Planet Rugby's post-series winners-and-losers breakdown argues that the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry concept, for all the criticism it drew from Argentina and Australia, delivered beyond expectations — and in doing so set a benchmark that the Rugby Championship will struggle to match. On the field, Malcolm Marx is identified as the standout player across all four Tests, his set-piece dominance and breakdown work leaving New Zealand with no answers, while Kolisi's return after the Ellis Park defeat is framed as the turning point that reshaped the series. Damian de Allende edges Ardie Savea for recognition in the winners column — his containment of Jordie Barrett after Test 1 seen as quietly decisive. The piece is also direct about the losers: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is named as a disappointment, not out of form but timing, returning from injury before he was ready and never finding his rhythm. Leroy Carter's two defensive lapses in Soweto are pinpointed as the moments that swung the series. The Baltimore communication debacle gets its own entry — Steve Hansen's fury quoted at length — as an embarrassment that undermined what should have been a showcase occasion. The most pointed analytical conclusion, however, concerns New Zealand's leadership depth. With Savea fit, the All Blacks look formidable; without him, the piece argues they look rudderless in a way the Boks simply don't, given the bench of leaders Erasmus can draw on — a gap flagged as a genuine World Cup concern with twelve months to address it.
RGR series: Marx and Kolisi cement legacies, but New Zealand's leadership void exposed
Malcolm Marx and Kolisi headline Planet Rugby's RGR series review, but the sharpest insight concerns New Zealand's leadership void beyond Savea — framed as the most pressing World Cup work-on for Rennie's side.
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.
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.
The Barbarians hit-out is a key cog in Rassie's World Cup machine
Nel makes the case that the Barbarians fixture is less about the result and more about Erasmus stress-testing depth, blooding uncapped talent, and keeping the World Cup-winning core fresh — all with 2027 firmly in mind.
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.