Every story on the wire.
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Coetzee brings 14 years of Test perspective to Bulls' All Blacks challenge
With his last All Blacks outing dating back to 2014, Coetzee is relishing the chance to lead a Bulls side — packed with promising youngsters — into one of the toughest possible pre-season tests, and he's leaning on a decade of Test experience to frame the occasion as a genuine career benchmark for those around him.
Taylor to captain All Blacks for first time as Rennie names strong side for Loftus test
Codie Taylor captains the All Blacks for the first time in his 110th match as Scott Rennie names a Test-strength side to face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, the final tour match before the Springbok Test series.
Richie Mo'unga called up as All Blacks lose Proctor to shoulder fracture
Richie Mo'unga has been summoned to join the All Blacks in South Africa after Billy Proctor suffered a shoulder blade fracture that will sideline the centre for 10 to 12 weeks. The 56-cap flyhalf, recently returned from three years in Japan, becomes eligible under New Zealand Rugby's selection policy after representing Canterbury. Damian McKenzie, who twisted his ankle against the Sharks, is expected to be fit for the first Test at Ellis Park on 22 August.
Ref wars brewing: Ex-Boks warn RGR could turn ugly with officials in the crosshairs
Shimange, De Villiers and Burger warn that clashing officiating standards and New Zealand's sustained referee criticism could boil over during the RGR Tests — while Shimmy also identifies a genuine tactical weakness in how the All Blacks currently defend the maul.
The Flannery factor: Why Erasmus's defence coach could be the key to unlocking the All Blacks
A detailed profile of Bok defence coach Jerry Flannery, drawing on Adam Jones's Harlequins memories to explain why Erasmus rate him so highly — and why his system will be under its greatest test at Ellis Park.
Mo'unga called into All Blacks squad as Proctor injury replacement
Richie Mo'unga joins the All Blacks touring squad in South Africa as a replacement for injured centre Billy Proctor, with his eligibility restored following his return from Japan and a starring role in Canterbury's record 18th Ranfurly Shield triumph.
Don't move Love from 10 — Dagg's message to Rennie ahead of Bok series
Israel Dagg is calling on Rennie to keep Ruben Love at 10 regardless of McKenzie's fitness, warning that shuffling him to full-back would repeat the positional instability that hampered Barrett's career.
The 1976 All Blacks tour: future Springboks hiding in the thirds, and a famous WP comeback
A deep-dive into the South African club and provincial scene on the eve of the 1976 All Blacks tour, tracing future Springboks — including Rob Louw and Hempies du Toit — from university third-team rugby through to Test level, while revisiting the famous WP comeback win that ended New Zealand's three-year unbeaten streak.
All Blacks' 'slow play' narrative is a calculated play on the officials — not just words
New Zealand's coaching staff are pushing a 'slow play' narrative hard before the Test series — and they've already taken it directly to the match officials. The piece dissects why the premise doesn't hold up against the Boks' recent record, and why the tactic looks less like legitimate complaint and more like a calculated attempt to influence officiating.
Dagg's message to Rennie: Don't repeat the Barrett mistake with Ruben Love
Dagg argues Rennie must keep Love at 10 regardless of McKenzie's fitness, warning that shuffling him to cover fullback risks repeating the positional instability that stunted Barrett's career. Mo'unga off the bench and Jordan at 15 is the preferred solution ahead of the first Bok Test.
Empty seats in Durban tell the real story of where the Springboks stand
Gallan argues that empty seats in Durban and the heavily branded 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' tour reveal the same truth: the All Blacks no longer hold psychological dominance over South Africa, and the Springboks have a chance to use this series to press a genuine all-time-great legacy claim.
Bulls get Springbok boost for All Blacks clash at Loftus
Four Springboks, including flyhalf Curwin Bosch, start for the Bulls against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Mo'unga called into All Blacks squad ahead of Bok Tests
Richie Mo'unga joins the All Blacks squad in Johannesburg on Friday as a replacement for the injured Billy Proctor ahead of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Tests against the Springboks.
All Blacks demolish Sharks 54-0 as Rennie's squad depth sharpens Test selection battle
New Zealand ran in eight unanswered tries at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Tuesday night, overwhelming the Sharks in cold, wet conditions. The emphatic victory—following a less convincing opener against the Stormers—has intensified competition for Test places ahead of the first Springbok encounter on 22 August. Coach Dave Rennie praised his side's clinical second-half performance whilst acknowledging slow starts remain a concern.
All Blacks cruise past depleted Sharks but Ellis Park will demand far more
New Zealand ran in eight tries without reply in a 54-0 demolition of the Hollywoodbets Sharks at Kings Park on Tuesday night, but the waterlogged contest offered little gauge of what awaits at Ellis Park on 22 August. The Sharks, missing their Springboks and fielding a largely inexperienced side, competed for 40 minutes before the tourists pulled clear in the second half. Coach Dave Rennie identified a slow start as an area of concern ahead of the Test showdown.
Sharks face All Blacks without eight Springboks as Boks study tourist blueprint
The Sharks will host New Zealand at Kings Park on Wednesday without eight frontline players, including Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi, as the All Blacks field a near-Test side ahead of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series. The Springboks, meanwhile, will be closely monitoring the franchise fixtures for tactical intelligence after their victory over Argentina. Durban has not hosted New Zealand in 34 years, with Natal's last meeting ending in defeat in 1992.
Moodie: Argentina Test vital preparation as Boks shift focus to All Blacks series
Canan Moodie believes the Springboks extracted valuable preparation from their 17-10 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires, particularly for players returning from injury. The utility back confirmed the squad's attention has now turned fully to the four-match Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand, beginning at Ellis Park on 22 August.
Martin Devlin: All Blacks must learn Bok-style patience — or be 12 points down before they start
Martin Devlin argues the All Blacks must adopt territorial patience against the Springboks or risk conceding a double-digit deficit before they've started, while acknowledging New Zealand's Super Rugby bubble may be masking real Test-level deficiencies.
Ackermann eyes All Black test as a proving ground despite pre-season constraints
Ackermann sees Saturday's All Blacks clash at Loftus as a real-time test of the Bulls' pre-season work, acknowledging they're underprepared but backing them to 'embrace the occasion' and show early signs of their new game-plan direction.
Dagg identifies the kicking wrinkle that should worry Bok analysts
Dagg breaks down why the All Blacks' kicking game against the Sharks was harder to defend than it looked — and why that tactical unpredictability is a genuine Test series concern for the Boks.