All Blacks for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry named

Kiwi rugby correspondent Liam Napier has revealed those expected to feature in Dave Rennie’s 44-man New Zealand squad for the highly anticipated tour to South Africa.

Head coach Rennie is set to announce his final group for the eight-match Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series on Monday, adding 10 players to the 34 already selected for the July international window. xsportfeed.quest

Writing for the New Zealand Herald, Napier tips Hurricanes prop Siale Lauaki as a potential bolter, highlighting his size and ball-carrying, along with his switch to loosehead this season. He also expects Chiefs loosehead Ollie Norris to provide cover given Tamaiti Williams’ unavailability.

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At halfback, Napier backs Noah Hotham’s inclusion for his running threat, while tipping George Bell to return as back-up hooker. He expects Fabian Holland to be added as a sixth lock alongside Jamie Hannah continuing his development in Scott Barrett’s absence.

Napier says loose forward selection hinges on whether Rennie opts for a 6-4 or 7-3 forward-back split, and argues Highlanders breakout star Lucas Casey offers greater long-term upside than the more experienced Du’Plessis Kirifi.

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In the backs, Napier expects Rieko Ioane’s versatility across centre and wing to earn a recall, with Timoci Tavatavanawai offering a point of physical difference despite pace concerns.

With Caleb Tangitau and Leicester Fainga’anuku both facing injury doubts, Napier says the back-three options are limited, naming Emoni Narawa as the most likely selection provided he proves his fitness.

FULL STORY

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour fixtures
Friday, 7 August: vs Stormers, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Tuesday, 11 August: vs Sharks, Kings Park, Durban
Saturday, 15 August: vs Vodacom Bulls, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Saturday, 22 August: vs Springboks, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Tuesday, 25 August: vs Lions, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday, 29 August: vs Springboks, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday, 5 September: vs Springboks, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Saturday 12 September: vs Springboks, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore

Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images

The post All Blacks for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry named appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

GLASGOW — The wait is over. Before the official fanfare of tonight’s Opening Ceremony even begins, Team South Africa is set to make its first mark at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow today, stepping onto the greens at the SEC Centre’s Hall 3.

Lawn Bowls and Para Bowls will officially serve as the curtain-raiser for the Games, with competition running daily from today through to the final day of the event on August 2.

Opening Day Action

South African sports fans can catch the first wave of competitive action this afternoon, with crucial preliminary and sectional matchups already on the schedule.

First up for the national side is the highly experienced Wayne Rittmuller. He opens his campaign in the Men’s Singles (Section C) against Singapore’s Harriman Yuen, with the first bowl set to be delivered at 13:20 SA time (12:20 UK time).

Shortly after, the focus shifts to the Women’s Pairs (Section B). The dynamic duo of Jackie Janse van Rensburg and Thabelo Muvhango will take on Tonga in their opening round clash at 14:45 SA time (13:45 UK time). Both fixtures are vital for building early momentum in the sectional stages.

The Full Squad

South Africa has a deeply rooted pedigree in Commonwealth Games lawn bowls, highlighted by memorable gold and silver medal finishes in the 1994 and 1998 editions. The 2026 squad looking to add to that legacy features a strong mix of established veterans and rising talent across both the standard and Para Bowls disciplines.

Men’s Squad:

• Wayne Rittmuller
• Jason Evans
• Paul White
• Keith Orrell
• Garther Rees-Gibbs
• Jarid James

Women’s Squad:

• Bridget Calitz
• Jacquelyn Janse Van Rensburg
• Elinah (Thabelo) Muvhango
• Nozipho Schroeder

Tonight's Opening Ceremony

While the bowls team focuses on the tactical battle on the indoor greens, the rest of the Glasgow 2026 cohort is preparing for tonight’s grand Opening Ceremony.

The festivities, which will officially bring together athletes from across the Commonwealth to celebrate the start of the 10-sport program, are being hosted at the spectacular OVO Hydro Indoor Arena. South African viewers can tune into the broadcast starting at 21:00 SA time (20:00 UK time) to watch the national squad proudly march out under the flag.

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CAPE TOWN — South Africa’s national hockey teams will no longer have to pay their own way to compete on the global stage.

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has officially approved an emergency R3 million financial intervention to fully fund both the South African Men’s and Women’s national teams’ participation at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. The tournament will be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14 to 30.

The swift intervention comes after a massive public outcry sparked earlier this week. South African Women’s hockey star and two-time Olympian Onthatile “Thati” Zulu posted an open letter on social media detailing the severe financial strain placed on the athletes.

Despite qualifying as reigning African champions, players were informed they would need to self-fund their journey to Europe. The out-of-pocket expenses, covering flights, accommodation, meals, visas, tournament fees, and medical recovery, were estimated to exceed R68,000 per player.

The revelation sent shockwaves through the local sports community, with fans and fellow athletes tagging the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and Minister McKenzie, demanding immediate support for the national heroes.

"A National Honour, Not a Financial Burden"

In a statement released earlier today, Minister McKenzie emphasized that the athletes had done their part and that the government needed to step up.

“Our hockey players have already done South Africa proud, arriving in Europe as reigning African champions in both the men’s and women’s competitions,” McKenzie said. “It cannot be right that athletes who earned that place on the world stage through years of sacrifice are then asked to fund their own participation.”

He added: “Representing your country is a national honour and national responsibility. It should never be a personal financial burden.”

Strings Attached for SA Hockey

While the R3 million bailout averts an immediate crisis for the players, the DSAC made it clear that the South African Hockey Association (SA Hockey) must answer for the massive financial shortfall. The funding transfer is subject to strict governance and financial management requirements.

As a condition of the support, SA Hockey is required to:

• Submit a comprehensive report: Detailing the exact circumstances that led to the R3 million shortfall.
• Account in full: Providing a complete breakdown of how the provided funds will be utilized.
• Deliver a Financial Turnaround Plan: Setting out concrete steps to strengthen its financial sustainability and governance ahead of future international tournaments.

The Minister was quick to clarify that this emergency funding was made strictly in the national interest to safeguard the country’s World Cup participation. He firmly stated that this move “should not be read as a standing commitment by government to cover operational or financial shortfalls at national federations.”

Looking Ahead

The department noted that it continues to engage with federations across all sporting codes to improve financial resilience so that similar funding crises do not overshadow the eve of major international competitions.

For now, the focus shifts back to the turf. With the financial cloud lifted, both the men’s and women’s national hockey teams can now focus fully on carrying the hopes of a nation to Belgium and the Netherlands next month.

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