At 34 and 102 Tests into his Bok career, De Allende is surprisingly candid about still learning from opponents — and right now, Jordie Barrett tops his list. Speaking ahead of the series-deciding fourth Test in Baltimore, De Allende rated Barrett above a midfield roll call that includes Nonu, Conrad Smith and Sonny Bill Williams, citing Barrett's all-round skill set as something he's actively studied during the four-match series. It's a useful window into how a veteran centre thinks about opposition analysis. De Allende also shed some light on how the Bok defensive system works in practice: 90% preparation and blackboard work, with Kriel driving the defensive culture and accountability among the group, and the remaining 10% pure in-game instinct. With the Boks leading 2-1 and chasing their first series win over New Zealand since 1976, the piece captures the mindset inside camp heading into a historic potential closer.
De Allende singles out Jordie Barrett as the best centre he's faced in 102 Tests
De Allende rates Jordie Barrett above Nonu, Conrad Smith and Sonny Bill Williams as the standout centre he's faced in 102 Tests, while also lifting the lid on how the Bok defensive system is built — 90% prep, 10% instinct, with Kriel as the on-field defensive anchor.
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.
Keo & Zels: Stubborn All Blacks policy make Boks smile
The boys love that New Zealand keep picking their second-best, long may it continue.
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.