Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
23 results for "springboks"
%2Ffile%2Fattachments%2Forphans%2FBoksCoaching-10_402819.jpg)
Four towering Springbok rugby stars traded the big stadium for a practice field, teaching hundreds of primary school children from Nelson Mandela Bay the skills and spirit of the game. For kids from challenging backgrounds, meeting their heroes meant more than just learning to tackle.
%2Ffile%2Fattachments%2F2987%2F1997837622_743048.jpg)
Eight years after fans burned Springbok jerseys in disgust, rugby has become South Africa's most watched sport. The turnaround shows how winning with purpose can unite a nation.
%2Ffile%2Fattachments%2Forphans%2F2166304488_869507.jpg)
Two teenage rugby players, just 18 and 19 years old, have been called up to train with South Africa's world champion Springboks. Coach Rassie Erasmus is building a bridge between today's champions and tomorrow's stars.
%2Ffile%2Fattachments%2F2989%2FUP1ELBM1HLFV7_432997.jpg)
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is building South Africa's next generation of rugby champions by bringing dozens of young players into the national team fold. His long-term vision could keep the world champions competitive through 2031.
%2Ffile%2Fattachments%2F2992%2FCheslin-Kolbe-2-1_183491.jpg)
World Cup champion Cheslin Kolbe is trading big money overseas to return to South Africa, where he'll mentor young players and strengthen the Springboks ahead of the 2027 World Cup. His homecoming is part of a growing trend of rugby veterans choosing home over paychecks.
Two rugby powerhouses will face off in Baltimore for the first time ever on American soil, in a match that could secure the city's spot as a 2031 World Cup host. The Springboks versus All Blacks showdown this September represents more than just a game—it's Baltimore's audition on the world stage.
%2Ffile%2Fattachments%2F2991%2FYaqeen-Ahmed_SA_U20jpg_130805.jpeg)
South Africa's Under-20 rugby team is poised to make history by becoming the first junior squad to win consecutive world titles. The team's secret weapon? A pipeline of teenage talent already playing professional rugby.
A massive wildlife reserve in South Africa's Kalahari Desert is fighting climate change by bringing back native animals, which are helping degraded soil store carbon naturally. The project proves that restoring grasslands can work just as well as planting forests.
%2Ffile%2Fattachments%2Forphans%2F2272057764_131539.jpg)
South Africa's rugby sevens team dominated the 2026 season with six straight finals and their first Hong Kong title. Now they're one tournament away from a rare double championship.
South Africa's national soccer team is heading to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years, bringing together a nation of 62 million in celebration. President Cyril Ramaphosa says the team's diverse roster reflects the country's progress toward unity and inclusion.
%2Ffile%2Fattachments%2Forphans%2FTL_2566957_761017.jpg)
After four seasons of falling short, South Africa's Lions rugby club has finally broken through to reach their first United Rugby Championship playoff. Three South African teams will compete in the quarterfinals, marking a milestone moment for the nation's rugby.
%2Ffile%2Fattachments%2Forphans%2FOliver_Matamba02_895290.jpg)
When a violent storm shut down Johannesburg's beloved Blue Bridge and halted his sales, artist Oliver Matamba painted its story instead. Now his colorful tribute hangs proudly in local cafés, and both the bridge and his business are thriving again.
A 33-year-old Scottish referee is breaking barriers in one of rugby's most prestigious tournaments. Hollie Davidson just became the first woman to referee a Men's Six Nations match in the championship's 144-year history.
Bafana Bafana will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010. President Cyril Ramaphosa called on all 62 million South Africans to unite behind their national team as they face Mexico in their opening match.
The United States will host the Rugby World Cup in 2031 and 2033, marking rugby's biggest opportunity yet to break into American sports culture. Despite recent setbacks in professional leagues, Team USA just qualified for the 2027 tournament after years away.
Twenty years ago, Nelson Mandela witnessed the signing of a promise that every African child would have the chance to play rugby. Today, that vision has transformed rugby into one of the continent's fastest-growing sports.
Joel Sartore is racing against time to photograph every animal species in human care, creating portraits that make a mouse as captivating as an elephant. His National Geographic Photo Ark has documented over 17,000 species in nearly 20 years, inspiring everyday people to protect wildlife starting in their own backyards.
England's rugby players are experiencing a dramatic confidence shift, turning pressure into power as they dominate the Six Nations tournament. The team's 48-7 opening victory over Wales showcased players who now thrive under the spotlight instead of shrinking from it.
A new satellite system reads animal panic signals from space to catch poachers before they strike. GPS-tagged wildlife now act as sentinels, warning rangers when threats approach endangered rhinos and elephants.
An injury-riddled Cardiff rugby team defied all odds Friday night, defeating South African powerhouse Stormers 22-16 to clinch their first playoff spot in years. The 10,000-strong crowd witnessed not just a stunning upset, but the emotional farewell of Welsh legend Leigh Halfpenny.
Showing 20 of 23