International
'Remember, he's insurance': Richie Mo'unga firming as a back-up option for All Blacks
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South Africa 
Argentina 
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Springboks
The Springboks are the pride of South Africa. They’ve won four Rugby World Cups and they’re the current holders of The Rugby Championship. The team also competes in the newly formed Nations Championship.
Springboks News
Latest
'Guys are going to get tired': Ex-Bok prop Kitshoff predicts 3-1 series win for South Africa
31
1 day ago
Nations Championship
Analysis
Boks edged out by France in Nations Championship 'power play' rankings
9
2 days ago
Nations Championship
LONG READ
The data shows Dave Rennie's All Blacks can test the all-conquering Springboks to the max
444
3 days ago
All Blacks told to 'expect no mercy' as URC outfits baying for win over NZ
27
3 days ago
World Ranking
Springboks are currently 1st in the World Rugby Rankings. They have held the top spot for 10 months.
Ranking Over Time
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2003
2015
2026
Springboks Matches
Sat 18 Jul, 2026
Sat 8 Aug, 2026
Sat 22 Aug, 2026
Springboks Rugby Team Players
Springboks Forwards
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Springboks Backs
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Springboks Tournaments
South Africa National Rugby Union Team: The Springboks
The South Africa national rugby union team are affectionately known as the Springboks by supporters all over the world. They're the current holders of both the Rugby World Cup and The Rugby Championship. As a result, they're one of the most formidable teams on the planet.
Several giants of the game have played for the South Africa national rugby union team. This includes more than a dozen former Springboks players who have been inducted into either the International Rugby Hall of Fame or the World Rugby Hall of Fame, such as John Smit and Francois Pienaar.
The current Springboks squad features several stars of the modern game, including Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe. All three have won back-to-back Rugby World Cups with the squad.
The Springboks at The Rugby Championship
The Springboks joined the inaugural edition of the Tri-Nations in 1996, alongside Australia and New Zealand. In 2012, the competition was expanded to include Argentina. It’s now known as The Rugby Championship and is the pinnacle of rugby in the Southern Hemisphere.
Since 1996, the Springboks have won this annual competition on six occasions, including in both 2024 and 2025. To date, they're the only team to win both this competition and the Rugby World Cup in the same year.
The Springboks at the Rugby World Cup
Although South Africa was instrumental in the creation of the Rugby World Cup, the team could not compete in the first two editions of the tournament due to anti-apartheid sporting boycotts.
But, the first time the Springboks entered the competition in 1995, they both hosted and won the tournament. Famously, Nelson Mandela presented the Springboks players with the trophy after the final. Since, they've continued to be highly successful. They've won the tournament three more times (2007, 2019 and 2023) and they've claimed third-place twice. Interestingly, they’ve won all four of the Rugby World Cup finals they’ve played in.
Added to this, the Springboks are now the most successful team in the history of the Rugby World Cup. This is because South Africa’s 2023 Rugby World Cup victory made the Springboks the first team to capture four Webb Ellis Cups. They’re followed by New Zealand on three, Australia on two and England on one.
FAQs
How many Rugby World Cups have the Springboks won?
The Springboks have won four Rugby World Cups. They’re the most successful side in the history of the competition.
Who is the current Springboks head coach?
The current head coach of the Springboks is Rassie Erasmus.
Who is the captain of the Springboks?
Siya Kolisi is the current captain of the Springboks. He led his country to back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023.
Why are South Africa referred to as the Springboks?
The Springboks nickname was first devised during the team’s 1906-07 tour of Britain, with the team named after the Springbok emblem on their jersey.
When was South Africa’s national rugby team founded?
The South African rugby team was established in 1891. The team faced a touring British Isles team in their first international fixture, which was held in the same year.
What is the Springboks’ biggest defeat in rugby union?
The Springboks suffered their biggest ever defeat in September 2017. They were beaten 57-0 by the All Blacks in Wellington.
Who has scored the most points for South Africa?
Percy Montgomery is South Africa’s record point-scorer. He scored 893 points for the Springboks between 1997 and 2008.
Who has the most caps for the Springboks?
Eben Etzebeth is the most-capped Springboks player. He’s made 140+ appearances for his country since 2012 and still represents the Springboks to this day.
What is South Africa’s record against New Zealand?
South Africa hold a losing record against New Zealand.
The two teams have faced each other 110 times in test matches since 1921. Over this time period, New Zealand have won 63 of the encounters between the two countries, while South Africa have won 43. A further four have ended in a draw.
Who is the Springboks’ all-time leading try scorer?
Bryan Habana is the Springboks’ all-time leading try-scorer. He scored 67 tries during his international career.
What is South Africa’s best Rugby World Cup result?
South Africa are the most successful team in the history of the Rugby World Cup. They’ve won the tournament on four occasions: 1995, 2007, 2019 and 2023.
Where do the Springboks play their home matches?
The Springboks don’t have a set ‘home’ stadium. Instead, they play at various grounds across South Africa, including Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, Kings Park Stadium in Durban and Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
What colours do the Springboks play in rugby?
South Africa play in green jerseys with a gold collar and trim, white shorts and green socks. Traditionally, their away kit is predominantly white with dark green socks.
Who are the most famous Springboks players?
The Springboks are one of the finest rugby teams in the history of the sport. As a result, a number of famous players have featured for the South African rugby team, including Bryan Habana, Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Joost van der Westhuizen.
Other legends of the game in South Africa include the likes of Victor Matfield, Os du Randt, Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira and Chester Williams.
