Springbok star Faf de Klerk says South Africa are ready to "prove the world wrong" by clinching back to back Rugby World Cup titles.
The Springboks will assemble in Durban in May for two preparation camps with the purpose of getting their on-and-off-field structures in place for the 2023 international season.
Springbok Sevens captain Siviwe Soyizwapi said the fact that he will run out in his 50th HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournament in Toulouse on Friday is a special personal milestone, but his job for the Blitzboks between the four lines will come first.
The Springboks will start their 2023 season in front of a packed house at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, 8 July after SA Rugby and hosts, the Blue Bulls Co (BBCo.), announced on Friday that all tickets for the opening Test in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship against Australia have been sold out.
Springbok Sevens captain Siviwe Soyizwapi will make his 50th HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series appearance for the Blitzboks in Toulouse next weekend after being named in a squad that feature five players who return to action after missing the tournaments in Hong Kong and Singapore.
The Springbok Women will have an added incentive in their African Cup campaign later this month after World Rugby confirmed on Friday that South Africa will host one of the three exciting new WXV tournaments later this year.
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi’s participation in the World Cup later this year remained in the balance as SA Rugby said on Wednesday it was too early to say following his knee surgery last week.
SA Rugby President Mr Mark Alexander congratulated Springbok captain Siya Kolisi on behalf of the entire rugby fraternity for being honoured with the National Order of Ikhamanga, which recognises South African citizens who have excelled in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism, and sport.
SA Rugby announced on Wednesday that three current Springbok assistant coaches Mzwandile Stick, Deon Davids and Daan Human, as well as Head of Athletic Performance, Andy Edwards, had signed contract extensions for another four years, which will see them remain with the team until the conclusion of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The official log after the first of two World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournaments makes for good reading for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team and their supporters, with the South African side topping the women’s standings.