The Springboks have flicked the switch into Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry mode, with Johannesburg becoming the launchpad for a four-Test heavyweight collision with New Zealand.
Rassie Erasmus and his charges completed two important days of training on Saturday, sharpening the edges after last week’s bruising 17-10 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires. The result came at a physical cost, making recovery the first item on the Springbok menu before the tactical kitchen opened for business.
The travelling squad of 26 players and coaching staff returned to South Africa in two groups on Monday night and Tuesday. Flush-out sessions and gym work dominated the early part of the week as the players reset their body clocks and restored their match fitness.
Training resumed on Friday, followed by another field session on Saturday. The squad now has a day and a half with family before the intensity climbs into full-blown Test-week territory.
“It was important to manage the players who travelled to Argentina well and afford them sufficient time to recover from the match and switch back into the domestic time zone, which is why we only started training as a full group late in the week,” said Erasmus.
“But we are pleased that the players are well recovered and ready to give everything for the forthcoming Tests against the All Blacks.
“It will undoubtedly be a very challenging tournament, but we are looking forward to it as a collective. This series is almost like playing the knock-out stages of a Rugby World Cup because we are facing one of the world’s best week in and week out, and we all understand the magnitude of the RGR series.”
One week to go! “It will undoubtedly be very challenging, but we are looking forward to it” – more here: https://t.co/H5SkqwnD8L 🏉#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RugbysGreatestRivalry pic.twitter.com/rg1Fk5t3AC
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 15, 2026
The RGR series, presented by Castle Double Malt, begins at 10bet Ellis Park on Saturday, 22 August, before heading to DHL Stadium in Cape Town on 29 August, FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 5 September and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on 12 September.
Johan Grobbelaar and Elrigh Louw, released to feature for the Vodacom Bulls against the All Blacks on Friday evening, will rejoin the Springbok squad on Sunday, adding fresh muscle to Erasmus’ armoury.
“It’s a new and exciting challenge, and we have been putting in a lot of work behind the scenes, especially the group of coaches and players who remained behind in South Africa in the last two weeks,” Erasmus said.
“So we will finetune the areas of our game, which we would like to improve next week as we get ready to take the field.”
The opening Test kicks off at 17h10 next Saturday and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
