Overview

• South Africa sealed back-to-back titles on points difference after beating Argentina 29-27 at Twickenham.
• Rassie Erasmus cautioned that “there’s still a lot of work ahead” as preparations begin for a five-Test November tour that opens against Japan in London.
• URC sides are reloading immediately, with the Sharks confirming Makazole Mapimpi and Ethan Hooker to start against Leinster and Vincent Koch and Bongi Mbonambi on the bench.
• The Bulls have added Handré Pollard and Canan Moodie to their touring squad, while the Stormers expect Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach and Damian Willemse to link up.
• Erasmus used 36 players and fast-tracked emerging stars such as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie, a shift former Wallaby Nick Phipps calls a defining step toward 2027.