The Springboks 2026 alignment camp is, by definition, Rassie Erasmus naming his best 70 players. That is the starting point for any analysis, and it is why the omission of Juarno Augustus is the story.

Springboks 2026 alignment camp

A year ago ‘Trokkie’ Augustus was the bolter.

He forced his way into the 2025 alignment camp on the back of consistent performances in Europe, carrying with authority and playing with the kind of physical edge that traditionally translates to Springbok rugby. His inclusion suggested momentum and acknowledgement from Erasmus that the player, formerly of the Stormers, had moved from the periphery into genuine national contention.

Augustus made the on-field statement playing for Northampton Saints, but never made it to the Springboks camp because he had not passed a transfer medical to Ulster at the time.

Post this injury-enforced failed medical, Augustus moved to Ulster and has been a strong influence when fit. He had been on the sidelines in early 2026 but showed no rust in dominating the collisions as Ulster beat Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship last weekend.

Augustus, in the 2025/26 season, has started seven of nine matches for Ulster, with an average playing time of 54 minutes. He has played seven URC matches and two EPCR Challenge Cup matches.

In 2024/25, he started 15 of Northampton’s 19 matches, averaged 56 minutes a game, went past 1000 on-field minutes and was a star performer as the Saints marched toward the Investec Champions Cup final. Augustus missed the losing final against Bordeaux because of injury, but was fabulous in the semi-final win against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Less than a year ago, Augustus, a former Junior Springboks Player of the Year, was a headline for all the right reasons. This week, his omission is the headline, given just a few days ago he was named Player of the Match 

It does not seem like a minor selection call from Erasmus.

In a system where the alignment camp reflects the coach’s thinking and pretty much his strongest available player pool, absence is definitive. Augustus has not been managed out. On the surface he has been left out, and the distinction matters. It tells you that, right now, he is not viewed as one of the leading options at No 8 or within the broader loose forward mix.

And that is where the context becomes important.

The Springboks are not short on depth in the back row. Established internationals remain in the system, while younger players have been backed through consistent exposure and selection. The competition among No 8 options is intense and Erasmus never selects on sentiment or for the sake of a good news story.

What is perplexing is what has changed regarding Augustus because his on-field performances remain as imposing as they did a year ago.

Erasmus has omitted players from alignment camps previously and picked them to play Test rugby that season.

The exclusion, this week when Erasmus named a virtual alignment camp group of overseas-based South African players eligible for the Boks, does not mean the door is locked, but it certainly doesn’t promise an easy way back in when the reality is that Erasmus has invited 70 players to his two respective camps, 49 for the early March camp in Cape Town, and a further 21 for the virtual camp.

Six players drop out of the Springboks 2026 alignment camp from 2025, but it is the absence of Augustus that defines the shift – from bolter to outside the Bok top 70.

2025 vs 2026 – Players OUT

Forwards omitted (2025 → not in 2026)

 Backs omitted (2025 → not in 2026)

Springbok fixtures 2026:

International:
Saturday 20 June: Springboks v Barbarians (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha) – TICKETS

Nations Championship:
Saturday 4 July: Springboks v England (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday 11 July: Springboks v Scotland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday 18 July: Springboks v Wales (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry:
Saturday 22 August: Springboks v All Blacks (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday 29 August: Springboks v All Blacks (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday 5 September: Springboks v All Blacks (FNB Stadium, Johannesburg)
Saturday 12 September: Springboks v All Blacks (M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA)
For available RGR tickets in SA, CLICK HERE

Once-off Tests:
Saturday, 8 August: Argentina v Springboks (venue TBC)
Sunday 27 September: Wallabies v Springboks (Optus Stadium, Perth)

Nations Championship:
Saturday 7 November: Italy v Springboks (venue TBC)
Friday 13 November: France v Springboks (Stade de France, Paris)
Saturday 21 November: Ireland v Springboks (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November: Finals Weekend (Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London) – SOURCE

France claimed the 2026 Six Nations title in extraordinary fashion, beating England 48-46 in Paris after Thomas Ramos landed a penalty with the final kick of the match.

The Stade de France thriller produced 94 points and 13 tries, making it one of the highest-scoring Tests in the history of the rivalry.

For France it was their 10th Six Nations title in the professional era, while England’s defeat denied Ireland the championship after a weekend that had swung wildly between contenders.

Across Europe the reaction was dramatic – French media celebrated the spectacle, English outlets lamented the heartbreak and Irish newspapers reflected on a title that slipped away in the final seconds.

France media reaction: ‘A victory of nerve and spectacle’

L’Équipe

Headline: “Ramos au bout du suspense: la France championne!”
(Ramos at the death: France champions!)

France’s leading sports daily focused on the composure of Ramos and the brilliance of winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who scored four tries in a match that will be remembered as one of the greatest “Crunch” encounters.

The paper called the final moments “pure theatre in front of a roaring Stade de France.”

Midi Olympique

Headline: “Un Crunch de folie: les Bleus sacrés au bout du pied de Ramos.”

The rugby weekly described the match as one of the wildest finales in Six Nations history, praising France’s attacking intent but warning that conceding 46 points to England exposed defensive vulnerabilities.

Rugbyrama

Headline: “Un final historique: Ramos offre le Tournoi aux Bleus.”

Rugbyrama highlighted the emergence of Bielle-Biarrey as the star of the tournament, noting his try-scoring feats while praising the resilience of Fabien Galthié’s side.

Le Figaro

Headline: “Les Bleus arrachent le Tournoi dans un Crunch irrespirable.”

Le Figaro framed the victory as a triumph of nerve, describing the contest as an instant classic of French attacking rugby.

England media reaction: ‘Heartbreak in a Paris epic’

The Guardian

Headline: “France win Six Nations with last kick as England fall just short.”

The Guardian described the match as an epic finale, praising England’s attacking ambition but noting discipline and key moments ultimately cost Steve Borthwick’s side.

The Times

Headline: “England heartbreak as Ramos penalty steals Six Nations title.”

The Times focused on England’s inability to close out the match after taking the lead late in the contest, questioning game management in the final minutes.

BBC Sport

Headline: “Last-gasp Ramos penalty denies England in Paris thriller.”

BBC analysis praised England’s seven tries but said the defeat would haunt the players after producing their most attacking display of the championship.

The Telegraph

Headline: “Brave England fall short in 94-point Paris epic.”

The Telegraph labelled the match one of the most extraordinary attacking Tests between the nations, highlighting the spectacle despite the defeat.

Ireland media reaction: ‘Title dreams shattered at the death’

Ireland began the final day of the championship still in the hunt for the title and, for several minutes late in the Paris match, looked set to benefit from an English victory.

Ramos’ penalty changed everything.

Irish Times

Headline: “Ireland denied as France snatch Six Nations in Paris drama.”

The Irish Times described the closing minutes as “a cruel twist” for Ireland, who had earlier completed their own victory but were forced to watch events unfold in Paris.

Irish Independent

Headline: “France break Irish hearts with last-kick title win.”

The paper wrote that Ireland’s title hopes were alive until the final whistle, only to be extinguished by Ramos’ decisive kick.

The42.ie

Headline: “Ireland’s title hopes dashed by Ramos’ dramatic penalty.”

Ireland’s leading rugby platform described the finish as “a brutal reminder of the margins that define championship rugby.”

One of the greatest Six Nations finales

Across Europe there was a rare consensus.

The match will be remembered as one of the greatest Six Nations finales ever played a contest that combined relentless attacking rugby, scoreboard chaos and a title decided with the final kick.

