Steve Hansen isn't defending Roigard's head-clutching act after Reinach's tip tackle in last weekend's Test, but he's firmly putting it in context: no team is innocent. Speaking on the Rugby Unity podcast, Hansen pointed directly at the 2023 World Cup final, arguing that Jesse Kriel's reaction to Sam Cane's challenge — appearing fine, then suddenly holding his head — was exactly the same brand of referee management. His line is simple: the laws around head knocks have created an environment where players exploit the system, and the Boks have benefited from that too. Ewen McKenzie broadened the argument further, identifying cynical injury stoppages as a widespread tempo-manipulation tool that referees routinely let slide. The piece is a useful corrective to the one-sided noise around Roigard — Hansen's broader point is that the problem is structural, not personal.
Hansen deflects Roigard furore with Kriel World Cup reminder
Hansen acknowledges Roigard's theatrics were poor form but counters that Jesse Kriel did the same to get Cane red-carded in the 2023 World Cup final — and that no team, including the Springboks, is clean on referee manipulation.
So how deep is the Springbok squad?
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De Klerk explains South Africa return as scrumhalf crisis hands him Bok recall
Faf de Klerk has explained his decision to return to South Africa with the Cheetahs, saying family and a desire to rebuild Free State rugby drove the move, with his Springbok recall coming on the back of injuries to Reinach, Hendrikse and Van den Berg.
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.
Springbok Recall! Relive Phepsi Buthelezi's 2025/26 Season
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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.