{"1070":{"title":"Rugby World Cup","uri":"rugby-world-cup","id":"111","oid":"210","ovid":"1070","order":0,"hasData":1},"1491":{"title":"Rugby's Greatest Rivalry","uri":"rugbys-greatest-rivalry","id":"1491","oid":"1491","ovid":"1491","order":1,"hasData":1},"0":{"title":"Autumn Nations Series","uri":"autumn-nations-series","id":"124","oid":"365","ovid":"0","order":31,"hasData":1},"2146":{"title":"Nations Championship","uri":"nations-championship","id":"114","oid":"114","ovid":"2146","order":3,"hasData":1},"1034":{"title":"World Rugby Junior World Championship","uri":"world-rugby-u20-championship","id":"216","oid":"216","ovid":"1034","order":5,"hasData":1},"1008":{"title":"Investec Champions Cup","uri":"european-champions-cup","id":"110","oid":"242","ovid":"1008","order":6,"hasData":1},"1026":{"title":"Challenge Cup","uri":"challenge-cup","id":"118","oid":"243","ovid":"1026","order":7,"hasData":1},"1020":{"title":"Super Rugby Pacific","uri":"super-rugby","id":"104","oid":"205","ovid":"1020","order":8,"hasData":1},"1011":{"title":"PREM Rugby","uri":"premiership","id":"101","oid":"201","ovid":"1011","order":9,"hasData":1},"1068":{"title":"United Rugby Championship","uri":"united-rugby-championship","id":"138","oid":"204","ovid":"1068","order":10,"hasData":1},"1002":{"title":"TOP 14","uri":"top-14","id":"102","oid":"203","ovid":"1002","order":11,"hasData":1},"1013":{"title":"Pro D2","uri":"pro-d2","id":"211","oid":"211","ovid":"1013","order":12,"hasData":1},"2062":{"title":"International","uri":"internationals","id":"107","oid":"3","ovid":"2062","order":13,"hasData":1},"2066":{"title":"Women's Internationals","uri":"womens-internationals","id":"274","oid":"274","ovid":"2066","order":14,"hasData":1},"1095":{"title":"PWR","uri":"premiership-womens-rugby","id":"127","oid":"340","ovid":"1095","order":17,"hasData":1},"1174":{"title":"Major League Rugby","uri":"major-league-rugby","id":"131","oid":"151","ovid":"1174","order":18,"hasData":1},"1106":{"title":"Women's Six Nations","uri":"womens-six-nations","id":"125","oid":"248","ovid":"1106","order":19,"hasData":1},"1055":{"title":"Six Nations","uri":"six-nations","id":"108","oid":"209","ovid":"1055","order":20,"hasData":1},"1062":{"title":"U20 Six Nations","uri":"u20-six-nations","id":"217","oid":"217","ovid":"1062","order":21,"hasData":1},"2070":{"title":"Pacific Four Series","uri":"pacific-four-series","id":"120","oid":"120","ovid":"2070","order":22,"hasData":1},"1001":{"title":"Hilux NPC","uri":"bunnings-npc","id":"105","oid":"208","ovid":"1001","order":23,"hasData":1},"1039":{"title":"Currie Cup","uri":"currie-cup","id":"106","oid":"207","ovid":"1039","order":24,"hasData":1},"1171":{"title":"Women's Rugby World Cup","uri":"womens-rugby-world-cup","id":"126","oid":"249","ovid":"1171","order":25,"hasData":1},"1119":{"title":"Rugby Europe Championship","uri":"rugby-europe-championship","id":"269","oid":"269","ovid":"1119","order":27,"hasData":1},"1535":{"title":"British & Irish Lions 2025","uri":"british-irish-lions","id":"113","oid":"221","ovid":"1535","order":28,"hasData":1},"1053":{"title":"The Rugby Championship","uri":"the-rugby-championship","id":"109","oid":"214","ovid":"1053","order":29,"hasData":1},"1260":{"title":"Pacific Nations Cup","uri":"pacific-nations-cup","id":"219","oid":"219","ovid":"1260","order":30,"hasData":1},"2151":{"title":"WXV Global Series","uri":"wxv","id":"144","oid":"144","ovid":"2151","order":33,"hasData":1},"2096":{"title":"WXV 2","uri":"wxv-2","id":"863","oid":"863","ovid":"2096","order":36,"hasData":1},"2097":{"title":"WXV 3","uri":"wxv-3","id":"864","oid":"864","ovid":"2097","order":37,"hasData":1},"1297":{"title":"Premiership Cup","uri":"premiership-cup","id":"116","oid":"116","ovid":"1297","order":39,"hasData":1}}
52 - 17
FT
71 - 28
FT
46 - 12
FT
53 - 19
FT
60 - 8
FT
26 - 29
FT
39 - 19
FT
21 - 19
FT
30 - 24
FT
32 - 23
FT
42 - 12
FT
7 - 66
FT
28 - 18
FT
21 - 43
FT
54 - 19
FT
19 - 35
FT
63 - 26
FT
43 - 23
FT
21 - 19
FT
28 - 30
FT
28 - 21
FT
Saturday
22:10
Sunday
16:00
Sunday
17:10
Sunday
22:05