France has produced unforgettable Rugby World Cup moments, yet in 10 tournaments, over 40 years, they have never won the tournament. Their Rugby World Cup record betrays their status as one of the great rugby nations.

France Rugby World Cup Record Explained

The France Rugby World Cup record includes three final appearances and three silver medals, but they remain the strongest rugby nation never to win the Rugby World Cup.

Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images

They have enjoyed success in the Six Nations, with their 2026 title win their 10th in Europe’s premier international rugby tournament, which started as the Five Nations and is now the Six Nations, with Italy’s inclusion.

Understanding France rugby World Cup record requires looking at several factors: their repeated finals heartbreak, the inconsistency of the professional era, and their historical struggles against southern hemisphere opposition.

France in World Cup finals

France have reached the Rugby World Cup final three times, but have lost on every occasion.

The closest France have come to lifting the trophy was in 2011. In a dramatic final at Eden Park, they pushed New Zealand all the way before losing 8–7 in one of the tightest finals in Rugby World Cup history.

France’s journey to that final was turbulent, including internal disagreements within the squad, yet they still produced one of the most spirited performances seen in a World Cup final.

Across tournament history, France have also reached the semi-finals six times, confirming their status as a consistent contender even without a title.

France rugby World Cup record

France have competed in every Rugby World Cup since 1987, maintaining one of the stronger overall tournament records among northern hemisphere nations.

France’s 70% tournament win rate reflects a team that regularly progresses deep into the competition, but they have struggled to finish the job when facing the world’s strongest sides in knockout matches.

Most capped French players at the World Cup

Most tries at the World Cup

Most points at the World Cup

Professional era inconsistency

One of the key reasons often cited when asking why France never win the World Cup is inconsistency during the professional era.

Since rugby union turned professional in 1995, France have often struggled to maintain continuity at international level. Their domestic league, the Top 14, is one of the richest and most demanding competitions in the world. While it produces elite players, the long season and physical toll can make it difficult for the national side to build stability.

Between 2011 and 2019, France experienced a turbulent period marked by coaching changes, fluctuating performances and inconsistent results against top-tier opponents.

However, the current generation has helped restore stability. Under head coach Fabien Galthié, France won the 2022 Six Nations Grand Slam and re-established themselves as one of the world’s leading teams.

Record vs southern hemisphere

Another key factor behind France’s World Cup struggles is their historical record against the southern hemisphere powers.

France vs southern hemisphere nations (all-time Tests)

France have historically struggled against New Zealand and South Africa, with both nations holding dominant head-to-head records.

Australia have also maintained a slight advantage, while France hold a strong record over Argentina.

Despite these numbers, France have produced some of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, including their famous 1999 semi-final victory over New Zealand and the 2007 quarter-final win against the All Blacks in Cardiff.

Those matches highlight France’s unique reputation in world rugby: a team capable of defeating anyone on the biggest stage.

Why France are different at home

France have traditionally been a very different team when playing at home.

The passionate atmosphere in French stadiums, combined with the emotional style of play often associated with Les Bleus, has helped the team produce some of their best performances on home soil.

This advantage was evident during the build-up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, when France entered the tournament among the favourites after several strong seasons.

Crowd support, momentum and confidence have often played a major role in France’s performances in major tournaments.

Can they win in 2027?

Looking ahead, France appear well positioned to challenge for the Rugby World Cup again in 2027.

The current generation of players has developed within a strong domestic system and has gained valuable experience competing at the highest level. Combined with the tactical clarity introduced under Fabien Galthié, France have become one of the most balanced teams in world rugby.

However, the ultimate challenge remains the same as it has been throughout their World Cup history: defeating the southern hemisphere giants in knockout matches.

If France can consistently overcome teams like New Zealand, South Africa and Australia when it matters most, they may finally end their long wait for a first Rugby World Cup title.

The Springboks and All Blacks have played 110 Tests and produced the fiercest contest in rugby. Here is the full Springboks vs All Blacks record, rivalry history and why it remains rugby’s greatest rivalry.

Springboks vs All Blacks record: the full story behind rugby’s greatest rivalry

• What is the Springboks vs All Blacks record?

• The biggest Springbok win over the All Blacks

• The biggest All Blacks win over the Springboks

• Why this is rugby’s greatest rivalry

• The latest chapter in the rivalry

• Springboks vs All Blacks: the verdict

There is no bigger fixture in rugby than the Springboks against the All Blacks.

LATEST NEWS ON RUGBY’S GREATEST RIVALRY

This is the one.

It is rugby’s most loaded rivalry, the one with the deepest history, the greatest tension, and the strongest claim to excellence. Between them, South Africa and New Zealand have set the standard for what Test rugby should look like: hard, clever, physical, unrelenting. They don’t just play for points. They play for hierarchy.

As of the end of the 2025 Rugby Championship meetings, the teams had met 110 times in Test rugby. The All Blacks lead the all-time series with 63 wins, the Springboks have 43, and there have been 4 draws.

That number matters, but it only tells part of the story.

Every era has had its own version of South Africa versus New Zealand. The early tours gave it its edge, but the apartheid years also gave it political charge. Professionalism gave it speed and scale, and the rivalry, in the Rassie Erasmus era, is at its most intense.

ALL BLACKS COACH DAVE RENNIE IS A RED FLAG FOR RASSIE’S BOKS

What is the Springboks vs All Blacks record?

The raw record is straightforward enough.

The Springboks and All Blacks have played 110 Tests. New Zealand have won 63, South Africa 43, with 4 draws. That makes New Zealand the only major nation with a positive all-time record against South Africa, which is why every Springbok win over the All Blacks carries outsized value.

The recent trend, however, tells a sharper story.

South Africa beat New Zealand twice in 2024 31-27 at Ellis Park and 18-12 in Cape Town to reclaim the Freedom Cup. In 2025, the All Blacks won 24-17 at Eden Park, but the Springboks answered a week later with a seismic 43-10 win in Wellington, a result SA Rugby described as the biggest defeat ever inflicted on the All Blacks.

So while New Zealand still lead the century-long rivalry overall, the modern contest is tighter, nastier and far less predictable than the old numbers suggest.

The biggest Springbok win over the All Blacks

South Africa’s biggest win, 35-7 at Twickenham a month before the 2023 World Cup, was the Boks benchmark 100-plus years in the making, but within two years that record was broken.

The new high-water mark came in Wellington on 13 September 2025, when the Springboks demolished the All Blacks 43-10. SA Rugby explicitly called it the All Blacks’ biggest defeat ever, and noted that it surpassed the 35-7 margin from London in 2023.

That matters historically and psychologically.

South Africa have always believed they can beat New Zealand. But there is a difference between belief and force. The 43-10 result was force. It was a reminder that when the Springboks got their collision game, bench impact and tactical pressure exactly right, they could break even the All Blacks in New Zealand.

The biggest All Blacks win over the Springboks

New Zealand’s biggest win in the rivalry remains the brutal 57-0 victory in 2017, still South Africa’s heaviest defeat in Test history. SA Rugby itself referred to it in retrospect as a record defeat by New Zealand.

That result remains one of the rivalry’s most important reference points because it sits at the opposite end of the emotional scale from the Springboks’ recent resurgence. It was humiliation then. The modern Bok revival has been built, in part, on making sure that kind of capitulation never happens again.

Why this is rugby’s greatest rivalry

The phrase is not marketing fluff.

