Throwback: How Springbok team looked for the last Test at FNB Stadium

The Springboks return to FNB Stadium this Saturday for another clash against the All Blacks, with nearly 88,000 fans expected to be in attendance. fish-roadgame.com

Back on 6 October 2012, when the Springboks last played at the iconic venue, the All Blacks claimed a comprehensive 32-16 victory, but so much has changed since then.

The only Springbok player still in the mix 14 years later is South Africa’s most capped player of all time, Eben Etzebeth, who started that day as a 20-year-old lock in just his eighth Test.

HERE IS HOW THAT SPRINGBOK TEAM LOOKED BACK IN 2012

SPRINGBOKS – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Francois Hougaard, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Marcell Coetzee, 20 Elton Jantjies, 21 Pat Lambie, 22 Juan de Jongh.

This Saturday’s match at FNB Stadium kicks off at 17:10, and the total Test caps in the current Springbok starting line-up stands at a whopping 958, There are 366 caps in the backline, with 592 caps among the forwards. On the bench, there are a further 222 caps.

SPRINGBOKS – 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché.
Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 André Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Manie Libbok.

Erasmus said they couldn’t wait for the occasion this weekend.

“We are excited that we will be playing at the FNB stadium, where on a good day there is an 80 000 strong crowd, and that will be a new and exciting experience for our players because most of these players have never ran onto the field there, and the support we enjoy there will add to the occasion,” Erasmus commented.

“With the vuvuzelas and passionate crowd there, we can hardly hear one another on the field, so we are all thrilled about this occasion. But make no mistake, this is going to be another intense battle between the two top teams in the world who are both looking to get an edge in the series, so we know what we have to do, and composure and accuracy are going to be vital for both sides.”

Stats and facts:

Springbok record against New Zealand: Played: 112, Won: 44, Lost: 64, Drawn: 4. Points for: 1 899; Points against: 2 328; Tries scored: 185; Tries conceded: 257. Win %: 39,2%.

Miscellaneous:

• Eben Etzebeth will extend his record as the most capped Springbok player of all time to 145 caps when he takes the field.
• The loose trio of Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Jasper Wiese will pass the record they currently share with Francois Louw, Willem Alberts, and Duane Vermeuelen as the loose trio with the most Test starts at 17 – three more than Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, Andre Venter and Gary Teichmann, who started 14 Tests together.
• Should he take the field, Deon Fourie will stretch his record as the oldest Springbok player to play in a Test match at 39 years by a further week.
• The teams have only met twice at the FNB Stadium in history in 2010 and 2012, with the All Blacks winning both matches (29-22 and 32-16).
• Jasper Wiese requires only two more Test match appearances after this match to join the group of players who have earned 50 Test caps.
• The Springboks have won six of the last eight matches between the teams dating back to August 2023.
• The total Test caps in the Springbok starting line-up is 958.**** There are 366 caps in the backline, with 592 caps among the forwards. On the bench, there are a further 222 caps.
• The average caps per player in the backline is 52, the forwards 74, while the players on the bench average 28.

In two blockbuster signings announced earlier this year, both Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe are preparing for a return to the Stormers, where the duo started out their careers.

The return of the two Springbok stars is an exciting moment for any Stormers fan, and this week the Cape club revealed their new home and away jerseys for the upcoming season.

It has been confirmed that the jersey will be on sale from 10 September on the Stormers website.

Stormers look ahead to exciting season

The Stormers will open their 2026/27 URC season against Connacht on 25 September in Galway.

Root Run Deep 😤

Introducing our 26/27 Home & Away Jersey.

Available from 10.09.26 from https://t.co/0BCbDACDjK#inittogether pic.twitter.com/JWBhqQuveV

— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 1, 2026

Our club captain for the 26/27 season Ruhan Nel. #inittogether pic.twitter.com/DlkR8hKML2

— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 1, 2026

Back in black! What was your reaction when you saw our 26/27 Away Jersey?#inittogether pic.twitter.com/RVxGfblpiE

— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 2, 2026

Lots to look forward to

Kolisi said that returning to Cape Town is a significant moment for him and his family.

“I have such incredible memories of my time at the DHL Stormers, the way I was embraced by the fans in my formative years has never left me.

“My family is in Cape Town and it is important to me to be close to them. This move gives me the chance to do that while also giving back to the team and fans who made such a big contribution to the player and person I am today.

“I am looking forward to contributing in any way I can to the future success and happiness of this special club and its incredible supporters,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kolbe said that it has always been his dream to return to where it all began for him.

“Cape Town and this team have played such a big role in my life and career. When I left, it was always with the hope that one day I would come back home and represent this team again. To have that opportunity now means a huge amount to my family and I.

“It is a big moment for us. I have such strong connections with the players and coaches here, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.

“The Stormers are part of who I am, and I am grateful to be coming back at such an exciting time for the club.

“Project 2029 is a big vision and something I really believe in. There is a lot of talent here, a strong culture and a clear plan for what this team can become.

“I want to contribute wherever I can, on and off the field, and help create more special moments for the people of Cape Town,” he said.

The Vodacom Bulls have tied down Springbok hooker Johan Grobbelaar with a long-term contract.

Grobbelaar, who joined the Bulls in 2017, was due to come off contract next year but has now committed his future to the Pretoria-based club for another four seasons until 2030.

He has become a key figure for the Bulls and has established himself in the Springbok setup.

Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone believes keeping Grobbelaar sends a strong message.

“Johan embodies everything we stand for at the Bulls. He’s a warrior on the field, a natural leader in the environment, and a loyal servant to this union who has consistently delivered at the highest level year after year.

“To have a player of his calibre and international pedigree commit his best years to Loftus until 2030 is a massive statement of intent for our franchise.

“We are thrilled that ‘Grobbies’ will continue to be a pillar of our pack as we pursue silverware in the years ahead.”

MORE: Bulls take tradition into tomorrow

Grobbelaar’s extension comes as the Bulls continue to bolster their hooker stocks.

The club has also been linked with fellow Springbok Malcolm Marx, although those negotiations remain ongoing.

Grobbies, Here to Stay

Read more https://t.co/BEJrPSqkdW pic.twitter.com/I1DVJDTZ33

— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) September 2, 2026

Photo: Kian Abdullah/Gallo Images

The post Grobbies commits for the long haul appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

La Juventus devra composer sans Khéphren Thuram pour plusieurs mois. Le milieu de terrain français va subir une intervention chirurgicale au genou à Lyon, une décision prise après l’échec des traitements suivis ces derniers mois.

Âgé de 25 ans, Thuram est touché depuis la fin de la saison dernière par un syndrome fémoro-patellaire. Les douleurs persistantes l’ont contraint à passer une grande partie de l’été à l’écart du groupe turinois et à manquer l’ensemble des rencontres amicales.

L’opération sera réalisée par le spécialiste du genou Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet, sous arthroscopie. Elle vise notamment à traiter une chondropathie rotulienne. D’après les informations de La Gazzetta dello Sport, son indisponibilité devrait atteindre au moins quatre mois, ce qui repousse son retour à la compétition à 2027.

Cette absence constitue un nouveau coup dur pour la Juventus et Luciano Spalletti. Le club italien vient également de perdre Kenan Yildiz, opéré récemment du pied gauche.

Pour pallier ce manque au milieu, la Juventus pourra notamment s’appuyer sur Pape Matar Sarr. La recrue en provenance de Tottenham doit toutefois encore retrouver l’intégralité de ses moyens après une blessure musculaire.

The post Juventus : Khéphren Thuram forfait jusqu’en 2027 appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.