With the All Blacks arriving in South Africa for their first tour since 1996, Naas Botha has used the moment to push for something more ambitious than the current four-year rotation: full international tours every two years, alternating between the southern hemisphere heavyweights. His argument isn't purely nostalgic — it centres on what tours do for players outside the Test bubble. Franchise players who'll never earn a Bok or All Blacks jersey get a genuine shot at testing themselves against international opposition, and their supporters get a marquee occasion that no Rugby Championship fixture can replicate. Botha draws the parallel with Lions tours, whose enduring appeal rests on exactly that dynamic. The current arrangement has South Africa touring New Zealand in 2030, with the format alternating every four years — Botha wants that cycle halved.
Naas Botha wants biennial SA–NZ tours — not just a one-off revival
Naas Botha argues the All Blacks' first SA tour since 1996 should kick off a biennial rotation rather than a four-yearly one, making the case that full tours serve players and supporters beyond the Test elite in a way that standalone fixtures simply can't.
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.
Erasmus welcomes clarity on Tony Brown's post-2027 departure: 'We've made the mistake in the past'
Tony Brown will join the All Blacks coaching staff in 2028 after his Springbok contract expires at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with Rassie Erasmus welcoming the early clarity as SA Rugby looks to avoid the contractual uncertainty that complicated preparations for France 2023.
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.
Keo & Zels: Stubborn All Blacks policy make Boks smile
The boys love that New Zealand keep picking their second-best, long may it continue.