Gavin Rich's piece digs into Erasmus's pre-match thoughts ahead of Friday's Test in France, and the central insight is telling: the Boks don't just cope with hostile French crowds and stadiums — they thrive on them. Erasmus is candid that the adversarial atmosphere is a motivator, and the record backs it up. Since that 2023 World Cup quarter-final exit, France have thrown everything at the Boks in terms of crowd hostility, and lost every time (bar the 2022 Marseille game where du Toit was red-carded early). Erasmus also offers a tactical read worth noting — he expects Galthié's side to come at the Boks with more tempo and running than the kicking-heavy side of a year ago, drawing a clear line to how the All Blacks targeted the Boks in the recent home series. On the favourites debate, Erasmus pushes back hard on the narrative that France are under-strength, rattling off a list of his own absentees — Etzebeth, Snyman, Kolbe, Pollard, Malherbe, Esterhuizen, Kwagga — and pointing out that France are fresh off a long rest while the Boks are deep into their international window.
Hostile French crowds? Erasmus says that's exactly what switches the Boks on
Erasmus explains why French hostility fires the Boks up, offers a tactical preview flagging France's likely shift to a tempo-based game, and dismantles the injury-excuse narrative with a pointed list of his own squad's absentees.
Erasmus draws the line: World Cup planning won't come at the cost of winning
Erasmus is unambiguous: squad-building and World Cup prep don't override the drive to win. The piece breaks down how he's balancing depth rotation with a clear selection hierarchy, and what this season's fixture list — England, then four All Blacks Tests — demands of a squad that's broadened over two years and is now being refined.
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.
O'Keeffe stands by his calls in France vs Springboks — still proud, still scarred
O'Keeffe revisits the France-Springboks quarter-final controversy, stands by his performance, and opens up on the personal fallout — while drawing a pointed parallel to Wayne Barnes as someone defined by one call but remembered for a career.
All Blacks' loosehead crisis hands Springboks a ready-made weapon in Greatest Rivalry Series
Jeff Wilson has publicly identified loosehead prop as the All Blacks' most dangerous weakness ahead of four consecutive Tests against the Springboks — with Williams likely out, Tu'ungafasi's future uncertain, and the remaining options short on caps and experience. Set against the depth Erasmus has built across the prop positions, this piece maps out why scrum time could be where the Greatest Rivalry Series is decided.
Erasmus: winning stays non-negotiable, whatever the World Cup build-up demands
Erasmus has made his 2025 season intent explicit: rotation and World Cup-building happen inside a framework where winning remains the non-negotiable baseline. The piece breaks down what that means for squad management, the veterans' standing, and why the All Blacks series carries extra weight.