AnalysisSpringboksPlanet Rugby30 Apr

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.

Japie Mulder is urging Springbok supporters not to get swept up in expectation ahead of the four-Test series against New Zealand. Despite South Africa holding a near four-point buffer at the top of the World Rugby rankings and enjoying home advantage for three of the four Tests, Mulder draws on the lesson of 1995 — when the Boks were written off — to caution against complacency. His view: a 4-0 series result is possible in either direction, regardless of current form differentials.

The piece also captures Mulder's genuine admiration for what Erasmus has built — particularly the way he's managing succession planning while keeping performances at elite level. The broader framing is that the Boks are in a strong position heading into the series and toward a 2027 three-peat tilt, but the All Blacks under Rennie remain a dangerous unknown. Worth reading if you want a measured, experienced voice cutting through the hype ahead of what promises to be a compelling series.

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Springboks
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Rassie Erasmus

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