Nick Mallett is putting Eben Etzebeth on notice — with the veteran lock returning from injury alongside several other Springboks carrying question marks, Mallett's view is that Etzebeth needs to actually deliver against Argentina next month rather than coast on his standing in the game. The piece examines whether Etzebeth and the other returning injured Boks can back up their selection.
Etzebeth on notice: reputation won't be enough against Argentina
Nick Mallett warns that Etzebeth's reputation has a shelf life — he needs to perform against Argentina, not just be Eben Etzebeth.
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.
Boks look settled while rivals scramble to reinvent for 2027
Rich uses the Nations Championship opener to map the state of play in the global race to catch the Boks — covering England's crisis, the All Blacks' tactical reset under Rennie, Australia's growing threat, and Scotland's form ahead of Loftus.
Smith vows England will 'leave it all out there' against Springboks
Marcus Smith says England's 36-man squad, arriving in Johannesburg on Thursday, are targeting a historic win over the Springboks in the Nations Championship opener, having trained in oxygen masks to prepare for the Highveld.
Contepomi: Boks have cracked the balance — and that's what makes them dangerous
Contepomi argues the Boks' real danger lies in their evolving balance between forward dominance and expansive attack — and flags sustained possession as the best way to exploit their defence.
Janse van Rensburg at the top of England's centre pecking order — and what it means for the Boks
Borthwick's centre headache has a new frontrunner: Janse van Rensburg is rated the likely starter at 12 for England's Tests against Fiji and Argentina, though he's ineligible for the opener against the Springboks. The piece ranks all options at 12 and 13, with Freeman locked in outside and Slade unlucky to be on the fringes.