Clive Woodward's argument is straightforward: the RFU's months-long post-Six Nations review was an unnecessary distraction that left Borthwick in limbo when he should have been single-mindedly preparing for the toughest possible opening fixture — the Boks in Johannesburg. Woodward believes the union should have made its call within a week of the France game, and that the protracted 'purgatory' has cost England valuable preparation time and psychological momentum heading into the Nations Championship. He's not writing off England's chances — he thinks the squad has the talent to win in South Africa — but he's clear that if they do, it'll be in spite of the RFU's process rather than because of it. He also takes a swipe at the RFU's structural setup, arguing a director of rugby sitting above Borthwick would be a more functional model. For Bok supporters, this is a useful read on how much internal noise England are carrying into the series.
Woodward: RFU's drawn-out review has kneecapped Borthwick's Bok prep
Woodward argues the RFU's drawn-out review left Borthwick distracted at the worst possible time, and that England's chances in Johannesburg have been needlessly compromised — even if he believes the talent is there to beat the Boks.
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.
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.
Smith vows England will 'leave it all out there' against Springboks
Marcus Smith says England's 36-man squad, arriving in Johannesburg on Thursday, are targeting a historic win over the Springboks in the Nations Championship opener, having trained in oxygen masks to prepare for the Highveld.
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.
Springboks Through Irish Eyes: Gráinne Seoige on Loftus, Rassie, and Why SA Rugby Is Unlike Anything Else
Irish TV personality Gráinne Seoige tells the Lekker Rugby Pod that walking into Loftus for the 2024 Ireland test was the most intimidating rugby atmosphere she has ever experienced, and argues that Rassie Erasmus's cultural transformation of Springbok rugby is a bigger achievement than the World Cup wins.