With the Rugby Championship series kicking off at Ellis Park on Saturday, Rugby365's Jan de Koning frames the occasion with a deep dive into five defining moments of the Springbok–All Black rivalry. The piece traces a century of clashes — from the 1937 Springbok 'Invincibles' series win in New Zealand (featuring a Yom Kippur dilemma for try-scorer Louis Babrow) through the 1956 series-clincher in Auckland, the flour-bomb chaos of the 1981 'barbed wire' tour decider, the Mandela-draped 1995 World Cup Final, and ultimately the 2023 World Cup Final where Pieter-Steph du Toit's 28-tackle masterclass and Pollard's four flawless penalties sealed a record fourth title. The statistical backbone is worth noting: the rivalry was essentially level through 2000 (27–26 to New Zealand), before a 31–10 All Blacks surge in the Straeuli-to-Coetzee era. Since Erasmus arrived in 2018, South Africa holds an 8–6 edge. The piece sets up Saturday's opener as the latest chapter in a rivalry that has shifted decisively back in the Boks' favour.
From the Invincibles to Paris: Five matches that define rugby's greatest rivalry
Jan de Koning profiles five landmark Springbok–All Black clashes to frame the start of Saturday's Rugby Championship series at Ellis Park — tracing the rivalry's historical arc and noting how decisively it has swung toward South Africa since 2018.
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.
Erasmus welcomes Brown clarity, vows not to repeat 2023 contract mistake
Rassie Erasmus has welcomed the early confirmation of Tony Brown's post-2027 move to the All Blacks, saying SA Rugby is determined not to repeat the mistake of leaving coaching futures unresolved in a World Cup year — a situation that played out with Jacques Nienaber and Felix Jones before the 2023 tournament.
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.
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.
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.