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362 items · General
RFU backs Borthwick through to 2027 World Cup ahead of Springbok test
The RFU has backed Steve Borthwick to lead England to the 2027 Rugby World Cup following a post-season review of their fifth-place Six Nations finish, with England's Nations Championship programme beginning against South Africa in Johannesburg.
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.
Schools rugby workload debate heats up as Noordvaal Cup kicks off
A schoolboy rugby column using the Noordvaal Cup's opening round — and Menlopark's below-par performance — to make a broader case for SARU capping player workload, with schools festivals and expanding tournament calendars raising real concerns about injury and burnout in the Springbok pipeline.
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.
Stormers coach Dobson on Europe's heat, Bok workloads, and leaving Mherbha at home
Stormers coach John Dobson explains why he left Mherbha at home for Clermont, how he is doubling Bok rest periods to manage workload, and why the Champions Cup inclusion won't fully work until the global calendar is restructured.
Hansen backs Super Rugby quality — but admits NZ 'miss' SA's presence as Greatest Rivalry Tour looms
Hansen dismisses Super Rugby quality concerns but admits NZ misses the regular test of facing South African rugby — and sees Rennie's Greatest Rivalry Tour as the ideal World Cup warm-up.
Hansen: Stop Trying to Be Rassie
Steve Hansen warns that the rugby world's obsession with copying Rassie Erasmus' Springbok blueprint is stifling tactical innovation across the game.
Hansen: Stop trying to copy Rassie — it won't work
Steve Hansen argues that the rugby world's obsession with copying Rassie's Springbok formula is misguided — and explains why imitation won't get rival teams where they want to go.
Hansen to Rennie: Borrow from the Boks, but don't become them
Hansen warns Rennie against copying the Springbok model wholesale, arguing great coaches identify what suits their own culture and player pool — and that the All Blacks have distinct strengths worth building around on their own terms.
SA Rugby's Lions Dilemma: Oberholzer Flags the Cost of 2021 as Beyond29 Rethink Gathers Pace
Oberholzer calls a potential Lions snub 'tragic', citing the revenue-free 2021 tour, while the Beyond29 review quietly explores France, Japan, and the Americas as alternative destinations.
Carter flags Bok clashes as the All Blacks' season-defining test under Rennie
Dan Carter says the Bok Tests will define the All Blacks' season under Rennie — a signal of just how much weight the Rugby Championship clashes carry for New Zealand's rebuilding project.
Carter backs All Blacks to rise to the challenge — but consistency remains the question
Dan Carter backs Rennie's All Blacks to thrive under pressure, but the consistency question that plagued Robertson's tenure hasn't gone away — and the Springboks aren't waiting.
SA Rugby's School-to-Elite Pipeline: Are We Fast-Tracking Too Soon?
Mark Keohane questions whether South Africa's schools system is pushing players into elite rugby too quickly — and what that means for long-term development.
Du Preez faces race against time as Sale fear hamstring injury ends his season
Rob du Preez's season at Sale Sharks may be over after suffering a serious hamstring injury in their 52-33 win over Harlequins. Director of rugby Alex Sanderson has admitted he cannot see the centre recovering in time to play again this campaign.
SARU warns players: MRL trial participation means immediate expulsion from all competitions
SARU has warned players that taking part in Mzansi Rugby League trials will result in immediate expulsion from all its leagues and competitions. The governing body's position leaves no room for dual participation, placing players on notice ahead of any MRL trial activity.
SARU warns players face immediate expulsion over unauthorised trial competitions
SARU has issued a formal warning that players participating in unauthorised trial competitions outside the recognised global game face immediate expulsion. The statement also puts agents on notice for promoting or facilitating such events.
Burger commits future to Exeter Chiefs ahead of 2026/27 season
Ethan Burger has extended his stay at Exeter Chiefs, signing on for the 2026/27 season after making his Premiership debut in October 2025. The 25-year-old loosehead, a product of Tuks Rugby and the Bulls U21 system, has drawn strong praise from Director of Rugby Rob Baxter, who sees him becoming an increasingly important figure in the Chiefs pack.
Genia's Blueprint: Build a Midfield Monster to Match the Boks
Will Genia argues Australia must build around a Kerevi-Suaalii power midfield to match the Springboks' physicality — and says Super Rugby intensity is non-negotiable preparation for a home World Cup.
Robinson: Rugby 'can't sit still' as USA 2031 World Cup preparations intensify
World Rugby chair Brett Robinson has defended the sport's global health while acknowledging the US remains a difficult market ahead of the 2031 men's World Cup. More than 750,000 tickets have already been sold for Australia 2027, while a Springboks-All Blacks fixture in Baltimore this September is part of efforts to build an American fanbase for 2031. Robinson confirmed host cities for the US tournament will be announced after the 2027 edition.
End the lineout trial and ditch the first-name friendliness, says ex-refs boss
Ex-IRFU referees chief Owen Doyle calls for the crooked lineout throw trial to be scrapped at World Rugby's June meeting, and argues that referee chumminess with players is undermining discipline on the field.