Wynona Louw identifies four Springboks who carry extra narrative weight going into the first Test of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series. Damian de Allende becomes only the 10th Bok to reach 100 Test caps — doing so against New Zealand at Ellis Park, a milestone that demands more than a quiet afternoon. At loosehead, the piece argues Frans Malherbe's selection over Thomas du Toit is shrewd rather than surprising: Du Toit had a difficult outing against Argentina at scrum time, and with the All Blacks this weekend, the foundation needs to be set early through set-piece dominance. On the blind side, Pieter-Steph du Toit steps into the spotlight vacated by Kolisi — who is available but rested — and faces the real test of whether his Nations Championship form translates to the biggest stage in rugby. The flyhalf dynamic is perhaps the most intriguing: Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts, still shaking off ring rust from injury, while Libbok — who was sensational in the Wellington record win — waits in the wings. The piece asks pointed questions about whether SFM will back himself or play conservatively, and whether Erasmus is quietly setting up another Manie masterclass.
Four Boks with points to prove against the All Blacks at Ellis Park
Louw builds the case for four Boks who face heightened scrutiny at Ellis Park — De Allende's 100th cap, the Louw-over-Du Toit selection call, Pieter-Steph's succession narrative, and the SFM-vs-Libbok flyhalf subplot.
All Blacks' loosehead crisis hands Springboks a ready-made weapon in Greatest Rivalry Series
Jeff Wilson has publicly identified loosehead prop as the All Blacks' most dangerous weakness ahead of four consecutive Tests against the Springboks — with Williams likely out, Tu'ungafasi's future uncertain, and the remaining options short on caps and experience. Set against the depth Erasmus has built across the prop positions, this piece maps out why scrum time could be where the Greatest Rivalry Series is decided.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu and the reintegration puzzle facing Erasmus in 2025
Erasmus identifies reintegrating Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Hooker from injury as a trickier selection problem than routine rotation — with a 14-Test season, individual development roadmaps, and the 2027 timeline all pulling in different directions.
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.
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.