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1,657 items · Springboks · Analysis
Ignore the warm-ups — only two matches matter heading into Ellis Park
A sharp pre-match guide arguing that only the Boks' win over England and the All Blacks' win over Ireland are relevant form guides — everything else was managed preparation. Breaks down how both Erasmus and Rennie deliberately shielded their first-choice combinations, and why the real test of both squads begins at Ellis Park.
All Blacks put down a marker with 50-19 demolition of the Bulls
The Bulls were undercooked, but the All Blacks' 50-19 win carried genuine warning signs for the Boks — scrum dominance, a dangerous backline and composure under pressure all featured ahead of Saturday's Ellis Park clash.
Ackermann backs patient Boks to exploit All Blacks
Ackermann shares a knowing take on how the Boks can exploit the All Blacks — patience is the theme, with the full piece unpacking the tactical detail behind it.
All Blacks put 50 on the Bulls — but plenty still to fix before the Bok Tests
Fortune's player-by-player breakdown of the All Blacks' Loftus win highlights Carter, Ioane and Numia as form players heading into the Bok series, while flagging Ratima's kicking, Moorby's defence and a largely anonymous bench as areas Rennie needs to address.
All Blacks' Loftus demolition job carries a Saturday warning
The All Blacks' comfortable Loftus win was built on an underdone Bulls side, but the scrum dominance and backline structure on show carry a real warning for the Boks ahead of Saturday's Ellis Park Test — the piece breaks down the key moments that will matter when the real thing kicks off.
Bulls fall into the pace trap as All Blacks roll on
The Bulls were the latest SA side to fall to the All Blacks, and this piece breaks down the tactical pace trap that undid them and what New Zealand's perfect tour record genuinely signals.
All Blacks tour complete: What Rennie learned from a 50-19 dismantling of the Bulls
A breakdown of what the All Blacks' 50-19 win over the Bulls confirmed ahead of the Springbok Tests — improved discipline, a more consistent scrum, and an attack system that's clicking — plus what it means for Rennie's Test selection puzzle.
Five Bulls players who could make life uncomfortable for the All Blacks at Loftus
The Bulls, unlike the Sharks, have the personnel to genuinely test New Zealand at Loftus — Papier's game-breaking ability, Rudolph's breakdown dominance, le Roux's experience and Bosch's long-awaited return are the specific weapons the piece identifies as reasons to expect a real contest.
Kronfeld lowers the bar: Don't judge Rennie on the Springboks series
Kronfeld argues Rennie shouldn't be judged on Springboks series results — his real mandate is building toward the World Cup, and competitive performances matter more than wins right now.
All Blacks admit scrum work in progress — and they want referees to sort out the time-wasting problem
All Blacks management and tour captain Codie Taylor are openly flagging frustration with South Africa's tempo-control tactics, while admitting their scrum is still a work in progress ahead of the August 22 Test. Taylor puts the onus on referees to manage game speed — and concedes the Springbok scrum has earned its reputation as the world's best.
Meyer: Bok depth and set-piece dominance give edge in Greatest Rivalry series
Meyer tips the Boks to take the series, pointing to superior depth and a set-piece that he rates as the best in the world — and arguing that New Zealand's NZ-only selection policy has left Rennie without the resources to match it.
Fleck: Rennie is the toughest coach I've faced — and the Boks need to match his edge
Fleck singles out Rennie as the standout coaching operator he's faced, warning the Boks that matching the All Blacks' brutal edge — not just their structure — is the key to the Rugby Championship contest.
Kronfeld: Tony Brown is the Boks' danger factor — and the All Blacks' biggest problem
Kronfeld argues Tony Brown is the Springboks' 'danger factor' because he breaks the predictability that traditionally made them beatable — and warns the All Blacks have a habit of playing into Bok strengths rather than exposing their weaknesses.
Bulls v All Blacks: Rennie's last audition before Ellis Park
A match preview that doubles as a Rennie selection audit — unpacking which Test spots (blindside, wing, scrum-half backup) are still live heading into the Springbok series, and where the Bulls' set-piece and altitude advantage could complicate the All Blacks' preparation.
Beast: Bok forward pack will overwhelm the All Blacks
Beast predicts a Springbok series win built on forward supremacy, tipping South Africa to sweep the home Tests while conceding the Baltimore finale could go the All Blacks' way.
All Blacks expect their toughest tour test at Loftus before the Springbok series
A match preview and prediction for Bulls vs All Blacks at Loftus, framed around Rennie's final selection push before the Springbok Tests — with analysis of the set-piece battle, key head-to-heads, and an All Blacks win by 20 predicted.
Rewind: Carter's 62m monster at Loftus
A Loftus throwback: Carter's 62m penalty against the Boks in 2006, revisited ahead of the All Blacks' Bulls clash in Pretoria.
Marx tops the world: Planet Rugby ranks the game's best hookers
Marx is ranked the world's best hooker by Planet Rugby — built on his 2025 Rugby Championship try-scoring, World Rugby Player of the Year honours, and a post-injury Nations Championship that reminded everyone what sits behind those numbers.
Rennie's second-string selection at Loftus is really about the Boks
Rennie's second-string Bulls selection is decoded as a final Springbok Test audition, with Barrett's move to fullback and Umaga's frustrated admission about the All Blacks' style among the sharpest talking points.
Mexted: SA's on-field/off-field switch is something the All Blacks genuinely admire
Mexted argues South African rugby's defining trait runs deeper than the Springboks — it's a culture-wide mentality of focused aggression on the field and discipline off it, and he frames the upcoming four-Test series as the starkest possible test of whether Robertson's attack-minded All Blacks can match it.