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No starting roles for Benhard, Pollock
Steve Borthwick has again resisted mounting calls to hand Henry Pollock a starting berth and named an unchanged England side for Saturday’s Nations Championship clash against Argentina.
The 21-year-old Northampton loose forward produced a sensational impact off the bench in England’s 73-8 demolition of Fiji last week, crossing for a hat-trick in just 32 minutes.
His performance sparked widespread calls for him to replace Ben Earl at No 8 for the showdown in Santiago del Estero, with former England centre Jeremy Guscott among those urging Borthwick to unleash Pollock from the start against the Pumas. sos-zagle.org.pl
Instead, the England coach has stuck with the same starting side that dismantled Fiji, with Pollock once again providing impact from the bench.
TEAM: Hungry Duhan eyes Fiji try feast
Borthwick has also retained his midfield pairing of Seb Atkinson and Henry Slade, while South African centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg remains among the replacements after making his Test debut last weekend.
ENGLAND – 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Guy Pepper, 6 Ollie Chessum, 5 George Martin, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George (c), 1 Ellis Genge.
Bench: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun, 18 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 19 Tom Curry, 20 Henry Pollock, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 23 Noah Caluori.
– AFP
Photo: Ed Sykes/Getty Images
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France-Angleterre : 35e duel dans l’histoire et 4e dans un Mondial
Battus respectivement par l’Espagne et l’Argentine en demi-finales de la Coupe du monde, l’équipe de France et l’Angleterre joueront la finale de la 3e place de la Coupe du monde 2026, samedi 18 juillet à 21h GMT à Miami.
Les deux nations se retrouvent quatre ans après les quarts de finale du Mondial 2022 au Qatar qui avaient vu les Bleus se hisser dans le dernier carré avec une victoire 2-1. Giroud et Tchouaméni avaient marqué pour les Tricolores contre un penalty de Kane. Il s’agira de la 4e confrontation en Coupe du monde plus de 2022 avec les éditions 1966 et 1982.
Les Bleus joueront pour la 4e fois un match pour la 3e place d’un Mondial. De leur côté, les Three Lions ont toujours perdu sur deux tentatives en 1990 face à l’Italie (2-1) et en 2018 contre la Belgique (2-0). La France et l’Angleterre vont se jouer la 35e fois avec un bilan plus favorables aux Anglais. Les Bleus ont gagné 11 fois, fait 6 nuls et subit 17 défaites pour 45 buts marqués pour 75 encaissés.
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‘Players do things Rassie wants them to do’
Bismarck du Plessis says Rassie Erasmus’ knack of unearthing hybrid players has become one of the world champion Springboks’ greatest strengths.
Speaking to News24 this week during the announcement of Castle Double Malt as title sponsor of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, the former Bok hooker praised Erasmus’ approach.
While unconvinced by Jan-Hendrik Wessels constantly switching between front-row roles, Du Plessis has no doubts about the value of the Bok boss’ broader philosophy.
“If you look at what Rassie did with a guy like Deon [Fourie], who had to come on three minutes into the World Cup final,” Du Plessis said. “Guys like Marco [van Staden] and André Esterhuizen … a lot of people always ask about Rassie; he’s one of those coaches who can teach people and players to do things he wants them to do.
“I’ve got all the faith in how he’s using his squad. If you have a player who can almost cover two positions, you can almost take an extra guy in another position.
“If you go back to the World Cup in 2023, Deon and Marco were hookers … but we won the World Cup again, so that versatility is something that brings out the best in our side at the moment.”
BAKKIES: I’m available for Boks
The 42-year-old, though, notes Wessels faces a tough ask as the Vodacom Bulls bruiser juggles playing loosehead prop and hooker in the green and gold jersey.
“I think it’s really difficult for a guy like Jan-Hendrik,” Du Plessis said. “Scrumming as a loosehead and scrumming as a hooker is very different.
“You’ve got to take your hat off to him for the way he’s handling it and the way he’s playing.
“They’re still trying to see where he’s most efficient and can contribute best to the side because he’s a player with great talent.”
ALSO: Rassie is rugby’s coaching GOAT
Du Plessis also refused to be drawn into debate around the Boks’ hooker pecking order, with two-time World Cup winner and 2025 World Rugby Player of the Year Malcolm Marx head and shoulders above his competition.
