Erasmus is using the lead-up to the Argentina series to again press the case for aligning the Rugby Championship with the Six Nations window. His argument is straightforward: players based in the URC are running 12-month seasons, and without disciplined rotation — which both he and Contepomi are doing — burnout before the high-stakes windows becomes inevitable. He's candid about not having full visibility into the boardroom logistics, but isn't backing away from the position. With roughly 15 players unavailable on each side for the Argentina clash, the rotation reality is already shaping selections well ahead of the All Blacks series. On the Argentina-England controversy, Erasmus is measured — calling it a one-off and expressing no expectation of a repeat — while noting the new referee communication protocols add another variable to manage.
Erasmus renews push for calendar overhaul as burnout risk grows
Erasmus is doubling down on his push to sync the Rugby Championship with the Six Nations, warning that 12-month seasons will burn players out without heavy rotation — a policy both he and Contepomi are already running ahead of the crunch All Blacks series.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Syndesmosis injury could keep Feinberg-Mngomezulu out for three months
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu faces a three-month absence after suffering a syndesmosis injury in the Stormers' URC quarter-final win over Cardiff, potentially ruling him out of the Nations Championship Tests and part of the All Blacks series.