Victor Matfield's verdict on the Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu ankle injury is essentially: not a crisis. Speaking on the Rivals podcast alongside Sir John Kirwan, Matfield pointed to Pollard's current form at the Bulls and Libbok as capable replacements, and — with a World Cup year still 12 months away — framed this as the right time to absorb injury setbacks. When Kirwan pushed back, asking whether the All Blacks series should be a concern, Matfield's response was a blunt 'Do we need to be?' The more substantive part of the discussion centres on the scrum-half depth chart, which is currently a wreckage — Williams, Hendrikse, Van den Berg and Reinach all out. Matfield's argument is that Embrose Papier's exceptional Bulls season has him playing at a level that makes him not just a stopgap but arguably South Africa's best nine right now, with his try-scoring, kicking game and pace all drawing praise. The piece is worth reading for Matfield's calibrated confidence and the Kirwan counterpoint that keeps the conversation honest.
Matfield unbothered by SFM injury — backs Pollard, Libbok and a resurgent Papier
Matfield is relaxed about SFM's likely three-month absence, backing Pollard and Libbok to cover at 10 while making a strong case that Papier — despite a decimated scrum-half pool — is playing well enough to be a genuine asset rather than a contingency.
Brown confirms post-2027 All Blacks move but eyes World Cup glory with Boks first
Springbok attack coach Tony Brown will join Dave Rennie's All Blacks staff from 2028, but remains committed to helping South Africa win a third successive World Cup title before his departure.
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.
Syndesmosis injury could keep Feinberg-Mngomezulu out for three months
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu faces a three-month absence after suffering a syndesmosis injury in the Stormers' URC quarter-final win over Cardiff, potentially ruling him out of the Nations Championship Tests and part of the All Blacks series.
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.
Papier named URC Player of the Season as Bulls prepare for Glasgow semifinal
Embrose Papier has been named SA Vodacom URC Player of the Season after scoring 11 tries and producing standout stats across the campaign, with the Bulls scrumhalf also eyeing a first Springbok recall since 2018 ahead of Saturday's semifinal against Glasgow.