Doubts Swirl, but the Springboks Are Far From Done

A predictable narrative has sprung up since Australia’s stunning 38-22 win at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, on 16 August 2025, which was a rare home defeat for South Africa that hadn’t happened there since 1963, more than 62 years ago. It was also Australia’s first victory on South African soil since 2011, ending a 14-year drought.

At first glance, it’s easy to see why whispers of decline catch on: a home loss to Australia, a core of double World Cup winners edging past 30 and a new season that began unconvincingly. 

But look closer, and you’ll see it isn’t a slide; it’s a controlled reset, keeping the spine intact while blooding depth and fast-tracking the next wave of Test-ready players.

More of the picture will come into focus in November when South Africa cross the equator for the Autumn Nations. The itinerary will test Erasmus's Boks as they take on Japan, France and Italy before travelling to the Aviva Stadium to face Ireland. The curtain comes down on South Africa's autumn internationals against Wales in Cardiff.

If you’re planning to be there, you can book rugby tickets via HelloTickets, a global platform for events, tours and activities founded in 2017 that serves 15 countries and has helped more than 900,000 travellers book experiences. The marketplace covers major Autumn Nations fixtures and lets you sort by venue and date in just a few clicks, making it easy to secure seats early for the end-of-year Tests. 

Again, while these November showdowns will provide more answers, there might already be enough evidence to suggest that the Boks are far from a spent force and still the team to beat in world rugby. 

Australia arrived battle-hardened after a full tilt series with the British and Irish Lions which they will argue they should have got more out of, owing to a contentious decision in the series decider. 

That row centred on the decisive 80th-minute try at the MCG. Australia argued a Lions clearout by Jac Morgan on Carlo Tizzano involved contact above the shoulders and should have scrubbed Hugo Keenan’s score, but referee Andrea Piardi reviewed it and ruled no foul play. Whatever you make of the events at the MCG, the wider point is that despite losing, the Wallabies pushed the Lions all the way and arrived in the rainbow nation with momentum. 

On the contrary, South Africa’s warm-up for the Rugby Championship featured a low-key incoming tour of Italy and Georgia. As a result, you could see the difference in timing in Johannesburg against Joe Schmidt’s men, but the point that gets lost is what happened next. Seven days later in Cape Town, South Africa bounced back and put that result right with a 30-22 win. 

Ultimately, losing did not become a trend, and unlikely defeats happen from time to time, as the All Blacks also found out on the same night when they unexpectedly went down 29-23 against Argentina in Buenos Aires.

As for the claim that the Boks are now too long in the tooth after their shock defeat, two things matter. Experience helps when you are chasing history and a large slice of the 2023 winners will still be in their prime when the World Cup kicks off in Australia. 

Look at the spine that will still be young enough in 2027. Damian Willemse will be 29 in September 2027 and the ability to switch between 15 and 10 is priceless in knockouts. Manie Libbok will be 30 and his feel for tempo and creative vision remains central to how South Africa stretch defences. Jaden Hendrikse will be 27 and gives real depth at nine across a long tournament. Likewise, Canan Moodie will be only 24 and already looks like a long-term starter, whether he is on the wing or at 13.

Then there is the group who will be 31 when the tournament kicks off. Kurt-Lee Arendse is one of the best finishers in the sport and Grant Williams brings match-changing pace at nine. Additionally, Jasper Wiese is a proven anchor at the base of the scrum. 

For all the talk of Bok players being in the twilight of their careers, Erasmus has widened the pool and handed real roles to new faces. Marnus van der Merwe made his Test debut against Georgia and hit the ground running. In the same series, Neethling Fouche and Boan Venter added power at prop while Asenathi Ntlabakanye picked up tighthead minutes. Cobus Wiese and Vincent Tshituka joined the back row contest and Juarno Augustus had a run at eight. 

In the backs, Ethan Hooker stepped into the matchday group and Ntokozo Makhaza had a first look across the back three. Make no mistake, the conveyor belt of talent is still churning out tomorrow's superstars for the Boks. 

Despite this promising wave of potential stars and the ability to respond to setbacks, every dynasty eventually reaches its end. That day will come for the Boks, but anyone suggesting it will happen in the next 24 months is speaking far too soon. The three-peat is very much still on.