Pollard's URC Final display — five carries, 10 passes, three missed tackles, three turnovers, and four goal-kicking misses in the semifinal — has drawn sharp criticism, but Erasmus isn't buying the panic. Speaking after the Barbarians rout, he pushed back on the idea of judging players by franchise form, arguing that team environment, game plan fit, and weekly dynamics make club performances an unreliable yardstick. His core defence is simple: Pollard has never let the Boks down when it matters. Erasmus pointed to their working relationship since 2018 and Pollard's role in both World Cup victories as reasons to trust the process over a rough fortnight. Pollard himself has acknowledged the fan frustration, framing it as passion rather than noise. The piece lays out the statistical case against Pollard while stress-testing whether Erasmus's loyalty is justified pragmatism or selective blindness — worth reading if you're weighing how this selection debate plays out ahead of the Rugby Championship.
Rassie stands firm on Pollard despite URC Final shocker
Erasmus has publicly backed Pollard despite a poor URC Finals run, arguing franchise form is an unreliable measure and that Pollard's Bok record earns him the benefit of the doubt — the piece weighs the stats against that logic.
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.
Buthelezi and Sadie called up as Springbok camp gets underway in Johannesburg
Phepsi Buthelezi and Carlu Sadie have joined the Springbok training squad in Johannesburg, with on-field preparations underway ahead of the 20 June double-header in Gqeberha. The Nations Championship squad is set to be announced on 21 June.
Van Heerden called up as Moerat injury forces Springbok change
Ruben van Heerden has been called into the Springbok squad to replace the injured Salmaan Moerat, joining camp in Johannesburg ahead of the season opener against the Barbarians on 20 June.
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.
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.