With Will Jordan likely out for the Nations Championship and possibly into the first Springbok Test, New Zealand's full-back depth hole is under the microscope. Justin Marshall is alarmed, arguing that repeatedly shifting McKenzie or Beauden Barrett to 15 is a proven dead end — "it hasn't worked, so how is it going to click all of a sudden?" He's also pointed at the selection omission of Chay Fihaki, who he believes genuinely fits the position's requirements. Marshall's preferred fix is moving Jordie Barrett to 15 — citing his boot, aerial game and defensive physicality as ticking every box the role demands. Kieran Read echoes the Jordan concern, noting it's not just his ball-in-hand ability but his organisational influence on the entire backfield that's irreplaceable. With the Boks looming, the piece is a pointed signal that All Blacks supporters should be worried about a structural weakness in the spine before the series even kicks off.
Marshall warns Rennie: don't put McKenzie or Beauden at 15 again
Marshall is fuming at the prospect of Rennie again deploying McKenzie or Beauden Barrett at full-back, calling it a failed experiment and proposing Jordie Barrett as the safer option — with Jordan's injury potentially lingering into the first Springbok Test, it's a spine problem that could define the 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.
Nché injury concern headlining Bok casualty list ahead of Scotland clash at Loftus
Rassie Erasmus is sweating over the fitness of Ox Nché, Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and André Esterhuizen ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship match against Scotland at Loftus, after all four picked up injuries during or before the 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park.
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.
Springboks host Wales at Kings Park on 18 July in Nations Championship opener
South Africa host Wales at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban on 18 July (17:40 local) in the Nations Championship, with Andrew Brace refereeing and SuperSport broadcasting.
Watson: Kolbe is England's biggest headache — but Bok versatility is the real danger
Watson names Kolbe as England's biggest individual concern but argues the Boks' real edge is their ability to change tactical identity based on which fly-half starts — a flexibility that makes them uniquely hard to prepare for.