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2,956 items · Springboks
Rassie: Baltimore is no exhibition — a draw means nobody wins anything
Erasmus dismisses the 'exhibition match' framing of the Baltimore Test, arguing a 2-2 result means the Boks achieve nothing — and that both teams knew the full four-Test stakes from the outset.
Rennie's scrum grievance goes beyond the referee — it's a World Rugby disagreement
Rennie has confirmed a live disagreement with World Rugby over scrum officiating, arguing that the brake-foot focus is causing referees to miss the bigger picture. His answer to Bok set-piece dominance is reducing scrums through cleaner ball-in-hand rugby — but Barnes's 'gravy train' comment signals the All Blacks camp's frustration runs deeper than tactics alone.
Four moments that decided Soweto — and it wasn't just the scrum
Beyond the scrum, four specific moments — Jordan's kick going dead, Savea's injury exposing New Zealand's leadership thin-ness, Carter's soft tackle, and a missed penalty opportunity — decided Soweto. The piece also flags Australia's messy fly-half depth as a genuine World Cup build-up concern.
Rennie backs bruised Carter ahead of Baltimore decider
After Carter's defensive horror show in Soweto contributed directly to Bok tries, Rennie is opting for empathy over pressure — but rotation plans and three key injuries mean his place in the Baltimore XV is far from guaranteed with the series on the line.
Amashukeli's reasoning on Love yellow card: offside position at ruck, not at Libbok tackle
Referee Nika Amashukeli's yellow card to Ruben Love in the All Blacks' defeat in Soweto was issued for offside at the ruck where Ox Nche first received the ball, not at Manie Libbok's earlier tackle — with the sanction escalated under repeated-infringement laws after Quinn Tupaea had already conceded a penalty in the same sequence.
Rassie maps the Boks' depth recovery — and where gaps still exist
Erasmus gives a position-by-position breakdown of how the Boks managed a wave of injuries during the Nations Championship, which locks cemented their spots, where scrumhalf depth stands, and why he believes no position is currently in trouble ahead of the Rugby Championship.
Rassie reveals what it was like sharing a flight with the All Blacks to Baltimore
Rassie Erasmus describes the atmosphere aboard the shared Springbok-All Black flight to Baltimore for the final Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test.
Erasmus backs Feinberg-Mngomezulu for Baltimore, Pollard set for Australia return
Rassie Erasmus has kept Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at fly-half for the Baltimore Test despite admitting he is yet to hit his straps, citing the youngster's defensive qualities, while confirming Handré Pollard is on track to return against Australia.
Cohesion over creativity: Why Erasmus is doubling down on formula for the Baltimore decider
Erasmus's near-identical selection for Baltimore reflects a deliberate cohesion strategy aimed at fixing the Boks' poor attack conversion rate and tightening defensive alignment — the piece breaks down the data and selection logic behind the call.
Five moments that decided the Rugby Championship Test and handed the Boks a 2-1 series lead
Coetzee identifies five pivotal moments in the Boks' 29-24 third Test win — from Kolbe's defensive composure to a match-sealing Marx maul — and argues the forward dominance that decided this one will be even harder for New Zealand to counter in Baltimore, particularly without the injured Savea.
Rennie concedes All Blacks must improve at scrum — but believes referees are missing the bigger picture
Rennie admits the All Blacks must scrum better in Baltimore but argues referee fixation on the brake foot is causing them to miss other set-piece issues — a grievance New Zealand has raised directly with World Rugby, with only partial resolution.
Baltimore decider: Why Erasmus's finishing plan matters more than his starting XV
Cardinelli's minute-tracking analysis reveals the Boks hold a significant freshness edge heading into Baltimore — and argues the series will be decided by how Erasmus deploys his Bomb Squad, manages Marx's minutes, and navigates another potential backline injury crisis.
Erasmus opts for continuity as Boks target 3-1 series triumph in Baltimore
Rassie Erasmus has named a near-unchanged side for the final Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test in Baltimore, resisting the temptation to rotate despite the series already secured. Only two alterations feature in the starting XV: Damian Willemse replaces the injured Cheslin Kolbe, while Morne van den Berg earns his first start of the series after an influential cameo in Soweto. The selection signals Erasmus's intent to press home South Africa's advantage against a depleted All Blacks outfit.
All Blacks admit scrum gulf as Rennie concedes World Rugby sided with Springboks
Dave Rennie has acknowledged that World Rugby's assessment of the scrums in the third Test at FNB Stadium contradicted New Zealand's view, after the Springboks won five penalties from the setpiece and a pushover penalty try. The All Blacks coach admitted his side must improve before the Baltimore finale, whilst assistant Neil Barnes labelled South Africa's set-piece 'pretty damn dominant' and a source of penalty momentum.
Winners and losers from Erasmus's fourth Test selection — cohesion over tinkering
Morne van den Berg is the standout winner as his Soweto cameo earns him a first All Blacks start, while the piece frames Erasmus's broader selection consistency — locking in cohesion after Cape Town rather than rotating as planned — as the defining story of the fourth Test build-up.
Method over mercy: Why Rassie is going all-in for a 3-1 series finish
Erasmus's near-unchanged Baltimore lineup is a deliberate push for 3-1, not conservatism — the piece unpacks why dominance, referee politics, and World Cup preparation are all driving the call.
Rennie backs down from scrum war as World Rugby sides with the Boks
Rennie has effectively conceded the scrum argument after World Rugby declined to back the All Blacks' position, quietly shifting focus to limiting South Africa's set-piece opportunities ahead of the fourth test rather than continuing a public war of words with Erasmus.
Erasmus Names Unchanged Side for Baltimore Decider as Boks Chase Series Victory
Rassie Erasmus has made just two changes to the Springbok starting XV for Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry finale against New Zealand in Baltimore, resisting the temptation to rotate despite the series already being won. Damian Willemse returns at fullback for the injured Cheslin Kolbe, while Morne van den Berg earns a start at scrumhalf after his influential cameo in Johannesburg. The selection signals Erasmus's intent to secure a 3-1 series victory rather than experiment ahead of the Australia fixture.
Van den Berg vindicated, cohesion rewarded: Bok winners and losers for the fourth All Blacks Test
Van den Berg earns his All Blacks start after his Soweto impact; Erasmus doubles down on cohesion, leaving Libbok and Pollard on the periphery while Kolbe's injury is the series' most significant absence.
Method Over Mercy: Why Rassie Is Going Full Throttle in Baltimore
Erasmus's near-unchanged Baltimore selection isn't caution — it's a calculated push for 3-1. The piece unpacks the injury attrition, the scrum-narrative battle with Rennie, and why finishing this series strongly matters as a World Cup dress rehearsal for the Bok old guard.