South Africa and New Zealand have been the sport’s two most imposing rugby nations across generations. They have the tradition, the depth, the public pressure, the tactical intelligence and the expectation. More than that, each has usually been measured most accurately by how it performs against the other.

SA Rugby itself now brands the fixture as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, and the 2026 tour has been designed around that idea, with four Tests scheduled between the Springboks and All Blacks, including a Test in Baltimore, USA. That commercial packaging works because it is built on a truth rugby people already understand: no fixture carries more historical weight.

There are bigger sporting events globally, but in rugby, nothing feels more final than Springboks versus All Blacks.

The latest chapter in the rivalry

The latest sequence of matches has added another layer to the story.

In 2024, South Africa beat New Zealand twice in one Rugby Championship campaign, first at Ellis Park and then in Cape Town. The second win secured the Freedom Cup and kept the Springboks unbeaten in that championship stretch.

In 2025, the All Blacks protected Eden Park with a 24-17 win in Auckland, before South Africa hit back with the 43-10statement in Wellington. The official Springbok record published before the Auckland match was 108 played, 42 won, 62 lost, 4 drawn; after Auckland it became 109 played, 42 won, 63 lost, 4 drawn; and after Wellington the all-time tally moved to 110 played, 43 won, 63 lost, 4 drawn.

Springboks vs All Blacks: the verdict

The All Blacks still lead the rivalry on total wins.

But the modern Springboks have changed the feel of the contest. They have beaten New Zealand in World Cup finals, beaten them back-to-back in South Africa, and in 2025 handed them the heaviest defeat in their history in their own country.

That is why the Springboks versus All Blacks fixture remains unmatched. It is not just the best rivalry because of the past. It is the best rivalry because the next chapter still matters.

And in this rivalry, more than any other in rugby, history is never finished.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour fixtures 2026

Friday 7 August: DHL Stormers v All Blacks at DHL Stadium, Cape Town

Tuesday 11 August: Hollywoodbets Sharks v All Blacks at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban

Saturday 15 August: Vodacom Bulls v All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Saturday 22 August: First Test – Springboks v All Blacks at Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Tuesday 25 August: Lions v New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Saturday 29 August: Second Test – Springboks v New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town

Saturday 5 September: Third Test – Springboks v New Zealand at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg Saturday 12 September:

Saturday 12th September: Fourth Test – Springboks v New Zealand in Baltimore, Maryland

SPRINGBOKS v ALL BLACKS – EVERY TEST RESULT

*STATS AS PER SARUGBYSTATS

RUGBY’S GREATEST RIVALRY – IT DOES NOT GET BIGGER THAN SPRINGBOKS v ALL BLACKS

ALL BLACKS 10 SPRINGBOKS 43

ALL BLACKS 57 SPRINGBOKS 0

FAQ

What is the Springboks vs All Blacks record?
The All Blacks lead the all-time Test rivalry 63 wins to 43, with 4 draws after 110 matches.

What is the Springboks’ biggest win over the All Blacks?
South Africa’s biggest win over New Zealand is the 43-10 victory in Wellington on 13 September 2025.

What is the All Blacks’ biggest win over the Springboks?
New Zealand’s biggest win over South Africa is 57-0 in 2017.

Why is Springboks vs All Blacks called rugby’s greatest rivalry?
Because it combines more than a century of Test history, elite winning standards, repeated title-deciding matches and consistent relevance at the top of world rugby. SA Rugby now officially uses the term “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” for the fixture. The two nations have combined for seven World Cup titles.

Andre Esterhuizen and his hybrid rugby qualities have reaped reward off the field. He is the STECO Hybrid Power Tools Hero and Hybrid Craftsman for South Africa’s hottest new power tool brand, with 40 years of RYOBI credibility.

RUGBY’S FIRST HYBRID TEST PLAYER

Esterhuizen, recently on the cover of SA Rugby Magazine, has been outstanding for the Springboks and the Sharks, whom he captained in his 100th match and continues to lead in the United Rugby Championship.

John Stevens, RYOBI Africa and STECO CEO, in confirming the alignment with Andre ‘the Giant’ and the Hybrid Craftsman campaign, said it was a giant step into the rugby landscape for them as a business, but one that made for a perfect fit, given Esterhuizen’s role as Test rugby’s first proper hybrid player and the power of STECO’s hybrid tools.

‘The Shark’s captain and Springbok utility back has been moulded by coach Rassie Erasmus into the world’s first hybrid player; essentially he is versatile enough to perform at the highest level, globally, as both a back and a forward. This is a perfect metaphor for our STECO offering.’

‘Most power tools are walled gardens, but we have designed STECO batteries to work on RYOBI products and vice versa. Our industry-leading 20v batteries last longer, perform better, and offer the performance and power needed for residential and commercial building projects.’

Esterhuizen says, ‘It’s an absolutely synergistic partnership that just makes sense. The STECO team is proudly South African with several decades worth of credibiity. The Stevens and co team have built one of the most envious power tools offerings on the continent but their after sales, hands on approach, puts the customer at the heart of everything that they do. I’m honoured to represent my country, when given the opportunity. I am relishing the hybrid role that was created for me, and I’m excited to get to work with STECO as the hybrid craftsman, with the hybrid tools that I have at my disposal.’

STECO has been a partner of Keo.co.za and the Keo & Zels show for the past 18 months, with Keo & Zels dedicating a section of the show to the STECO Power Play of the weekend.

 

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That Power Play will now be the Hybrid Power Tools Hero of the weekend, with great competition prizes to be won.

BOKS SCRUM A STECO POWER PLAY OF BRUTALITY AND BEAUTY

ANDRE THE GIANT LEADS SHARKS TO SLAUGHTER OF THE SHARKS 

ANDRE THE GIANT SLAYS THE WELSH DRAGON

France are rugby’s great illusion: Celebrated as royalty at home, but on the road they have too often travelled as peasants, as witnessed with the Murrayfield massacre in Scotland scoring 50 points.

The Six Nations match ended 50-40 to Scotland, but don’t be fooled. The story is Scotland scoring 40 unanswered points in the 20 minutes before half time and the 20 after the break.

Charitable tries to France in the final five minutes was never going to change the result, and it should not change the reflection of the match.

Rugby has always been seduced by France. The jerseys, the flair, the romance, the idea that somewhere inside the chaos lies genius. But the professional record, since 1996, tells a colder story.

Four wins from 40 Tests in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
No World Cup gold in 8 tournaments over 30 years
No southern hemisphere series victories.
Nine European titles in three decades.

I am among those always seduced by the folklore of the French, by the celebrated one-off World Cup wins against the All Blacks at Twickenham in the 1999 RWC semi-final and the 20-18 win against the All Blacks at the 2007 RWC quarter-final in Cardiff.

What followed was France losing the next match, one in a final and one in a semi-final.

France, when they hosted the 2007 World Cup, lost the opening match to Argentina and they lost the play-off for third and fourth place to Argentina.

France, in hosting the 2023 World Cup, lost to the defending champion Springboks in the quarter-final.

No Test rugby nation has ever enjoyed such continued hype and delivered such consistent failures.

Tests in the southern hemisphere against the Big Three:

• Played: 40

• Won: 4

• Lost: 35

• Drawn: 1

• Win rate: 10%

The Breakdown:

• New Zealand in New Zealand: 1 win from 18 Tests

• Australia in Australia: 1 wins from 14 Tests

• South Africa in South Africa: 2 wins from 8 Tests

France have not won a Test series in New Zealand, Australia or South Africa since the game turned professional in 1996.

