Jonny May and Ollie Lawrence have emerged as staunch supporters of former England boss Eddie Jones, offering insights into the controversial coach's leadership style. The post England stars defend ‘relentless’ Eddie appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Kleyn admitted he was delighted to be back in the team but warned that Wales would be "dangerous" a prospect when the teams meet in Cardiff in what will be the Springboks' last match of 2024. Kleyn was called up to the squad as a replacement for Ruan Nortje, who suffered a leg injury before the first match against Scotland in Edinburgh, and he admitted that with the depth at lock in Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus' squad, it was important to grab this opportunity with both hands. "It's been amazing to be back in the squad," said Kleyn, who spent a large chunk of the season on the sidelines with an injury. "Personally, it's about slowly getting back into it, and I'm glad to get this opportunity. It's been good getting feedback from the coaches, but from a team perspective it's mostly the same group of guys who all want to work hard and do well for the country." Kleyn expected a massive onslaught from Wales, who went down 52-20 against Australia last week, but he said that would charge the hosts up even more going into the match. "I think we can expect desperation from them," said Kleyn. "A dog in the corner is always dangerous, so we're definitely preparing for a big fight, especially in the first 20 minutes. "They are going to come out with a lot of emotion, so it's going to tough, but we have plans in place to deal with their threats, and we've been working on areas that could make us a little more threatening." The physical second rower added: "They're a team with a lot of youngsters who want to prove a point, and particularly since it's the last game of the season and they are now 11 down, so they'd definitely love to finish the season by beating world champions." Kleyn complimented Erasmus and the coaches for the depth they've developed in the lock position over the last few seasons: "I've been looking in from the outside all year, and that's probably been the one position where there have been a few injuries, and the players that stepped in did remarkably well. "A player like Ruan (Nortje) stepped in and really made his mark. Obviously, the more depth we have, the better it is for the team. Adding to that, it certainly makes opportunities like Saturday important, because when you get a chance to play, you have to go out there and remind the coaches of what you can do. "That said, it's not just about trying to cement your own place in the team, it's about the entire squad performing well for South Africa and working well for the team. "The big thing is that we all work toward a common goal, and that's representing South Africa and making the country proud." Kleyn was excited about the opportunity to work with the new additions to the Springbok coaching team in Jerry Flannery and Tony Brown. "I know Jerry from Munster, where he also worked with Rassie at a point, and Tony is a good guy and coach, and he has a nice open mindset when it comes to attack," he said. "The boys are playing exciting rugby at the moment, so I'm glad to be part of it."

Aphelele Fassi has enjoyed a superb season for the Springboks, taking his second chance in the setup with both hands and he looks to have secured his spot for the future.

The late change to the front row will see Wilco Louw returning to the starting team at tighthead prop, while Thomas du Toit will shift to loosehead. Nche suffered a nasty gash above his knee during last weekend's match against England and while he was initially declared fit to play, Erasmus has decided to err on the side of caution and not risk his star prop. As a result, Louw has been drafted into the starting team, while the replacements bench remains unchanged from the one named by Erasmus on Tuesday. Louw played his 15th Test for the Boks last week after last featuring in the green and gold in 2021, and his inclusion in the starting lineup will see him play his second match in a row on the tour. "Ox has been a key player for us this season and, given his high work-rate over the last few months, we opted to rest him for this clash," said Erasmus. "Wilco started last week's match, and he's been training well this week, so it makes sense to include him in the starting team and move Thomas to loosehead prop. "It also maintains the consistency we have in the front row among the replacements." Erasmus also revealed that four players who were not included in the matchday squad would return home on Wednesday to spend time with their families before returning to their respective clubs and franchises. Utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit, who is nursing a shoulder niggle, returned home on Monday, while the other four players returning home are Kwagga Smith (loose forward), Lukhanyo Am (centre), Andre Esterhuizen (centre) and Makazole Mapimpi (wing). "We gave a few players who are not playing the option to remain in camp or return home to spend quality time with their families, while at the same time ensuring that we have enough depth in the squad to cover all the positions in case we suffer injuries before the match," said Erasmus. "So, we are confident that we all well covered in the event that anything should happen before the game." Updated Springbok team to face Wales: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Thomas du Toit. Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Handre Pollard.

Australia great David Campese said he had changed his mind about Joe Schmidt, admitting the New Zealander was "proving me wrong" as Wallabies coach. The post Campo flip-flops on Schmidt criticism appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Australia centre’s tour ended after red card in win over WalesJoseph-Aukuso Suaalii in frame to return for Test against Scotland A three-match suspension has ended Samu Kerevi’s tour, jolting his longer-term Wallabies hopes and opening the door for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s return against Scotland. The centre’s yellow card for a high shot was upgraded to a 20-minute red in Australia’s defeat of Wales in Cardiff. On Wednesday the 31-year-old’s fate was sealed, a disciplinary committee upholding the on-field decision and halving the standard six-week ban due to his guilt, remorse and good record. Continue reading...

There will be no hard feelings between Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and his Wales counterpart Warren Gatland when the two sides meet in Saturday's Test at the Principality Stadium.

Curry back after head injury against AustraliaFeyi-Waboso ruled out of clash with Japan England are making changes to Tom Curry’s all-action technique to ensure his safety after he returned to the fold for Sunday’s clash with Japan following his latest concussion. Curry sat out last weekend’s defeat by South Africa after sustaining a nasty-looking head injury in a collision with Australia’s Rob Valetini in the previous week’s loss against the Wallabies. The 26-year-old, who missed almost all of last season with a debilitating hip injury that almost forced him into retirement, has a history of head injuries and sustained a concussion in Sale’s opening match of the season against Harlequins. Continue reading...

The Springboks have been forced to change their starting XV after Ox Nche was ruled out of Saturday's match against Wales.

Rassie Erasmus has decided to allow Ox Nche to rest for Saturday's clash with Wales, causing the Springboks to reshuffle the front row. The post Boks opt to rest Ox appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Picked in the starting line-up for Saturday's clash against Wales in Cardiff, Jean Kleyn will play his first Test since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in Paris over a year ago.

Preparing for his first Test since the World Cup final, Jean Kleyn knows the Springboks are in for an armwrestle against a desperate Wales outfit in Cardiff on Saturday. The post Bok lock braced to battle ‘cornered dogs’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Rassie's massive impact on the Springboks has been in turning chumps into world champs. The post Keo & Zels: Unpacking Rassie’s Bok revolution appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

The Springboks head into their final Test match of 2024 against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday knowing that victory will secure them one of their best years - results-wise - of the Rassie Erasmus era.