Opinion News

OPINION: The Sharks were no match for the All Blacks in their Greatest Rivalry showdown in Durban on Tuesday.

OPINION: The Springboks' 17-10 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires and the game they played in the smash-and-grab might just have been a way to hide their cards ahead of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks.

STAT ATTACK: Jan de Koning takes a look at the statistics from the Springboks and All Blacks' matches this year and apply it to the looming Greatest Rivalry series.

OPINION: The Sharks' match against a stacked All Blacks team will be vital after their disastrous United Rugby Championship campaign.

OPINION: Rassie Erasmus received some valuable answers in Argentina, and the greater Springbok squad will go into the Greatest Rivalry Tests with confidence as well as game minutes, writes Jon Cardinelli.

OPINION: The Springboks scraped past Argentina by 17-10 with several players returning from injury.

OPINION: The Springboks have held on to beat Argentina 17-10 in Buenos Aires as they prepare for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour against the All Blacks.

OPINION: The Stormers didn't just make up the numbers against the All Blacks. In the slippery conditions in Cape Town, the Stormers put New Zealand under serious pressure at set-piece time and matched their intensity in a fiercely contested first half.

The Springboks know Argentina will be physical, passionate and difficult to beat on home soil. What they cannot predict is whether Felipe Contepomi's revamped squad will unleash a new, more expansive style of rugby that catches the world champions off guard.

Rugby365 contributor Jon Cardinelli takes a closer look at the players that could feature for their franchises against the All Blacks.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli takes a closer look at the All Blacks' mammoth task in South Africa after Dave Rennie's squad announcement. 

OPINION: Rugby365 contributor Wynona Louw shines a spotlight on the unluckiest omissions from the latest Bok squad.

OPINION: Jan de Koning takes a deep dive into the statistics to find the top three Springboks from the July leg of the Nations Championship.

OPINION: Jan de Koning scrutinises Rassie Erasmus' latest squad announcement and wonders if he is finally going to select his 'A-team'?

OPINION: The first three rounds of the Nations Championship had it all.

OPINION: Rugby365 delves into the depth of South African rugby as we select three separate teams of capped and uncapped players that have been on the Bok radar in recent seasons.

OPINION: Springbok utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit will go down as one of, if not the best player in South African rugby history, and the All Blacks might have found their answer to him in Tupou Vaa'i.

OPINION: The Springboks concluded their Southern Hemisphere leg of the Nations Championship with a 43-0 dismantling of Wales at Kings Park at the weekend.

OPINION: In our previous feature, we looked at the “Magnificent Seven” – the elite schools that occupied a place in the Rugby365 Top 5 at various stages of the 2026 season. This time, the spotlight shifts to the teams battling to break into or cement their place within the coveted Rugby365 Top 10.

OPINION: The Springboks have won three Tests and bolstered their depth without showing their tactical hand ahead of the all-important series against the All Blacks, writes Jon Cardinelli.

OPINION: The first three rounds of the inaugural Nations Championship have come and gone, and while some teams will be looking to pick up where they left off when the competition resumes in the Northern Hemisphere in November, others will be eager to reach for the reset button.

OPINION: The All Blacks‘ 52-game unbeaten run at Eden Park went on the line in front of 48,153 of the team’s most devoted followers, and it was Ireland with the latest challenge to the historic record.

OPINION: The Wallabies have brought an end to a six-game unbeaten streak, sending off departing coaches Joe Schmidt and Laurie Fisher in style with a commanding 57-10 win over Italy in Perth. It’s the first time the Wallabies have defeated the Azzurri since 2018.

OPINION: A mammoth task awaited Andy Farrell’s men at Eden Park, but this was one in which Ireland repeatedly shot themselves in the proverbial foot.

OPINION: The Springboks will conclude their home leg of the Nations Championship against Wales in Durban on Saturday.