At home against the same three nations:

• Played: 40 Tests

• Won: 17

• Lost: 22

• Drawn: 1

The All Blacks between 2004 and 2017 won seven times in succession in France.

• 27 Nov 2004, Stade de France New Zealand 45-6 France

• 11 Nov 2006, Stade de Gerland New Zealand 47-3 France

• 18 Nov 2006, Stade de France New Zealand 23-11 France

• 28 Nov 2009, Stade Vélodrome New Zealand 39-12 France

• 9 Nov 2013, Stade de France New Zealand 26-19 France

• 26 Nov 2016, Stade de France New Zealand 24-19 France

• 11 Nov 2017, Stade de France New Zealand 38-18 France

The Springboks, between 2013 and 2025, have won five from six

• 23 Nov 2013, Stade de France South Africa 19-10 France

• 18 Nov 2017, Stade de France South Africa 18-17 France

• 10 Nov 2018, Stade de France South Africa 29-26 France

• 12 Nov 2022, Stade Vélodrome France 30-26 South Africa

• 15 Oct 2023, Stade de France South Africa 29-28 France

• 8 Nov 2025, Stade de France South Africa 32-17 France

Even in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse, France lose more than they win against the southern hemisphere trio of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Six Nations / Five Nations (1996–2025):

• Tournaments: 30

• Titles: 9

• Runner-up: 7

• Third: 4

• Fourth: 7

• Fifth: 2

France, under Fabien Galthié, between 2020 and 2025, have finished second, second, first, second, second and first in the Six Nations. They should add a 10th Six Nations title (in 31 attempts) this weekend when they play England in Paris.

But even that renaissance came with its defining moment on home soil in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris, when France lost to the Springboks in the quarter-final in Paris.

The margin was just that one point, but one point was as powerful at 20 on the night.

The Boks, defending the World Cup title, won the tournament in beating England in the semi-final and New Zealand in the final, each play-off win being with a point.

France felt they had been a dirty but one year later, hyped again, they fell once more to the Springboks, who won 32-17 in Paris, despite playing 14-15 for 30 of the 80 minutes.

The Boks, in their last 11 matches against France, six in France and five in South Africa, have won five in France and five in South Africa. They have lost one, 30-26 in Marseilles in 2022.

Saturday’s visit to Murrayfield was significant in the assessment of a French team that had been dominant against Ireland in Paris, Wales in Cardiff and Italy in Lille.

Scotland, at Murrayfield, would be as good a measure as any to the mental resolve of a French squad that must travel further than the flight to Edinburgh when challenging for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

Scotland, at Murrayfield, was a reinforcement of the fragility of the French player psyche when not playing at home.

The defeat, given the hype around France, shocked many, but the manner in which they fell apart was consistent with the past 30 years of professionalism.

FRENCH MEDIA REACTION TO MURRAYFIELD MAYHEM

The World Cup myth

France’s World Cup record since professionalism:

World Cups since 1996: 8
Titles: 0

France, on those big rugby days when expectation leads them into battle, are not the aristocrats rugby imagines them to be.

They are the sport’s most celebrated illusion, so magnificent in the telling, but far less imposing in the reckoning.

SIX NATIONS LATEST: EVERY PLAYER AND TEAM STATISTIC

The French rugby media called it Murrayfield’s madness. The Scottish rugby media called it Murrayfield’s magical night. Scotland’s 50-40 Six Nations win crushed France’s Grand Slam and turned the tournament’s last round into a three-horse race for the title.

France, Scotland or Ireland can win the title.

France hosts England and Ireland is at home to Scotland.

Ireland have beaten Scotland 11 successive times, but this season’s Six Nations has been about rewriting history.

How French Media Reported the Scotland Win

Shock and disbelief France’s Grand Slam hopes destroyed.

Typical framing in L’Équipe-style coverage:

• “La France renversée à Murrayfield”

• “La gifle écossaise”

• “Un match fou”

Meaning:

• France overturned in Edinburgh

• A Scottish slap

• A crazy match

Narrative themes

1. Defensive collapse – France conceding 50 points was central to the coverage.

2. Discipline problems – yellow cards and loss of control.

3. Scottish attacking brilliance – especially Finn Russell’s orchestration.

French outlets emphasised the humiliation of conceding a half-century rather than Scotland’s title credentials.

🇫🇷 Midi Olympique

Editorial tone

Rugby analysis rather than emotional headlines.

Midi-Olympique focused on:

• France’s defensive structure breaking down

• Scotland’s tempo and width

• The tactical battle between Gregor Townsend and Fabien Galthié

Typical angle:

France lost the collision battle and could not control Scotland’s attacking rhythm.

They also highlighted the fact that Scotland scored seven tries, one of the biggest attacking displays against France in modern Six Nations rugby.

🇫🇷 Rugbyrama

Editorial tone

“Match de folie” match of madness

Rugbyrama leaned heavily into the spectacle of the game.

Typical themes:

• 13 tries

• chaotic momentum swings

• Scotland blowing the title race open

The site emphasised that Scotland were 40-14 up before France mounted a late comeback, reinforcing the idea that the damage had already been done.

KEO: SIX NATIONS STUNNER

How Scottish Media Reported the Match

🏴 The Rugby Paper

One of Scotland’s greatest modern performances.

Themes highlighted:

• Scotland scoring seven tries

• Scotland blowing open the Six Nations title race

• Finn Russell masterclass

Scottish media leaned heavily on the idea that this was Townsend’s best Scotland performance.

🏴 The Scotsman

Typical narrative:

“A Murrayfield classic.”

Focus points:

• Scotland’s attacking brilliance

• Darcy Graham becoming Scotland’s record try scorer

• belief that Scotland can challenge for the title

The tone was celebratory but also analytical about Scotland’s development under Gregor Townsend.

🏴 Scottish Sun

Tabloid framing:

• “FRENCH FRIED”

• “MURRAYFIELD MAYHEM”

The tabloids leaned heavily into the spectacle of 50 points against France, something rarely seen in the Six Nations era.

 SIX NATIONS: EVERY PLAYER STAT, TEAM STAT AND LAST ROUND PERMUTATION

The English rugby media treated Rome – and England’s first ever defeat to Italy – as a national embarrassment. The Italian rugby media media treated Rome as a national coming-of-age. In England, the theme was blame. In Italy, it was belief.

Here’s your summary of Italy’s 23-18 win against England in the Six Nations. It was the first time Italy had beaten England in their 33rd match-up over 35 years.

The English media line

1) The broad English newspaper angle: crisis, collapse, pressure on Borthwick
The dominant English framing was not “Italy were lucky”; it was England hit a new low. The Guardian called it a historic first victory for Italy and linked it directly to England’s worsening form and a potential crisis under Steve Borthwick. The Telegraph’s line was even harsher: England’s Six Nations is “in ruins” and the defeat was “shattering.” The Independent pushed the same direction, focusing on the “horror half-hour,” the squandered lead, and the pressure now building on Borthwick’s future.

2) The rugby specialist English angle: self-destruction and indiscipline
The rugby-first English platforms were even more forensic. RugbyPass framed it as a historic defeat that piles pressure on Borthwick, while Planet Rugby went bigger: a history-making Italy result that leaves Borthwick’s job “on the line.” Reuters, reporting the post-match reaction, zeroed in on Borthwick’s own explanation: ill-discipline. Across those outlets, the common English diagnosis was clear: England were in control, then lost composure, bled penalties/cards, and handed Italy the game.

