Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Kurt-Lee Arendse shone as South Africa thrashed Japan 61-7 in their clash at Wembley.
Ten years on from the greatest of all Rugby World Cup shocks, Eddie Jones was bidding to mastermind another Japanese success over the Springboks but instead watched his Brave Blossoms get demolished and outclassed for 80 minutes in London.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Arendse scored two tries apiece, with the former pulling the strings from No 10 spectacularly, while Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Andre Estehuizen and Jesse Kriel also crossed, as well as the fearsome South African driving maul earning a penalty try.
It was the latest ominous warning to the rest of the rugby world from Rassie Erasmus’s back-to-back world champions and they head into mouth-watering clashes with France and Ireland in the next few weeks full of confidence
Relive all the action from Wembley with our live blog below:
South Africa vs Japan live
- South Africa thrash Japan 61-7 at Wembley
- 67' - TRY! Kolbe magic ends with kick over the top that Arendse dives on for the try (SA 54-7 JPN)
- 63' - TRY! Esterhuizen powers over from close range (SA 47-7 JPN)
- 59' - TRY! Arendse picks up a loose ball and runs over for the try (SA 40-7 JPN)
- 48' - TRY! Louw rumbles over after quick hands from Smith (SA 33-0 JPN)
- 19' - TRY! Feinberg-Mngomezulu with gorgeous solo try (SA 19-0 JPN)
- 5' - TRY! Kolisi dots down at the back of a driving maul (SA 7-0 JPN)
WATCH: South Africa down Japan at Wembley
18:45 , Luke BakerHere’s a couple of South Africa’s tries this afternoon
The captain goes over! ©️
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) November 1, 2025
The Springboks make a quick start in Wembley as Siya Kolisi scores 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/KCPeYmyT7s
"Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu with an absolute scorcher for the Springboks!" 🔥
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) November 1, 2025
A sensational solo try from the South African to stretch their lead over Japan 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/SK5mkfguaG
South Africa 61-7 Japan
18:30 , Luke BakerThe Springboks had far too much in the tank for Japan today
Springboks start autumn internationals with a bang
18:19 , Luke BakerA perfect day at the office for the Springboks at Wembley
A big win in London as the Boks start the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour with a bang 👊#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvJAP pic.twitter.com/JNS4cLPw32
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 1, 2025
FULL-TIME! South Africa 61-7 Japan
18:03 , Luke BakerIt’s all over at Wembley. A complete and utter demolition job by the Springboks.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was brilliant pulling the strings in the first half and Kurt-Lee Arendse produced moments of magic after the break as the Brave Blossoms couldn’t cope.
No one can stop South Africa at the moment.
TRY! South Africa 61-7 Japan (Jesse Kriel, 79 mins)
17:59 , Luke BakerStill time for one more Boks try and they clear 60 points!
Libbok takes a high ball and quickly shifts it left to Arendse, he bursts through an arm tackle, draws in Greene and pops inside to Jesse Kriel. It’s an easy run-in for the centre and he gets his 20th try for South Africa.
Libbok adds the conversion which gets the Boks beyond 60
South Africa 54-7 Japan, 78 mins
17:57 , Luke BakerArendse with a jump step into a half gap before Nortje barrels into contact. But Japan hold firm and Libbok eventually opts for a kick, which he shanks straight into the air. The Brave Blossoms claims and clear over halfway. Into the final knockings at Wembley.
South Africa 54-7 Japan, 77 mins
17:55 , Luke BakerA rare lineout malfunction from South Africa as Japan win the ball and scramble away, although they barely clear the 22.
The Boks come again, with De Allende providing a big carry before Smith knocks on in contact. Japan try to counter but the dark green wall shows no sign of breaking, so Sam Greene boots clear
South Africa 54-7 Japan, 74 mins
17:53 , Luke BakerFaulua Makisi tackled by Libbok and Kwagga Smith is straight over the top of the ball. Perfect body position and wins the turnover penalty. Class.
South Africa 54-7 Japan, 71 mins
17:51 , Luke BakerThis is getting badly out of hand for Japan now. Arendse is smelling a hat-trick as he slips through a gap down the left flank and hares into the 22 but the Brave Blossoms scramble their defence back.
TRY! South Africa 54-7 Japan (Kurt-Lee Arendse, 67 mins)
17:48 , Luke BakerWOW! This is a stunning try. Kolbe catches the ball in his own 22 and there’s not really anything on. But he makes something happen.
