands
29/08/70   Test South Africa 14 New Zealand 3 Port Elizabeth
12/09/70   Test South Africa 20 New Zealand 17 Johannesburg
24/07/76   Test South Africa 16 New Zealand 7 Durban
14/08/76   Test South Africa 9 New Zealand 15 Bloemfontein
04/09/76   Test South Africa 15 New Zealand 10 Newlands
18/09/76   Test South Africa 15 New Zealand 14 Johannesburg
15/08/81   Test South Africa 9 New Zealand 14 Christchurch
29/08/81   Test South Africa 24 New Zealand 12 Wellington
12/09/81   Test South Africa 22 New Zealand 25 Auckland
15/08/92   Test South Africa 24 New Zealand 27 Johannesburg
09/07/94   Test South Africa 14 New Zealand 22 Dunedin
23/07/94   Test South Africa 9 New Zealand 13 Wellington
06/08/94   Test South Africa 18 New Zealand 18 Auckland
24/06/95 RWC South Africa 15 New Zealand 12 Johannesburg
20/07/96   Test South Africa 11 New Zealand 15 Christchurch
10/08/96   Test South Africa 18 New Zealand 29 Cape Town
17/08/96   Test South Africa 19 New Zealand 23 Durban
24/08/96   Test South Africa 26 New Zealand 33 Pretoria
31/08/96   Test South Africa 32 New Zealand 22 Johannesburg
19/07/97   Test South Africa 32 New Zealand 35 Johannesburg
09/08/97   Test South Africa 35 New Zealand 55 Auckland
25/07/98   Test South Africa 13 New Zealand 3 Wellington
15/08/98   Test South Africa 24 New Zealand 23 Durban
10/07/99   Test South Africa 0 New Zealand 28 Dunedin
07/08/99   Test South Africa 18 New Zealand 34 Pretoria
04/11/99  RWC South Africa 22 New Zealand 18 Cardiff
22/07/00   Test South Africa 12 New Zealand 25 Christchurch
19/08/00   Test South Africa 46 New Zealand 40 Johannesburg
21/07/01   Test South Africa 3 New Zealand 12 Cape Town
25/08/01   Test South Africa 15 New Zealand 26 Auckland
20/07/02   Test South Africa 20 New Zealand 41 Wellington
10/08/02   Test South Africa 23 New Zealand 30 Durban
19/07/03   Test South Africa 16 New Zealand 52 Pretoria
09/08/03   Test South Africa 11 New Zealand 19 Dunedin
08/11/03 RWC South Africa 9 New Zealand 29 Melbourne
24/07/04   Test South Africa 21 New Zealand 23 Christchurch
14/08/04   Test South Africa 40 New Zealand 26 Johannesburg
06/08/05   Test South Africa 22 New Zealand 16 Cape Town
27/08/05   Test South Africa 27 New Zealand 31 Dunedin
22/07/06   Test South Africa 17 New Zealand 35 Wellington
26/08/06   Test South Africa 26 New Zealand 45 Pretoria
02/09/06   Test South Africa 21 New Zealand 20 Rustenburg
23/06/07   Test South Africa 21 New Zealand 26 Durban
14/07/07   Test South Africa 6 New Zealand 33 Christchurch
05/07/08   Test South Africa 8 New Zealand 19 Wellington
12/07/08   Test South Africa 30 New Zealand 28 Dunedin
16/08/08   Test South Africa 0 New Zealand 19 Newlands
25/07/09   Test South Africa 28 New Zealand 19 Bloemfontein
01/08/09   Test South Africa 31 New Zealand 19 Durban
12/09/09   Test South Africa 32 New Zealand 29 Hamilton
10/07/10   Test South Africa 12 New Zealand 32 Auckland
17/07/10   Test South Africa 17 New Zealand 31 Wellington
21/08/10   Test South Africa 22 New Zealand 29 Soweto
30/07/11   Test South Africa 7 New Zealand 40 Wellington
20/09/11   Test South Africa 18 New Zealand 5 Port Elizabeth
15/09/12   Test South Africa 11 New Zealand 21 Dunedin
06/10/12   Test South Africa 16 New Zealand 32 Johannesburg
14/09/13   Test South Africa 15 New Zealand 29 Auckland
05/10/13   Test South Africa 27 New Zealand 38 Johannesburg
13/09/14   Test South Africa 10 New Zealand 14 Wellington
04/10/14   Test South Africa 27 New Zealand 25 Johannesburg
25/07/15   Test South Africa 20 New Zealand 27 Johannesburg
24/10/15   Test South Africa 18 New Zealand 20 London
17/09/16   Test South Africa 13 New Zealand 41 Christchurch
08/10/16   Test South Africa 15 New Zealand 57 Durban
16/09/17   Test South Africa 0 New Zealand 57 Albany
07/10/17   Test South Africa 24 New Zealand 25 Cape Town
15/09/18   Test South Africa 36 New Zealand 34 Wellington
6/10/18   Test South Africa 30 New Zealand 32 Pretoria
27/07/19   Test South Africa 16 New Zealand 16 Wellington
21/09/19 RWC South Africa 13 New Zealand 23 Japan
25/09/21   Test South Africa 17 New Zealand 19 Queensland
2/10/21   Test South Africa 31 New Zealand 29 Queensland
6/08/22   Test South Africa 26 New Zealand 10 Mbombela
13/8/22   Test South Africa 23 New Zealand 35 Johannesburg
15/7/23  Test South Africa 20 New Zealand 35 Auckland
25/8/23  Test South Africa 35 New Zealand 7 London
28/10/23 RWC South Africa 12 New Zealand 11 Paris
31/8/24 Test South Africa 31 New Zealand 27 Johannesburg
7/9/24 Test South Africa 18 New Zealand 12 Cape Town
6/9/2025 Test South Africa 17 New Zealand 24 Duneden
13/9/2025 Test South Africa 43 New Zealand 10 Wellington
Total Points: 1785 2225
Games Played South Africa New Zealand Drawn
Played Won Won Drawn
Overall Record 110 43 63 4
At South African Venues 54 28 25 1
At New Zealand Venues 47 10 33 3
 RWC 8 4  4 0
Top Points Scorers
Name Country Points Tries Conversions Penalties Drop Goals
Dan Carter NZ 221 3 25 51 1
Andrew Mehrtens NZ 209 0 19 53 4
Beauden Barrett NZ 174 4 23 36 0
Handre Pollard SA 109 2 18 19 2
Percy Montgomery SA 103 1 16 19 3
Carlos Spencer NZ 84 3 12 15 0
Morne Steyn SA 71 1 3 19 1
Joel Stransky SA 54 0 3 14 2
Christian Cullen NZ 50 10 0 0 0
Naas Botha SA 44 0 7 9 1
Andre Pretorius SA 41 1 6 6 2
Joe Rokococo NZ 45 9 0 0 0
Braam van Straaten SA 40 0 5 10 0
Bryan Habana SA 40 8 0 0 0

