The piece frames Baltimore as personal redemption for Erasmus, contrasting his first game in charge — a 22-20 loss to a Wales B-side in front of barely 21,000 in Washington DC in 2018 — with Saturday's 43-28 demolition of New Zealand in front of a record US rugby crowd of 68,173. Six players who were there for the low point were still on the field for the high one. The numbers behind his tenure are quietly staggering: 74 wins, a draw, 24 losses since that Washington defeat, and 43 victories from their last 50 Tests across four continents. The analytical thread running through the piece is how Erasmus has managed the tension between an ageing core and deliberate squad-building — the average age on Saturday was 31, yet he's been systematically blooding the likes of Van den Berg, Hanekom, Hooker and Porthen alongside experienced heads, accepting the occasional loss as the price of long-term depth. Both Erasmus and Kolisi are pointed about what comes next: the margin over the All Blacks is razor-thin, the World Cup draw is a lurking problem, and internal standards — not external validation — are the benchmark. The piece is essentially a long-form reflection on what makes this Bok era structurally different, and sustainable, rather than just a hot streak.
From 21,000 fans and a Wales loss to 68,000 and the All Blacks on the ropes — Rassie's full-circle moment
Baltimore served as personal redemption for Erasmus — from a near-empty stadium and a Wales loss in his first game to a record US crowd and a series win over the All Blacks. The piece unpacks the squad philosophy behind the run: experienced core, deliberate youth integration, and a willingness to absorb short-term losses for long-term depth. Erasmus and Kolisi both flag the World Cup quarter-final collision course with New Zealand, and are unambiguous that current form proves nothing about 2027.
- Rassie Erasmus
- Springboks
- Wales
- New Zealand
- Siya Kolisi
- Rugby World Cup
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 Erasmus to receive Order of Ikhamanga — South Africa's highest national honour
Rassie Erasmus will receive the Order of Ikhamanga — South Africa's highest national honour — from President Cyril Ramaphosa at an investiture ceremony on 19 May, recognising his role in the Springboks' back-to-back World Cup titles and his contribution to national unity.
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.
Stephen Donald: Robertson copied the Boks — Rennie must go back to All Blacks DNA
Stephen Donald backs Hansen's anti-copycat argument, saying Robertson erred by chasing the Springbok blueprint rather than New Zealand's tempo-based strengths — and expects Rennie to correct that course ahead of a blockbuster four-Test series in South Africa.