Victor Matfield argues that the All Blacks' outing against the Stormers was more instructive than a routine warm-up — giving them a genuine foretaste of the rush defence they'll face when the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series kicks off. The implication is that the Stormers' defensive system mirrors enough of the Bok blueprint to count as meaningful preparation, which raises an interesting question about how well-prepared New Zealand actually are — and whether that exposure helps or merely flatters their readiness.
Matfield: Stormers handed All Blacks a Bok rush defence preview
Matfield says the Stormers gave the All Blacks a useful preview of the rush defence they'll face in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series — the piece explores what that means for New Zealand's preparedness.
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.
Hansen's Right to Back Himself — But the Boks' Five-Match Streak Tells a Different Story
Jean de Villiers acknowledges Hansen's logic but argues last year's results and performances make it hard to see the All Blacks closing the gap on the Boks — and the panel get genuinely animated over what a 2-2 series tiebreaker would even look like.
Keo & Zels: Stubborn All Blacks policy make Boks smile
The boys love that New Zealand keep picking their second-best, long may it continue.
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.