Columns

Rassie knows value of Bok ‘B’ team Test

The historic clash against Portugal won’t provide Rassie Erasmus with any insight for the 2024 Rugby Championship, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Boks ‘weren’t good enough’ to beat Irish

The Springboks will always have their four World Cup titles, but Ireland came to play in Durban on Saturday and the best team won, writes MARK KEOHANE.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Andre Esterhuizen of South Africa is tackled by Richie Mo'unga of New Zealand during the Summer International match between New Zealand All Blacks v South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on August 25, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

All Blacks must adopt Bok policy

Rassie Erasmus resurrected the world champion Springboks by having no restriction on player selections, and it’s high time that New Zealand Rugby follows suit, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Loftus win for SA not the Bok way

The Springbok series-opening victory over Ireland in Pretoria is a good one, but the analysis of the result will not make for impressive reviewing, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Bok champs owe Rassie

Rassie Erasmus desperately wants to beat Ireland after the Springboks disappointed when the teams clashed at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Franco could face Boks or Scots decision

Franco Smith has proved that you don’t need to be a big-name coach to achieve the impossible, writes SIMON BORCHARDT.

Eben Etzebeth lineout Matthias Hangst Getty Images

Springboks-Ireland a series to savour

Winning two Tests in South Africa this July would be Ireland’s greatest achievement, writes MARK KEOHANE.

KRUGERSDORP, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 24: Akehlulwa Boqwana of the Skarks with the ball during day 1 of the SA Rugby U18 Craven Week between Sharks and Western Province at Hoerskool Monument on June 24, 2024 in Krugersdorp, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)

SA ‘blessed’ with brilliant next generation

Age-group level action this week has been a great advertisement for South Africa’s talent and the perfect teaser to the July series between the Springboks and Ireland, writes MARK KEOHANE.

DOMONT, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 19: Handre Pollard of South Africa during the South Africa men's national rugby team training session at Stade Omnisports des Fauvettes on September 19, 2023 in Domont, France. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)

Pollard the perfect 10 to punish Irish

The team options for Rassie Erasmus are plentiful but the key pick for the Springboks against Ireland is at flyhalf, and that must be Handre Pollard, writes MARK KEOHANE.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 22: Caleb Clarke and Dalton Papali'i of the Blues pose for a photo with the Super Rugby Pacific trophy inside the changing rooms after winning the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final match between Blues and Chiefs at Eden Park, on June 22, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Kiwi champs have Bok appeal

Super Rugby Pacific champions, the Blues are the definition of what the All Blacks have not been in recent years, and are closer in DNA to the Springboks, writes MARK KEOHANE.