Ahead of the Nations Championship clash in Paris, Erasmus has pushed back on the narrative that France are uniquely understrength — pointing to the absence of Malherbe, RG Snyman, Pollard, Kolbe, Kwagga Smith and Esterhuizen as evidence the Boks are also operating below full capacity. The piece captures his team selection rationale (du Toit/Louw role swap, Reinach for Williams, Etzebeth held back) and his read on how Galthié will solve the fly-half crisis. Where the French press expects Lucu at 10, Erasmus suspects Galthié will instead start Kalvin Gourgues for the physicality, using Lucu off the bench once the game opens up. The broader tactical forecast: a tight, forward-dominated contest early while both teams test for dominance. His complacency warning carries weight given South Africa's 9-from-10 record against France — Erasmus is clearly conscious that favouritism is its own risk heading into Friday night.
Erasmus flags Bok injury list, predicts France fly-half call and warns against complacency
Erasmus counters the 'France are injury-ravaged' storyline by listing his own absentees, predicts Gourgues over Lucu at 10, and issues a pointed reminder that nine wins from ten is exactly the kind of record that breeds complacency.
Nché injury concern headlining Bok casualty list ahead of Scotland clash at Loftus
Rassie Erasmus is sweating over the fitness of Ox Nché, Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and André Esterhuizen ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship match against Scotland at Loftus, after all four picked up injuries during or before the 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park.
Boks' Ellis Park demolition of England reveals genuine depth — and sharp halftime adaptability
Cardinelli argues the Ellis Park rout matters less for the scoreline than for what it revealed: a Bok group capable of genuine halftime tactical adjustment — the quality conspicuously absent in the 2025 Wallabies loss — while operating well short of their first-choice squad. The piece weighs what the win tells us about depth, Libbok's revival, and the fringe players who will matter when the All Blacks series rotation bites.
Five Boks in Round One Team of the Week as Willemse Claims Player of the Weekend
South Africa dominate Planet Rugby's Round One Team of the Week with five selections, headlined by Willemse's Player of the Weekend on his 50th cap and strong showings from Marx, both Du Toits, Kriel and a debut-making De Villiers.
O'Keeffe stands by his calls in France vs Springboks — still proud, still scarred
O'Keeffe revisits the France-Springboks quarter-final controversy, stands by his performance, and opens up on the personal fallout — while drawing a pointed parallel to Wayne Barnes as someone defined by one call but remembered for a career.
Willemse credits Jantjies, Bok mentors after reaching 50-Test milestone at Ellis Park
Damian Willemse marked his 50th Test cap with one of his finest Springbok performances as South Africa opened their Nations Championship campaign with a 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park, crediting mentors including Elton Jantjies, Handré Pollard and several Bok greats for shaping his game across multiple positions.