The Springboks (or Springbokke in Afrikaans and Amabokoboko in Zulu), the South Africa national rugby union team as commonly referred to, are ranked number one in the world and the reigning Rugby World Cup champions for the second time in the history of the team. The Springboks compete annually in the Tri Nations alongside the New Zealand All Blacks and Australia's Wallabies, in addition to a number of other international competitions, including as the Rugby World Cup.

Although South Africa was instrumental in the creation of the Rugby World Cup competition, the Springboks did not compete in the first two World Cups in the 1987 and 1991 due to anti-Apartheid sporting boycotts of South Africa. The team made its World Cup debut in 1995, when the recently unified nation of South Africa hosted the tournament. The Springboks defeated the All Blacks 15-12 in the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final, which is now remembered as one of the greatest moments in South Africa's sporting history, and a watershed moment in the post Apartheid relationship building process. South Africa regained their title as champions in 2007, when they defeated England 15–6 in the 2007 final. As a result of the 2007 World Cup tournament, the Springboks gained enough points to be promoted to first position in the IRB World Rankings—the first time that they have occupied the primary rank.

The Springboks play in green and gold jerseys, and their emblems are the Springbok and the Protea. The side have been playing international rugby since 1891, when a British Isles side toured the nation, playing South Africa in their first Test on 30 July. South Africa is currently coached by Peter de Villiers, after Jake White, who led the Boks to the 2007 World Cup title, announced his resignation effective at the end of 2007. It has been officially announced that John Smit will continue as captain of the Springboks despite his post-World Cup move to the French Top 14 side Clermont.