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All Blacks' loosehead crisis hands Springboks a ready-made weapon in Greatest Rivalry Series
Jeff Wilson has publicly identified loosehead prop as the All Blacks' most dangerous weakness ahead of four consecutive Tests against the Springboks — with Williams likely out, Tu'ungafasi's future uncertain, and the remaining options short on caps and experience. Set against the depth Erasmus has built across the prop positions, this piece maps out why scrum time could be where the Greatest Rivalry Series is decided.
Dobson backs Mchunu to force his way into Bok reckoning
Mchunu has been the Stormers' form loosehead this URC season, and Dobson is openly predicting a Springbok future for him — while acknowledging overseas interest that could complicate things.
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.
Leinster and Ulster's EPCR finals could hand SA teams a lifeline in the URC run-in
Leinster and Ulster reaching EPCR finals creates selection headaches that could benefit the Lions, Stormers, and Bulls in a tightly packed URC top-four race — Rich maps the permutations ahead of two decisive rounds.
Junior Boks shine, Trokkie impresses, and TMO controversy clouds the semis
The Junior Boks' title romp headlines a weekend round-up that also spotlights Trokkie's Bok-worthy Ulster display, condemns Stockdale's head-grab on Feyi-Waboso, and unpacks the TMO furore that clouded Bordeaux-Bèglès's victory over Bath.
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: Boks are beatable — but don't copy their blueprint
Hansen pushes back on the 'copy South Africa' narrative ahead of the Greatest Rivalry tour, arguing that New Zealand's path back runs through their own identity — not the Erasmus blueprint.
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.
Owens: Morgan's hit on Hooker should have been a yellow card
Nigel Owens says the challenge that put Hooker out with a dislocated shoulder was dangerous, illegal, and should have been carded — the piece unpacks the officiating decision.
Owens: Morgan should have been penalised — but SA fan abuse of him was 'totally unacceptable'
Owens says Morgan committed illegal foul play deserving a penalty and possibly a yellow, but draws the line at red card — and flatly condemns the social media abuse directed at Morgan as totally unacceptable regardless of the on-field grievance.
Juarno Augustus making a Bok selection case at Ulster
Juarno Augustus earned a 9/10 rating and a direct Springbok selection mention after a dominant showing in Ulster's Challenge Cup semi-final win — the ratings piece makes the case that Erasmus should be watching closely ahead of the Nations Championship.
Juarno Augustus puts himself in Bok frame with Ulster's European demolition job
Augustus's 9/10 man-of-the-match display against Exeter has put him firmly in the Bok conversation, with the piece suggesting Erasmus will be taking close notice ahead of the Nations Championship.
Owens: Morgan should have been penalised — but South African abuse of Welsh wing is 'totally unacceptable'
Owens confirms Morgan committed foul play worthy of a penalty or yellow card, but rules out red — and takes direct aim at the South African supporters whose abuse of Morgan crossed a clear line.
No entitlement in Europe — Nienaber's Champions Cup test
Joubert argues that Nienaber enters Champions Cup coaching with no credit extended for his World Cup record — European club rugby demands he earn it from scratch.
What drives Thomas du Toit ahead of Bath's Champions Cup semi-final
Du Toit opens up on his motivations as Bath prepare for their Champions Cup semi-final against Bordeaux Bègles — worth a read for anyone tracking Bok front-rowers in European club rugby.
Pead grinding towards a Bok breakthrough with the Lions
Haashim Pead is already on Rassie's radar, and this profile explores how the Lions scrumhalf is using his franchise platform to make that interest count.
Pead on Bok ambitions, giving back, and why the Lions are his launchpad
Lions youngster Haashim Pead lays out his Springbok ambitions and explains why the Lions are his development home — plus his desire to give back through a foundation of his own.
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.
The Ethan Adams size debate: talent vs physicality at U20 level
Ethan Adams' viral Junior Bok try has reignited debate about whether size still gatekeeps talent in the South African system — and whether that's costing the Boks.
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.