Hanyani Shimange's verdict from SuperSport's Verdict show cuts through the ongoing scrum debate simply and bluntly: no pack in world rugby can live with the Springbok scrum — and the only unit that comes close is South Africa's own reserve front row. The piece captures the broader discussion sparked by Dave Rennie's 'walking around' accusations and Neil Barnes's 'gravy train' comments, and frames Shimange's take against Schalk Burger's nuanced point that refereeing approach is as decisive as raw scrummaging ability — citing Angus Gardner's hands-off style in the Cape Town Test as a case where Bok dominance went largely unpunished. Shimange surveys the global landscape and finds Ireland capable of tricks, Scotland genuinely committed under Peter de Villiers, and France and others falling short. The piece is worth reading for the Verdict panel's candid breakdown of why South Africa's set-piece supremacy is as much about depth as it is about the starting eight.
Shimmy: SA's reserve front row is the only scrum that can challenge the Boks' first choice
Shimange argues no pack in world rugby can match the Bok scrum — with the only competition coming from SA's own reserve front row. Burger adds that refereeing philosophy is as important as scrummaging quality, pointing to how differently the second and third Tests were officiated.
Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
Don't be fooled by England's Six Nations finish — this is a genuine test for the Boks
A well-argued warning against Bok fan overconfidence ahead of the Nations Championship opener — England's Six Nations implosion had clear context, their Paris performance suggests they're back, and the Boks' seasonal rust is a real variable. Erasmus's wariness is well-founded.
Springboks lead World Rugby rankings by 3.61 points ahead of Nations Championship
South Africa top the World Rugby rankings on 93.94 points, 3.61 clear of New Zealand, as the Springboks head into the inaugural Nations Championship. World Rugby has also confirmed the removal of home weighting from the rankings system from 1 July 2026.
Van der Merwe eyes Scotland recall after Townsend lifeline
Van der Merwe opens up on a brutal season of injury and form loss, and how a Townsend phone call — offering him the Barbarians gig against the Boks — has him targeting a Scotland recall for the Nations Championship.
James Doleman to referee South Africa v England as World Rugby confirms Nations Championship officials
James Doleman will referee South Africa v England at Ellis Park on 4 July, with Andrew Brace and Pierre Brousset as assistants, as World Rugby confirms the full list of officials for the July leg of the 2026 Nations Championship.