Felix Jones has given a candid breakdown of what the Springbok coaching staff have taken from watching the All Blacks dismantle the three South African franchises. Two recurring problems stood out in franchise feedback: All Blacks players using tucked shoulders and reversed-arm non-wrapping at the breakdown, and a consistent ability to smother the driving maul when opponents got into scoring range around the 10-metre line. Jones is unambiguous — the Boks want physicality, but within the laws, and they're going in eyes open. He also flagged the All Blacks' significant tactical shift in ball-in-hand volume, phase count and kicking game, noting the metrics confirm what was already visible at the Nations Championship. On the start, Jones is direct: New Zealand race out of the blocks as a matter of identity — Ellis Park last year proved what it costs to let them settle — and the Boks know they have to match that intensity from the first whistle.
Jones flags breakdown cynicism and driving maul resistance as the All Blacks' two danger themes
Jones pinpoints All Blacks breakdown cynicism and driving maul killing as the two themes that hurt the franchises — and warns the Boks need to start with massive intensity given New Zealand's habit of scoring early.
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.