OPINION: While the way Scotland held the Springboks in their Round Two Nations Championships clash at Loftus might give the rest of the rugby world hope, it should instead be viewed as exactly the opposite, writes Wynona Louw.

OPINION: Test opportunities may have been few and far between for scrumhalf Embrose Papier, but he made proper use of his first one in eight years as the Springboks overcame Scotland at Loftus, writes Wynona Louw.

OPINION: The Springboks' 10-Test winning streak has provided Rassie Erasmus with further room to experiment – with four uncapped players selected for the next clash against Wales.

OPINION: Comeback victories, runaway wins, smashed records, and masterful (and underwhelming) performances - the weekend's rugby roster had it all.

OPINION: Scotland’s hopes of a first-ever win over the Springboks in South Africa – and first against the world champions since 2010 – ultimately fell short despite a bravura display in defeat in Pretoria.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli looks at two players who have ticked Rassie Erasmus's depth boxes over the last few weeks.

OPINION: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus made wholesale changes for the match against Scotland and there were a few scary moments.

OPINION: Fabian Galthié’s much-changed French side secured a first win of the 2026 Nations Championship with a comprehensive 42–26 dismantling of Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium.

OPINION: The Wallabies have suffered a second consecutive defeat in the Nations Championship, with France completing a second-half comeback to win 42-26 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

OPINION: In the Springboks' 45-21 demolition of England, flyhalf Manie Libbok showed that he's not just your man when it comes to the flashy and the extraordinary on attack.

OPINION: Genius: 'The set of qualities that makes a person different from others.'

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli dissects Rassie Erasmus' latest Springbok matchday squad ahead of the Nations Championship showdown against Scotland.

OPINION: Springbok superstar Damian Willemse not only brilliantly capped his 50th Test in a Springbok jersey with a flawless performance, but also erased any lingering doubt as to his best position.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli takes a closer look at the Springboks' adaptability after their victory over England.

OPINION: The first round of the inaugural Nations Championship featured thrill-a-minute displays, upsets, and belligerently dominant performances.

OPINION: The Springboks outclassed England at Ellis Park by 45-21 in the Nations Championship, but it wasn't smooth sailing throughout the 80.

OPINION: Scotland conquered the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes emphatically, with Gregor Townsend’s men overpowering Argentina 47-38 after a sensational all-round performance.

OPINION: South Africa condemned England to their fifth Test loss in a row with a 45-21 win at Ellis Park in the Nations Championship on Saturday.

OPINION: The Wallabies have fallen agonisingly short of a Nations Championship win against Ireland, with replacement Ben Donaldson missing a last-gasp shot at goal in a 31-33 defeat at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

OPINION: There was very little to separate these two sides before kick-off and so it played out at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, although the Wallabies were out of the blocks quicker.

OPINION: The All Blacks have kicked off their inaugural 2026 Nations Championship campaign with a hard-fought 34-32 victory over France at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.

OPINION: "Focussing on ourselves" is right up there when it comes to rugby cliches, and as stale as the saying may be, England have no choice but to do just that ahead of their Nations Championship opener against the Springboks.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli dissects the Springboks' matchday squad for Saturday's Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park.

OPINION: The Springboks will have their own demons to exorcise when they travel to Ellis Park for the Nations Championship opener against England on Saturday.

OPINION: Every school rugby season begins with expectation, but only a handful of First XVs possess the pedigree to dominate the national conversation.

OPINION: Wales have warmed up for their Nations Championship opener against Fiji in Cardiff next week with a 33-31 win against the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium.

OPINION: For Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus, it's never been a case of 'out with the old and in with the new' but about building depth with the next World Cup in mind.

OPINION: Injuries will force Rassie Erasmus to develop a new Bomb Squad dynamic in the 2026 Test season – with the uncapped Paul de Villiers set for a key role.

The Springboks opened their 2026 international season with an emphatic 80-31 win over the Barbarians at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday.

OPINION: The Bulls collapsed like a house of cards for a third consecutive year in the URC Final after going down to Leinster by 7-36 at Croke Park on Friday evening.

