Gavin Rich argues that Erasmus's squad for the European leg of the Nations Championship reveals where his real priorities lie — and winning the Nations Championship trophy isn't necessarily top of the list. The selection of several teenagers and near-teenagers (Yaqeen Ahmed, Markus Muller, Luan Giliomee, Riley Norton, plus Immanuel Tshituka and Sebastian de Klerk) signals a developmental mindset that mirrors what previous Bok coaches did on November tours ahead of World Cup years. Rich's central tension: if the Boks actually want to win the Nations Championship, points differential matters — and the All Blacks have a kinder draw on their away leg. Yet Erasmus showed no appetite for chasing points in the home leg against Scotland or Wales, and isn't likely to shift that approach now.
The Italy game in Turin is flagged as the logical audition slot for the newcomers — Italy are the softest opponent, and it's also where a points-padding performance would do the most good if the standings matter. But Rich's read is that Erasmus is using this tour to blood depth players and build towards 2027, with an eye that extends even beyond the next World Cup cycle. The Nations Championship gets lip service; the squad building is the real work. Worth reading for the fixture-by-fixture breakdown of how the Boks' log position could be squeezed by the All Blacks before a ball is kicked in Europe.