The sharpest thread in this episode of Rugby's Greatest Rivals is historian Jamie Wall's argument that New Zealand's complicity in racial segregation predates apartheid itself. Wall makes the case that the NZRU voluntarily excluded Maori players from tours in 1928, 1949 and 1960 — not because South African law required it, but as a self-imposed concession to their hosts. 'New Zealand was doing it voluntarily,' Wall says flatly, 'so they were kind of engaging in apartheid themselves.' The episode traces how that capitulation compounded over decades, culminating in All Black captain Fred Allen throwing his boots overboard after the 1949 tour and declaring, 'We should have told the South Africans where they could shove their tour.' Mornay du Plessis, who played in the 1970 and 1976 series, adds a candid insider perspective — acknowledging that Springbok players were aware of events like the Soweto uprising but that the pull of the green jersey 'unfortunately overrides the acknowledgement of what was going on on the outside.'
How the All Blacks voluntarily excluded Maori players to appease apartheid South Africa — long before apartheid was law
Jamie Wall argues the NZRU voluntarily excluded Maori players from Springbok tours decades before apartheid was formalised — a self-inflicted compromise that Wall describes as New Zealand 'engaging in apartheid themselves.'
Jamie Wall argues the NZRU voluntarily excluded Maori players from Springbok tours decades before apartheid was formalised — a self-inflicted compromise that Wall describes as New Zealand 'engaging in apartheid themselves.'
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Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
Hansen's Right to Back Himself — But the Boks' Five-Match Streak Tells a Different Story
Jean de Villiers acknowledges Hansen's logic but argues last year's results and performances make it hard to see the All Blacks closing the gap on the Boks — and the panel get genuinely animated over what a 2-2 series tiebreaker would even look like.
Keo & Zels: Stubborn All Blacks policy make Boks smile
The boys love that New Zealand keep picking their second-best, long may it continue.
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.
Stephen Donald: Robertson copied the Boks — Rennie must go back to All Blacks DNA
Stephen Donald backs Hansen's anti-copycat argument, saying Robertson erred by chasing the Springbok blueprint rather than New Zealand's tempo-based strengths — and expects Rennie to correct that course ahead of a blockbuster four-Test series in South Africa.