OPINION: Leo Cullen’s outfit were on a mission to make history repeat itself at Croke Park, and by fulltime they had done exactly that. A year on from beating the Bulls in the same fixture at the same venue, Leinster delivered maybe their most complete performance of the season.

OPINION: The Bulls will take on Leinster in the United Rugby Championship Grand Final at Croke Park on Friday, and while the hosts will be aiming to go back-to-back, the Bulls will be hoping to finally cross that final hurdle after three attempts.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli looks at the bright future ahead for the Springboks if they play their cards right.

OPINION: With the school holidays fast approaching, only a handful of matches were played this weekend, but there were still several surprising results and a few notable changes in our Top 30 rankings.

OPINION: What a rugby weekend it was.

OPINION: The South Africans looked in danger of being blown away after Leinster’s flying start but gradually clawed their way back into the contest.

OPINION: Leo Cullen’s outfit started the brighter and, as they have done so often this season, looked capable of blowing the game open early.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli runs the rule over Rassie Erasmus' latest squad announcement ahead of fixtures against the Barbarians and Zimbabwe.

OPINION: The Stormers’ scrum dominance was the driving force behind their 44-21 United Rugby Championship quarterfinal mauling of Cardiff at Cape Town Stadium, and it will be just as crucial in their semifinal against Leinster in Dublin on Saturday.

OPINION: The Bulls have often been guilty of starting well and taking their foot off the pedal later in the game, and while it wasn’t the case in their United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Munster, that issue should be non-existent when they take on Glasgow Warriors in the semifinal at Murrayfield on Saturday.

OPINION: Jan de Koning looks ahead to the URC semifinals and what tactical masterclasses could be delivered in Edinburgh and Dublin.

OPINION: For Rassie Erasmus, it's always been about the bigger picture since he stepped into the hot seat in 2018.

OPINION: While the United Rugby Championship quarterfinals were being contested in Glasgow, Pretoria, Cape Town, and Dublin, the second leg of the SVNS World Championship went down in Valladolid.

OPINION: History will be made regardless of which South African team progresses to the Final of the United Rugby Championship.

OPINION: Sometimes, the result of a match is determined by an individual player or a clutch moment. Other times, a match is so one-sided that the winner can be safely wagered by halftime.

OPINION: Oh, the blame game. It’s a psychological defence mechanism. It gives us an avenue to shift that disappointment and emotional burden onto something or someone else, someone other than ourselves.

OPINION: World Cup-winning former Springbok and Bulls coach Jake White repeated the statement ad nauseam in media briefings.

OPINION: The punch-drunk Irish giants may need to beat three physical South African teams in succession to secure an important United Rugby Championship title, writes Jon Cardinelli.

OPINION: Oh, what a weekend it was. Going into the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup Finals, there was much more than just silverware up for grabs.

OPINION: The United Rugby Championship playoffs have become a South African coaching convention.

OPINION: With Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye now effectively ruled out of contention for the 2027 World Cup following his doping suspension, the Springboks suddenly face an intriguing long-term question at tighthead prop: who becomes the next generation behind the established stars?

OPINION: After a hotly contested Race to the Eight, the quarterfinal fixtures are set, with the Stormers taking on Cardiff in Cape Town in a rematch of their Round 18 United Rugby Championship encounter, the Lions going up against Leinster in Dublin, and the Bulls hosting Munster in Pretoria.

OPINION: Rugby365 contributor Jon Cardinelli dissects the South African teams' title chances as the United Rugby Championship enters the play-offs.

OPINION: The Stormers’ inconsistency, basic errors, and ill-discipline have seen them go from being the most promising team among South Africa’s United Rugby Championship playoff qualifiers to the most problematic.

OPINION: It is being pitched as a 'purpose and goal-driven' squad.

OPINION: In many instances, the difference between winning and losing comes down to one player's error, a moment of brilliance, or a refereeing decision made or missed, which can define a team's season and players' livelihoods, writes Angus Opperman.

