On Sky Sports NZ's Breakdown, Jeff Wilson and Justin Marshall used round two of the Nations Championship to make a broader point about which nations have genuine squad depth — and their conclusion is that South Africa, France and New Zealand are in a tier of their own. The trigger was the Boks' 42-28 win over Scotland, achieved with only five survivors from the England XV. Marshall was particularly struck by the fact that it wasn't straightforward — 14-all at the break — before the Boks found ways to crack Scotland open in the second half through individuals like Jesse Kriel and Canan Moodie-era Damian Willemse. His read: Erasmus should take serious confidence from a largely second-string side figuring out how to win a tough game, not just running away with it from the start. Wilson applied the same logic to France, arguing their dominant first half against the All Blacks in Christchurch looks even more impressive now that a rotated — arguably stronger — French side put 42 past Australia. Both pundits singled out Australia as the cautionary tale: competitive for a half, then conceding 40 points, with no obvious fix for the depth problem underneath.
Jeff Wilson and Justin Marshall: Boks, France and All Blacks are in a squad depth class of their own
Jeff Wilson and Justin Marshall argue that the Boks, France and All Blacks occupy a different tier of squad depth — using the Nations Championship round two results to show that all three can rotate heavily and still win convincingly. Marshall's specific point on South Africa: the fact that it was 14-all at half-time against Scotland, before a largely second-string Bok side found a way through, is exactly the kind of problem-solving under pressure Erasmus will value most.
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.
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.
Rassie on Alles Ep 1 | The Barbarians in the Bay
The #Springboks kick off their season against the Barbarians in Gqeberha, a place close to the hearts of Rassie Erasmus, Mzwandile Stick, and Deon Davids. The three Bok coaches discuss why it's special to return to the Eastern Cape and what
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.