“I absolutely hated armchair coaches when I was playing because they would tell you what to do and they hadn’t played much rugby,” the 2007 World Cup hero said.
“To be honest, as long as the Boks are winning and South Africa’s doing well, I don’t care what the pecking order is.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Getty Images
The post ‘Players do things Rassie wants them to do’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Lions confirm new arrivals
Utility back Boeta Chamberlain is among six new signings made by the Lions ahead of the 2026-27 season.
He is joined in Joburg by locks Hyron Andrews and JP du Preez, loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe, scrumhalf Asad Moos and wing Daniel Kasende.
Chamberlain spent last season with English Premiership club Newcastle, having previously represented the Sharks and Bulls.
ALSO: Sharks sign American centre
Notshe returns to South Africa after helping Montauban win promotion to France’s Top 14 by claiming the Pro D2 title. The six-Test Bok previously played for the Stormers and Sharks.
Towering 2.10m lock Du Preez returns to Ellis Park after beginning his senior career with the Lions in 2015. He has since represented the Cheetahs, Sale Sharks, Glasgow Warriors and Red Hurricanes Osaka.
Andrews adds further experience to the second row after spells with the Sharks and Sale.
MORE: Lions loosie chasing Bok dream again
Former UCT scrumhalf Moos signed a contract extension with the Stormers last year but did not feature for the URC team, while Kasende links up with the Lions after impressing for the Cheetahs.
Here we go. #ForOurCity #LionsPride
pic.twitter.com/i4drs4gHh7
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) July 16, 2026
Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
The post Lions confirm new arrivals appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Felix in for Giliomee as Junior Boks aim to go back-to-back
Alzeadon Felix has been handed the No 15 jersey after Luan Giliomee’s suspension as the Junior Springboks named their team for Saturday’s World Rugby U20 Championship final.
Giliomee was sent off in South Africa’s semi-final victory over England.
It is the only enforced change in the backline as the Junior Boks bid to become the first South African team to win back-to-back World Rugby U20 Championship titles.
Coach Kevin Foote has otherwise kept faith with the combinations that have taken the Junior Boks to a second successive final, making just three changes in total to his side to face France.
MORE: Happy Foote looking forward to U20 decider
The other alterations come in the loose trio, where Wasi Vyambwera starts at No 8 in place of Gert Kemp, who shifts to the bench, while Risima Khosa comes into the starting side at openside flank.
The experienced front row of Oliver Reid, captain Siphosethu Mnebelele and Danie Kruger remains intact, with Heinrich Theron and JD Hattingh again combining in the second row.
Luke Cannon completes the loose trio alongside Khosa and Vyambwera.
Behind the scrum, Hendré Schoeman and Yaqeen Ahmed continue their impressive halfback partnership, while Ethan Adams and Markus Muller retain their midfield places. Wings Khuthadzo Rasivhaga and Cheswill Jooste complete an exciting back three with Felix.
Foote said the squad had used the week well to prepare for what promises to be a massive challenge.
“This group has been together since the beginning of the year and they understand the way we want to play. We’ve used this week to sharpen our readiness and focus on the areas where we felt we could improve.”
WATCH: Ex-Boks slam ‘stupid’ dopers
The Junior Boks’ honesty and willingness to learn has impressed the coach throughout the tournament.
“The pleasing aspect of this group is their honesty and accountability. The players are open with each other in their assessments, and together we’ve identified solutions and worked hard on those areas.
“We believe we have prepared well for what will be a massive challenge.”
Foote also praised the spirit within the squad, which is now one win away from making South African rugby history.
“The outstanding quality of this group is the bond they share and how much they enjoy representing South Africa.
“France are a very formidable side and fully deserve their place in the final. Their performances in the recent Junior World Championship and the Six Nations show that they understand how to perform when playing knockout rugby.”
JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS – 15 Alzeadon Felix, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Ethan Adams, 11 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Hendré Schoeman, 8 Wasi Vyambwera, 7 Luke Cannon, 6 Risima Khosa, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele (c), 1 Oliver Reid
Bench: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Rambo Kubheka, 18 Luan van der Berg, 19 Jaythen Orange, 20 Thomas Beling, 21 Gert Kemp, 22 Jayden Brits, 23 Samuel Badenhorst
Photo: @SAJuniorRugby/X
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