OPINION: Since the inception of the United Rugby Championship, the running joke has been that the best two teams in the competition are Leinster A and Leinster B. Only it’s not really a joke, writes Wynona Louw.

OPINION: Schoolboy rugby has always held a special place in South African sport, but over the past four years, it has evolved into a powerful brand unlike anything else when it comes to attracting sponsorship and commercial interest.

OPINION: Rugby365 contributor Wynona Louw gives us her hits and misses after the weekend's action.

OPINION: Rugby365 contributor Mariette Adams identifies 10 young South African players who are taking the rugby world by storm this season.

OPINION: Jan de Koning take a 'deep dive' into The URC and Super Rugby, with some statistics to back up his views of which is the superior product.

OPINION: While the northern hemisphere played host to the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semifinals, the Under-20 Rugby Championship continued in Gqeberha down in the south.

OPINION: With the dust having settled on Wildeklawer, schoolboy rugby returned to a more familiar rhythm this past weekend.

OPINION: It's a long shot, but we could see two South African teams contesting the United Rugby Championship Final once more.

OPINION: Jan de Koning looks at the 'lack of game time' for Baby Bok star Haashim Pead at the Lions and ponders the consequences of the franchise's decision.

OPINION: Round 16 of the United Rugby Championship has come and gone, and while some will look back at the weekend fondly, others will rather try to forget it.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli believes the Bulls' outing in Llanelli gave the Lions and the Stormers a glimpse of what to expect on the road in the coming weeks. 

OPINION: The Stormers and Glasgow Warriors will both be out for redemption in their Round 16 United Rugby Championship clash at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

OPINION: Inconsistencies, lacklustre performances, and a failure to build on momentum best describe the Sharks’ United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign.

EXCLUSIVE: It’s no secret that the Sharks, Stormers, and Bulls have the financial muscle to attract some of the best talent to their respective unions.

OPINION: While it was a mixed bag for the South African contingent in Round 15 of the United Rugby Championship, history was made by the BlitzBoks in Hong Kong.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli looks ahead to the Lions' final league games as they aim to make the United Rugby Championship play-offs for the first time.

OPINION: An eagerly anticipated derby in Paarl lived up to expectations as Paarl Gimnasium hosted Grey College under wet and testing conditions.

OPINION: Jan de Koning dissects the last four rounds of URC league action to see which South African teams will make the cut.

OPINION: From runaway victories to upsets and brilliant individual moments, the 2025/26 Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup quarterfinals had it all.

OPINION: More than 7,000 spectators - old boys and members of the Northern Suburbs community - turned out in force to support their team. It was a remarkable occasion, and arguably one of the largest crowds ever seen at the home of the Jade Brigade.

STAT ATTACK: Tuks will go into the Varsity Cup Final against the NWU Eagles with a slight tactical advantage.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli takes a look at the Springbok halfbacks and the pecking order ahead of some big United Rugby Championship matches.

OPINION: There was a time when one of the most fascinating Springbok matches of the year wasn’t a Test.

OPINION: It wasn’t too long ago that the Lions were accused of playing “too much rugby” and “running the ball from everywhere”.

OPINION: Jan de Koning takes a stab at finding a solution to the Stormers Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu conundrum.

OPINION: Disappointing, frustrating, heartbreaking. There are various adjectives South African fans could use to describe what happened in this past weekend’s EPCR and Champions Cup Round of 16 fixtures.

OPINION: The Bulls and Stormers will be disappointed with their narrow defeats in the Round of 16 of the Champions Cup, but should see it as a blessing in disguise in the bigger scheme of things, writes Angus Opperman.

OPINION: Sharks coach JP Pietersen, revealing that emerging young talent would be played in big games, signified a laudable approach that should be the norm rather than labelled as "bold", writes Wynona Louw.

OPINION: We have finally arrived at our first official rankings for 2026—the long wait is over!

