Ahead of his 146th cap in Baltimore, Eben Etzebeth has made a striking claim: winning a four-match series against New Zealand is a tougher rugby challenge than lifting the World Cup. His reasoning isn't hyperbole — he's arguing that the relentless quality of the All Blacks, sustained over four consecutive weeks, demands something different from what even a World Cup campaign requires. The Boks head into Saturday's decider leading 2-1, and Etzebeth draws a direct line between this series and the side's well-documented ability to respond under pressure — the 2021 Lions series comeback, the pool-stage losses in 2019 and 2023 that preceded title runs. That pattern of resilience, he says, is a product of both the coaching staff's honesty and a squad that knows how to regroup when their backs are against the wall.
Etzebeth: Four Tests Against the All Blacks Is Harder to Win Than a World Cup
Etzebeth argues that winning a four-Test series against the All Blacks is harder than a World Cup — and draws on the Boks' history of bouncing back under pressure to explain why he backs them to close it out in Baltimore.
Brown confirms post-2027 All Blacks move but eyes World Cup glory with Boks first
Springbok attack coach Tony Brown will join Dave Rennie's All Blacks staff from 2028, but remains committed to helping South Africa win a third successive World Cup title before his departure.
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.
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.