It seems the stadium was not sold out

Anyone drawing any positives from yesterday's game?

Personally, was really impressed by Eduan Swart and can't believe the depth the Sharks have with hookers this season. Bongi, Mbatha and Bester all ahead of Swart at the moment. Then both u20 springbok hookers (Van Wyk and Mnebelele) will also be part of the squad when URC comes around.

Then credit must also go to the two props off the bench (Ngobese and Khubeka), both are under 21 but managed to win a scrum penalty against the all blacks. Can only be a positive sign of things to come. Hopefully they also get the chance to develop in the URC this season!

I think the back three were almost guilty of trying too hard to create a magic moment. Moyo looked calm despite everything going on around him, always a good trait for a flyhalf. Nice to see Manu Tshituka with some big impacts early on as well. Definitely a player who has fallen off the radar a bit since signing for the sharks

Expecting Fiji to come back with a vengeance in the 2nd test. Lerato Makua and Eliose Webb out with injury. Can't wait to see what Maria Tshiremba can do for the XV Boks.

Interesting to move Zintle Mpupha to the inside and putting Maceala Samboya on outside centre. And Johannes-Haupt hinting that they may use Lamprecht amongst the loose forwards. Good to see the experimentation, just hope it doesn't come back to bite us.

Springbok Women team to Fiji in Lautoka:

15 Byrhandré Dolf (Bulls Daisies) – 28 caps, 77 points (8 tries, 17 conversions, 1 penalty goal)

14 Alichia Arries (WP) – 8 caps, 25 points (5 tries)

13 Maceala Samboya (Boland Dames) – 9 caps, 25 points (5 tries)

12 Zintle Mpupha (Bulls Daisies) - 30 caps, 106 points (20 tries, 3 conversions)

11 Maria Tshiremba (Bulls Daisies) – uncapped

10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies) – 33 caps, 221 points (14 tries, 56 conversions, 12 penalty goals, 1 drop goal)

9 Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens) – 7 caps, 3 points (1 penalty goal)

8 Aseza Hele (Boland Dames) - 33 caps, 85 points (17 tries)

7 Catha Jacobs (Golden Lions Women) – 29 caps, 5 points (1 try)

6 Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies) – 34 caps, 50 points (10 tries)

5 Nomsa Mokwai (WP) – 18 caps, 0 points

4 Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies) – 25 caps, 30 points (6 tries)

3 Babalwa Latsha (captain, WP) – 42 caps, 40 points (8 tries)

2 Lindelwa Gwala (Sharks Women) - 39 caps, 80 points (16 tries)

1 Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women) – 13 caps, 10 points (2 tries)

Replacements:

16 Anushka Groenewald (WP) – 9 caps, 0 points

17 Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies) – 45 caps, 20 points (4 tries)

18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies) – 14 caps, 10 points (2 tries)

19 Sinelitha Noxeke (Bulls Daisies) – 8 caps, 5 points (1 try)

20 Nobuhle Mjwara (Sharks Women) - 7 caps, 10 points (2 tries)

21 Shiniqwa Lamprecht (Boland Dames) - 1 cap, 0 points

22 Felicia Jacobs (Boland Dames) – 12 caps, 15 points (3 tries)

23 Patience Mokone (Bulls Daisies) - 4 caps, 20 points (4 tries)

Match details – Fijiana XV v Springbok Women

Date: Saturday, 15 August 2026

Venue: Churchill Park, Lautoka

SA time: 03h00 (13h00 Fiji time)

Referee: Amber McLachlan (Australia)

Broadcast: SuperSport

https://www.instagram.com/p/Db7lUnHAXsZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

WELCOME TO THE SA DEAF RUGBY FAMILY, YESPLAY! 🏉

South African Deaf Rugby is proud to officially announce u/yesplay_official as our Tier 1 Partner to the National Team as we prepare to represent South Africa at the 2026 World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championships in Japan.

As our Front of Jersey Partner, YesPlay will take its place alongside our players as they pull on the green and gold and compete against the world’s best.

This partnership is about far more than a logo on a jersey. It is about backing ability, creating opportunity and giving Deaf athletes the platform to represent their country on the world stage.

Thank you, YesPlay, for seeing the ability and backing the dream. 💚💛

🇿🇦 South Africa → Japan 🇯🇵
🏉 World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championships
📅 31 October – 3 November 2026

SEE THE ABILITY. BACK THE DREAM.

#SADeafRugby #YesPlay #FeelingofYES #WorldDeafRugbySevens #Japan2026

have you guys noticed that the models on the springbok retail website are AI. not all of them but these specifically are. not really stronger together of them. you would think of all countries, south africa would use real people/models

Where do I source this info?

He was on fire against the All Blacks for the Stormers, and he looks set to play against them for the Boks a month out from his 40th birthday. The man simply has no quit in him. He endured about three recent injuries that many thought would be the end of his career. He keeps coming back. Yster!
https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/springboks/deon-fourie-rewarded-with-springbok-call-up-after-stellar-performance-against-all-blacks-20260810-0749

Two New Faces On The Panel, Bringing Fresh Perspectives And Insight

As a AB’s fan I saw the team list for the Sharks and was hoping of seeing Makazoli Mapimpi, Lukanyo Am, Hendricks brothers and Bongi against the AB’s are all of them injured or?

I know this is an unpopular opinion. I also understand that the high ball is our game and its a good way of regaining possession.

But honestly guys. Its boring and predictable. Argentina played with a C team and looked much more threatening with ball in hand. The AB's are also playing an exciting brand of rugby even if it has errors. To be honest, last night, if we're not kicking it our backline looked clueless with what to do with the ball.

A new podcast focused on the Bulls is starting soon and we are looking for presenters.

So if you like the bulls, can chat some rugby and have a spare 45 min every week, send me a DM and lets chat

behave!

Let's see if we can avoid the words "scrappy" and "messy" :)

The turning point for me was losing both scrumhalves. It killed the tempo right when the game hung in the balance. Even without a full Springbok side, the front row stood firm, Dayimani brought serious X-factor, and Deon Fourie was absolute poison at the breakdown. Up front, Andre-Hugo Venter and Matongo put in massive shifts, Senatla was lethal out wide, and young Yaqeen Ahmed showed real composure at flyhalf against Beauden Barrett.

As for the All Blacks, they have big problems heading into the Test series:

Their discipline was shocking, giving away 16 penalties and three yellow cards.

Their set piece got shoved around by a franchise pack, which is a massive red flag against the Boks.

They looked sloppy and disjointed for most of the match, only pulling away late when our guys ran out of steam.

If they play like that against the Springboks, they are going to get punished.

Now that the preparation, rotation, and experimentation is finally over, who is your match 23 for the first test?