Steve Hansen's take on last year's 43-10 Wellington hammering is worth noting for what he focuses on — not Bok brilliance, but All Black dysfunction. His read is that New Zealand looked utterly lost in terms of how to play against South Africa, and that a talent-rich side performing that way is a more troubling sign than any scoreline. He does caution against over-interpreting the margin, pointing to the 57-0 thrashing the Boks absorbed in 2017 before lifting the Webb Ellis Cup two years later — but he's careful not to use that as a let-off for Robertson's side, whose broader 2024 unravelling (losses to Argentina and England, unconvincing wins over Ireland and Scotland) painted a consistent picture. Hansen acknowledges the Boks are setting the standard as world number ones but stops short of saying they can't be beaten — framing the upcoming Greatest Rivalry tour as a genuine test of how much the new All Black coaching regime has absorbed and can answer.
Hansen: Wellington told us more about the All Blacks than the Springboks
Hansen argues the Wellington result revealed more about All Black confusion than Springbok dominance, while cautioning against scoreline fixation — and backing the new-look All Blacks to learn from the Greatest Rivalry tour.
World Rugby scraps home weighting from rankings calculations ahead of Nations Championship
World Rugby removes home weighting from rankings calculations from July 1, responding to the growing number of international matches played at neutral or out-of-country venues. South Africa remain top of the men's rankings on 93.94 points.
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.
Van der Merwe eyes Scotland recall after Townsend lifeline
Van der Merwe opens up on a brutal season of injury and form loss, and how a Townsend phone call — offering him the Barbarians gig against the Boks — has him targeting a Scotland recall for the Nations Championship.
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.
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.