Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks kicked off their 2026 international season with a first alignment camp in Cape Town this past week as they continue their path to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
The Springboks officially kicked off their 2026 campaign this week with a three-day alignment camp in Cape Town, where players were briefed on expectations for the season both on and off the field, the broader plan for the year and the performance standards required in each position.
In the latest episode of The Last Word on Rugby, the panel took a closer look at several factors shaping the Boks’ 2026 season, including high-level talks between head coach Rassie Erasmus and World Rugbyat a recent summit, and the possibility of fresh faces getting a chance in green and gold.
One of the big talking points was Erasmus’ recent meetings with World Rugby in London.
After years of tension between the outspoken Springbok coach and the game’s governing body, Erasmus was pleased following the summit, which could signal a more settled relationship going forward — something that may benefit the Boks.
The panel also weighed in on the ongoing debate over the scrum’s future.
Some voices in the sport have called for the set piece to be “depowered” in an effort to speed up the game, but that idea has found little support in South Africa. Instead, the Springboks have found common ground with France in opposing them against countries such as New Zealand and Australia.
Another topic that sparked discussion, which will become a bitter pill for SA supporters to swallow, was the likelihood of South Africa not hosting the Rugby World Cup again anytime soon. Despite the country’s rich rugby history and passionate fan base, the financial realities mean a home tournament remains unlikely in the near future.
Join us on The Last Word on Rugby as we unpack everything around the Springboks, their 2026 season and how the road to the 2027 Rugby World Cup could unfold.