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2,970 items · Springboks
Why Boks vs All Blacks Stands Alone as Rugby's Greatest Rivalry
Bester argues the Springbok-All Black rivalry earns its 'greatest' tag through an unmatched combination of history, consequence and philosophical contrast — and that the Erasmus era has reshaped the balance after decades of Kiwi dominance.
De Villiers is the real deal — but Kolisi isn't done yet
De Villiers announced himself as a genuine Test player during the Nations Championship, but this piece makes the case that displacing Kolisi is still a stretch — Erasmus rates Kolisi's all-round contribution too highly, and the real story is how deep South Africa's loose forward stocks have become.
Buenos Aires is a fitness exam, not a warm-up formality
The Buenos Aires test is really a fitness verdict on Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Etzebeth, Kolisi and De Jager — Rich breaks down what's at stake for each, and why the All Blacks tour games carry their own intrigue.
Monty on his six-month ban, World Cup redemption, and going toe-to-toe with Jonah Lomu
Percy Montgomery reveals how a six-month ban accidentally rebuilt his kicking game, describes his first terrifying encounter with Lomu at Sevens level, and explains the Jake White phone call that brought him back for 2007 World Cup glory.
Kieran Read: All Blacks must unleash Ardie Savea to crack the Boks
Kieran Read says the All Blacks need to find new ways to get Ardie Savea running at the Springboks — the linked piece unpacks his tactical reasoning.
All Blacks relish return to South African rugby after six-year Super Rugby absence
New Zealand's touring squad has arrived in Cape Town ahead of Friday's opener against the Stormers, marking the first extended All Blacks tour to South Africa in three decades. Stand-in captain Codie Taylor welcomed the chance to face South African opposition again after a six-year hiatus, praising the physicality and set-piece prowess that defined the old Super Rugby contests. The visitors arrive unbeaten under new head coach Dave Rennie following July victories over France, Italy and Ireland.
Goldie: Stop playing Bok rugby to beat the Boks
Jeff Wilson argues the All Blacks won't beat the Springboks by trying to out-Bok the Boks — they need to rediscover their own DNA first.
KFC vs CPR: Why Tony Brown's kicking game is a structural nightmare for the All Blacks
The hosts argue Tony Brown's structured kicking system is a genuine tactical nightmare for the All Blacks, and that the Boks' loss to Australia last year was a CPR overload problem, not a kicking failure — making the full breakdown of KFC vs CPR worth hearing.
Erasmus confirms Boks on track as squad arrives in Buenos Aires
The Springboks have arrived in Buenos Aires ahead of Saturday's clash with the Pumas at Estadio José Amalfitani, with Rassie Erasmus saying preparations are on track for both that match and the All Blacks series.
Springboks touch down in Buenos Aires ahead of Argentina Test
The Springboks have arrived in Buenos Aires in two travelling groups, with a rest day on Sunday before training resumes Monday ahead of their Test against Argentina at Estadio José Amalfitani — their last match before the All Blacks series begins on 22 August.
Ryan flags franchise matches as critical to All Blacks' South African tour
All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan says the three URC franchise matches opening the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour are critical for blooding ten new squad members before the Test series against the Springboks begins at Ellis Park on August 22.
Springboks touch down in Buenos Aires ahead of Pumas Test
The Springboks arrived in Buenos Aires via São Paulo in the early hours of Sunday, with training resuming Monday ahead of next weekend's Rugby Championship Test against Argentina at Estadio José Amalfitani.
Springboks touch down in Buenos Aires ahead of Los Pumas clash
The Springboks arrived in Buenos Aires via São Paulo in the early hours of Sunday morning and will resume training on Monday ahead of next week's Test against Argentina at Estadio José Amalfitani.
Springboks arrive in Buenos Aires ahead of Los Pumas clash
The Springboks have arrived in Buenos Aires for next Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against Argentina, with Erasmus reporting preparations are on track.
Rennie praises 'phenomenal' Erasmus as All Blacks arrive in Cape Town for Greatest Rivalry tour
Dave Rennie has confirmed Ardie Savea will join the All Blacks in South Africa 10 days before the August 22 Johannesburg Test after a planned rest, as 43 of the 44-man squad arrived in Cape Town ahead of the August 7 Stormers opener.
Rassie redefines the No.8 role — and has a surprising list of candidates to fill it
Erasmus has stripped the No.8 role back to its scrum function only, rejecting the traditional link-between-forwards-and-backs tag — and that philosophy opens the door to some unconventional candidates while Kwagga Smith recovers.
Kitshoff: Fatigue could be All Blacks' undoing — but don't count them out
Kitshoff flags All Blacks fatigue as a genuine Bok advantage in the upcoming series, but stops short of calling it a done deal — still backing New Zealand to threaten if South Africa aren't switched on.
Erasmus's real nightmare isn't losing a Test — it's losing the feeling
Erasmus reveals his real fear isn't a single defeat but the Boks drifting back into a losing culture — and the social capital that would evaporate with it. The piece draws on candid podcast comments to explore the psychological contract he's made with himself around sustaining Springbok success.
Alexander on why the Boks-All Blacks rivalry stands apart
Mark Alexander makes the case that the Bok-All Blacks rivalry transcends competition — built on respect and shared standards that have endured across generations.
Kolisi rules out coaching, opens up on retirement and why the field is his sanctuary
Kolisi dismisses coaching as a post-playing option after a half-time exit from Erasmus's coaches' box convinced him he'd never last, and reflects candidly on approaching retirement and why match day remains his emotional refuge.