This series wrap argues that the Ellis Park loss may ultimately benefit the Boks — forcing three consecutive must-win games against the world's second-ranked side provided a pressure-test that no other pre-World Cup preparation could replicate. The piece contends that the 15-point Baltimore margin reflects the genuine gap between the two teams, pointing out that Cape Town (14 up with three minutes left, with the scrum neutered by the referee) and Soweto (12 up before a post-hooter consolation try) both flattered the All Blacks. The real analytical weight, though, sits in the cautionary comparison to 2010: after the Boks dominated the All Blacks in 2009 under De Villiers and Smit, New Zealand simply absorbed the lessons, worked on their weaknesses, and closed the gap quickly. The piece warns Erasmus that continuity of selection and the tactical evolution shown in the final two tests — a more expansive all-court game layered onto the Boks' power DNA — must keep moving forward, not stall. Rennie's pointed question about squad age and availability in 12 months also hangs over the analysis, with depth-building now the next priority as the World Cup cycle enters its final year.
Boks 3-1 over the All Blacks — but the 2010 warning still applies
A 3-1 series win that genuinely reflects Bok superiority — but this wrap draws a sharp parallel with 2010 to argue Erasmus cannot afford to let the template calcify, and flags squad depth and continued tactical evolution as the critical tasks before Australia.
- Springboks
- New Zealand
- Jake White
- Rugby World Cup
- Rassie Erasmus
Tony Brown to join All Blacks backroom staff in 2028 after Springbok contract ends
NZR have confirmed Tony Brown will join the All Blacks' backroom staff in 2028 on a two-year contract, with the Springboks attack coach set to depart after the 2027 Rugby World Cup. It is the third time NZR have pursued Brown, having previously been rejected during the Foster and Robertson eras.
Brown confirms post-2027 All Blacks move but eyes World Cup glory with Boks first
Springbok attack coach Tony Brown will join Dave Rennie's All Blacks staff from 2028, but remains committed to helping South Africa win a third successive World Cup title before his departure.
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.