*STATS AS PER SARUGBYSTATS

RUGBY’S GREATEST RIVALRY – IT DOES NOT GET BIGGER THAN SPRINGBOKS v ALL BLACKS

ALL BLACKS 10 SPRINGBOKS 43

ALL BLACKS 57 SPRINGBOKS 0

FAQ

What is the Springboks vs All Blacks record?
The All Blacks lead the all-time Test rivalry 63 wins to 43, with 4 draws after 110 matches.

What is the Springboks’ biggest win over the All Blacks?
South Africa’s biggest win over New Zealand is the 43-10 victory in Wellington on 13 September 2025.

What is the All Blacks’ biggest win over the Springboks?
New Zealand’s biggest win over South Africa is 57-0 in 2017.

Why is Springboks vs All Blacks called rugby’s greatest rivalry?
Because it combines more than a century of Test history, elite winning standards, repeated title-deciding matches and consistent relevance at the top of world rugby. SA Rugby now officially uses the term “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” for the fixture. The two nations have combined for seven World Cup titles.

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Andre Esterhuizen is the STECO hybrid power tools hero

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Andre Esterhuizen, Springboks, Sharks, STECO

Andre Esterhuizen and his hybrid rugby qualities have reaped reward off the field. He is the STECO Hybrid Power Tools Hero and Hybrid Craftsman for South Africa’s hottest new power tool brand, with 40 years of RYOBI credibility.

