Sir John Kirwan is backing the All Blacks to win the inaugural Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series but is clear-eyed about what it will take. Speaking on the Rugby Rivals podcast, he argues that the series will be won or lost up front — specifically at scrum time — and that Rennie will need all eight forwards to perform at their absolute ceiling for New Zealand to prevail in South Africa. Kirwan also acknowledges that the element of tactical surprise will be limited: the All Blacks have shown their hand across the Nations Championship matches against France, Italy and Ireland, and Erasmus's staff will have done their homework. While he expects South Africa to apply their familiar pressure through the high ball and scrum, he believes the All Blacks' DNA is pointing in the right direction — they just need heroes to execute it.
Kirwan: All Blacks forward pack must be heroes to beat the Boks
Kirwan backs the All Blacks to win the series but says the forward pack must match the Springbok scrum to have any chance — and warns that tactical surprise will be minimal given how much New Zealand have already revealed about their game.
Fainga'anuku's broken leg rules him out of Nations Championship and clouds Springbok series availability
Leicester Fainga'anuku faces 10 to 12 weeks out after fracturing his fibula in the Crusaders' semi-final defeat to the Chiefs, ruling him out of the Nations Championship and casting doubt over his availability for the opening Tests against the Springboks.
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.
Umaga wants the All Blacks feared again — and Rennie's the man to do it
Umaga admits the All Blacks have lost their shine and outlines how Rennie's leadership culture — and Savea's role as a players' voice — aims to restore it ahead of a season that ends with four Tests against the Springboks.
Barrett ruled out five months as back surgery wrecks All Blacks captaincy and Springboks tour plans
Scott Barrett requires back surgery and is ruled out for five months, missing the Nations Championship and the All Blacks' four-Test tour of South Africa, leaving Dave Rennie without his captain for the entire upcoming international programme.
Scott Barrett ruled out of South Africa tour with back injury requiring surgery
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett faces up to five months out after back surgery, ruling him out of New Zealand's four-test series against the Springboks in South Africa and the July Nations Championship tests, with his captaincy already under review following Dave Rennie's appointment as head coach.