Took a closer look at how the RGR Test referees have managed games involving the Boks. Results don't tell the full story; refs have rewarded SA dominance at scrums and mauls – Carley in particular. But Boks have earned this advantage, just as the great All Blacks side did in the 2010s⬇️

Mo'unga recall always seemed likely in spite of NZR red tape. But late arrival prompts questions: Will RM be ready for the Boks? Can he gel in new combos/systems in the space of a week? Great news for the All Blacks, but they may come to regret not getting him involved sooner

Teams are scoring more tries and points, and the Boks are leading the way. Has the role of the kicker has diminished? Boks peaked in 2025 re tries, points but also recorded best GK %. Here's why the kicker remains essential and who could be the difference in the RGR Tests⬇️

Rassie Erasmus and Oom Daan have been building a front-row army. 30 different combos have been used since 2025! This is why the Boks are well equipped to go the distance in a 4-Test royal rumble against the All Blacks... And the scrum battle will shape the war for results⬇️

Boks by far the most players used (44) in Nations Champs (67 overall including warm-ups). 33 used across starting XV in July... more than All Blacks used overall👀 Teams will take 33 to RWC, but Rassie is building a 40+ army to perform across 4-consecutive Tests v NZ next month

We're living in an era of unprecedented success for SA rugby – with the Boks and Junior Boks winning back-to-back world titles. Both have been remarkably consistent over the past year or so. Boks have won 11 in a row, Junior Boks unbeaten in 18. Margins tell a story, too.

Erasmus recently became the Boks' longest-serving head coach, and the numbers show why he is one of the greatest. That said, there are other numbers that highlight the extent of his contribution over the past 8 years – re titles, away wins, and how he changed SA rugby's image⬇️

All Blacks hammered the Ireland defence from everywhere in 1st half... Savea, Tuipulotu up the middle, Vaa'i on edges. NZ winning the gainline, and it's swaying the breakdown/quick ball battle. Jacobsen card slowed rather than stalled ABs' momentum... Ireland in trouble here

Moyo to start at 10 against Wales – Erasmus has picked 5 different starting 10s across this June-July block! Keen to see how Moyo and J Williams go alongside those senior backs. Sadie, Van Heerden also unleashed – means that Boks have capped five new Test players in this series

Giliomee at 15 and Ahmed at 10, with Adams and Muller in midfield – first time the Junior Boks have fielded strongest (starting) backline at this JWC 🔥 Maake, Cannon, Kemp the loosies for the first time (as a starting combo) this year... and there's a 6-2 bench👀

Second game of the day where the favourites have shifted through the gears after HT. Aus led by 9 at HT, but France outscored Aus 30-5 in 2nd. Huge attack stats highlight the difference between Aus and France after contact. Have to credit French bench, especially pack.

Gun Scotland side. 15/23 faced Boks in 2024. Townsend has stacked bench in anticipation of a forward battle royale, but backline could finish with stronger combo. McDowall, Jordan massive threats. Was always going to be a tough game for SA – arguably the toughest of July Tests

The Boks are on the verge of their 10th consecutive Test win. If they beat Scotland, they will complete a rare sweep of the Rugby Champs and 6N teams – in the space of 12 months. Results are impressive, but margins, tries for and against tell the real story about SA's dominance

Libbok took some great options v England, but good to see Pollard getting a chance alongside Bulls team-mate Papier. Willemse at 12 another exciting selection. Interesting mix of forwards – a lot of these guys play together at club level. Quan Horn the wildcard on a 6-2 bench

Good to see Yaqeen Ahmed back at 10 for the Junior Boks ahead of their clash against Wales. Muller on the bench, perhaps being managed with the playoffs in mind... Hopefully that 10-12-13 combo of Ahmed, Adams and Muller gets a decent run together in the second half.

Strong finish by the All Blacks at the end of the first half... but France are very much in the contest. Breakneck tempo in Chch, with both teams showing plenty of intent to keep the ball alive. Incredible number of passes by both teams... in a single half!

What is Rassie brewing for the 2nd half at Ellis Park tomorrow? Maybe a bit easier to predict England's "Finishing XV" than the Bomb-Squad powered Bok combo... How will Rassie use PSDT, Moodie and Esterhuizen... could the 2nd half be a lot tighter in approach than the 1st?🤔

Strong and experienced Springbok starting XV selected for the Test v England. Van Staden and Hanekom part of a 5-3 bench... but Esterhuizen could fill in flank/PSDT at lock. Expecting an epic back-row battle v an England 23 that will probably be stacked with loose forwards

Bulls have the Bomb Squad to win Q4 – and they showed that vs Glasgow. Get the feeling they will have to win Q1 to beat Leinster tonight. Leinster have been kept tryless in Q1 in 7/28 games – went on to lose 3. They've been level/behind after 20 mins in 10/28, went on to lose 5

Springbok and SA A teams are in. Nice spread across the sides. Rassie will get a lot of answers. Quan Horn at 10 is the biggest surprise (thought he might start at 15), but he's been impressive this season for the Lions. Sadie and Ox in the same front row is a cheat code

Kevin Foote has selected a strong, well-balanced squad for the JWC title defence in Georgia later this month. Expect Norton, Muller, Siyaya et al to benefit from their stint with the Boks, but Foote and co have been building well over the past few months re depth and game model

Cheslin Kolbe's return is massive news for the Stormers and Boks. Still more SA players leaving than returning on an annual basis, but worth noting how many top Boks have moved back in this cycle with a view to winning a third RWC in 2027 Full analysis for @dailymaverick.co.za below

Sharks scouts...🤣

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus invited 70 players to the first two alignment camps of the season. Interesting to see how players across the age profiles are represented in each positional group. Development of younger players (especially in the tight five) will be paramount in 2026.

Massive upset in SA schoolboy rugby... Stellenberg have beaten Paarl Gym 20-19! Frantic final few minutes, with Gimmies on the attack, but Stellenberg held on.

Grey College pass their first big test of the season, by claiming a 38-7 win at the farm in Riversdale. Six tries for the boys from Bloem, but their defence also stood tall. Oakdale scrum looked good, but very rusty overall.

France are winning again – and they're developing young players while winning. Got me thinking about how they compare with the Boks re depth, pathways, building to the RWC. Some interesting findings: Different approaches, but I reckon Boks are still ahead re squad balance🧵

Big match-ups galore in the north-south derby. So much hinges on the packs. Unsurprising to see both coaches picking a 6-2 bench. Stormers' Bomb Squad may be the difference. Game management of SFM and Pollard also in the spotlight. Looking forward to watching this one live!

Boks (narrowly) avoid drawing Australia in the 2027 RWC pool phase. Boks will be favourites to top Pool B – but given how Italy and Georgia have improved, these matches should provide SA with a good physical test ahead of the four-round playoffs.

30/49 Boks scored tries across 14 Tests. Outside backs contributed 38.6% of the tries last season. Figure dropped to 22.5% in 2025. Halfback group accounted for nearly a third of the tries this season. Overall, a relatively even spread that speaks to the all-court philosophy