He accelerates and finds a gap between two defenders. Space opens up in front of him and he bursts into it before chipping a kick over the top.
It bounces forward into the 22 and Kurt-Lee Arendse has given chase, diving on it and sliding over the line for the try. Sublime!
TRY! South Africa 47-7 Japan (Andre Esterhuizen, 63 mins)
17:44 , Luke BakerThe maul from the lineout is stopped this time but South Africa are patient. They work the ball inside and run a couple of phases.
And Andre Esterhuizen has the try he was denied earlier. The former Harlequin comes around the corner and the ball is popped to him. He takes contact from three defenders but powers through them and drives over the line. Physical, effective rugby.
That was more a centre move than a back rower, you’d say. Either way, it’s try number seven for the Boks and Libbok adds the conversion
South Africa 40-7 Japan, 62 mins
17:40 , Luke BakerThe Springboks not letting up, constantly probing at the Japan defence. They win another penalty and Libbok kicks to the corner. Here comes that lineout again...
TRY! South Africa 40-7 Japan (Kurt-Lee Arendse, 59 mins)
17:37 , Luke BakerThis try will count though! De Jager is stronger than Jack Cornelsen at lineout time and pilfers the ball.
Libok then lofts a kick forward, Kurt-Lee Arendse competes, the ball bounces around on the floor, it’s hacked forward and Arendse is alert to pick it up and dash over for the try. The Boks are rocking and rolling once more
NO TRY! South Africa 33-7 Japan, 56 mins
17:35 , Luke BakerThe former Harlequins are enjoying being back in London! After Wilco Louw’s try, Andre Esterhuizen joins the party!
The centre/back rower gets the ball at the back of a driving maul, picks his moment and splinters off to dive over for the try.
BUT NO! TMO check and it’s ruled out as RG Snyman blocks the Japanese players by standing in front of the jumper at the formation of the maul. Japan penalty instead
South Africa 33-7 Japan, 54 mins
17:33 , Luke BakerAll-new half-back combination for the Springboks as Grant Williams and Manie Libbok come on.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu goes off to a huge ovation. Along with maybe Henry Pollock, he’s the breakout player of 2025 in world rugby and has been brilliant again today.
If you want an indication of modern rugby, Japan have brought on Tiennan Costley, a back rower by trade, on out on the wing as well
TRY! South Africa 33-7 Japan (Yoshitaka Yazaki, 52 mins)
17:29 , Luke BakerJAPAN HAVE THEIR TRY! Tap and go from the free-kick sets them up a few metres out.
They go through the phases and then win another penalty. Yoshitaka Yazaki, the 21-year-old full-back, who is still an amateur player, spots a gap, taps and goes quickly and is able to dive between defenders, across the line.
The Boks caught napping but a great moment for the young man - good rugby IQ. Conversion added and the Brave Blossoms are on the board.
South Africa 33-0 Japan, 50 mins
17:27 , Luke BakerGunter’s sin-bin will remain as a yellow card. Not upgraded to red. So that’s a rare bit of good news for Japan.
They also have a lineout about 10 metres out. It’s scrappy but they will have the free-kick as the Springboks joined early.
That try was a great moment for Louw, by the way.
TRY! South Africa 33-0 Japan (Wilco Louw, 48 mins)
17:24 , Luke BakerAnd try time! Feinberg-Mngomezulu creates it again, picking his moment and feeding Kwagga Smith, who shows brilliantly quick hands to pop inside to big Wilco Louw.
A slight bobble initially but the big man gathers and rumbles the final few metres over the line for his first Boks try! Big celebrations - lovely moment.
South Africa 26-0 Japan, 46 mins
17:22 , Luke BakerThe Springboks knocking on the door around the 22. Big carry from Mostert, who has been superb today, gains more ground.
Kolbe darts inside and the Boks are getting closer.
South Africa 26-0 Japan, 45 mins
17:20 , Luke BakerSnyman with a sublime, back-of-the-hand offload to Marx to make extra ground before Reinach reloads and feeds Wiese who gains plenty of metres after contact. De Jager then takes the ball in but there’s a knock-on. Good defensive work by Dearns.
Some Boks replacements, including Andre Esterhuizen, best known as a centre, coming on in the back row. Rassie Erasmus promised he’d be an option on the flank and is good to his word.
