Bakkies: Something is gonna bleed or break

Springbok legends Bakkies Botha and Bismarck du Plessis have reflected on what makes the All Blacks rivalry so special. CLINTON VAN DER BERG reports. sports24.club

For Botha, long labelled rugby’s ultimate enforcer, Test rugby against the All Blacks was the benchmark by which he measured his entire career.

“To play against the All Blacks was the ultimate, and especially physically-wise,” Botha said at Tuesday’s announcement at FNB Stadium that Castle Double Malt would be the title sponsor of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour. “To play against amazing players like Ali Williams, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter was amazing.”

Botha said the return of marquee fixtures against New Zealand gives a new generation of players the chance to test themselves against the very best, something he never took for granted.

“I always tested myself against the All Blacks. When that haka is finished, something is gonna bleed or break.”

It’s the friendships forged on the other side of brutal Test battles that mean the most to Botha. He recalled a lesson from Frik du Preez that has stuck with him .

“He said to me, ‘Bakkies, I didn’t actually make good money out of rugby, but I made friends around the world’, and that’s definitely what makes rugby so special.”

MORE: Fitzy relishing Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry

Du Plessis echoed Botha’s sentiments, describing the mutual respect between the two nations as central to the rivalry’s magic.

“What was always special about playing against New Zealand was the fact that they respected us and we respected them,” Du Plessis said. “Irrespective of who you are, irrespective of what you believed in, we respected each other.”

He recalled growing up as a young boy in Bethlehem and sleeping beside his father’s bed because it was the only room with a TV, so they could get up early to watch the Boks play the All Blacks.

“I never dreamed of playing for the Boks. I dreamed of maybe 20 games for the provincial side, or our town of Bethlehem.”

SPECIAL REPORT: Inside the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour

Reflecting now, he says rugby’s greatest gift was the friendships he made. He and Andrew Hore would hunt on the Wednesday, then bash one another on the Saturday.

“Professional sport took out friendships, relationships [like that].”

Happily, “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” aims to restore some of those grand traditions.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour fixtures
Friday, 7 August: vs Stormers, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Tuesday, 11 August: vs Sharks, Kings Park, Durban
Saturday, 15 August: vs Vodacom Bulls, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Saturday, 22 August: vs Springboks, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Tuesday, 25 August: vs Lions, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday, 29 August: vs Springboks, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday, 5 September: vs Springboks, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Saturday 12 September: vs Springboks, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

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Paul de Villiers has wasted no time making an impact for the Springboks, with the young flanker backing up a dream debut with another star turn in the Nations Championship.

Thrown into the starting lineup at the last minute against England in round one, the 23-year-old retained the No 6 jersey as one of only a handful of players kept in Rassie Erasmus’ much-changed side for the Scotland clash last week.

The Stormers loose forward again justified that faith with an industrious all-round performance as the world champions triumphed 42-28 in Pretoria.

MORE: Bok rookie relishing Morgan match-up

Renowned for his work over the ball, De Villiers also showed his attacking instincts, slicing through the heart of the Scottish defence to launch the move that ended with Evan Roos crossing the whitewash.

De Villiers carried eight times for 63m, beat two defenders, completed 16 tackles and claimed a turnover in an 80-minute display that combined physicality with relentless work rate.

Having made an immediate impression in his first two Tests, the former Junior Boks skipper will run out again in Saturday’s showdown with Wales at Kings Park.

ICYMI: Dominating De Villiers your Bok MVP

A great shift by the former #JuniorBoks captain against Scotland #Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/S3eh6vPdIH

— Springboks (@Springboks) July 14, 2026

Photo: @Springboks/X

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Stellenbosh FC confirmed on Tuesday that they have signed 28-year-old former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder George Matlou.

Stellies CEO Benadie – ‘His pedigree speaks for itself

“George is a player we believe can add real value to our squad through his experience, technical ability, and understanding of the game,” Stellenbosch CEO Rob Benadie told the club’s official website.

“His pedigree speaks for itself, and we are naturally pleased that he has chosen to continue his career with Stellenbosch FC. We believe he can play an important role in helping us achieve our objectives this season.”

Matlou joins as a free agent after being released by Chiefs at the end of last season. He joined Chiefs in 2022, and went on to make 46 appearances for Amakhosi.

Two more signings

Stellies, meanwhile, announced two more signings on Tuesday. The Cape Winelands side have brought in full back Terrence Mashego on a season-long loan from Mamelodi Sundowns. Mashego spent last season on loan at Durban City.

“Terrence is a player who has competed at the highest level on both the domestic and international stages, and we believe he has the ability and quality to add significant value to our squad,” added Benadie.

Stellies also announced the signing of Cape Town-born goalkeeper Nathan Garrow from New Zealand side Auckland City.

The 21-year-old played for Auckland City at the 2025 Fifa World Club Cup against Benfica and Boca Juniors.

‘An incredibly bright future’

“We are delighted to welcome Nathan to Stellenbosch FC. He is a talented young goalkeeper with outstanding potential, and his performances over the past year have demonstrated that he has the quality to succeed at a high level,” said Benadie.

“He has an incredibly bright future ahead of him, and we believe that he will benefit from the opportunities for growth that exist at the club, while simultaneously helping to improve our goalkeeping department.”

Stellies needed to reinforce their goalkeeping department after Lee Langeveldt retired and Oscarine Masuluke left the club. Garrow will face stiff competition for the number one jersey, however, in the form of Sage Stephens.

Manchester United are closing in on the surprise signing of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa after triggering the midfielder’s £35 million release clause.

The club moved quickly for the 29-year-old Belgian international after a proposed transfer for Atalanta midfielder Éderson collapsed, making Tielemans their new priority in midfield.

The deal progressed rapidly, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano giving it his trademark “Here we go” confirmation.

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Manchester United trigger £35m release clause

Manchester United activated the £35 million release clause in Tielemans’ contract, leaving Aston Villa with no option to block the move or negotiate a higher transfer fee.

Tielemans has agreed to a five-year contract at Old Trafford, keeping him at the club until June 2031.

He is also expected to receive a wage package that mirrors or exceeds the reported £150,000 per week he earned at Aston Villa.

Medical scheduled before official announcement

The Belgian midfielder has already arrived in Manchester and is scheduled to undergo his routine medical examinations on Tuesday, 14 July 2026.

Manchester United are expected to formally announce the signing within the next 24 hours.

Why Manchester United signed Tielemans

United’s move for Tielemans came after their proposed £37 million transfer for Atalanta midfielder Éderson broke down at the final stages following his medical.

The collapse of that deal forced manager Michael Carrick to look elsewhere as he continues reshaping Manchester United’s midfield.

Tielemans’ arrival forms part of a wider rebuild following the departure of veteran midfielder Casemiro.

Midfield overhaul continues

Tielemans will become Manchester United’s second major midfield signing of the week after the club officially completed the £50 million signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea on Monday.

The additions underline Carrick’s intention to rebuild the heart of his squad ahead of the new season.

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Blow for Aston Villa

Tielemans’ departure represents a significant setback for Aston Villa.

Manager Unai Emery had hoped to keep the experienced Belgian midfielder, but the activation of his release clause meant the club had no control over the transfer.

Villa’s midfield has also been weakened after Amadou Onana suffered a ruptured ACL at the FIFA World Cup, increasing the challenge of replacing one of their key players.

United still linked with more midfield reinforcements

Manchester United’s summer transfer business may not be finished.

Reports from the Manchester Evening News suggest the club remain interested in signing Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, who is valued at £80 million.

If the move materialises, Scott could join Tielemans and Andrey Santos as part of United’s new-look midfield.

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