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.
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.
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.
Stephen Donald: Robertson copied the Boks — Rennie must go back to All Blacks DNA
Stephen Donald backs Hansen's anti-copycat argument, saying Robertson erred by chasing the Springbok blueprint rather than New Zealand's tempo-based strengths — and expects Rennie to correct that course ahead of a blockbuster four-Test series in South Africa.
Hansen: Wellington told us more about the All Blacks than the Springboks
Hansen argues the Wellington result revealed more about All Black confusion than Springbok dominance, while cautioning against scoreline fixation — and backing the new-look All Blacks to learn from the Greatest Rivalry tour.
Mulder's '95 Warning: Don't Sleep on the All Blacks
1995 World Cup winner Japie Mulder warns against writing off the All Blacks ahead of the four-Test series, drawing on South Africa's own underdog story to argue the gap in rankings doesn't guarantee a comfortable series win.