3) The key English match narrative
Across Sky Sports, Reuters, the Independent and the Guardian, the repeated turning points were the same: England built a lead, then yellow cards to Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje swung the match, Italy attacked the space and momentum, and Leonardo Marin’s late try finished it. So the English press consensus is: this was less an accident than an England implosion under pressure.

4) The official England Rugby tone: controlled, stripped of drama
England Rugby’s own match report was the least emotional of the English sources. It acknowledged the “first-ever” Italy win and the late try, but the wording was institutional rather than alarmist. That contrast matters: where newspapers saw embarrassment and political heat, the RFU house style presented it as a narrow defeat decided late.

The Italian media line

1) The dominant Italian framing: history, taboo broken, national step forward
Italian coverage was almost unanimous in tone: historic breakthrough. Gazzetta dello Sport said Italy “made history” and broke the last taboo in the Six Nations. The FIR official site called it an “heroic” Italy that beat England for the first time. Corriere dello Sport led with “storica impresa,” while Corriere della Sera called it the first historic win over the English and the end of an era of chasing.

2) The rugby specialist Italian angle: Italy are now a real team
OnRugby’s tone was especially revealing. Their post-match report and ratings were not just celebratory; they argued this was proof that Italy is now a proper, dangerous side. Their language around the team being “una squadra vera” was important because it moved the story beyond one upset and into a larger idea: Gonzalo Quesada has built a side with belief, cohesion and edge.

3) The Italian narrative emphasis: courage, crowd, growth, Quesada
Italian outlets kept returning to four ideas: the crowd at the Olimpico, the emotional significance of finally beating England, the character of the comeback, and Quesada’s long-build project. FIR explicitly described Italy as courageous in a messy, difficult match that had seemed to be slipping away. Gazzetta and Corriere framed it not as a freak day but as the latest step in an upward curve.

KEO: SIX NATIONS STUNNER

The real split between England and Italy

The English press mostly wrote the match as an England failure.
The Italian press mostly wrote it as an Italy arrival.

That is the essential media divide.

England’s outlets asked:

• How bad is this for Borthwick?

• Why is England so ill-disciplined?

• How do you lose from there?

• Is this the tournament hitting rock bottom?

Italy’s outlets asked:

• How big is this moment for Italian rugby?

• What does it say about Quesada’s team?

• Has the final Six Nations taboo now been removed?

• Can this side go on and make more history?

Outlet-by-outlet quick breakdown

England

• Guardian: historic Italy win, England crisis, discipline and drift.

• Telegraph: England implosion, campaign in ruins, serious pressure on Borthwick.

• Independent: tactical collapse, yellow cards, Borthwick future now a live issue.

• Sky Sports: historic first Italy win, England misery, inquest mode.

• RugbyPass: humiliation and heat on Borthwick.

• Planet Rugby: history made, pressure severe, job-on-the-line framing.

• Reuters: cleanest straight-news read England lost control through indiscipline.

• England Rugby: sober official language, late loss, no emotional panic.

Italy

• Gazzetta dello Sport: history, last taboo broken, emotional national milestone.

• Corriere della Sera: historic first, comeback, national significance.

• Corriere dello Sport: “storica impresa,” celebratory and big-picture.

• OnRugby: detailed rugby reading Italy are now a genuine side, not a novelty winner.

• FIR / Federugby: heroic, historic, proof of growth under Quesada.

 SIX NATIONS: EVERY PLAYER STAT, TEAM STAT AND LAST ROUND PERMUTATION

The romance of the Six Nations reached a peak in Rome when Italy beat England for the first time & in Edinburgh Scotland fried France’s Grand Slam.

What joy for the Italians, the biggest movers in world rugby in the past three seasons.

They won 23-18, having led 10-5 in the 39th minute, then trailed 18-10, only to find something out of the ordinary in 23 year-old midfielder Tommaso Menoncello who scored a spectacular try and made an equally imposing break as the try-assist for the winner in the 73rd minute.

England had beaten Italy 32 times in succession, gone past 50 on nine occasions and blanked the Italians twice in the past 35 years, but in Rome history was there to be written, given England’s Six Nations slump, and Italy duly rewrote history.

It was glorious for the Italians and equally mesmerising for the rugby neutral. This was a win that has been building for a bit. Italy, this season, won against Scotland in Rome, were in touching distance of toppling Ireland in Dublin and trailed France 19-11 with 10 minutes to go in Lille.

France, in scoring three late tries, won more comfortably than the first 70 minutes played out, and Italy took those painful lessons and applied them in Rome. They played until the 81st minute, refusing to cave to expectation or implode in what is among their biggest wins in history.

Italy have won against the Springboks once and Australia a couple of times. They have beaten France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, but never England and the All Blacks. Now that list is down to just the All Blacks.

England, in the last month, have gone from a team unbeaten in 12 matches, to one shell-shocked with three successive defeats, hammerings to Scotland (away) and Ireland (home).

Now this result in Rome and France in Paris still to come next weekend.

Their next Test is on the 4th July against the world champion Springboks in Pretoria.

A month ago the English were pleading to play the Boks the next weekend. The ‘Bring on the Boks’ chorus is now on mute.

Scotland, beaten in the opening round in Rome, responded with a comprehensive home win against England before a late seven pointer in the 75th minute downed Wales in Cardiff.

On Saturday, at Murrayfield, Scotland were irresistible in scoring 40 unanswered points in as many minutes in the last 20 of the first half and the first 20 of the second half to turn a 14-7 deficit into a 47-14 lead. France scored two tries in the back end to bring it back to 47-26 with less than 10 minutes to go. Finn Russell kicked a penalty to bring up the 50 and in a bizarre finish to the Test, France scored two more tries in the last three minutes to force a scoreline of 50-40, which was everything but how the match had played out for 65 minutes.

Scotland travel to Dublin in next weekend’s final round with the hopes of winning the title, should France stumble at home to England.

Ireland can also win the title if they beat Scotland and France lose to England.

SIX NATIONS: EVERY MATCH REPORT, PLAYER STAT AND TEAM STAT FROM ROUND 4

*Ireland, on Friday night needed a late try to beat Wales 27-17 in Dublin in what was the round of the tournament.

SIX NATIONS: ROUND 3 REMINDER

SPRINGBOKS LEAD LATEST WORLD RANKINGS AND ENGLAND DROP TO 6th 

1 South Africa 93.94

2 New Zealand 90.33

3 Ireland 88.89

4 France 87.03 (-1.37)

5 Argentina 84.97 (+1)

6 England 84.34 (-1.28) (-1)

7 Scotland 83.08 (+1.37)

8 Australia 81.53

9 Fiji 81.14

10 Italy 81.09 (+1.28)

Springboks and Wild Knights Damian de Allende continues to set the standards among No 12s in world rugby. He is the best – and has been for some time.

In the Keo & Zels show earlier this week, there was agreement that De Allende remains the standout No 12 in the game.

Keo: Damian de Allende has done it all. Two World Cups. Rugby Championships. Outstanding for Munster in the URC and Investec Champions Cup. A superstar in Japan. A force for the Stormers and Western Province.

Yet when the “best No 12 in the world” debate starts, his name is often an afterthought.

Ireland’s Stu McCloskey has had a strong Six Nations and suddenly some commentators are calling him the benchmark. That’s recency bias. De Allende has been the benchmark for a decade.

