Planet Rugby's Team of the Series from the four-Test Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series is heavily Springbok-laden — nine Boks to four All Blacks — reflecting South Africa's comeback 3-1 series win after going 1-0 down at Ellis Park. The standout individual verdict is Malcolm Marx, named the best player in the world on the back of an 'unbelievable series': big minutes, crucial tries at decisive moments, turnovers, and a knack for flipping matches when the Boks needed it most. Ox Nche is credited with leading scrum dominance that shaped the series, while Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, and Ruan Nortje are all recognised for the forward platform that underpinned the comeback. Jasper Wiese is described as the world's best No.8, and Jesse Kriel earns his place for defensive leadership in the blitz. On the All Blacks side, Jordie Barrett is positioned as potentially their Player of the Series, Cam Roigard as their most consistent performer across all four Tests, and Will Jordan edges Kurt-Lee Arendse on the wing despite four tries from both. Ardie Savea makes the XV at openside — an admitted positional stretch — on sheer impact before his Test Three injury.
Planet Rugby's Team of the Series: Boks dominate, Marx crowned world's best
Planet Rugby's Team of the Series goes nine Boks to four All Blacks, with Malcolm Marx crowned the world's best player and Ox Nche and Wiese also singled out as world-class at their positions — a selection that reflects just how comprehensively South Africa controlled the series after recovering from 1-0 down.
Five Boks in Round One Team of the Week as Willemse Claims Player of the Weekend
South Africa dominate Planet Rugby's Round One Team of the Week with five selections, headlined by Willemse's Player of the Weekend on his 50th cap and strong showings from Marx, both Du Toits, Kriel and a debut-making De Villiers.
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.
SENSATIONAL Springboks 💥 | South Africa v England | Nations Championship 2026 | Highlights
Watch all the highlights as South Africa took on England at Ellis Park on day one of Nations Championship.
SENSATIONAL Springboks 💥 | South Africa vs. England | Nations Championship 2026 | Highlights
Watch all the highlights as South Africa took on England at Ellis Park on day one of Nations Championship.
Erasmus: winning stays non-negotiable, whatever the World Cup build-up demands
Erasmus has made his 2025 season intent explicit: rotation and World Cup-building happen inside a framework where winning remains the non-negotiable baseline. The piece breaks down what that means for squad management, the veterans' standing, and why the All Blacks series carries extra weight.