Ulster dismantled Exeter 29-12 to reach their first European final in 14 years, and the standout Springbok subplot is Juarno Augustus. Rated 9/10 and described as 'magnificent in every facet,' the number eight is flagged as someone Erasmus will be watching closely ahead of the Nations Championship — high praise given the depth at eight in the Bok setup. Elsewhere, Stuart McCloskey continued what's being called his best-ever season with another dominant 9/10 display, while Nathan Doak and Cormac Izuchukwu also rated highly as Ulster's pack set a physical tone Exeter couldn't match. The full ratings give a granular read on where each Ulster player stands heading into a European final.
Juarno Augustus puts himself in Bok frame with Ulster's European demolition job
Augustus's 9/10 man-of-the-match display against Exeter has put him firmly in the Bok conversation, with the piece suggesting Erasmus will be taking close notice ahead of the Nations Championship.
- Rassie Erasmus
- Springboks
Springboks Through Irish Eyes: Gráinne Seoige on Loftus, Rassie, and Why SA Rugby Is Unlike Anything Else
Irish TV personality Gráinne Seoige tells the Lekker Rugby Pod that walking into Loftus for the 2024 Ireland test was the most intimidating rugby atmosphere she has ever experienced, and argues that Rassie Erasmus's cultural transformation of Springbok rugby is a bigger achievement than the World Cup wins.
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.
Hansen: Stop Trying to Be Rassie
Steve Hansen warns that the rugby world's obsession with copying Rassie Erasmus' Springbok blueprint is stifling tactical innovation across the game.
Mulder's '95 Warning: Don't Sleep on the All Blacks
1995 World Cup winner Japie Mulder warns against writing off the All Blacks ahead of the four-Test series, drawing on South Africa's own underdog story to argue the gap in rankings doesn't guarantee a comfortable series win.