All Blacks attack coach Mike Blair expects South Africa to shift gears for the series decider in Baltimore, suggesting that being 2-1 up could prompt Erasmus to explore a more expansive game than the power-and-kick template that secured back-to-back wins. Blair noted the Boks showed glimpses of ball-in-hand intent in Soweto, and with the squad depth to sustain it, a tactical variation is plausible. On the New Zealand side, Blair is candid that the All Blacks are creating plenty but leaving chances unconverted, while South Africa's breakdown presence and collision-based defence are forcing a difficult trade-off between gain-line dominance and ruck speed. Worth reading for Blair's inside view on where he thinks both teams sit heading into a winner-takes-all Test.
Blair warns Boks could open up in Baltimore finale
Mike Blair flags a potential Springbok tactical shift in Baltimore and is candid about where the All Blacks are leaving points on the field — worth reading for his inside view on the series decider.
- New Zealand
- Springboks
- Rassie Erasmus
All Blacks' loosehead crisis hands Springboks a ready-made weapon in Greatest Rivalry Series
Jeff Wilson has publicly identified loosehead prop as the All Blacks' most dangerous weakness ahead of four consecutive Tests against the Springboks — with Williams likely out, Tu'ungafasi's future uncertain, and the remaining options short on caps and experience. Set against the depth Erasmus has built across the prop positions, this piece maps out why scrum time could be where the Greatest Rivalry Series is decided.
Stephen Donald: Robertson copied the Boks — Rennie must go back to All Blacks DNA
Stephen Donald backs Hansen's anti-copycat argument, saying Robertson erred by chasing the Springbok blueprint rather than New Zealand's tempo-based strengths — and expects Rennie to correct that course ahead of a blockbuster four-Test series in South Africa.
Mulder's '95 Warning: Don't Sleep on the All Blacks
1995 World Cup winner Japie Mulder warns against writing off the All Blacks ahead of the four-Test series, drawing on South Africa's own underdog story to argue the gap in rankings doesn't guarantee a comfortable series win.
Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
So how deep is the Springbok squad?
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