Sean Fitzpatrick — the last All Blacks captain to win a series in South Africa, back in 1996 — argues that the Greatest Rivalry tour this August is the ideal World Cup dress rehearsal for New Zealand. His logic is straightforward: winning four consecutive Tests across a hostile South African environment demands exactly the squad depth and consistency a team needs to go deep at a World Cup. He's candid that the Nations Championship performances against France and Italy won't cut it against the Boks, but he's not writing off the All Blacks' chances either. On the Springbok side, Fitzpatrick is unambiguous — South Africa are the best team in the world, and the depth Erasmus has built is a core reason why. His one open question is whether the Boks can handle the pressure that comes with being number one.
Fitzpatrick: Beat the Boks in SA and the World Cup takes care of itself
Fitzpatrick argues a Greatest Rivalry series win in South Africa would be the perfect World Cup launch pad for the All Blacks — while rating the Springboks as the clear world number one and questioning how they'll handle that target on their backs.
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.
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.
Rassie's Nations Championship reckoning: the July squads that will shape RWC 2027
A demographic deep-dive into the seven leading RWC 2027 contenders argues the Nations Championship compresses the selection cycle by a year, placing Erasmus at the sharpest decision point: defend the title with the 2023 spine or finally acknowledge the cost of carrying an ageing pack into Australian conditions.
Henry joins Rennie's selection panel as All Blacks build toward four-test Springbok series
Dave Rennie has appointed Graham Henry as an All Blacks selector, with the 2011 World Cup-winning coach joining a three-man panel alongside Rennie and Neil Barnes as New Zealand prepare for a four-test Rugby Championship series against the Springboks.
Henry joins All Blacks selection panel as Rennie builds for Springbok tour
Dave Rennie has added Graham Henry to the All Blacks selection panel ahead of a home test series and an eight-match South Africa tour, while confirming Richie Mo'unga is unlikely to be available for the Springbok tests due to his failure to commit to a new NZR contract.