Fresh off a 50-19 demolition of the Bulls, Dave Rennie has made clear to his players that the scoreline shouldn't breed complacency — the step up to Springbok level will demand a fivefold increase in intensity. The full piece explores what Rennie said and what it signals about his side's readiness ahead of the Test.
Rennie warns his squad: the Boks are a different beast entirely
Rennie has put his squad on notice that the Bulls win was a dress rehearsal — the full piece unpacks what he said about facing the Boks.
Contepomi's warning: Boks are dangerous precisely because attack and forward dominance now combine
Contepomi argues the Boks' real danger isn't attack or forward dominance in isolation — it's that Tony Brown's influence has made them fluent in both, with the football intelligence to switch between them at will. A sharp external read ahead of the England test.
Gelant and Van der Merwe set for first reunion since Outeniqua High in Barbarians clash
Warrick Gelant and Duhan van der Merwe are set to share a field for the first time since Outeniqua High School when the Barbarians face the Springboks in Gqeberha on 20 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.
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.