He is the glue in the Springbok midfield. When he plays, they are a different side. When he doesn’t, you feel it. Sonny Bill Williams said last season that the most undervalued piece of the South African World Cup puzzle is Damian de Allende. He’s right.

De Allende has strength in contact, a complete passing game and a rugby IQ that the public underrates but coaches don’t. Tony Brown rates him the best passer in the Bok set-up.

The move to Japan extended his career. League One is improving every season, but it’s not the weekly collision of the URC or Top 14. It has preserved him and I believe he has another World Cup in him.

 If we’re picking a No 12 tomorrow? I take him. Every time. He is the best No 12 in the world.

ALL BLACKS GREATS RAVE ABOUT DE ALLENDE

Zels:
That’s the difference between media noise and player reality.

In player circles, “Doogz” gets huge respect. It’s the same story as Franco Mostert. At the Lions people asked what he actually did. Then he became a Bok and suddenly everyone understood the work rate and detail.

De Allende does the heavy lifting. He wins collisions. He cleans up. He organises. He makes the right decision more often than not. Players and coaches see it immediately.

In his prime? For me, absolutely – he’s the best 12 in world rugby.

RECALL: HOW RASSIE REINVENTED DE ALLENDE IN 2019

Last weekend he played his 50th match for the Wild Knights in Japan – another reminder of his consistency and professionalism. Whether it was Milnerton High in Cape Town, a World Cup final with the Springboks, Munster on a European night, or League One in Japan, the standard never drops.

ALL BLACKS MIDFIELD MASTER SONNY BILL WILLIAMS GIVES DOOGZ HIS DUES

 

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URC: The Lions, with Morne van den Berg massive, roared the loudest at Ellis Park with an emphatic win against the Sharks, for whom Jurenzo Julius was the best player.

Morne van den Berg was the pick of the Lions and the best player on display in the Lions bonus point win. The Springboks scrum half was at the heart of everything good about the Lions performance, in a Round 8 match that was played between Rounds 11 and 12 of the competition.

The win moves the Lions into seventh place in the URC and it also kept alive the SA Shield. Had the Sharks won, they would have claimed the Shield, given they already had three bonus-point wins in four matches against their South African colleagues.

The Sharks have beaten the Bulls and the Stormers twice and lost in the final play against the Lions in Durban a month ago.

But it is the Lions who now can claim the Shield if they beat the Stormers at Ellis Park next Saturday.

The Sharks will play the Bulls at Loftus in Pretoria next week and the Stormers and Bulls will complete the South African derbies within the URC in Pretoria on the 14th March.

The Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen picked his strongest match 23 and they were too powerful and precise for a Sharks match 23 missing seven of their first choice Springboks. Sharks coach JP Pietersen invested in youth and some hardened veterans, but the collective of the Sharks could not match the individual class of 21 year-old centre Jurenzo Julius, who ran with condition and with reward, scored a try, had one disallowed and always made metres in the tackle.

JULIUS IN BOKS MIDFIELD AUDITION

Veteran lock Jason Jenkins battled hard, but that was the lot for the visitors who are ninth in the URC league standings. They have four wins in 11 matches.

Van den Berg was the general at No 9, his halfback partner Chris Smith did not miss a kick at posts and the Lions midfield of Bronson Mills and Henco Van Wyk were convincing as a pairing.

Wingers Angelo Davids and Kelly Mpeku chased everything and turned every kick into an attacking one.

Lions fullback Quan Horn was confident and flanker Ruan Venter, lock Ettienne Oosthuizen were a menace and a presence. My personal favourite Asenathi Ntlabakanye produced trademark tackles, handled the tighthead side of the scrum effectively and was regular in taking the ball to the line.

Van den Berg was very good and the Lions were very good in responding from the 52-17 defeat a fortnight ago against the Bulls at Ellis Park.

The Lions have beaten the Sharks in the last three matches at Ellis Park in the URC, each time comfortably, and have won five of the last six matches against the Sharks.

UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP LATEST – WATCH THE LIONS v SHARKS HIGHLIGHTS

Ireland are celebrated for finding their identity in a record 42-21 win against England at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham and Scotland are lauded for finding a way to win a Six Nations match away from home. Here’s your media summary.

What the English media led with

• England’s recurring fast-start problem became the story again – an opening half-hour where Ireland went 22-0 up and effectively ended the contest.

• The post-match tone is brutal: “humiliation”, “nightmare”, “questions everywhere” around England’s direction, selection calls, and a side that’s messy under pressure (turnovers, set-piece errors, poor exits).

• Even where England “had entries”, the message is the same: they didn’t convert pressure into points, and Ireland did –  clinically.

What the Irish media led with

• A statement win built on speed, accuracy and edge – Ireland’s first-half blitz, then second-half control (Sheehan’s early score after the break = the hammer).

• The Irish framing is “old guard / leaders / selection calls justified” – Crowley steering, Gibson-Park snapping, McCloskey giving them gainline ballast.

• Farrell’s tone in reaction coverage: values + connection + belief (less “tactics board”, more “identity restored”).

Former players / influential voices (social + pundit loop)

• Dan Sheehan (via ITV quote carried by SA Rugby Mag): framed it as hunger + belief + emotional lift after the France loss – and called it one of their best performances.

• The wider pundit theme (echoed across liveblogs + post-match reaction): Ireland’s dominance wasn’t fluke finishing – it was system + tempo + accuracy, with England chasing shadows and confidence.

• “I backed England” regret content is already circulating (ex-player prediction culture) with former England fullback Mike Brown getting stick in UK rugby-content spaces after calling it wrong. He is just one of many. Andy Goode called for a rethink of Steve Borthwick as head coach and challenged Borthwick for a rethink of his selections.

South African view (SA Rugby Mag)

Two clean angles SA Rugby Mag are pushing:

• Mocke the notion that three weeks ago England were favourites to win the World Cup, according to their media, and now they have been destroyed, away to Scotland and at home to Ireland on successive weekends.

• Player-reaction line: Sheehan’s “special” framing – Ireland tapped into travelling support and came out of the blocks.

What Six Nations official platform says …

The official match report leans hard into:

• Frenetic start, Crowley penalty, then Gibson-Park’s quick-tap try as the tone-setter.

• The decisive rhythm: England scratched (Dingwall / Lawrence / Underhill), but Ireland had answers (Sheehan + Osborne) and controlled the contest after going 22-0 up.

KEO’S VIEW

I had England to win 30-21 based on Ireland’s lack of form in November against the All Blacks and the Springboks, and their defeat against France in Paris, coupled with their escape at home against Italy a week ago. What I overestimated was the quality of the England team to respond to last weekend’s drubbing against Scotland at Murrayfield. I also thought England would lift for captain Maro Itoje’s 100th Test for England. I underestimated that Ireland would find their identity or play in a way that speaks to the identity that made them a top two side and momentarily had them ranked one in the world. The visitors were superb. This is the first time they have beaten England by more than 20 points. I thought they were as inspiring as England were inept.

EVERY PLAYER AND TEAM STAT AFTER ROUND 3 OF THE SIX NATIONS

WALES v SCOTLAND – Wales improved, Scotland escaped

Result: Wales 23 Scotland 26 (Turner try + Russell conversion in the 75th minute).

Scottish media tone (and Scotland lens generally)

• The Scotland lens is “not pretty, but champion teams steal these” – resilience, finish, Russell influence, and bench impact (Turner delivering the match winner).

• Scotland’s broader narrative: they’re alive in the championship picture (table pressure) because they can now win away, even when off their game.