OPINION: Gio Aplon shared his concerns over Rassie Erasmus’ contract extension with a comparison to Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, but the former Bok winger’s fears are exaggerated.

OPINION: The Bulls and Stormers have the daunting task of changing the narrative about South African teams' involvement in the EPCR Champions Cup, writes Angus Opperman.

OPINION: South Africa's impressive run of United Rugby Championship results may be viewed in a new light after the Bulls, Stormers and Sharks compete in the European playoffs this weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Over recent years, the Scarlets have unearthed hidden gems who have made steadfast contributions in Llanelli.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers chats to Jon Cardinelli about the rise of schoolboy rugby and the decision to throw his weight behind a national Under-16 tournament in Paarl.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli takes a look at how South Africa's four franchises can help each other in their quest for a spot in the United Rugby Championship play-offs.

SPOTLIGHT: Following a sensational Super Saturday - the crescendo of a record-breaking Championship - fans voted for the XV they felt performed the best over the course of this year's tournament.

SPOTLIGHT: As we gear up to the final six rounds of the United Rugby Championship, Rugby365 examines each South African team's chances to break into the play-offs.

OPINION: After each Rugby World Cup quarterfinal exit by Ireland, fans and pundits resort to the same question "Did Ireland peak too early?"

France are rugby’s new attacking juggernaut after completing back-to-back Six Nations titles since 2006-07, gorging on the defences like a cheap all-you-can-eat buffet over the last two years.

OPINION: Take a breath. Another crazy, topsy-turvy, high-scoring game to sign off one of the greatest Six Nations championships of all time.

OPINION: In what was once dubbed the ‘Grand Slam Decider’ seemingly in another life, England delivered a performance worthy of that billing despite eventually falling 46-48 to France in round five of the Guinness Six Nations in a match for the ages.

OPINION: Italy’s dream of clinching a third Six Nations win ended in a brutal reality check, one that should raise some questions, mainly about their inability to hold onto the ball.

OPINION: Wales might be getting another Wooden Spoon, but especially in the first half, they looked really good as they beat Italy 31-17.

OPINION: If ever there was a Six Nations litmus Test for where Andy Farrell’s team were at, this match with a confident and gung-ho Scotland was it.

OPINION: Scotland’s hopes of a first Triple Crown since 1990 and an outside shot at a first Six Nations title familiarly came to grief with a record 12th successive defeat by Ireland.

OPINION: Scotland boosted their chances of a first-ever Six Nations title with a stunning 50-40 victory over previously undefeated France, who nonetheless remain in the championship driving seat.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli believes Rassie Erasmus might have to rethink his selections for the Nations Championship fixtures in July.

OPINION: England suffered their first-ever loss to Italy, falling 23-18 in Rome in round four of the Guinness Six Nations.

OPINION: History has been made today, with the Azzurri finally taking down England. For the first time, the proud Mediterranean nation claimed a massive victory, finishing 23-18.

OPINION: Scotland will head to Dublin next Saturday with their first shot at a Six Nations title after a sensational, seven-tries-to-six victory over Championship favourites France at a disbelieving Murrayfield.

OPINION: One of the most staggering games of Six Nations ever played and probably the Scots' greatest performance of the modern era.

OPINION: Ireland player ratings: Andy Farrell’s side went in as unbackable favourites here, but they had anything but their own way against Wales.

OPINION: Dave Rennie's appointment as the new All Black head coach brings an unknown element to the team, which could surprise the Springboks in the Greatest Rivalry Series.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli puts a spotlight on the challenges that Dave Rennie will face in the coming months ahead of the four-Test series against the Springboks

Former Test referee Freek Burger discuss the yellow and red card incidences in the Lions game against the Stormers and asks: Was there danger? Yes. Was there recklessness? Arguably. Was there malice? No. And that distinction matters.

OPINION: As the United Rugby Championship season unfolds, South African sides are firmly involved in the fight for playoff positioning with mixed fortunes across the franchises.

