Gavin Rich's piece digs into Rassie Erasmus's pre-match mindset ahead of Friday's Test in France, and the central insight is that the hostile atmosphere — a byproduct of the Boks knocking France out of their own World Cup — has become a motivational tool rather than a burden. Erasmus is candid that it doesn't take much to get this group up for France, in the same way it doesn't for New Zealand or England. He also pushes back firmly on the narrative that France are the underdogs due to injury, rattling off a lengthy Bok absentee list — Etzebeth, Snyman, Malherbe, Kolbe, Pollard, Kwagga, Esterhuizen — and questioning who is really the depleted side. Tactically, Erasmus signals he expects a lighter, more expansive France than last year, possibly influenced by how the All Blacks used tempo against the Boks in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, with Dupont's unpredictability and a more contestable kicking game flagged as key variables.
Hostile French crowds? Rassie says that's exactly what switches the Boks on
Erasmus explains why France's hostile crowds motivate rather than unsettle the Boks, pushes back on the injury-driven underdog narrative, and flags a tactically adjusted French side — lighter, faster, with a more contestable kicking game — as the challenge ahead.
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.
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.
Erasmus welcomes clarity on Tony Brown's post-2027 departure: 'We've made the mistake in the past'
Tony Brown will join the All Blacks coaching staff in 2028 after his Springbok contract expires at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with Rassie Erasmus welcoming the early clarity as SA Rugby looks to avoid the contractual uncertainty that complicated preparations for France 2023.
Syndesmosis injury could keep Feinberg-Mngomezulu out for three months
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu faces a three-month absence after suffering a syndesmosis injury in the Stormers' URC quarter-final win over Cardiff, potentially ruling him out of the Nations Championship Tests and part of the All Blacks series.
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.