Honestly, if you thought South African rugby would just settle into a quiet rhythm after the back-to-back World Cup highs, you haven’t been paying attention. It is January 2026, and the landscape is shifting under our feet.
The big talk right now isn't just about the Springboks’ dominance. It’s about the chaos and brilliance of the United Rugby Championship (URC) and the fact that Rassie Erasmus is still using Twitter—well, X—to troll the entire nation of New Zealand. Just yesterday, Rassie posted an AI-generated video of Tony Brown with Leonardo DiCaprio’s face from The Wolf of Wall Street shouting, "I'm not leaving!"
It was hilarious. It was also a massive relief.
With Scott Robertson getting the sack as All Blacks coach earlier this week, everyone in Auckland was eyeing our attack guru. But the message is clear: Brown is staying in the green and gold until at least 2027.
The URC Power Shift Nobody Expected
We’ve spent years talking about the Bulls and the Stormers as the two giants of the local game. But look at the log right now. The Stormers are sitting pretty at the top with 36 points after eight games, basically looking untouchable in Cape Town.
They just beat the Bulls 13-8 in a match that was, frankly, a bit of a grind. Over 53,000 people showed up at DHL Stadium just to watch Ntuthuku Mchunu rumble over in the 79th minute. It wasn't "Total Rugby," but it was winning rugby.
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The real story, though? The Lions.
For the longest time, the Johannesburg side was the "yeah, but" of South African rugby news. "Yeah, they’re fun to watch, but they can't close games." Well, they just went to Durban and beat the Sharks 23-22 with a try after the hooter by Haashim Pead. They’re up to 7th on the table. The Bulls? They’ve slipped to 10th. It’s weird seeing the Loftus crowd this quiet in January.
Current URC Standings (SA Teams)
- Stormers: 1st Place (36 points) – 8 wins, 0 losses.
- Lions: 7th Place (21 points) – 4 wins, 4 losses.
- Bulls: 11th Place (16 points) – 3 wins, 5 losses.
- Sharks: 13th Place (14 points) – 1 win, 7 losses.
The Injury Crisis in the Cape
It’s not all sunshine and braais in the Western Province, though. John Dobson has a massive headache. Ruan Ackermann, who has been a revelation since coming back from Gloucester, is out for up to six months with a neck injury.
That is a hammer blow.
He’s already been de-registered from the Champions Cup squad. To make matters worse, Ali Vermaak is sidelined with an ankle issue, and Dan du Plessis is still out. They’ve had to scramble to sign guys like Wandi Mlaba and Mfundo Ndhlovu just to keep the lights on for the European fixtures.
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The Stormers are the only SA team with a real shot at the Champions Cup playoffs right now. The Sharks basically threw away their chance by sending a B-team to Manchester last week to play Sale. They lost, got zero bonus points, and turned their upcoming clash with Clermont into a dead rubber. Ox Nche is talking a big game about a five-point win, but let’s be real—they need a miracle elsewhere to qualify.
What's Really Happening with the Money?
You might remember the drama late last year regarding the Ackerley Sports Group (ASG) equity deal. It fell through because the unions couldn't agree on the 75% majority.
People were panicked. They thought SA Rugby was going broke.
Actually, the opposite is happening. Rian Oberholzer and the SARU team managed to wipe out a R93 million loss from 2024 by basically crushing it in commercial sales during 2025. They’re forecasting a profit of over R100 million this year.
Instead of rushing into another private equity deal, they’ve appointed independent financial advisors to look at the whole "ecosystem." Basically, they’re playing it smart. They aren't selling the "soul" of the Boks, but they are looking for ways to fund the women's game and grassroots rugby without needing a desperate cash injection.
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Looking Ahead: The All Blacks Tour
The 2026 season is unique because the Rugby Championship is taking a "break" for a very specific reason: The All Blacks are coming for an old-school, full-scale tour of South Africa.
This isn't just two Tests and a flight home.
We’re talking three Tests against the Boks, plus matches against the URC franchises. It’s going to be absolute carnage. After the Boks demolished them 43-10 in Wellington last year, the Kiwis are coming for blood, even with their coaching staff in a state of total flux.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you’re following the game this year, here’s how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Lions' Midweek Progress: They are the "dark horse" for a playoff spot. If they can stay injury-free, they’ll leapfrog the Bulls.
- Keep an Eye on Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu: He’s on the verge of a historic "Double" at the SA Rugby Awards. The kid is the future of the flyhalf jersey.
- Plan for August: If you haven't booked travel for the All Blacks Tests yet, you’re already late. Tickets are expected to be the most expensive in SA history.
- Monitor the Champions Cup: Don't expect much from the Sharks or Bulls in Europe this month. Put your emotional energy into the Stormers’ clash with Leicester Tigers if you want to see an SA team in the knockouts.
South African rugby isn't just about the 80 minutes on the field anymore. It’s a mix of high-stakes finance, Rassie’s social media mind games, and a domestic structure that is finally starting to look as deep as the national squad itself.