In a sport built on collision, the line between a rugby incident and reckless, dangerous play must be clear. Right now, that line feels increasingly blurred.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli puts England's struggles under the spotlight ahead of tougher matches against France and South Africa .

OPINION: Heartbreak. There’s no other way to put it. Wales led until the final five minutes before Scotland snatched a sensational and unexpected win.

OPINION: It ended 26-23 to Scotland, but really, Gregor Townsend’s side did everything to throw this one away with a dire first half. The visitors butchered enough chances to lose twice and were a circus at the line-out for long stretches.

OPINION: It ended as most expected, with France thrashing Wales at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, Steve Tandy’s side conceding a 54-12 defeat, their second biggest home loss against France.

OPINION: Fabien Galthie’s side arrived in Cardiff as the only unbeaten side left in the Six Nations and left having put 54 points on Wales in their own backyard.

OPINION: England’s 12-match winning run came to a pitiful end against Scotland on Saturday, losing 20-31 in Round Two of the Six Nations at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

OPINION: Scottish Gas Murrayfield will remain unconquered for another year by England, as Scotland triumphantly beat their Six Nations nemesis 31-20 to the elation of a packed home crowd.

OPINION: Italy fell short of their first-ever win over Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, losing 20-13 in Round Two of the Guinness Six Nations.

OPINION: Andy Farrell’s men badly wanted to bounce back at home against the Italians, but this 20-13 win certainly didn’t go to script.

SPOTLIGHT: Rugby365 explores the changes and talking points that will shape the 2026 Varsity Cup tournament, writes Jon Cardinelli.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand are scouring the options for a coach to take charge of the All Blacks after Scott Robertson's sacking midway through his four-year contract last month.

OPINION: The Lions have a golden opportunity to make their own bit of history in the United Rugby Championship with a block of six consecutive home matches at Ellis Park lined up.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli puts the spotlight on a tricky Rugby World Cup 2027 fixture for Rassie Erasmus' Springboks.

Respected and acclaimed former Test referee Freek Burger will soon bring expert insight, sharp analysis and behind-the-scenes perspective to our rugby coverage.

Welcome to the Bokometer - your weekly read on who’s hot, who’s under pressure and who’s next in the Springbok mix.

OPINION: Ask any team pre-season if they'll take eight wins on the bounce and lose their final two games before a break, and they'll probably say yes - with a capital Y.

OPINION: Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse have been at the heart of a Sharks team that has played with more purpose and direction in recent weeks.

OPINION: Scott Robertson’s era as All Blacks head coach will go down as a fascinating period in New Zealand Rugby, the most successful Super Rugby coach in history falling on his sword and stepping away with mutual agreement.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli raises some important questions after the latest South African derby in the United Rugby Championship.

OPINION: Rugby365's Dylan Jack looks at the similarities between Scott Robertson and Heyneke Meyer's respective international coaching tenures.

OPINION: With New Zealand Rugby Chair David Kirk announcing last week that they will “cast the net wide” in search of the new All Blacks coach, it’s time to look at who may apply, and where they currently sit in the pecking order.

OPINION: Three South African-born players made the cut for the EPCR's Round Four team of the week.

OPINION: Rassie Erasmus' Springboks have a jam-packed Test schedule this season, which could have a significant impact on their World Cup title defence come Australia 2027. 

UPDATE: He faces two doping charges, yet he is free to play.

OPINION: Embose Papier’s disallowed try against the Stormers looked routine, but it has reignited debate over the interpretation of one of rugby’s lesser-known laws.

OPINION: @JanDKrugby looks at one of the most intriguing selection posers faced by Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen.

OPINION: Rugby365 contributor Avuyile Sawula shares his view on Siya Kolisi's return to the Stormers in 2026

OPINION: Jan de Koning names his World XV for 2025 and there are some real bolters, deservedly so!