Welsh media tone (and Wales lens generally)

• The Wales lens is heartbreak with a sliver of hope: this was their best showing of the championship so far, but they still found a way to lose it late (errors, discipline, closing moments).

• The hard number that will sit in every Welsh recap: 14 straight Six Nations losses (and counting).

Former players / influential voices (social + pundit loop)

• The Guardian’s live coverage explicitly notes former Welsh captain Sam Warburton praising Wales’ belief/performance despite the late gut-punch.

South African view (SA Rugby Mag)

• Scotland “snatch” it from a “passionate Wales” – which tells you the editorial emphasis is Wales’ emotional performance and Scotland’s late ruthlessness.

What Six Nations official platform says …

The official report makes it very usable for your structure:

• Wales deserved the first-half lead: Carre + Adams tries, Costelow kicking, and a genuine edge in the arm-wrestle.

• The swing: Scotland’s second-half surge, and Wales being denied their first win again a “remarkable comeback” headline win for Scotland.

KEO’S VIEW

The question is what hurts most for the hapless Welsh supporters; to concede 50 points each time at home or to be five minutes away from winning and then to lose by a late converted try after leading 20-5 early in the second half? Scotland showed composure in the final 10 minutes and Wales, so desperate and filled with desire, had nothing left in the tank once Scotland took the lead 26-23. For a neutral it was a bloody good Test, filled with every drama.

SIX NATIONS ROUND 3 … WHAT WE CALLED

Teams, kick-off times, data, match-ups. Look no further. We have everything you need to know for Round 3 of the Six Nations as France plays Italy, Wales host Scotland and England take on Ireland.

The big talking point this weekend will be the flamboyant England loose-forward Henry Pollock’s first start at No 8.

AFRICA PICKS: WHERE TO MAKE YOUR SIX NATIONS MONEY THIS WEEKEND

WHO’S RUNNING THE HOTTEST IN SIX NATIONS

Six Nations Round 3: Pollock’s Call, Ireland’s Test, Scotland’s Edge, France’s Warning

The headline is at Allianz Stadium. Henry Pollock gets his first start at No 8 for England against Ireland. It is refreshing from England coach Steve Borthwick and it changes the shape of England’s loose trio. Pollock joins Tom Curry and Ben Earl in a back row built for tempo and confrontation.

ENGLAND v IRELAND

Kick-off: 18:00 (UK), Saturday 21 February
Venue: Allianz Stadium

England
Steward; Freeman, Lawrence, Dingwall, Arundell; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Heyes, Itoje (capt), Chessum, T Curry, Earl, Pollock.
Replacements: George, Rodd, Davison, Coles, Pepper, Underhill, Van Poortvliet, M Smith.

Ireland 
Osborne; Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe; Crowley, Gibson-Park; Loughman, Sheehan, Furlong, Ryan, McCarthy, Beirne, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).
Replacements: Kelleher, O’Toole, Bealham, Conan, Timoney, Casey, Frawley, O’Brien.

England’s 12-match winning run ended at Murrayfield, but at home they remain reliable. Their last defeat in London came in November 2024. Since then, nine straight wins. That matters.

Ireland, though, have owned this fixture recently. Five wins from the last six. The only loss in that stretch was a last-minute drop goal in this stadium two years ago.

Andy Farrell reshapes his spine. Jack Crowley starts at fly-half for control. Tadhg Furlong returns to strengthen the scrum. Beirne, Van der Flier and Gibson-Park are back. Ireland are leaning into experience because England at Twickenham demands it.

Recent results:
2025 (Dublin): Ireland 27–22 England
2024 (London): England 23–22 Ireland
2023 (Dublin): Ireland 29–16 England

 

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WALES v SCOTLAND

Kick-off: 16:40 (UK), Saturday 21 February
Venue: Principality Stadium

Wales
Rees-Zammit; Hamer-Webb, James, Hawkins, Adams; Costelow, T Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Francis, Jenkins, Carter, Plumtree, Mann, Wainwright.
Replacements: Elias, Smith, Griffin, F Thomas, Botham, Hardy, J Evans, Murray.

Scotland
Kinghorn; Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu (capt), Van der Merwe; Russell, White; McBeth, Cherry, Z Fagerson, Williamson, Cummings, Brown, Darge, M Fagerson.
Replacements: Cherry, Schoeman, Millar-Mills, Williamson, M Fagerson, Horne, Hastings, Graham.

Wales are 0-from-2 and hurting. Scotland arrive confident after reclaiming the Calcutta Cup against England. Momentum says Scotland, recent history in this clash and Wales’s woeful two wins in their last 25 Tests, says it has to be Scotland.

Welsh coach Steve Tandy has made changes. Sam Costelow takes over at 10. Taine Plumtree strengthens the back row and Ben Carter’s form earns him reward. Blair Murray offers bench spark. Scotland have recalled power winger Duhan van der Merwe and Toulouse fullback Blair Kinghorn.

Recent results:
2025 (Edinburgh): Scotland 35–29 Wales
2024 (Cardiff): Wales 26–27 Scotland
2023 (Edinburgh): Scotland 35–7 Wales

 

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FRANCE v ITALY

Kick-off: 15:10 (UK), Sunday 15 February
Venue: Stade Pierre Mauroy

Italy left Dublin believing they are good enough to beat the very best, but still vulnerable in the big clutch plays. They pushed Ireland and were frustrated not to get the job done. The problem now is scale. France have opened this championship with authority and pace.

Last year in Rome, France dismantled Italy, but the more relevant match is the 13-all draw in Lille in 2024. Paolo Garbisi hit the post from a penalty attempt with the last kick of the match. It would have been Italy’s first win against France in France.

Italy’s backline is ambitious and their pack is no longer passive, but France, in the 2025 Six Nations and in the opening fortnight of 2026, have set the standard.

Recent results:
2025 (Rome): Italy 24–73 France
2024 (Marseille): France 13–13 Italy
2023 (Rome): Italy 24–29 France

If you want a snapshot of the weekend’s matches, England have entrusted youth in the name of Pollock, Ireland have opted for experience and the old guard, Wales, well they continue to search for relevance, and Scotland want consistency. Italy have belief but they are up against the best team in the competition who are playing with the authority of a champion.

ALL THE LATEST FROM THE SIX NATIONS

France have dominated the first fortnight of the Six Nations and they will continue the dream start to the 2026 tournament when hosting the improving Italy. Individually, the French players are also making the biggest statistical statements.

The French backs Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Theo Attissogbe and Matthee Jalibert are the most prominent in attack, with the two wingers three tries each second only to England winger Henry Arundell’s four.

No 10 Jalibert has scored two tries and made 32 carries, three more than his halfback partner Antoine Dupont, and four less than fullback Thomas Ramos’s 36. England’s No 8 Ben Earl has made the most carries (41).

Ramos, Bielle-Biarrey, Jalibert and Attissogbe are placed second to fifth in metres made, with Wales’s Louis Rees-Zammit topping the list with 238.

Jalibert, who was sensational for Bordeaux in the Investec Champions Cup Pool rounds, has been as good for France in the Six Nations.

No player has such a presence in so many facets of play.

Jalibert (10), Ramos (8) and Dupont (5) have made the most offloads, and Jalibert’s four try assists is the most.

Jalibert (10), along with Rees-Zammit, England’s Tommy Freeman and Scotland’s South African-born winger Kyle Steyn, has beaten the most defenders.