'Hopefully it's not too serious': Rassie clarifies Moerat's absence

By Angus Opperman
Saturday 7 Nov 2026
TURIN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 07: South Africa players lineup ahead of the Nations Championship match between Italy and South Africa at Allianz Stadium on November 07, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Massimo Pinca/Gallo Images)

INJURY UPDATE: Rassie Erasmus revealed why lock Salmaan Moerat withdrew at the last minute ahead of the Springboks’ Nations Championship clash against Italy.

ADVERTISEMENT

Moerat was seen partaking in the team warm-up but didn’t feature in the starting line-up when the side ran onto the field ahead of the two sides’ respective national anthems.

Instead, Lood de Jager was elevated from the bench into the starting line-up in place of Moerat, with Franco Mostert taking his place on the bench.

*Also read: Player Ratings: South Africa

Erasmus clarified in the post-match press conference why Moerat withdrew from the clash following the Boks’ 66-7 victory over the Azzurri in Turin.

“There are no other injury concerns, but Salmaan said he had back spasms,” Erasmus told Rugby365.

ADVERTISEMENT

“He had a bit [of spasms] on Thursday, but we thought it would clear up and he looked good at captain’s practice [on Friday].

“Unfortunately, in the warm-up, the back spasms flared up again; hopefully it’s not too serious, but he’s the only casualty we have from this match,” Erasmus concluded.

The Boks will depart for Paris to face France in their second match on tour this coming Saturday.

1 YEAR TO GO - RWC27

1 YEAR TO GO 

The countdown is on until the biggest Men’s Rugby World Cup ever kicks off in Australia. Go All Out and secure your seats with tickets now available! 

BUY TICKETS NOW

ADVERTISEMENT

Trending

1
Bok star Pieter-Steph du Toit is returning to South Africa
2
CONFIRMED: Sharks sign Bok World Cup winner
3
Player Ratings: South Africa

Join free

KOKO Show | November 3rd | SWING LOW, SWEET REVENGE! WALLABIES HEAD NORTH FOR ENGLAND SHOWDOWN + STEPHEN HOILES JOINS KOKO

The Kiwi Preparing to Beat the All Blacks | Fergus Burke | ARP Extra

We tried the fitness test that makes professional athletes cry!

What Can Stop South Africa Winning the Nations Championship? | Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 38

How Scotland Could Break the All Blacks Hoodoo | ARP Extra

South Africa v Ireland | WXV Global Series 2026 | Match Highlights

Belgium v Hong Kong China | Men's International | Full Match Replay

New Zealand v France | WXV Global Series 2026 | Match Highlights

Recommended

Countries

Player Ratings: South Africa

3h
27
Countries

LIVE: Scotland v New Zealand - Nations Championship

4h
166
Countries

Springboks run riot in nine-try demolition of Italy

4h
28
Countries

RECAP: Italy v South Africa - Nations Championship

4h
527

Write A Comment

Trending

1
Bok star Pieter-Steph du Toit is returning to South Africa
2
CONFIRMED: Sharks sign Bok World Cup winner
3
Player Ratings: South Africa