SIN-BIN! South Africa 26-0 Japan (Ben Gunter, 43 mins)
17:18 , Luke BakerTMO check here for a high tackle. Kolisi is going down to pick up the ball and Japan flanker Ben Gunter makes head contact as he goes in for the tackle. No 6 on No 6 action there.
The referee has seen enough and sends him to the sin-bin, where the bunker will decide if it needs upgrading. The Brave Blossoms briefly down to 13 men, although Takeuchi’s sin-bin is over now, so they’re back up to 14.
South Africa 26-0 Japan, 42 mins
17:16 , Luke BakerAny bits of good immediately cancelled out by the bad from Japan.
Good carry from Leitch, drives his legs to keep going forward. But then they mess up a lineout and Dearns knocks on. Frustrating
KICK-OFF! South Africa 26-0 Japan
17:15 , Luke BakerBack underway at Wembley. How many points will the Boks put up?
WATCH: Feinberg-Mngomezulu's stunning solo score
17:10 , Luke BakerHere’s that brilliant, solo Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu try from the first half - what a turn of pace, combined with power
"Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu with an absolute scorcher for the Springboks!" 🔥
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) November 1, 2025
A sensational solo try from the South African to stretch their lead over Japan 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/SK5mkfguaG
HALF-TIME! South Africa 26-0 Japan
16:58 , Luke BakerComplete domination for South Africa at Wembley. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been phenomenal, pulling the strings form fly half, creating chances and scoring two tries himself, while also contributing defensively - including a try-saving interception.
A penalty try and Siya Kolisi’s dot down - both from driving mauls - are the other Boks scores as they’re in complete control. Japan also down to 14 men, with Shuhei Takeuchi in the sin-bin
South Africa 26-0 Japan, 40 mins
16:55 , Luke BakerThe maul is stopped and Wiese makes the tackle off the blindside dart.
A couple of scrappy phases and Wiese wins the turnover penalty! Just too strong and that sums up the first half for the Springboks
South Africa 26-0 Japan, 39 mins
16:54 , Luke BakerAnother Japanese penalty as Marx has his hands on the floor. Osada boots to touch and they’ve got a lineout about 10 metres out.
Can they score just before half-time?
South Africa 26-0 Japan, 38 mins
16:53 , Luke BakerKolbe goes into contact and the penalty is awarded to Japan as they get over the ball well. But that’s soon overturned! Replays show scrum half Shinobu Fujiwara caught Kolbe high in the tackle.
However, good lineout defence from Japan as they win a penalty right back and kick into Bok territory.
TRY! South Africa 26-0 Japan (penalty try, 35 mins)
16:51 , Luke BakerYup! Domination once more and South Africa are awarded the penalty try.
The dynamic driving maul is on the mood, headed for the line when Shuhei Takeuchi hauls it down. Clearly illegal, referee Eoghan Cross raises his hand and runs under the sticks to indicate a penalty try.
For his troubles, Takeuchi is also yellow-carded and heads to the sin-bin for 10 minutes.
South Africa 19-0 Japan, 33 mins
16:47 , Luke BakerHmmmm. More disappointment for Japan, who have a good platform but full-back Yazaki overruns his line slightly, the pass is a touch behind him and it hits the deck. Poor execution all round
South Africa 19-0 Japan, 31 mins
16:45 , Luke BakerConcern for debutant Springbok prop Zach Porthen as he’s down injured. You don’t want your first Test appearance to end after just 30 minutes.
He’s adamant that he’s fine to the physio and will try to continue at least, which is good news.
South Africa 19-0 Japan, 28 mins
16:41 , Luke BakerClever lineout from Japan as they go off the back and the ball is popped in the direction of Leitch who would have a simple crash over the try line. But it’s read by, who else, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu!
The Springbok fly-half steps in and intercepts the pop pass before it gets to Leitch and saves a try! He is doing nothing wrong.
South Africa 19-0 Japan, 26 mins
16:39 , Luke BakerNow Feinberg-Mngomezulu showing his class in defence. He scoots across in his own 22 to deftly collect a dangerous grubber kick through, gets outside one man then shows quick feet to jink past another before kicking clear. So calmly done.
But Japan win a penalty and kick to the corner. Golden opportunity that they must take.
