Victor Matfield's bold claim that the current Springboks are the greatest South African side ever assembled gets its first real examination this weekend as a four-test series against the All Blacks kicks off in Johannesburg. The historical weight is significant: between them, these two sides have claimed seven of the ten Rugby World Cups and the Rugby Championship has been their private competition for decades. Erasmus has gone with Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf — the same call that worked against the All Blacks last year — leaving Pollard off the squad entirely and Libbok on the bench. Kolisi is still managing a hamstring injury, so Du Toit leads. New Zealand, rebuilding under new coach Dave Rennie after Robertson's sacking, make just one change from their Nations Championship win over Ireland, with Holland coming in at lock. The series — marketed as the 'Greatest Rivalry' — runs across four consecutive weekends, with the finale in Baltimore.
Matfield calls this Bok squad the greatest ever — now they face the ultimate test
Matfield's claim that these Springboks are the greatest ever gets stress-tested across four consecutive weekends against the All Blacks, with Erasmus backing Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf, Du Toit captaining in Kolisi's absence, and a rebuilt New Zealand side under Rennie looking to reassert themselves.
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.
Erasmus: winning stays non-negotiable, whatever the World Cup build-up demands
Erasmus has made his 2025 season intent explicit: rotation and World Cup-building happen inside a framework where winning remains the non-negotiable baseline. The piece breaks down what that means for squad management, the veterans' standing, and why the All Blacks series carries extra weight.
Erasmus draws the line: World Cup planning won't come at the cost of winning
Erasmus is unambiguous: squad-building and World Cup prep don't override the drive to win. The piece breaks down how he's balancing depth rotation with a clear selection hierarchy, and what this season's fixture list — England, then four All Blacks Tests — demands of a squad that's broadened over two years and is now being refined.
Erasmus welcomes Brown clarity, vows not to repeat 2023 contract mistake
Rassie Erasmus has welcomed the early confirmation of Tony Brown's post-2027 move to the All Blacks, saying SA Rugby is determined not to repeat the mistake of leaving coaching futures unresolved in a World Cup year — a situation that played out with Jacques Nienaber and Felix Jones before the 2023 tournament.
The Barbarians hit-out is a key cog in Rassie's World Cup machine
Nel makes the case that the Barbarians fixture is less about the result and more about Erasmus stress-testing depth, blooding uncapped talent, and keeping the World Cup-winning core fresh — all with 2027 firmly in mind.