Sir Graham Henry has pointed to the absence of South African franchises from Super Rugby as a structural reason why the All Blacks continue to struggle against the Springboks in the scrum and under the high ball. His argument is straightforward: New Zealand players are only encountering that style of forward-dominant, aerial-pressure rugby at Test level, with no repetitions available in the competition below. Henry acknowledges the high ball issue is improving but stops short of declaring it solved, and the broader implication is uncomfortable — the All Blacks are essentially using Bok Tests as their classroom. For Springbok supporters, this is a useful lens on why South Africa's physicality keeps catching New Zealand cold, and whether the structural gap between the two rugby ecosystems is widening rather than narrowing ahead of the 2025 World Cup.
Graham Henry blames Super Rugby for All Blacks' Bok problem
Henry argues the All Blacks' recurring problems against the Boks in the scrum and high ball are partly structural — without South African franchises in Super Rugby, New Zealand players have no competition-level exposure to that style until they're standing in a Test.
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.
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.
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.
Hansen's Right to Back Himself — But the Boks' Five-Match Streak Tells a Different Story
Jean de Villiers acknowledges Hansen's logic but argues last year's results and performances make it hard to see the All Blacks closing the gap on the Boks — and the panel get genuinely animated over what a 2-2 series tiebreaker would even look like.
Keo & Zels: Stubborn All Blacks policy make Boks smile
The boys love that New Zealand keep picking their second-best, long may it continue.