Gavin Rich argues that the Boks' 3-1 series win over the All Blacks was built on unusual selection continuity — Erasmus effectively shelved his rotation policy to bed in combinations once the opening loss made clear the cost of incoherence. That pragmatism worked, but with a 30-plus average squad age and a World Cup a year out, Rich contends the Perth test against Australia marks the return of Erasmus's development agenda. The piece maps out where the pressure points are: hooker is a genuine concern with Marx irreplaceable and neither Grobbelaar nor Wessels yet tested at this level; Porthen and Grant Williams both need redemption runs; Pollard needs game time to hold his flyhalf spot; and Dixon's concussion recovery determines whether Pieter-Steph du Toit carries the No.7 burden alone into November. Rich also raises an intriguing scenario for the Nations Championship northern leg — with the RGR already banked, Erasmus may be bold enough to leave senior heads at home when France and Ireland come around in November, using those fixtures as genuine World Cup auditions rather than prestige targets.
Post-RGR, Erasmus has the breathing room to experiment — and plenty of reasons to use it
Rich argues the RGR win gives Erasmus the political capital to resume his rotation agenda, and maps the selection pressures — hooker depth, Pollard's place, Dixon's fitness, and potential squad gambles for the November Nations Championship leg — that will define the Boks' remainder of 2026.
Rassie's Nations Championship reckoning: the July squads that will shape RWC 2027
A demographic deep-dive into the seven leading RWC 2027 contenders argues the Nations Championship compresses the selection cycle by a year, placing Erasmus at the sharpest decision point: defend the title with the 2023 spine or finally acknowledge the cost of carrying an ageing pack into Australian conditions.
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.
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.
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.
James Doleman to referee South Africa v England as World Rugby confirms Nations Championship officials
James Doleman will referee South Africa v England at Ellis Park on 4 July, with Andrew Brace and Pierre Brousset as assistants, as World Rugby confirms the full list of officials for the July leg of the 2026 Nations Championship.