Nick Mallett's read on New Zealand's second-half dismantling of Scotland is that it wasn't coincidence — it was adaptation. Speaking on the Talking Boks podcast, Mallett argues the All Blacks have deliberately absorbed lessons from four games against the Boks, shifting toward a more direct, set-piece-anchored game: physical carries, a functioning driving maul, and scrum penalties on defence. The parallels to what the Boks did to the All Blacks in the Greatest Rivalry series are hard to ignore, and Mallett sees that as a meaningful evolution in how New Zealand approach forward dominance. Looking ahead, he's blunt about Wales: a toothless intensity display against Japan, where multiple players barely jogged during live play, is a recipe for a cricket score if replicated against the All Blacks.
Mallett: All Blacks have absorbed the Springbok blueprint
Mallett argues the All Blacks' second-half power display against Scotland reflects a deliberate adoption of the Springbok forward blueprint — and warns Wales could concede 50+ if they bring the same lack of intensity they showed against Japan.
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.
Springboks lead World Rugby rankings by 3.61 points ahead of Nations Championship
South Africa top the World Rugby rankings on 93.94 points, 3.61 clear of New Zealand, as the Springboks head into the inaugural Nations Championship. World Rugby has also confirmed the removal of home weighting from the rankings system from 1 July 2026.
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.
Erasmus: 'We don't see the Nations Championship as a competition'
Erasmus says the Boks won't adjust their approach to chase Nations Championship log points — each Test is treated as a standalone match, with squad rotation across the window as the priority over competition standings.
Graham Henry's praise puts Rassie's depth chart in sharp perspective
Graham Henry's public defence of Rassie's rotation policy gives this depth-chart breakdown an unusual angle — with position-by-position analysis showing just how far Springbok depth now extends beyond the current 46-man squad.