Steve Hansen has been effusive about the All Blacks' Nations Championship form under Dave Rennie, and his praise is pointed — same players, different culture, far better results. After New Zealand's 43-21 win in Edinburgh, Hansen highlighted the absence of 'passengers' and 'social loafing' as markers of a genuinely transformed environment, which reads as an implicit indictment of what went wrong under Scott Robertson last year. For Springbok supporters, the analysis matters: the Boks and All Blacks are deadlocked on 20 points at the top of the Southern Hemisphere table, separated only by points difference — South Africa's +140 to New Zealand's +73. With the Boks still to face France and Ireland before the final, the pressure is squarely on Erasmus's side to protect that differential advantage while the All Blacks take on Wales and England.
Hansen's verdict on Rennie's All Blacks carries an uncomfortable subtext for Robertson
Hansen's glowing assessment of Rennie's All Blacks — same squad, transformed culture — doubles as a pointed critique of last year's Robertson era. With the Boks and All Blacks deadlocked at the top of the Nations Championship table, the piece is relevant reading for anyone tracking the race to the grand final.
James Doleman to referee South Africa v England as World Rugby confirms Nations Championship officials
James Doleman will referee South Africa v England at Ellis Park on 4 July, with Andrew Brace and Pierre Brousset as assistants, as World Rugby confirms the full list of officials for the July leg of the 2026 Nations Championship.
Erasmus satisfied with alignment camps but warns proof must come on the field
Rassie Erasmus says the Springboks are in a good place after more than 60 players attended two alignment camps, but insists the results must now translate onto the field as SA Rugby prepares to name a training squad within two weeks.
Rassie's Nations Championship reckoning: the July squads that will shape RWC 2027
A demographic deep-dive into the seven leading RWC 2027 contenders argues the Nations Championship compresses the selection cycle by a year, placing Erasmus at the sharpest decision point: defend the title with the 2023 spine or finally acknowledge the cost of carrying an ageing pack into Australian conditions.
World Rugby scraps home weighting in first rankings overhaul since 2003
World Rugby will eliminate home weighting from its rankings points calculation from July 1, 2026 — the first major change to the system since its 2003 introduction — citing the surge in Tests played at neutral venues, including the Springboks vs All Blacks Baltimore clash.
Rassie on Alles Ep 1 | The Barbarians in the Bay
The #Springboks kick off their season against the Barbarians in Gqeberha, a place close to the hearts of Rassie Erasmus, Mzwandile Stick, and Deon Davids. The three Bok coaches discuss why it's special to return to the Eastern Cape and what