Hermanus argues that the Boks' decision to name only two specialist hookers in the current squad is a deliberate tactical choice — not an oversight. With management keen to give Marco van Staden and Jan-Hendrik Wessels more game time in the second leg of the Nations Championship, Malcolm Marx's understudy role shifts accordingly. The piece frames Grobbelaar as a player being managed toward the World Cup rather than developed through this tour window.
Why Grobbelaar is a World Cup asset, not a touring priority
The two-hooker selection is a deliberate call to free up minutes for Van Staden and Wessels — Hermanus explains why Grobbelaar fits the World Cup plan but not the current touring rotation.
Erasmus: 'We don't see the Nations Championship as a competition'
Erasmus says the Boks won't adjust their approach to chase Nations Championship log points — each Test is treated as a standalone match, with squad rotation across the window as the priority over competition standings.
Erasmus explains family connection and hooker rotation behind Venter and Kotze selections
Erasmus explains the hooker rotation logic behind Andre-Hugo Venter's selection against the Barbarians, with a personal twist, while Lukhanyo Am features at 12 for SA 'A' against Zimbabwe as he bids to rebuild his Test case.
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.
Janse van Rensburg at the top of England's centre pecking order — and what it means for the Boks
Borthwick's centre headache has a new frontrunner: Janse van Rensburg is rated the likely starter at 12 for England's Tests against Fiji and Argentina, though he's ineligible for the opener against the Springboks. The piece ranks all options at 12 and 13, with Freeman locked in outside and Slade unlucky to be on the fringes.
Rudolph outshines Springbok-laden Bulls squad again as Nortje leads dominant Benetton demolition
The Bulls beat Benetton 45-19 at Loftus, with Jeandre Rudolph rated nine out of ten after winning four turnovers and making a game-high 12 tackles, again outshining his Springbok teammates. Ruan Nortje was close behind with a dominant all-round display, while Sergeal Peterson scored twice and Embrose Papier impressed on the back of his alignment camp call-up.