Felipe Contepomi is relishing his first stint coaching the Barbarians — and specifically the June 20 fixture against the Boks in Gqeberha. Having watched last year's 54-7 drubbing in Cape Town, he's made clear he wants a different story this time. Alongside a coaching ticket that includes Scott Robertson, Contepomi frames the match as a genuine challenge rather than a ceremonial occasion, pointing to Erasmus treating it like a Test as reason enough for the Baa-baas to do the same. He's also candid about his respect for Erasmus and the Springboks' standing — acknowledging that 99 out of 100 would name them the world's best — while noting that Argentina's recent wins over the Boks, All Blacks, Wallabies and Lions show he's not just there to make up numbers. The piece is a good read for anyone wanting a sense of how the opposition is approaching what could be a meaningful early-season hit-out before the Nations Series kicks off.
Contepomi wants to rewrite the Barbarians script against the Boks
Contepomi talks up the June 20 Baa-baas fixture as a genuine contest, not a lap of honour — he wants to reverse last year's 54-7 result and sees Erasmus's serious approach to the game as validation that his side should prepare accordingly.
- Barbarians
- Springboks
- Rassie Erasmus
- Argentina
- New Zealand
- Australia
Gelant not treating Barbarians clash as Bok audition
Warrick Gelant, the only Springbok in the Barbarians squad for the June 20 clash against South Africa in Gqeberha, says he will not treat the match as a Bok trial, insisting the experience with the invitational side stands on its own merits.
Alexander's blunt warning: align the calendar or lose the game
Mark Alexander is warning that the Dublin World Rugby meetings must deliver calendar alignment — concurrent Rugby Championship and Six Nations windows, dedicated club and rest periods — or the sport risks losing players to rebel competitions. New Zealand's resistance to shifting Super Rugby Pacific is the key sticking point.
Erasmus satisfied with alignment camps but warns proof must come on the field
Rassie Erasmus says the Springboks are in a good place after more than 60 players attended two alignment camps, but insists the results must now translate onto the field as SA Rugby prepares to name a training squad within two weeks.
Rassie's Nations Championship reckoning: the July squads that will shape RWC 2027
A demographic deep-dive into the seven leading RWC 2027 contenders argues the Nations Championship compresses the selection cycle by a year, placing Erasmus at the sharpest decision point: defend the title with the 2023 spine or finally acknowledge the cost of carrying an ageing pack into Australian conditions.
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.