With the Greatest Rivalry series decider looming in Baltimore, Etzebeth reflects on what it means to face the All Blacks four consecutive weekends — 'brutal' but a 'massive privilege' in his words. More analytically interesting is his take on the 1-2 series comeback: he points squarely at the coaching staff and the squad's collective muscle memory of adversity, drawing direct lines to the Lions series and both World Cup campaigns where early losses were absorbed and reversed. The Boks' habit of making life hard for themselves before pulling together isn't a bug, his comments suggest — it's almost a feature of how this group is wired. The piece also covers Etzebeth's frustration at missing the early 2026 window through injury and suspension, and his measured refusal to distinguish Rennie's All Blacks from previous regimes.
Etzebeth on 'brutal' four-week All Blacks gauntlet and who gets credit for the series turnaround
Etzebeth credits the coaching staff and the squad's battle-hardened mentality for flipping a 0-1 series deficit into a 2-1 lead, framing the Boks' recurring habit of losing openers before grinding back as a defining trait of the Erasmus era rather than a recurring crisis.
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.