Planet Rugby's post-match ratings from the Sharks' 54-0 loss at Kings Park pull no punches. Vusi Moyo, on debut, is rated a creditable 7 — outplayed by Ruben Love but effective with the ball in hand and under the high ball, given the platform he had. Vincent Koch earns another 7 for hauling the scrum back to parity after a rough start. The real damage, though, came off the bench: the ratings piece argues the gulf in class was most stark when the All Blacks' replacements hit the field, with Sharks cover — Ma'a Nonu's cameo aside — simply unable to match the depth. Phepsi Buthelezi was unusually anonymous, Stassen limped off early deepening the Sharks' lock crisis, and Siyaya's chip-and-chase gambles backfired. The broader takeaway is a warning shot for the other club sides still to face this All Blacks tour group: the difference in bench quality will be the deciding factor.
Sharks player ratings vs All Blacks: Moyo holds his own, but the bench tells the real story
Vusi Moyo earns surprising praise on debut but the Sharks' bench depth — or lack of it — is identified as the clearest indicator of the class gap in their 54-0 loss to the All Blacks.
- Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Hollywoodbets Kings Park
- New Zealand
- Vincent Koch
Stormers to feed back All Blacks intel to Springboks after tour opener
John Dobson confirms the Stormers will give the Springbok coaching staff feedback on the All Blacks following Friday's 38-21 tour defeat, building on a pre-match intel exchange that Dobson says produced at least one on-field dividend.
All Blacks' Greatest Rivalry Series opener against Stormers to be free-to-air in New Zealand
NZR and Sky Sport will make the All Blacks' opening tour match against the Stormers on 7 August free to watch in New Zealand, as part of comprehensive coverage plans for the first All Blacks tour of South Africa since 1996.
Rugby world reacts to Nonu's Sharks signing — and wants him on the park against the All Blacks
Nonu's Sharks signing has been met with widespread approval, centred on the mentorship value for Jurenzo Julius and the delicious possibility of him facing the All Blacks at Kings Park in August.
Fassi heads to Japan on sabbatical with Brave Lupus, returns to Sharks in 2027
Aphelele Fassi will join Japanese club Brave Lupus for the 2026-27 Rugby League One season on a Sharks-sanctioned sabbatical, returning to Durban in July 2027.
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.