Sam Darry's post-match assessment is candid: New Zealand's maul defence and scrum have been second-best across both Tests, and the 65th-minute Marx score off a 20-metre rolling maul was the defining moment in Soweto. His diagnosis is that the All Blacks' first-half discipline and phase-count game was close to the blueprint — it was second-half errors and poor discipline that handed the Boks exactly the platform they thrive on. Darry is confident adjustments can be made for Baltimore, though the All Blacks head there without Savea (dislocated shoulder), Tupaea, and Jacobson. He's bullish about the leadership depth behind Savea, pointing to the Barrett brothers, Taylor, and Tuipulotu — but the series deficit and the injury toll make the task considerably steeper than his optimism suggests.
Darry backs All Blacks to crack the Bok maul code in Baltimore
Darry gives an honest breakdown of where New Zealand came unstuck in Soweto — second-half discipline gifting the Boks their maul dominance — while backing the depleted, Savea-less squad to solve the defensive puzzle in Baltimore.
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.
Hansen's Right to Back Himself — But the Boks' Five-Match Streak Tells a Different Story
Jean de Villiers acknowledges Hansen's logic but argues last year's results and performances make it hard to see the All Blacks closing the gap on the Boks — and the panel get genuinely animated over what a 2-2 series tiebreaker would even look like.
Erasmus welcomes clarity on Tony Brown's post-2027 departure: 'We've made the mistake in the past'
Tony Brown will join the All Blacks coaching staff in 2028 after his Springbok contract expires at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with Rassie Erasmus welcoming the early clarity as SA Rugby looks to avoid the contractual uncertainty that complicated preparations for France 2023.
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.
Keo & Zels: Stubborn All Blacks policy make Boks smile
The boys love that New Zealand keep picking their second-best, long may it continue.