{
  "id": 19963338,
  "title": "Rassie Erasmus admits Springboks have all but blown Nations Championship hopes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/rassie-erasmus-admits-springboks-have-all-but-blown-nations",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-14T10:40:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sport/rugby/springboks/2026-11-14-rassie-erasmus-admits-springboks-have-all-but-blown-nations-championship-hopes/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Rassie Erasmus, South Africa's rugby coach, admitted that his team has effectively forfeited their chances of winning the Nations Championship after a heavy defeat to France. The loss has also cost them the top spot in the world rankings, as arch-rivals New Zealand has reclaimed it. New Zealand is now unbeaten in the competition and atop the southern hemisphere standings. Erasmus lamented that his team could have secured crucial bonus points from the game by scoring an additional try, which would have put them in contention for the championship. He also expressed frustration that France, similarly aiming for four tries, may have contributed to South Africa's downfall. Erasmus revealed that his decision to make a late change to the starting front row was partly influenced by the bigger picture, with the 2027 Rugby World Cup in mind. He promoted Gerhard Steenekamp, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, and Thomas du Toit, while benching Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx, and Wilco Louw. Despite the revised front row's impressive performance, Erasmus admitted it was challenging to replace the established combination once they played well, ultimately resulting in a loss.",
  "summary": "Rassie Erasmus has admitted it will be tough for the Springboks to win the Nations Championship after losing to France.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/how-to-watch-no-6-virginia-vs-maryland-tv-live-stream-info-storylines",
        "published": "2026-11-13T11:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TechRadar",
        "title": "How to watch France vs South Africa: FREE live streams, TV channels and kick-off time for Nations Championship 2026 game",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/how-to-watch-france-vs-south-africa-free-live-streams-tv-channels-and",
        "published": "2026-11-13T16:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "France hold on for thrilling Nations Championship win over South Africa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/france-hold-on-for-thrilling-nations-championship-win-over-south",
        "published": "2026-11-13T22:39:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "France stun South Africa 21-19 in Nations Championship",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/france-stun-south-africa-21-19-in-nations-championship",
        "published": "2026-11-13T22:47:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "France edge past South Africa after thriller in Nations Championship",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/france-edge-past-south-africa-after-thriller-in-nations-championship",
        "published": "2026-11-13T23:43:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Today",
        "title": "France stuns world champion Springboks 21-19 in a Nations Championship thriller",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/france-stuns-world-champion-springboks-21-19-in-a-nations-19892846",
        "published": "2026-11-13T23:49:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "2026 Nations Championship: France topple world champion Springboks in 21-19 thriller",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/2026-nations-championship-france-topple-world-champion-springboks-in",
        "published": "2026-11-14T00:11:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Rugby World",
        "title": "Wales v New Zealand free streams: How to watch today’s Nations Championship 2026 fixture",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/wales-v-new-zealand-free-streams-how-to-watch-todays-nations",
        "published": "2026-11-14T05:15:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}