The signing of Joe Lewis as technical analyst has flown under the radar since it was announced earlier this year, but with England arriving at Ellis Park this weekend, it's become a storyline worth unpacking. Lewis spent two World Cups in England's backroom — working particularly closely with Borthwick on lineouts, rolling mauls and opposition analysis — and Proudfoot, who made the reverse trip to England's set-up, rates him as outstanding. The piece argues that while the 'insider knowledge' angle is a media talking point rather than a genuine competitive weapon for this specific match, the real significance is structural: the Boks have historically run a lean analysis department by Tier 1 standards, and Lewis is part of Erasmus expanding that capacity deliberately. Erasmus himself framed it as routine IP transfer — the same way Proudfoot's move to England, McGuigan's week at the Sharks, and Eddie Jones's various relocations all shift institutional knowledge around the game. The conclusion is that Lewis sharpening the Bok analysis engine over time is the actual prize, not whatever he happens to know about Borthwick's lineout calls.
Joe Lewis appointment is Erasmus building for the long game — not just one England test
Joe Lewis's appointment as Bok analyst is less about what he knows of England and more about Erasmus systematically closing the gap between South Africa's lean analysis set-up and the multi-analyst departments that France, England and others now run.
- England
- Springboks
- Rassie Erasmus
- Hollywoodbets Sharks
Nché injury concern headlining Bok casualty list ahead of Scotland clash at Loftus
Rassie Erasmus is sweating over the fitness of Ox Nché, Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and André Esterhuizen ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship match against Scotland at Loftus, after all four picked up injuries during or before the 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park.
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.
So how deep is the Springbok squad?
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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
Buthelezi and Sadie called up as Springbok camp gets underway in Johannesburg
Phepsi Buthelezi and Carlu Sadie have joined the Springbok training squad in Johannesburg, with on-field preparations underway ahead of the 20 June double-header in Gqeberha. The Nations Championship squad is set to be announced on 21 June.