This weekend review covers the standout moments from the Nations Championship second round and the Springbok Women's two-Test series against the USA. The headline act for Bok fans is Scotland's showing at Loftus — the visitors dictated the tempo, matched the Boks through much of the game, and left the scoreline (42-28) looking more comfortable than the contest actually was. The Boks found a way to win despite losing several statistical battles, but the piece is clear that Scotland earned genuine respect rather than just being a gallant loser. On the flip side, the Women Boks' series draw is framed as an opportunity squandered — after their historic first win over the USA in 15 years last week, a series-clinching performance was there for the taking, but errors and ill-discipline produced a 19-26 loss that felt like a step backwards. Elsewhere, Will Jordan's hat-trick broke the All Blacks' all-time try-scoring record (50 in 56 Tests), France posted a record-backed 42-26 demolition of Australia in Brisbane, and Fiji's Kuruvoli collected a straight red for kicking Genge — effectively ending any hope of Fiji making a match of what became a 73-8 England rout.
Hits & Misses: Scotland earn respect at Loftus, Women Boks stumble at the finish line
Scotland pushed the Boks harder than the 42-28 scoreline suggests, the Women Boks let a series win slip through ill-discipline, Will Jordan broke the All Blacks try-scoring record, and France made history in Brisbane — Wynona Louw's weekend review covers the highs and lows.
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.
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.
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.
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.