The panel on The Ruck used the Springboks' 43-28 fourth-test win in Baltimore to make a broader argument about what separates South Africa from everyone else heading into the World Cup cycle. Charlie Morgan pointed to Morne van den Berg winning man of the match as the sharpest illustration of Bok depth — a player most casual followers wouldn't recognise stepping up in a series decider. Alex Lowe, who attended two of the South African tests, argued the defining theme was South Africa's ability to convert relentless pressure into points once they'd solved their early-series wastefulness, while New Zealand could never nail more than two or three fundamentals simultaneously. Elgin Alderman made the case that the All Blacks' series — playing with speed and guile rather than trying to match the Boks up the middle — is the template other sides should study, adding that Rassie Erasmus's pointed praise of Steve Borthwick for being 'very good at following trends' was a deliberate dig at England's lack of a fixed identity.
Springbok depth and identity: what the 4-test series tells the chasing pack
The Ruck panel argue the 4-test series proves that beating the Springboks requires total conviction in your own identity — and that Rassie's backhanded compliment to Borthwick was a pointed reminder of what England still lack.
The Ruck panel argue the 4-test series proves that beating the Springboks requires total conviction in your own identity — and that Rassie's backhanded compliment to Borthwick was a pointed reminder of what England still lack.
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- Springboks
- New Zealand
- Rassie Erasmus
- England
- Rugby World Cup
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 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.
Brown confirms post-2027 All Blacks move but eyes World Cup glory with Boks first
Springbok attack coach Tony Brown will join Dave Rennie's All Blacks staff from 2028, but remains committed to helping South Africa win a third successive World Cup title before his departure.
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A demographic deep-dive into the seven leading RWC 2027 contenders argues the Nations Championship compresses the selection cycle by a year, placing Erasmus at the sharpest decision point: defend the title with the 2023 spine or finally acknowledge the cost of carrying an ageing pack into Australian conditions.
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.