South Africa 19-0 Japan, 22 mins
16:35 , Luke BakerSome bad news for South Africa as Ox Nche is accidentally tripped by Warner Dearns and has injured himself. He’s forced off, with Gerhard Steenekamp on
TRY! South Africa 19-0 Japan (Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 19 mins)
16:32 , Luke BakerThat's because Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has worked his magic again. The best young fly-half in world rugby receives the ball outside the 22, drifts across, slides through a gap with a half-dummy, shakes off an arm tackle and surges past another defender to dive over the line! Incredible stuff.
He is human however, as his conversion attempt slips wide
South Africa 14-0 Japan, 17 mins
16:30 , Luke BakerThe Springbok pack splinters their Japanese counterparts at scrum time. Penalty advantage but they won't need it!
South Africa 14-0 Japan, 15 mins
16:28 , Luke BakerJapan again get decent field position but again waste it. Leitch isolated at the breakdown and the impressive Marx gets over the ball, as does Wiese. Penalty Boks.
Japan full-back Yoshitaka Yazaki then spills the ball on his own 22 with Arendse hunting him down. Springbok scrum in an attacking position.
TRY! South Africa 14-0 Japan (Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 13 mins)
16:26 , Luke BakerOh no! Disaster for Japan. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu lofts a kick into the 22 and chases it hard. He contests with Seung Sin Lee, who spills it backwards under pressure and the Springbok fly half is there to snatch the loose ball and dive over the line.
Great kick chase from the young superstar and he gets his reward. Easy conversion for the No 10 and South Africa are rocking here.
South Africa 7-0 Japan, 12 mins
16:23 , Luke BakerMarx to Mostert at the lineout but Wiese knocks the pass on. A rare misfire and Japan clear.
South Africa 7-0 Japan, 11 mins
16:22 , Luke BakerJapan make a mess of the lineout and they’re turned over, the chance slips away. South Africa run a few phases in their own half, nice carry from Nche, before another long kick to test the Japanese back three in these wet conditions.
And Marx wins a penalty! Gets over the ball and can’t be moved by two Japan players. Into the 22 for a lineout...
South Africa 7-0 Japan, 8 mins
16:20 , Luke BakerA first scrum of the day and the Boks pack look as solid as ever. A kicking battle ensues and Japan are defensively disciplined to get the advantage.
Hooker then out-jumps Leitch to win an up-and-under but gets turned over and the Brave Blossoms eventually awarded the penalty on halfway. Decent attacking platform up towards the 22 after the kick to touch,
TRY! South Africa 7-0 Japan (Siya Kolisi, 5 mins)
16:16 , Luke BakerThis time the maul can't be stopped - legally or otherwise! De Jager takes the lineout cleanly, the Boks pack grind towards the line and Siya Kolisi drops down for the score. Too easy.
Tricky conversion for Feinberg-Mngomezulu out wide on the right but he bangs it through. Class.
South Africa 0-0 Japan, 3 mins
16:14 , Luke BakerJapan illegally bring down the Boks maul from the five-metre lineout. In the Wembley rain, SA then spread the ball left but it’s spilled into touch.
No matter, back for the penalty five metres out and the lineout will have another crack
South Africa 0-0 Japan, 2 mins
16:13 , Luke BakerSouth Africa press early. A quick lineout from Kolbe after a hurried Japan clearance gets them going and they win a penalty to earn a platform in the 22. Here comes the lineout...
KICK-OFF! South Africa 0-0 Japan
16:12 , Luke BakerUnderway in London! Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicks deep - can Japan cause another mighty upset of will the Springboks do the business?
Wembley deserted
16:11 , Luke BakerI’m going to be honest, this is an absolutely dismal turnout at Wembley. The top two tiers are closed and the bottom tier is only two-thirds full at most.
Even the mighty Boks can’t sell out every stadium, regardless of opposition, it seems
Kick-off not far away
16:04 , Luke BakerWe’re lurching inexorably towards kick-off at Wembley. Warm-ups done and the teams are out for the anthems.
South Africa vs Japan match officials
16:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleReferee: Eoghan Cross (Ire)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Adam Leal (Eng)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Sco)
FPRO: Tual Trainini (Fra)
Springboks assistant wary of Eddie Jones's influence
15:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa assistant coach Mzwandile Stick knows that his side face a tough test against an Eddie Jones-coached Japan.
