Gavin Rich's piece uses Carlu Sadie's imminent test debut as a lens to examine just how deep South Africa's tighthead stocks run right now. With Malherbe unlikely to return, Nyakane sidelined, and Koch winding down, most nations would be scrambling — but Erasmus has Porthen (22 years old and already drawing 'he's a best' billing), Wilco Louw as a wrecking-ball option off the bench, and Thomas du Toit expected back from his Bath workload in time for Argentina and the Ellis Park All Blacks opener. Sadie gets his shot against Wales at Kings Park largely because Du Toit is being managed, and Erasmus has backed him publicly — pointing to improved conditioning and a Champions Cup-winning pedigree as reasons to give him a run. The subtext is clear though: Sadie is competing for a squad spot, not an established shirt, and Saturday is a significant audition. Rich's framing is that this embarrassment of riches at tighthead — the most scarce position in world rugby — is one of the more underappreciated structural advantages the Boks carry into the upcoming Rugby Championship.
Sadie's debut caps an extraordinary tighthead depth chart
With Du Toit being managed and Porthen already a frontrunner, Sadie's Wales debut illustrates the remarkable tighthead depth Erasmus has at his disposal — and the piece maps out who plays where as the Boks build toward the All Blacks series.
- Frans Malherbe
- Rassie Erasmus
- Springboks
- Wilco Louw
- Thomas du Toit
- Argentina
- New Zealand
- Wales
- Hollywoodbets Kings Park
- Rugby Championship
All Blacks' loosehead crisis hands Springboks a ready-made weapon in Greatest Rivalry Series
Jeff Wilson has publicly identified loosehead prop as the All Blacks' most dangerous weakness ahead of four consecutive Tests against the Springboks — with Williams likely out, Tu'ungafasi's future uncertain, and the remaining options short on caps and experience. Set against the depth Erasmus has built across the prop positions, this piece maps out why scrum time could be where the Greatest Rivalry Series is decided.
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.
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.
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.
Alexander's blunt warning: align the calendar or lose the game
Mark Alexander is warning that the Dublin World Rugby meetings must deliver calendar alignment — concurrent Rugby Championship and Six Nations windows, dedicated club and rest periods — or the sport risks losing players to rebel competitions. New Zealand's resistance to shifting Super Rugby Pacific is the key sticking point.