RUGBY’S FIRST HYBRID TEST PLAYER

Esterhuizen, recently on the cover of SA Rugby Magazine, has been outstanding for the Springboks and the Sharks, whom he captained in his 100th match and continues to lead in the United Rugby Championship.

John Stevens, RYOBI Africa and STECO CEO, in confirming the alignment with Andre ‘the Giant’ and the Hybrid Craftsman campaign, said it was a giant step into the rugby landscape for them as a business, but one that made for a perfect fit, given Esterhuizen’s role as Test rugby’s first proper hybrid player and the power of STECO’s hybrid tools.

‘The Shark’s captain and Springbok utility back has been moulded by coach Rassie Erasmus into the world’s first hybrid player; essentially he is versatile enough to perform at the highest level, globally, as both a back and a forward. This is a perfect metaphor for our STECO offering.’

‘Most power tools are walled gardens, but we have designed STECO batteries to work on RYOBI products and vice versa. Our industry-leading 20v batteries last longer, perform better, and offer the performance and power needed for residential and commercial building projects.’

Esterhuizen says, ‘It’s an absolutely synergistic partnership that just makes sense. The STECO team is proudly South African with several decades worth of credibiity. The Stevens and co team have built one of the most envious power tools offerings on the continent but their after sales, hands on approach, puts the customer at the heart of everything that they do. I’m honoured to represent my country, when given the opportunity. I am relishing the hybrid role that was created for me, and I’m excited to get to work with STECO as the hybrid craftsman, with the hybrid tools that I have at my disposal.’

STECO has been a partner of Keo.co.za and the Keo & Zels show for the past 18 months, with Keo & Zels dedicating a section of the show to the STECO Power Play of the weekend.

 

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That Power Play will now be the Hybrid Power Tools Hero of the weekend, with great competition prizes to be won.

BOKS SCRUM A STECO POWER PLAY OF BRUTALITY AND BEAUTY

ANDRE THE GIANT LEADS SHARKS TO SLAUGHTER OF THE SHARKS 

ANDRE THE GIANT SLAYS THE WELSH DRAGON

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France: Rugby’s Most Seductive Illusion

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France are rugby’s great illusion: Celebrated as royalty at home, but on the road they have too often travelled as peasants, as witnessed with the Murrayfield massacre in Scotland scoring 50 points.

The Six Nations match ended 50-40 to Scotland, but don’t be fooled. The story is Scotland scoring 40 unanswered points in the 20 minutes before half time and the 20 after the break.

Charitable tries to France in the final five minutes was never going to change the result, and it should not change the reflection of the match.

Rugby has always been seduced by France. The jerseys, the flair, the romance, the idea that somewhere inside the chaos lies genius. But the professional record, since 1996, tells a colder story.

Four wins from 40 Tests in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
No World Cup gold in 8 tournaments over 30 years
No southern hemisphere series victories.
Nine European titles in three decades.

I am among those always seduced by the folklore of the French, by the celebrated one-off World Cup wins against the All Blacks at Twickenham in the 1999 RWC semi-final and the 20-18 win against the All Blacks at the 2007 RWC quarter-final in Cardiff.

What followed was France losing the next match, one in a final and one in a semi-final.

France, when they hosted the 2007 World Cup, lost the opening match to Argentina and they lost the play-off for third and fourth place to Argentina.

France, in hosting the 2023 World Cup, lost to the defending champion Springboks in the quarter-final.

No Test rugby nation has ever enjoyed such continued hype and delivered such consistent failures.

Tests in the southern hemisphere against the Big Three:

  • Played: 40

  • Won: 4

  • Lost: 35

  • Drawn: 1
  • Win rate: 10%

The Breakdown:

  • New Zealand in New Zealand: 1 win from 18 Tests

  • Australia in Australia: 1 wins from 14 Tests

  • South Africa in South Africa: 2 wins from 8 Tests

France have not won a Test series in New Zealand, Australia or South Africa since the game turned professional in 1996.

