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The URC regular season has ended, and with it, the Sharks’ 25/26 season comes to a close too. It’s not the first time they haven’t made the playoffs, but it is the first time they are the only South African team not to feature in the top eight. Obviously, it’s disappointing. For the fans, but even more so for the players and coaches. No one will be feeling the heavy weight of expectation, and the frustration of not living up to that, more than them. So, if you’re hoping for a

Asenathi Ntlabakanye’s 18-month suspension has officially brought one of the strangest and most uncomfortable stories in South African rugby to a head, and no matter which way you look at it, it feels like a massive loss for the game here. Just over a year ago, Ntlabakanye looked destined to become a permanent fixture in the Springbok setup. He had gone from being viewed as a powerful but raw prospect to one of the most exciting tightheads in the country. His transformation p

When Gayton McKenzie speaks about sport, subtlety is usually left somewhere outside the press conference. The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture has made no secret of his ambition to bring major sporting events back to South Africa, and rugby sits right near the top of that list. McKenzie has now come out and said he will not rest until South Africa hosts another Rugby World Cup, doubling down on the idea that the country is more than capable of staging the biggest event in

There is still one round left in the 2026 U20 Rugby Championship, but the outcome of this year’s contest is already a foregone conclusion…or so we thought, until SANZAAR apparently changed the bonus point rules. After another comprehensive victory in the second round of the competition, it appeared that the Junior Springboks (or Baby Boks as they are often affectionately called) had already secured their first ever U20 Rugby Championship title on Sunday. With a game in hand.

The Stormers fell a single point short against Toulon this weekend, and while the result will be filed away as a narrow loss, the real takeaway for Springbok supporters lies in what didn’t happen rather than what did. This wasn’t a game defined by dominance or lack thereof, but by a critical moment in Toulon’s 22 where the Stormers had everything they needed to win, and let it slip through their fingers. In that moment, the equation was simple. No need to chase a try, no need

World Rugby’s upcoming Shape of the Game conference isn’t just another administrative gathering. With the 2027 Rugby World Cup creeping closer, this is where the sport’s decision-makers start quietly determining what the next era of Test rugby will look like. Interestingly, not everything that’s been shouted about in recent months has made the agenda. Despite the outrage cycles and studio debates, the “Bomb Squad” controversy will not be formally discussed. There are no plans

It may seem a little tardy to only be previewing 2026 and drawing up my rugby wish list now, what with the first month of the year almost in our rearview mirrors already. But let’s be honest, January is kind of like a free trial month anyway, when we’re all just feeling the new year out and deciding whether it’s worth the subscription. That’s my excuse anyway (and possibly why I haven’t taken my Christmas decorations down yet either…). It’s also possible that I should spend m

The Stormers suffered their first defeat of the URC season at home this weekend, going down 30–19. On the surface, it’s a result that dents momentum and bruises pride, particularly in Cape Town where home dominance has long been a cornerstone of Stormers success. But scratch a little deeper and this may turn out to be one of the most valuable results of their campaign. Tune into this weeks episode of the Podcast as we chat about this season defining moment. In recent URC seas

As I write this, we’re in that weird no man’s land week between Christmas and New Year. A time when no one really knows what day it is, and people are primarily subsisting on left over roast potatoes, cheese, and Quality Streets (if you can find them in SA – those things have become as rare as a French TV camera angle showing the home side’s wrongdoing…). None of the South African sides were in action in the URC over the weekend, so we really are in the lull. It seems like a

When the Sharks confirmed that head coach John Plumtree will step down at the end of the season, moving into a more advisory capacity, it didn’t come as much of a shock to anyone paying attention. For months now, something has felt off in Durban. The body language, the results, the lack of spark, all have pointed to a franchise slowly losing its pulse. Neil Powell’s shift to focus on other areas within the franchise only adds to the feeling that the Sharks are at a crossroads

The Springboks and France meet again this Saturday in Paris in what promises to be another classic. It’s being billed as the rematch of the greatest game ever played, that unforgettable 2023 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal where the Boks edged Les Bleus by a single point and sent the hosts crashing out of their own tournament. Two years later, the stakes feel just as high. Both sides are brimming with confidence and power, and if history is anything to go by, we’re in for anothe

Think you’ve got what it takes to call BINGO before your Tjoms? The Punt-It Bingo Challenge runs during the Autumn Nations Series , from 31 October to 30 November 2025 .Each block on the board challenges you to show your Bok pride, banter, or game-day passion — and the first six legends to shout Bingo! will go into the draw for our main prizes. 🎯 HOW TO PLAY 1️⃣ Follow @Rugby_Punt_It on Instagram, that’s where all the action happens. 2️⃣ We’ll be revealing new Bingo blo

Rassie and his coaching team have named their squad for the end of year tour as they look to retain their number 1 ranking ahead of the World Cup draw in December, whilst also ensuring they grow their squad depth. A notable World Cup winner has missed out, whilst a new prop has entered the fray. Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour: Forwards : Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers) Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) Thomas du Toit (Bath)

Every week, Springbok fans, Punt-its, enthusiasts, and opposition coaches alike are left scratching their heads, trying to decode the...

I watched the RWC 2025 quarter final between the Springbok Women and the Black Ferns with some guys who had never watched any women’s...

As the 2025 Rugby Championship enters its final two rounds, the Springboks find themselves in a challenging position: one step away from...

The Springboks’ 43-10 victory over the All Blacks in Wellington wasn’t just a result; it was a statement. Not because it was flawless,...

The Springboks head into Saturday’s showdown with the All Blacks in Wellington knowing they are in must-win territory if they want to...

The Springboks have named their squad to face the All Blacks this weekend at Eden Park, a venue that has been more fortress than stadium...

Eden Park has a way of exposing even the best teams, which is why this Bok 23 is built on a balance of bruisers, workhorses, and a dash...