Here are your rugby headlines for Saturday, August 29.
Springboks explain late changes
The Springboks have moved to explain the reasons behind their significant late team changes ahead of today’s second Test against the All Blacks.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus had initially announced a key change at outside-half when naming his team three days earlier than required on Monday, with the experienced Handre Pollard starting ahead of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. There was also no Cheslin Kolbe in the side due to injury.
By Friday, after the All Blacks had named their side, Pollard was out, Feinberg-Mngomezulu was starting and Kolbe was fit and back in the starting XV.
The dramatic late changes led to more accusations of Erasmus mind games ahead of a big match, with suspicions raised that the Springboks always intended to field a different side to the one initially named.
Now, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has explained the chain of events that led to the changes.
“It happened on Wednesday and he went for testing, so I can’t say exactly how long he’ll (Pollard) be out,” said Stick.
“I feel for him and hopefully he recovers quickly, but what I admire is that a leader like Handre was honest about how he was feeling and had the courage to say he didn’t feel right during the training session. He’s been in such good shape, and he’s been working very hard, even when he wasn’t in the matchday squad, but he has always been positive and tried to help the guys.”
On Kolbe’s inclusion in the starting team, which resulted in Kurt-Lee Arendse dropping out of the squad, Stick said: “Both of those players didn’t finish last week’s game, and as a coaching team we do our team selection on a Sunday, but at that stage we didn’t have a final medical report on Cheslin.
“Our team policy, however, is that if a player can train fully on a Monday, there’s no reason not to select him, and Cheslin did that and went well through the week, which is why we made the change.”
Captain Siya Kolisi has also been declared fit and says he is happy with the way he recovered from the strain he picked up in the Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires earlier this summer.
“I feel good and strong – the toughest part was more the mental battle,” said Kolisi.
“You know you’re always going to heal, so it’s more the mental side that is challenging because you don’t know in which game you’re going to be back.
“Fortunately, I had good support from the coaching staff, my teammates, and our medical team, so I’m really happy to be back and able to play this game.”
Ex-Ospreys boss lands new role with World Cup team
Former Ospreys head coach Toby Booth has landed a new role with Hong Kong China ahead of their historic Rugby World Cup debut.
Booth has returned to the coaching set-up as defence and lineout coach, just over a year before Hong Kong China head to Australia for the 2027 World Cup.
The former Ospreys boss previously worked with the Asian side as a consultant before joining Harlequins’ coaching staff.
His short-term spell with the London club ended in June and he has now returned to Hong Kong China as they prepare for the biggest tournament in the country’s rugby history.
The move is part of a wider coaching reshuffle, with Andrew Douglas returning as head coach.
Douglas successfully guided Hong Kong China through Rugby World Cup qualifying before stepping down to concentrate on his role as Head of Technical Rugby with the Hong Kong China Rugby Union.
Logan Asplin was promoted from assistant coach to replace him and led the side to a 42-40 Nations Cup victory over Uruguay in July.
He will remain part of the set-up as attack coach following Douglas’ return.
Booth’s previous experience with Hong Kong China made him a natural choice to return to the coaching team, with the union keen to build on the work already done ahead of their World Cup campaign.
Hong Kong China executive director of performance rugby Simon Amor said: “We welcome the return of Toby to the set-up and as we prepare for our one-year push to one of the biggest moments in the history of rugby in Asia.
“His previous time with the squad has continued to resonate with the playing and coaching staff, and we are delighted to have him back.”
Strength and conditioning coach Allan Ryan has also joined the programme on a consultancy basis from Toulouse.
The coaching changes come with Hong Kong China preparing for their first appearance at a Rugby World Cup, which will be staged in Australia in 2027.
Ospreys announce new leadership structure
Ospreys have announced a new leadership structure with Dan Griffiths appointed Head of Rugby and Richard Lancaster becoming Managing Director.
The appointments take effect immediately and come as the club prepares for its move to a new permanent home at St Helen’s.
Griffiths has spent 16 years with the Ospreys and has worked across the club’s rugby programmes and operations. In his previous role as Rugby General Manager, he oversaw the academy and senior environment while leading on senior player recruitment and retention.
He will now take charge of the Ospreys’ rugby operations, working alongside coaches and departmental leads across the development and senior programmes.
Lancaster steps up from his position as Commercial Director to lead the business side of the organisation.
He has played a key role in the club’s commercial strategy and its relationship with Swansea Council during the development of the St Helen’s plans.
His responsibilities will now include the opportunities and challenges associated with operating the Ospreys’ own venue, while he will also represent the club on the Professional Rugby Board and in its relationships with the Welsh Rugby Union, United Rugby Championship and European Professional Club Rugby.
Ospreys chairman Roger Blyth said Griffiths and Lancaster were the “right people to promote from within”, adding that the pair’s responsibilities would be “different but complementary”.
“Richard will lead the business side of the organisation and Dan our rugby operations, but the success of each is intrinsically linked to the other,” Blyth said.
“I am confident that together they will provide the direction and energy required for the next chapter of Ospreys Rugby.”
Griffiths said he was “incredibly proud” to take on his new role after 16 years with the club.
“It’s an exciting new chapter for the Ospreys with the development of St Helens and one which staff and players are looking forward to being a part of,” he said.
“There is a lot of work ahead of us, but we feel we have a good balance to the squad with some young talent and quality recruitment complementing a core of players well established at the club.”
Lancaster added: “It’s a privilege to take on this responsibility at such an important point in the Ospreys’ history.
“Having a home of our own creates opportunities commercially and operationally, but just as importantly it gives us the chance to bring the Ospreys closer to our supporters and our community.”
The pair will be supported by locally based Ospreys board members Blyth, Alun Wyn Jones and Rob Davies, who will provide strategic oversight and guidance to the executive leadership team.
Young Welsh international agrees new Scarlets deal
Young Welsh international Harry Thomas has agreed a new deal with the Scarlets.
The 20-year-old hooker has committed his future to the region after progressing through the Scarlets Academy and establishing himself as one of Wales’ promising young front-row forwards.
Thomas starred for Wales U20 during last year’s Six Nations and has also gained senior experience with Llandovery in Super Rygbi Cymru.
The Llanelli-born hooker made his Scarlets debut in the United Rugby Championship two years ago and has continued to feature regularly for the region.
Thomas’ latest contract represents another step in the development of a player who has come through the local pathway, having started his rugby journey with New Dock Stars RFC before progressing through Llanelli Schools and into the Scarlets system.
His father Meirion also captained New Dock Stars, where Thomas first began playing rugby as a youngster.
Thomas has previously spoken of his pride at representing the club that played such an important role in his development.
The Scarlets have now confirmed that the home-grown hooker has signed a new deal, keeping him at Parc y Scarlets as he looks to build on his early senior career.

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