Joel Stransky recalls the moment Kitch Christie watched Lomu dismantle England at the 1995 World Cup, rewound the tape, and told his players — almost to himself — 'Okay, we can beat them.' Stransky's argument is that those five words did something tactically and psychologically crucial: they forced a squad that had no mental blueprint for stopping that All Blacks side to build one from scratch, with mini-plans, contingency plans, and a belief that they belonged on the same field. Stransky frames it as the original crack in the myth of All Blacks invincibility — a moment that set the psychological template the Springboks have carried through four World Cup wins since. The piece uses the 1995 reflection as a springboard into the current Greatest Rivalry series, with Stransky offering a sharp take on what makes this rivalry unique: both sides need the other to be great, because the rivalry itself defines them.
Kitch Christie's five words that changed Springbok history
Stransky revisits the Christie 'five words' moment from 1995 that cracked All Blacks invincibility — and draws a direct line to the psychological edge Boks carry into the current Greatest Rivalry series.
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.
Brown confirms post-2027 All Blacks move but eyes World Cup glory with Boks first
Springbok attack coach Tony Brown will join Dave Rennie's All Blacks staff from 2028, but remains committed to helping South Africa win a third successive World Cup title before his departure.
Tony Brown to join All Blacks backroom staff in 2028 after Springbok contract ends
NZR have confirmed Tony Brown will join the All Blacks' backroom staff in 2028 on a two-year contract, with the Springboks attack coach set to depart after the 2027 Rugby World Cup. It is the third time NZR have pursued Brown, having previously been rejected during the Foster and Robertson eras.
Hansen: Wellington told us more about the All Blacks than the Springboks
Hansen argues the Wellington result revealed more about All Black confusion than Springbok dominance, while cautioning against scoreline fixation — and backing the new-look All Blacks to learn from the Greatest Rivalry tour.
World Rugby scraps home weighting in first rankings overhaul since 2003
World Rugby will eliminate home weighting from its rankings points calculation from July 1, 2026 — the first major change to the system since its 2003 introduction — citing the surge in Tests played at neutral venues, including the Springboks vs All Blacks Baltimore clash.