At home against the same three nations:

  • Played: 40 Tests

  • Won: 17

  • Lost: 22

  • Drawn: 1

The All Blacks between 2004 and 2017 won seven times in succession in France.

  • 27 Nov 2004, Stade de France New Zealand 45-6 France

  • 11 Nov 2006, Stade de Gerland New Zealand 47-3 France

  • 18 Nov 2006, Stade de France New Zealand 23-11 France

  • 28 Nov 2009, Stade Vélodrome New Zealand 39-12 France

  • 9 Nov 2013, Stade de France New Zealand 26-19 France

  • 26 Nov 2016, Stade de France New Zealand 24-19 France

  • 11 Nov 2017, Stade de France New Zealand 38-18 France

The Springboks, between 2013 and 2025, have won five from six

  • 23 Nov 2013, Stade de France South Africa 19-10 France

  • 18 Nov 2017, Stade de France South Africa 18-17 France

  • 10 Nov 2018, Stade de France South Africa 29-26 France

  • 12 Nov 2022, Stade Vélodrome France 30-26 South Africa

  • 15 Oct 2023, Stade de France South Africa 29-28 France

  • 8 Nov 2025, Stade de France South Africa 32-17 France

Even in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse, France lose more than they win against the southern hemisphere trio of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Six Nations / Five Nations (1996–2025):

  • Tournaments: 30

  • Titles: 9

  • Runner-up: 7

  • Third: 4

  • Fourth: 7

  • Fifth: 2

France, under Fabien Galthié, between 2020 and 2025, have finished second, second, first, second, second and first in the Six Nations. They should add a 10th Six Nations title (in 31 attempts) this weekend when they play England in Paris.

But even that renaissance came with its defining moment on home soil in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris, when France lost to the Springboks in the quarter-final in Paris.

The margin was just that one point, but one point was as powerful at 20 on the night.

The Boks, defending the World Cup title, won the tournament in beating England in the semi-final and New Zealand in the final, each play-off win being with a point.

France felt they had been a dirty but one year later, hyped again, they fell once more to the Springboks, who won 32-17 in Paris, despite playing 14-15 for 30 of the 80 minutes.

The Boks, in their last 11 matches against France, six in France and five in South Africa, have won five in France and five in South Africa. They have lost one, 30-26 in Marseilles in 2022.

Saturday’s visit to Murrayfield was significant in the assessment of a French team that had been dominant against Ireland in Paris, Wales in Cardiff and Italy in Lille.

Scotland, at Murrayfield, would be as good a measure as any to the mental resolve of a French squad that must travel further than the flight to Edinburgh when challenging for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

Scotland, at Murrayfield, was a reinforcement of the fragility of the French player psyche when not playing at home.

The defeat, given the hype around France, shocked many, but the manner in which they fell apart was consistent with the past 30 years of professionalism.

FRENCH MEDIA REACTION TO MURRAYFIELD MAYHEM

The World Cup myth

France’s World Cup record since professionalism:

World Cup Result
1999 Finalists
2003 Semi-final
2007 Semi-final
2011 Finalists
2015 Quarter-final
2019 Quarter-final
2023 Quarter-final
2027 TBD

World Cups since 1996: 8
Titles: 0

France, on those big rugby days when expectation leads them into battle, are not the aristocrats rugby imagines them to be.

They are the sport’s most celebrated illusion, so magnificent in the telling, but far less imposing in the reckoning.

SIX NATIONS LATEST: EVERY PLAYER AND TEAM STATISTIC

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Dave Rennie is a red flag for Rassie and his world champion Boks

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Dave Rennie, the new All Blacks coach, is a red flag for Rassie & his world champions Boks. Here is why as the Boks prepare for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry four-Test series against the All Blacks, three in South Africa and the final Test in Baltimore, USA.

Rennie’s record against the Springboks, when coach of the Wallabies between 2020 and 2022, is a powerful statement.

Rennie’s Wallabies beat the Springboks three times in four Tests

Against the Springboks coached by Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber, Rennie’s Australia team went:

  • 3 wins

  • 1 loss

Victories came in:

  • Gold Coast (2021)

  • Brisbane (2021)

  • Adelaide (2022)

The Boks won 24-8 in Sydney a week after the Adelaide defeat. It marked Canan Moodie’s Test debut as a 19 year-old.