“If you look at Eddie’s record and where he has coached in his career, he is a world-renowned coach,” said Stick.
“He’s also been to South Africa, and he understands how we operate, so he knows the right buttons to press when it comes to motivating his players. He’s already said a win at Wembley will be something special for them, and a lot of those guys play for him.
“Adding to that, he has a good coaching staff behind him with guys like Gary Gold, who has coached some of our players, and Victor Matfield, who has played with some of the guys in our team, and they understand our DNA. So, we need to be at our best on Saturday.”
Eddie Jones explains challenge of facing Springboks
15:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleJapan boss Eddie Jones has laid out the challenge his side face as they confront the Springboks at Wembley this afternoon.
“I don’t think it’s any secret when you’re playing against South Africa, and they don’t make it a secret. They get 30 metres from your line, two forwards come around the same way and you know it’s coming, you’ve just got to be good enough to stop it,” he said on the Rugby Unity podcast.
“You’ve got to be able to neutralise the high ball and if you can stop those two parts, you will give yourselves a chance of winning the game.
“When you get possession, you’ve got to be accurate and you’ve got to be sharp.
“They give you opportunities to attack. They play a half blitz defence where the winger can come in from the 15 metres to close at the near post, so you’ve either got to try to play through that, which is one way, or play over it, or like New Zealand traditionally do, try to play around it, which is fraught with high risk and little return.
“We’ll try to find a way to break that down and give it a red-hot go.”
Japan impress in Australia defeat
15:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleJapan were in action in Tokyo seven days ago, pushing Australia very, very close but ultimately falling just short.
Australia get one over on Eddie Jones with rain-soaked Japan win
Ben Earl, Andre Esterhuizen and what rugby’s hybrid players tell us about the future of the sport
15:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleAndre Esterhuizen is covering the back row for South Africa today, the super-sized centre part of a developing trend of players capable in the backs or forwards - as I explore:
Earl, Esterhuizen and what hybrid players tell us about the future of rugby
Team news - Japan
15:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleJapan make two changes to the side that pushed Australia close in Tokyo last weekend, with Eddie Jones hoping to continue to build continuity and confidence within his squad. Charlie Lawrence replaces Shogo Nakano at inside centre, partnering the experienced and excellent Dylan Riley, while Kenji Sato takes over from Hayate Era at hooker.
Japan XV: 1 Kenta Kobayashi, 2 Kenji Sato, 3 Shuhei Takeuchi; 4 Jack Cornelsen, 5 Warner Dearns; 6 Ben Gunter, 7 Kanji Shimokawa, 8 Michael Leitch (capt.); 9 Shinobu Fujiwara, 10 Seung Sin Lee; 11 Tomoki Osada, 12 Charlie Lawrence, 13 Dylan Riley, 14 Kippei Ishida; 15 Yoshitaka Yazaki.
Replacements: 16 Shodai Hirao, 17 Ryosuke Iwaihara, 18 Keijiro Tamefusa, 19 Tyler Paul, 20 Faulua Makisi; 21 Kenta Fukuda, 22 Sam Greene, 23 Tieenan Costley.
Team news - South Africa
15:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Springboks hand a debut to young tighthead Zachary Porthen, considered a prop of real promise after captaining South Africa at U20 level. With Damian Willemse ruled out, Cheslin Kolbe is relocated to full-back with Ethan Hooker and Kurt-Lee Arendse on the wings.
The bench, as ever, is of interest - centre Andre Esterhuizen is named ostensibly as back-row cover, with Kwagga Smith also providing versatility among the replacements.
South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Zachary Porthen; 4 RG Snyman, 5 Lood de Jager; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 7 Franco Mostert, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Ethan Hooker; 15 Cheslin Kolbe.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Kwagga Smith; 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.
South Africa vs Japan
15:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleKick off is a little over an hour away at Wembley - let’s take a closer look at the two teams...
Action on the way across town
15:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s a busy afternoon for rugby fans of London, spoiled for choice with three games on. An All Blacks XV and the Barbarians are playing in Brentford, we’ve got this Springboks clash to come and down at Twickenham, the action is not far away at all as England open their Quilter Nations Series campaign against Australia. You can follow that game here:
England vs Australia live: Wallabies plot more success as rivals renew hostilities
Henry Pollock, Carter Gordon and 10 other international rugby players to watch in November
14:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleA busy November of international rugby action dawns with a hectic Test schedule of Quilter Nations Series action to be consumed over the next five weeks.
