Nick Mallett argues that Papier's omission from the Rugby Championship squad comes down to a specific reading of what Erasmus means by 'wiele.' Mallett's take is that it's not raw speed with ball in hand — where Papier is as dangerous as anyone — but pace to the breakdown and the ability to lift ruck tempo collectively. He points to Jantjies's cameo against Wales as the evidence: when Jantjies came on, the rhythm of the Bok ruck visibly accelerated, something Mallett attributes to his composure and his speed as a second man to the breakdown. His conclusion is that Papier, for all his individual brilliance, hasn't yet shown he can lift the collective tempo the way Erasmus wants. Mallett also makes a broader point worth noting: the five players released to face the All Blacks in the touring matches — Papier, Evan Roos, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Andre-Hugo Venter, and Jaco Williams — should still feel the sting of it. Being available to play franchise rugby while the squad flies to Argentina is a signal, even if Erasmus frames it generously.
Mallett's theory on why Jantjies edged Papier out of Erasmus's squad
Mallett breaks down Papier's squad snub, arguing 'wiele' is about breakdown tempo rather than pace in hand — and why Jantjies fits Erasmus's system better right now.
Erasmus welcomes clarity on Tony Brown's post-2027 departure: 'We've made the mistake in the past'
Tony Brown will join the All Blacks coaching staff in 2028 after his Springbok contract expires at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with Rassie Erasmus welcoming the early clarity as SA Rugby looks to avoid the contractual uncertainty that complicated preparations for France 2023.
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.
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.
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.