Even more powerful is Rennie’s record, as Chiefs coach between 2012 and 2017, against South African Super Rugby Teams.

Rennie’s tenure at the Chiefs (2012-2017):

Chiefs vs South African franchises

  • Played: 24

  • Wins: 18

  • Draws: 2

  • Losses: 4

 

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Rennie’s Chiefs vs South African teams (2012–2017)

2012

  1. Cheetahs 11 – 29 Chiefs
    Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

  2. Sharks 18 – 28 Chiefs
    Kings Park, Durban

  3. Chiefs 34 – 18 Lions
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

  4. Chiefs 28 – 19 Bulls
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

  5. Chiefs 37 – 6 Sharks (Final)
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Record: 5 wins, 0 losses


2013

  1. Chiefs 34 – 20 Cheetahs
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

  2. Stormers 36 – 34 Chiefs
    Newlands, Cape Town

  3. Chiefs 56 – 29 Kings
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

  4. Chiefs 34 – 22 Sharks
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Record: 3 wins, 1 loss


2014

  1. Chiefs 28 – 19 Stormers
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

  2. Chiefs 22 – 16 Lions
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

  3. Bulls 34 – 34 Chiefs
    Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

  4. Cheetahs 20 – 20 Chiefs
    Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Record: 2 wins, 2 draws


2015

  1. Stormers 19 – 29 Chiefs
    Newlands, Cape Town

  2. Chiefs 41 – 27 Bulls
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

  3. Chiefs 27 – 24 Cheetahs
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

  4. Sharks 18 – 17 Chiefs
    Kings Park, Durban

Record: 3 wins, 1 loss


2016

  1. Chiefs 37 – 29 Kings
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

  2. Chiefs 24 – 22 Sharks
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

  3. Lions 43 – 20 Chiefs
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

  4. Stormers 21 – 60 Chiefs (Quarter-final)
    Newlands, Cape Town

Record: 3 wins, 1 loss


2017

  1. Chiefs 28 – 12 Bulls
    FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

  2. Stormers 34 – 26 Chiefs
    Newlands, Cape Town

  3. Stormers 11 – 17 Chiefs (Quarter-final)
    Newlands, Cape Town

Record: 2 wins, 1 loss


Overall Rennie Chiefs record vs South African teams

Matches: 24
Wins: 18
Draws: 2
Losses: 4

Win rate: ~75%

Record in South Africa

Played in South Africa: 8

  • Wins: 4

  • Draws: 2

  • Losses: 2

Unbeaten in 6 of 8 matches in South Africa.

Losses were:

  • Sharks 18 – 17 Chiefs (Durban, 2015)

  • Stormers 34 – 26 Chiefs (Cape Town, 2017)

Of Rennie’s 20 positive results (18 wins + 2 draws) against South African opposition:

  • 6 came in South Africa

  • 14 came in New Zealand

Against individual SA franchises

  • Sharks: 4–1

  • Stormers: 3–2

  • Bulls: 3–0–1 (incl. draw)

  • Cheetahs: 3–0–1

  • Lions: 2–1

  • Kings: 2–0

 

Playoff record vs SA teams

  • 2–0

2016 Quarter-final

Stormers 21–60 Chiefs
Newlands, Cape Town

2017 Quarter-final

Stormers 11–17 Chiefs
Newlands, Cape Town

The Stormers team beaten 60-21 at home in 2016 included seven Springboks (at the time). Six of those Springboks would become World Cup winners.

  • Siya Kolisi – future Springbok captain

  • Eben Etzebeth – Springbok lock & the most capped Test Bok.

  • Frans Malherbe – Springbok tighthead

  • Bongi Mbonambi – Springbok hooker

  • Steven Kitshoff – Springbok loosehead

  • Damian de Allende – Springbok centre

  • Juan de Jongh – Springbok centre

Rennie, who won three successive under 20 World titles, won his final one against the Junior Springboks 37-6. It was the only time his under 20s met South Africa in the three tournaments. 

