Jan de Koning argues that the opening Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on 22 August is no occasion for World Cup experimentation — Erasmus must revert to his proven core after the heavy rotation of the Nations Championship and Argentina tour. The piece centres on how Erasmus's merit-first, utility-driven selection model should now crystallise into a matchday 23 built for big moments, not development minutes. De Koning identifies the No.9 and No.10 axis as the decisive selection call, with the choice between Manie Libbok and Handré Pollard essentially determining whether the Boks play a conservative, territorial game or go after the All Blacks expansively. Kolisi's fitness looms over the captaincy, with du Toit pencilled in to lead if he's unavailable. De Koning's proposed 23 runs Libbok at 10 with Pollard off the bench, Damian Willemse at fullback, and a forward group anchored by Etzebeth, Marx, and Jasper Wiese — with the bench leaning on a reconstituted 'bomb squad' framework.
Rassie's selection philosophy meets the Greatest Rivalry: what the Ellis Park 23 should look like
De Koning makes the case that Erasmus must shelve rotation thinking for the Ellis Park All Blacks Test and pick for winning now, with the 10 jersey and Kolisi's fitness the two variables that define the matchday 23.
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.
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 draws the line: World Cup planning won't come at the cost of winning
Erasmus is unambiguous: squad-building and World Cup prep don't override the drive to win. The piece breaks down how he's balancing depth rotation with a clear selection hierarchy, and what this season's fixture list — England, then four All Blacks Tests — demands of a squad that's broadened over two years and is now being refined.
Why 'Gazza' Willemse is the insurance policy Bok fans should trust
Rich maps the 2022 injury-to-opportunity parallel to argue that Libbok and Willemse provide Erasmus real cover at 10 — and that Bok fans fretting about Feinberg-Mngomezulu's absence are underselling the depth already in the system.
Erasmus welcomes Brown clarity, vows not to repeat 2023 contract mistake
Rassie Erasmus has welcomed the early confirmation of Tony Brown's post-2027 move to the All Blacks, saying SA Rugby is determined not to repeat the mistake of leaving coaching futures unresolved in a World Cup year — a situation that played out with Jacques Nienaber and Felix Jones before the 2023 tournament.