Kolisi is making a direct pitch for NFL franchise investment in rugby clubs, arguing that off-season scheduling and cross-code player movement — particularly fringe NFL roster players — could be the unlock for growing the game in the US ahead of the 2031 World Cup. His logic is straightforward: you can't go head-to-head with American football culturally, so work around it. The piece reflects on his visit to the New York Jets and his observations on the structural differences between the two sports — massive rosters, explosive but brief bursts of play, and a steep learning curve on the tactical side. The broader context is a USA rugby programme currently ranked 14th globally and badly needing both investment and a mainstream audience hook that the national team alone can't provide.
Kolisi's pitch: NFL buy-in as the key to cracking the American market
Kolisi is calling for NFL franchises to become part-owners of rugby clubs and use their surplus roster talent to feed the game — a pragmatic, off-season coexistence model rather than direct competition with American football culture.
Etzebeth chases series win as record 146th cap beckons in Baltimore
Eben Etzebeth is set to earn a record 146th Test cap when the Springboks face the All Blacks in Baltimore on Saturday, with the series on the line — a Springbok win seals Rugby's Greatest Rivalry trophy, while defeat results in a draw.
Erasmus warns Boks: England bring youth, experience and tactical unpredictability to Ellis Park
Rassie Erasmus has praised England's touring squad as young, experienced and tactically unpredictable ahead of the Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park on 4 July, while Siya Kolisi returns as captain for a fixture that marked his first Test captaincy in 2018.
Rassie Erasmus to receive Order of Ikhamanga — South Africa's highest national honour
Rassie Erasmus will receive the Order of Ikhamanga — South Africa's highest national honour — from President Cyril Ramaphosa at an investiture ceremony on 19 May, recognising his role in the Springboks' back-to-back World Cup titles and his contribution to national unity.
Halftime flashbacks and World Cup depth: Rassie's takeaways from the England win
Erasmus drew a direct line between last year's Australia collapse and his halftime intervention against England, while framing the 45-21 win — achieved with an underdone, reshaped side — as evidence his depth-building plan is on track for 2027.
The Ruck: Springboks 'running the game on and off the pitch' as England obliterated at Ellis Park
The Ruck panel, reporting from Ellis Park, argued that England were overwhelmed in every department by a Springbok side missing six or seven key forwards — and that Rassie Erasmus's squad depth is now the most ominous thing in world rugby ahead of the 2027 World Cup.