RUGBY’S GREATEST RIVALRY: AFTER 30 YEARS THE ALL BLACKS ARE TOURING SOUTH AFRICA 

Rennie has been appointed All Blacks coach until the completion of the 2027 World Cup in Australia. He replaces Scott Robertson who was axed after two seasons, having won 20 from 27 Tests for a 75 percent win record. Robertson, however lost three from four Tests to the Springboks, including a record 43-10 home defeat in Wellington in 2025.

KEO: MARKUS MULLER WILL PLAY FOR SPRINGBOKS IN 2026

SPRINGBOKS LEAD LATEST WORLD RANKINGS AND ENGLAND DROP TO 6th 

1 South Africa 93.94

2 New Zealand 90.33

3 Ireland 88.89

4 France 87.03 (-1.37)

5 Argentina 84.97 (+1)

6 England 84.34 (-1.28) (-1)

7 Scotland 83.08 (+1.37)

8 Australia 81.53

9 Fiji 81.14

10 Italy 81.09 (+1.28)

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How the French & Scottish rugby media told the story of Murrayfield’s madness

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The French rugby media called it Murrayfield’s madness. The Scottish rugby media called it Murrayfield’s magical night. Scotland’s 50-40 Six Nations win crushed France’s Grand Slam and turned the tournament’s last round into a three-horse race for the title.

France, Scotland or Ireland can win the title.

France hosts England and Ireland is at home to Scotland.

Ireland have beaten Scotland 11 successive times, but this season’s Six Nations has been about rewriting history.

How French Media Reported the Scotland Win

Shock and disbelief France’s Grand Slam hopes destroyed.

Typical framing in L’Équipe-style coverage:

  • “La France renversée à Murrayfield”

  • “La gifle écossaise”

  • “Un match fou”

Meaning:

  • France overturned in Edinburgh

  • A Scottish slap

  • A crazy match

Narrative themes

  1. Defensive collapse – France conceding 50 points was central to the coverage.

  2. Discipline problems – yellow cards and loss of control.

  3. Scottish attacking brilliance – especially Finn Russell’s orchestration.

French outlets emphasised the humiliation of conceding a half-century rather than Scotland’s title credentials.


🇫🇷 Midi Olympique

Editorial tone

Rugby analysis rather than emotional headlines.

Midi-Olympique focused on:

  • France’s defensive structure breaking down

  • Scotland’s tempo and width

  • The tactical battle between Gregor Townsend and Fabien Galthié

Typical angle:

France lost the collision battle and could not control Scotland’s attacking rhythm.

They also highlighted the fact that Scotland scored seven tries, one of the biggest attacking displays against France in modern Six Nations rugby.


🇫🇷 Rugbyrama

Editorial tone

“Match de folie” match of madness

Rugbyrama leaned heavily into the spectacle of the game.

Typical themes:

  • 13 tries

  • chaotic momentum swings

  • Scotland blowing the title race open

The site emphasised that Scotland were 40-14 up before France mounted a late comeback, reinforcing the idea that the damage had already been done.

KEO: SIX NATIONS STUNNER


How Scottish Media Reported the Match

🏴 The Rugby Paper

One of Scotland’s greatest modern performances.

Themes highlighted:

  • Scotland scoring seven tries

  • Scotland blowing open the Six Nations title race

  • Finn Russell masterclass

Scottish media leaned heavily on the idea that this was Townsend’s best Scotland performance.


🏴 The Scotsman

Typical narrative:

“A Murrayfield classic.”

Focus points:

  • Scotland’s attacking brilliance

  • Darcy Graham becoming Scotland’s record try scorer

  • belief that Scotland can challenge for the title

The tone was celebratory but also analytical about Scotland’s development under Gregor Townsend.


🏴 Scottish Sun

Tabloid framing:

  • “FRENCH FRIED”

  • “MURRAYFIELD MAYHEM”

The tabloids leaned heavily into the spectacle of 50 points against France, something rarely seen in the Six Nations era.

