Federico Méndez has called on the Pumas to 'behave and control' themselves when they face South Africa in Buenos Aires this weekend, with Argentine rugby's reputation still raw after the Albornoz-Gardner incident against England in July. The piece frames Saturday's match as more than a Springbok warm-up — it's a character test for a nation whose footballers and rugby players both crossed lines in the same week, prompting World Rugby misconduct charges and FIFA disciplinary proceedings respectively. Méndez draws a cultural distinction between football and rugby, arguing the rugby code demands a different standard, while still defending the Pumas' grievance over the disallowed Delguy try. The article also carries a pointed warning for the Boks: Contepomi's side pushed them to the wire in last year's Rugby Championship and beat the Lions 28-24, so anyone treating this as a soft hit-out before the All Blacks series is taking a risk.
Pumas legend Méndez urges Argentina to show discipline against Boks after ugly July
With Argentine rugby's discipline under scrutiny after the England Test fallout, Méndez calls for composure against the Boks — while the piece reminds readers that a Pumas side Méndez rates as the best-prepared in the nation's history is no gimme for the world champions.
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.
Hansen: Wellington told us more about the All Blacks than the Springboks
Hansen argues the Wellington result revealed more about All Black confusion than Springbok dominance, while cautioning against scoreline fixation — and backing the new-look All Blacks to learn from the Greatest Rivalry tour.
World Rugby scraps home weighting in first rankings overhaul since 2003
World Rugby will eliminate home weighting from its rankings points calculation from July 1, 2026 — the first major change to the system since its 2003 introduction — citing the surge in Tests played at neutral venues, including the Springboks vs All Blacks Baltimore clash.
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.
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.