Jalibert (21) and Dupont (29) have combined for 50 kicks in play. England flyhalf George Ford leads the list with 34. Ford’s kick metres are the most, 1245, while Dupont (third with 827 metres) and Jalibert (sixth with 610 metres) total 1437 metres.

Jalibert (7) and Dupont (6), as a halfback duo, have no equal in the competition, combining for 13 kicks retained. Scotland’s Ben White, individually, is the leader with 10.

Jalibert (13) has bounced the most kicks, with Ford (11) in second place and Dupont third with 10.

Lineout steals have been minimal and Italy’s Manuel Zuliani and Michele Lamaro are the best with two each.

Defensively, Wales’s Aaron Wainwright (9) and Freeman (9) lead the dominant contact, with France’s Charles Ollivon and Earl (7) the next best.

Wainwright, with this dominance in contact, has the most post contact metres (55), followed by Freeman and Earl with 53 each.

FRANCE ON FIRE

The French attack has been on fire but defensively the French have been as good. Lenni Noguchi and Oscar Jegou, along with Italy’s Manuel Zuliani and Lorenzo Cannone and Steyn are grouped at the top with four each in the dominant tackle category.

(Lorenzo) Cannone, with 37, has the most successful tackles. Niccolo Cannone has 35 and Jegou 34.

Scotland’s Rory Darge (6) has won the most turnovers, with Zuliani second (5) and France’s Michael Guillard and Ireland’s Stuart McCloskey on four each. Winger Attissogbe has won three turnovers.

Wingers understandably dominate the attacking catch success with Ireland’s James Lowe, Arundell, Italy’s Louis Lynagh and Bielle-Biarrey all successful with two catches.

Ramos and Ford have scored the most points and they are the two most accurate sharpshooters, with Ramos tops with 85.7 percent and Ford striking at 81.8 percent.

EVERY PLAYER AND TEAM STAT FROM THE 2026 SIX NATIONS

France are on fire, dispatching Wales with ease in Cardiff in Round 2 of the Six Nations. Scotland were the Brave and Ireland were the fortunate in Dublin. But on the evidence of two Rounds the world champions and No 1 ranked Springboks are still some way ahead of the chasing pack, which is more France than anyone else.

For those who don’t have time to scan every rugby site for Six Nations reaction, here is your summary, with the scanning brilliance of Chat and my own wrap and understanding of what unfolded.

AFRICA PICKS: DID YOU CASH IN ON YOUR SIX NATIONS BETS?

WALES v FRANCE (Cardiff) Reaction: “France are ruthless; Wales are broken”

Result context: France ran in 8 tries and hammered Wales 54–12 in Cardiff.
Six Nations official tone: “record-breaking” French performance; clinical, fast, and brutal.

The Northern Hemisphere themes (what the NH media agreed on)

1) France’s attack is now operating at “Grand Slam pace.”
The common thread: France didn’t just win – they stacked pressure, scored early, and never came down. Their execution looked title-ready, not “round-two ready.”

2) Jalibert ran the game; the French back three feasted.
Reuters singled out Matthieu Jalibert as “masterful”, with France’s shape and kicking hurting Wales repeatedly.
The Guardian focus: wings/finishers cashing in, with Théo Attissogbe front-and-centre.

3) Wales’ defensive system was the story and not in a good way.
Wales missed 31 tackles, with a 68% tackle success figure doing the rounds.
It also wasn’t lost on anyone that the crowd mood and attendance reflected a nation’s frustration.

• Six Nations official: framed France as the tournament’s most clinical force; “run riot / record-breaking” framing.

• Reuters: Jalibert masterclass; Wales defensive collapse; low attendance noted.

• The Guardian: Attissogbe-led romp; France’s young backs looked fearless; Wales outclassed.

South African view (SA Rugby Mag / SA angle)

• SA Rugby Mag (digital): blunt headline energy – “Rampant France rout woeful Wales” and the key SA takeaway: France are the only side still tracking a Grand Slam after two rounds.

• Times Live: explicitly positioned this French run as a Springbok warning shot, tying it to SA’s own demolition job in Cardiff last November.

SCOTLAND v ENGLAND (Murrayfield) Reaction: “Scotland ambushed them; England had no Plan B”

Result context: Scotland beat England 31–20 and lifted the Calcutta Cup, ending England’s long winning run.

The Northern Hemisphere themes

1) Scotland’s start won it (and England never truly recovered).
Reuters captured it cleanly: Scotland sprinted into an early lead and played with belief; England spent the match chasing field position and control.

2) Finn Russell ran the show.
Across reports: Russell was the conductor control when needed, ambition when it was on.

3) Discipline (and Arundell) became England’s headline.
The red-card narrative dominated English-facing reaction, especially tabloid coverage.

4) “Plan A stalled” became the RugbyPass verdict.
RugbyPass pushed the familiar critique: England look blunt when their first pattern doesn’t land.

• The Guardian: Scotland “stunned” England; big tries, big moments, and England’s errors/discipline issues.

• Reuters: Scotland’s recent Calcutta Cup dominance underlined; Russell masterclass; Arundell card pivotal.

• The Sun: framed it as Arundell “hero-to-zero”, Grand Slam hopes crushed on the Murrayfield hoodoo.

• Sky Sports: breakdown angle on why England unravelled (discipline, start, game control).

South African view (SA Rugby Mag)

• SA Rugby Mag: “Storming Scotland end England’s winning run” straightforward: England’s streak snapped; Scotland revived their campaign; Townsend milestone context.

• SA Rugby Mag follow-up: quotes/angle pieces include Borthwick acknowledging England “gave them too big a start.”

IRELAND v ITALY (Dublin) Reaction: “Italy proved they belong; Ireland survived”

Result context: Ireland won 20–13, but the reaction was far more about Ireland’s wobble and Italy’s growth than Irish dominance.

The Northern Hemisphere themes

1) Ireland were “unconvincing” Italy dragged them into a scrap.
That “Ireland survived” framing is consistent across live reports and match wrap language.

2) Italy’s first-half performance made the story.
Italy led at the break; a maul try and defensive bite put Ireland under heat.

3) The Italian press angle: pride + frustration (and ‘it was there’).
Italian coverage leaned into: “great Italy for a half”, match flipped after the break, and the missed chance to land a historic result.

Outlet-by-outlet snapshot (Ireland + Italy)

• Irish Times: Italy led 10–5 at half-time; Ireland turned it with second-half tries (Conan/Baloucoune) to regain control.

• The Independent (UK): headline framing: “Unconvincing Ireland overcome half-time deficit” again, the win without the glow.

• Gazzetta dello Sport (Italy): strong Italy for a half; Ireland “trembled” but won; the swing came after the break.

• RAI News (Italy): second half “capsized” what looked like an Italian day; Italy started “azzurro” but Ireland flipped it.

• Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR): official Italian union tone: “grandissima Italia” that scared Ireland; positives to take even in defeat.

• OnRugby (Italy): positioned it as the “almost” moment and a national conversation piece (reaction roundup).

FOR ALL THE LATEST PLAYER AND TEAM STATS FROM ROUND 2 OF THE SIX NATIONS

• 2026 Six Nations fixtures:
  https://www.keo.co.za/2026-six-nations-fixtures-confirmed-france-to-open-blockbuster-campaign-on-a-thursday/

• France v Ireland analysis:
  https://www.keo.co.za/how-transformed-france-tortured-inept-ireland-in-paris/

• Previous British media reaction piece:
  https://www.keo.co.za/england-hammer-wales-as-british-media-deliver-brutal-six-nations-verdict/