 SIX NATIONS: EVERY PLAYER STAT, TEAM STAT AND LAST ROUND PERMUTATION

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How the English and Italian rugby media told the story of Rome

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The English rugby media treated Rome – and England’s first ever defeat to Italy – as a national embarrassment. The Italian rugby media media treated Rome as a national coming-of-age. In England, the theme was blame. In Italy, it was belief.

Here’s your summary of Italy’s 23-18 win against England in the Six Nations. It was the first time Italy had beaten England in their 33rd match-up over 35 years.

The English media line

1) The broad English newspaper angle: crisis, collapse, pressure on Borthwick
The dominant English framing was not “Italy were lucky”; it was England hit a new low. The Guardian called it a historic first victory for Italy and linked it directly to England’s worsening form and a potential crisis under Steve Borthwick. The Telegraph’s line was even harsher: England’s Six Nations is “in ruins” and the defeat was “shattering.” The Independent pushed the same direction, focusing on the “horror half-hour,” the squandered lead, and the pressure now building on Borthwick’s future.

2) The rugby specialist English angle: self-destruction and indiscipline
The rugby-first English platforms were even more forensic. RugbyPass framed it as a historic defeat that piles pressure on Borthwick, while Planet Rugby went bigger: a history-making Italy result that leaves Borthwick’s job “on the line.” Reuters, reporting the post-match reaction, zeroed in on Borthwick’s own explanation: ill-discipline. Across those outlets, the common English diagnosis was clear: England were in control, then lost composure, bled penalties/cards, and handed Italy the game.

3) The key English match narrative
Across Sky Sports, Reuters, the Independent and the Guardian, the repeated turning points were the same: England built a lead, then yellow cards to Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje swung the match, Italy attacked the space and momentum, and Leonardo Marin’s late try finished it. So the English press consensus is: this was less an accident than an England implosion under pressure.

4) The official England Rugby tone: controlled, stripped of drama
England Rugby’s own match report was the least emotional of the English sources. It acknowledged the “first-ever” Italy win and the late try, but the wording was institutional rather than alarmist. That contrast matters: where newspapers saw embarrassment and political heat, the RFU house style presented it as a narrow defeat decided late.

The Italian media line

1) The dominant Italian framing: history, taboo broken, national step forward
Italian coverage was almost unanimous in tone: historic breakthrough. Gazzetta dello Sport said Italy “made history” and broke the last taboo in the Six Nations. The FIR official site called it an “heroic” Italy that beat England for the first time. Corriere dello Sport led with “storica impresa,” while Corriere della Sera called it the first historic win over the English and the end of an era of chasing.

2) The rugby specialist Italian angle: Italy are now a real team
OnRugby’s tone was especially revealing. Their post-match report and ratings were not just celebratory; they argued this was proof that Italy is now a proper, dangerous side. Their language around the team being “una squadra vera” was important because it moved the story beyond one upset and into a larger idea: Gonzalo Quesada has built a side with belief, cohesion and edge.

3) The Italian narrative emphasis: courage, crowd, growth, Quesada
Italian outlets kept returning to four ideas: the crowd at the Olimpico, the emotional significance of finally beating England, the character of the comeback, and Quesada’s long-build project. FIR explicitly described Italy as courageous in a messy, difficult match that had seemed to be slipping away. Gazzetta and Corriere framed it not as a freak day but as the latest step in an upward curve.

KEO: SIX NATIONS STUNNER

The real split between England and Italy

The English press mostly wrote the match as an England failure.
The Italian press mostly wrote it as an Italy arrival.

That is the essential media divide.

England’s outlets asked:

  • How bad is this for Borthwick?

  • Why is England so ill-disciplined?

  • How do you lose from there?

  • Is this the tournament hitting rock bottom?

Italy’s outlets asked:

  • How big is this moment for Italian rugby?

  • What does it say about Quesada’s team?

  • Has the final Six Nations taboo now been removed?

  • Can this side go on and make more history?

Outlet-by-outlet quick breakdown

England

  • Guardian: historic Italy win, England crisis, discipline and drift.

  • Telegraph: England implosion, campaign in ruins, serious pressure on Borthwick.

  • Independent: tactical collapse, yellow cards, Borthwick future now a live issue.

  • Sky Sports: historic first Italy win, England misery, inquest mode.