While a new Nations Championship is on the way to add extra context to these games next year, the 2025 fixtures take on greater meaning with a Rugby World Cup draw looming in early December.
Seeding for the expanded tournament could be crucial, with Australia hoping to break into the top band of six teams and Wales hoping to avoid tumbling out of Band 2 and thus facing a far tougher draw.
The action should come fast and furious as cross-hemisphere rivalries are reignited – and it isn’t just the top nations in action, with Hong Kong, the United States and Uruguay among the less-heralded sides touring Europe.
Limiting ourselves, though, to the 12 teams likely to contest the top tier of the Nations Championship next year, here’s one player to watch from each side:
Henry Pollock and 11 other international rugby players to watch in November
Springboks bid to avoid repeat of 'Miracle of Brighton'
14:40 , ReutersSeveral South Africa players lining up against Japan at Wembley Stadium carry vivid memories of the 'Miracle of Brighton', an upset that shook the Rugby World Cup a decade ago and which still sends shivers down Springbok spines today.
Among them is captain Siya Kolisi, who came off the bench as Japan snatched victory with a last-gasp try to beat the Springboks 34-32 in their 2015 tournament opener in Brighton.
South Africa would go on to finish third in the tournament, but it remains a day that left an indelible mark on the game in the country.
The Springboks have won their two clashes with Japan since, including knocking their hosts out of the 2019 World Cup in the quarter-finals on their way to lifting the trophy.
They will be favourites again and while the wounds of 10 years ago have been healed by two World Cup triumphs since, the Springboks are taking nothing for granted.
"We definitely do give them the respect that they deserve. They are a great team," Kolisi told reporters on Friday. "You saw what they did last week against Australia (a 19-15 loss in Tokyo). That game was very close.
"We have a lot of players in Japan, and they have been able to tell us about the players who are playing tomorrow and the kind of players that they are. We are very prepared for this game."
Lock Lood de Jager and centre Jesse Kriel started against Japan in Brighton, with flanker Kolisi coming off the bench.
Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus calls for major change to Rugby Championship as New Zealand series launches
14:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Rugby Championship is due to return in 2027, but Rassie Erasmus has called for a bigger change to its scheduling, advocating for the competition to move to earlier in the year in line with the Six Nations - which would help the Springboks better balance their club and country calendars.
Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus calls for major change to Rugby Championship
South Africa and New Zealand to collide in ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ as details for new tour confirmed
14:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere will be no Rugby Championship next year, of course, with South Africa hosting New Zealand in a new series tagged as “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” - an exciting development in many ways, even if Australia and Argentina are slightly sidelined.
Springboks to host All Blacks in ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ as new tour confirmed
How South Africa transformed Twickenham to make more Springboks history
14:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Springboks are back in London for the second time in a month, having taken over Twickenham for their clash with Argentina in October. I watched the diaspora come out in force as back-to-back Rugby Championships were secured.
How South Africa transformed Twickenham to make more Springboks history
Springboks hand debut to promising prop as Cheslin Kolbe given new role for Japan clash
14:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa have given a debut to prop Zachary Porthen in their starting XV for the Autumn International series test against Japan and switched Cheslin Kolbe from wing to full-back for the clash at Wembley Stadium.
Porthen, 21, is a former Junior Springboks captain who has played a handful of games in the United Rugby Championship for the Cape Town-based Stormers, but has impressed coach Rassie Erasmus enough to start.
"Obviously, he has a lot to learn this week, but we have experienced players in the squad who have been helping and guiding him, and we believe this is the right match to give him an opportunity to prove what he can do," Erasmus said.
"At this level, you have to sink or swim, so although it will be a challenging week for him to learn our structures, it will also be a very exciting week for him."
Springboks hand debut to promising prop as Kolbe given new role for Japan clash
South Africa vs Japan live
Friday 31 October 2025 15:21 , Harry Latham-CoyleA decade on from one of the great World Cup upsets, South Africa and Japan clash again on English soil with the Springboks hoping to avoid a repeat of the “Miracle of Brighton”. The two sides tangle at Wembley as a busy Quilter Nations Series kicks off, with Eddie Jones looking to mastermind another underdog triumph.
Kick off is at 4.10pm GMT.
