Heat and humidity matter as Boks consign Brighton to history
Friday’s Test against Japan in Kumagaya will be about building on what the Springboks have achieved so far in 2019, learning to cope with the heat and humidity, and consigning Brighton 2015 to history.

DTH van der Merwe to play in fourth Rugby World Cup
Head coach Kingsley Jones has announced his 31-player World Cup roster that will represent Canada at the 2019 Rugby World Cup (RWC) in Japan.

Game on for Currie Cup Premier Division spot
The Phakisa Pumas and Down Touch Griffons will know their Currie Cup fate on Friday evening as they battle it out in a promotion-relegation game at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit for the right to play in the Premier Division next season.

Lappies Labuschagne to face Boks in Kumagaya
Former Vodacom Bulls and Toyota Cheetahs flanker Lappies Labuschagne has been included in the Japan team for Friday’s Test against the Springboks in Kumagaya.

Raubenheimer welcomes new players for Spain tour
Springbok Women’s coach Stanley Raubenheimer included six uncapped players in his squad for their Test against Spain, and young group of nine players that will form the core of the SA Invitational XV team.

Springboks turn on the charm in Gifu and Seki
The Springboks finished their first four days in Japan with a final training session in sweltering and hot and humid conditions, before turning on the charm during a number of visits to locals schools and the nearby university in Gifu and Seki.

Van der Westhuizen to referee first Currie Cup Final
Marius van der Westhuizen will officiate his first Currie Cup final in Bloemfontein on Saturday in a match which will also mark a big day for the experienced TMO, Shaun Veldsman, who is retiring from the game after an illustrious career spanning over 20 years.

Facts and stats: Springboks vs Japan
This is the Springboks’ first Test match in Japan and the second time the teams have met. Japan were the opponents in the Springboks’ opening match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup in Brighton, a seaside resort in the county of East Sussex, England.

Erasmus underlines significance of Japan Test
Rassie Erasmus underlined that the Test against Japan in Kumagaya is a massive challenge and that the Springboks can't afford to underestimate their hosts when they take the field at 12h15 (SA time) on Friday.

Springboks name formidable line-up for Japan clash
Rassie Erasmus named 22 of the Springbok 23 that fought to a last-gasp draw against New Zealand in July, for Friday’s clash with Japan in Kumagaya, which will be the 50th Test appearance for Pieter-Steph du Toit, SA Rugby’s Player of the Year for 2018.