  • RugbyPass: humiliation and heat on Borthwick.

  • Planet Rugby: history made, pressure severe, job-on-the-line framing.

  • Reuters: cleanest straight-news read England lost control through indiscipline.

  • England Rugby: sober official language, late loss, no emotional panic.

Italy

  • Gazzetta dello Sport: history, last taboo broken, emotional national milestone.

  • Corriere della Sera: historic first, comeback, national significance.

  • Corriere dello Sport: “storica impresa,” celebratory and big-picture.

  • OnRugby: detailed rugby reading Italy are now a genuine side, not a novelty winner.

  • FIR / Federugby: heroic, historic, proof of growth under Quesada.

 SIX NATIONS: EVERY PLAYER STAT, TEAM STAT AND LAST ROUND PERMUTATION

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International Rugby

Six Nations stunner as Scotland fry France & Italy shock England

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The romance of the Six Nations reached a peak in Rome when Italy beat England for the first time & in Edinburgh Scotland fried France’s Grand Slam.

What joy for the Italians, the biggest movers in world rugby in the past three seasons.

They won 23-18, having led 10-5 in the 39th minute, then trailed 18-10, only to find something out of the ordinary in 23 year-old midfielder Tommaso Menoncello who scored a spectacular try and made an equally imposing break as the try-assist for the winner in the 73rd minute.

England had beaten Italy 32 times in succession, gone past 50 on nine occasions and blanked the Italians twice in the past 35 years, but in Rome history was there to be written, given England’s Six Nations slump, and Italy duly rewrote history.

It was glorious for the Italians and equally mesmerising for the rugby neutral. This was a win that has been building for a bit. Italy, this season, won against Scotland in Rome, were in touching distance of toppling Ireland in Dublin and trailed France 19-11 with 10 minutes to go in Lille.

France, in scoring three late tries, won more comfortably than the first 70 minutes played out, and Italy took those painful lessons and applied them in Rome. They played until the 81st minute, refusing to cave to expectation or implode in what is among their biggest wins in history.

Italy have won against the Springboks once and Australia a couple of times. They have beaten France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, but never England and the All Blacks. Now that list is down to just the All Blacks.

England, in the last month, have gone from a team unbeaten in 12 matches, to one shell-shocked with three successive defeats, hammerings to Scotland (away) and Ireland (home).

Now this result in Rome and France in Paris still to come next weekend.

Their next Test is on the 4th July against the world champion Springboks in Pretoria.

A month ago the English were pleading to play the Boks the next weekend. The ‘Bring on the Boks’ chorus is now on mute.

Scotland, beaten in the opening round in Rome, responded with a comprehensive home win against England before a late seven pointer in the 75th minute downed Wales in Cardiff.

On Saturday, at Murrayfield, Scotland were irresistible in scoring 40 unanswered points in as many minutes in the last 20 of the first half and the first 20 of the second half to turn a 14-7 deficit into a 47-14 lead. France scored two tries in the back end to bring it back to 47-26 with less than 10 minutes to go. Finn Russell kicked a penalty to bring up the 50 and in a bizarre finish to the Test, France scored two more tries in the last three minutes to force a scoreline of 50-40, which was everything but how the match had played out for 65 minutes.

Scotland travel to Dublin in next weekend’s final round with the hopes of winning the title, should France stumble at home to England.

Ireland can also win the title if they beat Scotland and France lose to England.

SIX NATIONS: EVERY MATCH REPORT, PLAYER STAT AND TEAM STAT FROM ROUND 4

*Ireland, on Friday night needed a late try to beat Wales 27-17 in Dublin in what was the round of the tournament.

SIX NATIONS: ROUND 3 REMINDER

SPRINGBOKS LEAD LATEST WORLD RANKINGS AND ENGLAND DROP TO 6th 

1 South Africa 93.94

2 New Zealand 90.33

3 Ireland 88.89

4 France 87.03 (-1.37)

5 Argentina 84.97 (+1)

6 England 84.34 (-1.28) (-1)

7 Scotland 83.08 (+1.37)

8 Australia 81.53

9 Fiji 81.14

10 Italy 81.09 (+1.28)

 

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