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How the Boks turned a humiliating Ellis Park loss into a 3-1 series triumph
A full post-series breakdown of the Boks' 3-1 Greatest Rivalry win, arguing that Erasmus's in-series adjustments were the turning point — while flagging the preparation miscalculation that handed the All Blacks the opener.
Springbok Women adapt to Welsh conditions ahead of WXV Global Series opener
The Springbok Women trained at Cardiff Metropolitan University on Monday ahead of Friday's WXV Global Series opener against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park, with co-coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt reporting a productive session despite difficult weather. South Africa have not beaten Wales since 2010 and face them for the first time since 2021, with Felicia Jacobs replacing the unavailable Anacadia Minnaar in the touring squad.
Erasmus reflects on Greatest Rivalry revival after Springboks claim series
Rassie Erasmus has spoken about the significance of the revived Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand, which the Springboks won 3-1 after matches on home soil and a finale in Baltimore. The head coach drew on memories of the isolation era and the 1996 All Blacks tour to South Africa, emphasising the series rekindled the intensity that defines Test rugby between the two nations. Erasmus also acknowledged the competitive edge extended beyond the pitch, with both coaching camps and media outlets fully engaged throughout the campaign.
How Rennie's scrum crusade handed Rassie the psychological edge
Nel argues Rennie's escalating scrum complaints handed Rassie a psychological weapon — firing up the Bok pack while Erasmus quietly out-coached him. The Barnes post-series interview becomes the piece's sharpest exhibit: an accidental admission that referees should only penalise what suits New Zealand.
Matfield winds up Kirwan with deadpan claim that All Blacks slowed Baltimore test
Matfield deadpans that the All Blacks slowed the Baltimore test down, Kirwan loses his composure, and the whole exchange is a masterclass in post-series needle.
The gap is bigger than Rassie lets on
Despite Erasmus playing down the gap, this piece argues the aggregate scoreline flatters New Zealand — breaking down the series test-by-test across breakdown, set piece, defence, and discipline to show South Africa's dominance widened sharply from Johannesburg to Baltimore.
Renewed KLA puts Wallabies on red alert
Arendse's Baltimore performance reignited his Rugby's Greatest Rivalry campaign, and Hermanus argues it's a timely warning for Australia ahead of their next Bok encounter.
Matfield: Pressure off, now watch the Boks play
Matfield argues the All Blacks series pressure forced the Boks back to basics, and now expects Erasmus to pursue a more expansive attacking game and rotate aggressively — with the Nations Championship serving as the real World Cup audition for fringe players.
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.
Springbok Women settle into Cardiff camp ahead of WXV opener against Wales
The Springbok Women trained in Cardiff on Monday ahead of Friday's WXV Global Series opener against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park, with co-coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt satisfied with the session despite post-travel fatigue and wet conditions. Felicia Jacobs replaced the unavailable Anacadia Minnaar in the touring squad, with the match-day team to be announced on Wednesday.
Planet Rugby's Team of the Series: Boks dominate, Marx crowned world's best
Planet Rugby's Team of the Series goes nine Boks to four All Blacks, with Malcolm Marx crowned the world's best player and Ox Nche and Wiese also singled out as world-class at their positions — a selection that reflects just how comprehensively South Africa controlled the series after recovering from 1-0 down.
Springbok Women open Wales camp with productive session ahead of WXV opener
The Springbok Women completed their first training session in Cardiff on Monday ahead of Friday's WXV Global Series opener against Wales, with co-coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt citing match clarity as the focus. Felicia Jacobs replaced the unavailable Anacadia Minnaar in the touring party, and the team will be named on Wednesday.
Five moments that decided Baltimore — and handed the Boks the series
Coetzee's match breakdown identifies the five moments that flipped a nervy Baltimore Test — from early defensive red flags to a brutal TMO call that went the Boks' way, and Arendse's match-sealing finish that ended the series as a contest.
Rassie: The Greatest Rivalry revival is bigger than the result
Erasmus reflects on the Greatest Rivalry revival as historically significant beyond the 3-1 result — drawing on isolation-era memories and the 1996 series to explain what makes this fixture irreplaceable, while cautioning that the Rugby Championship partners shouldn't be left behind.
Kirwan slams officiating after All Blacks fall to Springboks in Baltimore decider
Sir John Kirwan has criticised the refereeing in Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry finale, claiming a controversial incident involving Cameron Hanekom and Kurt-Lee Arendse represented a 14-point turnaround. The All Blacks legend spent nine minutes of the Rivals podcast dissecting the decision that allowed Arendse's 70-metre try to stand.
Springboks cement dominance as All Blacks slip a length behind world champions
South Africa's 3-1 series victory over New Zealand in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series has underlined the gulf between the two nations, with the Springboks demonstrating superiority in power, intelligence and creativity. The world champions recovered from an opening defeat in Johannesburg to win three consecutive matches, culminating in a commanding 43-28 triumph before a record crowd of more than 68,000 in Baltimore. New Zealand's media have acknowledged their side now trails the Boks by a significant margin.
From 21,000 fans and a Wales loss to 68,000 and the All Blacks on the ropes — Rassie's full-circle moment
Baltimore served as personal redemption for Erasmus — from a near-empty stadium and a Wales loss in his first game to a record US crowd and a series win over the All Blacks. The piece unpacks the squad philosophy behind the run: experienced core, deliberate youth integration, and a willingness to absorb short-term losses for long-term depth. Erasmus and Kolisi both flag the World Cup quarter-final collision course with New Zealand, and are unambiguous that current form proves nothing about 2027.
NZ media verdict: Boks exposed All Blacks in every facet as 'limitless potential' opens daylight between the sides
New Zealand's rugby press offers a frank reckoning after the 3-1 series loss — concluding the Boks dominated every facet and that the All Blacks need hard internal truths, not referee complaints.
Kirwan concedes Boks deserved the series — but won't let the Hanekom call go
Kirwan concedes the Boks deserved their 3-1 series win but argues the Hanekom no-call — which he sees as an early tackle, a trip, and a yellow card — was a decisive officiating failure that cost the All Blacks any chance of a comeback in Baltimore.
Hansen: Baltimore comms failure exposed rugby's lack of basic protocols
Hansen argues the Baltimore comms meltdown wasn't a freak accident but a planning failure — and uses it to push for scrapping the bunker system, which he sees as equally ineffective and far more damaging to the game.