OPINION: The Bulls find themselves between a rock and a hard place following the dismissal of assistant coaches Andries Bekker and Chris Rossouw. 

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli reveals the goals that SA Rugby should have on their list in the lead-up to RWC 2027.

OPINION: Under floodlights and fading evenings, long after boardrooms empty and stadiums fall silent, there is a breed of rugby coaches quietly shaping the game at club and school level.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli takes a look at how the Bulls, Sharks and Lions have failed to live up to the second-half hype.

OPINION: Jan de Koning recapitulates the main events from the global rugby landscape in 2025 and outlines the biggest movers and shakers.

STAT ATTACK: Jan de Koning takes another deep dive into the numbers, as the Bulls suffered a worrying fourth-successive loss.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli takes a deep dive into the Stormers' excellent squad rotation.

OPINION: Jan de Koning takes a hard look at the erratic form of the Bulls and the possible reasons for their floundering form.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli believes John Dobson's Stormers have the blueprint to go all the way this season.

OPINION: Rugby365 contributor Avuyile Sawula takes a deep dive into some of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's key performances in 2025.

OPINION: Given the gap between these sides in terms of talent, it was hard to rate these Wales players too harshly – even with a 73-0 scoreline.

OPINION: When looking back at last weekend’s feast of rugby, you can’t get past the game in Dublin.

OPINION: Jan de Koning dissects the Springboks' main year-end Tests and explicates his selections for the A-Team!

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli takes a look at a powerful Springbok weapon that destroyed the Irish in Dublin over the weekend.

OPINION: Rassie Erasmus' Springboks finally broke their drought in Ireland, defeating the hosts 24-13 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

OPINION: Felipe Contepomi’s Los Pumas produced a patchy but spirited performance in Twickenham as they tried to keep pace with an England side who controlled long stretches of the contest before closing out a 27-23 win.

OPINION: England ended their Nations Series in style on Sunday, beating Argentina 27-23 at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.

OPINION: A long and brutal 15 Test campaign for the Wallabies that included a British and Irish Lions tour has concluded with a defeat at the hands of France in Paris.

OPINION: France clinched a second November win on Saturday, vanquishing a Wallabies challenge 48-33 to give Fabien Galthié breathing space heading into the new year.

OPINION: It’s a credit to Ireland’s tenacity and guts that they stayed in this one as long as they did, but this match felt at times like watching a drowning man desperately trying to keep his head above water as wave after wave threatened to pull him below the surface.

OPINION: The All Blacks have finished their end-of-year tour in 2025 with a 52-26 victory over a struggling, and understrength Wales side in Cardiff.

OPINION: Wales were unable to register their first win over the All Blacks in 72 years, falling 26-52 in Cardiff.

OPINION: Ireland and South Africa have a storied rivalry dating back to 1906. Jan de Koning looks at five classic clashes!

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli believes goal-kicking could be an important factor when the Springboks face Ireland in Dublin this weekend.

OPINION: The Springboks showed true grit to beat Italy in Turin on Saturday.

OPINION: Australia-born fullback Mack Hansen received Player of the Match honours after starring in Ireland’s 46-19 Nations Series win over the Wallabies in Dublin.

OPINION: Ireland showed that there’s still plenty of bite left in the old dog yet, looking every bit the better side for the majority of this 46-19 win over the Wallabies, who quite frankly look knackered.

OPINION: The impact of coach Lee Blackett on England’s attack was clearly seen in this match with George Ford expertly pulling the tactical strings and Ollie Lawrence showing his power as a ball carrier.

OPINION: England stunned the All Blacks 33–19 in a charged Twickenham, overturning a half-time deficit with a ruthless second-half surge.

OPINION: A lack of control and execution undermined Italy’s high-risk approach in the wet as Gonzalo Quesada’s side fell 14–32 to a 14-man South Africa in Turin.

OPINION: To appropriate that famous 1989 song by Tina Turner: 'They are Simply the Best'.

OPINION: As the old saying goes - one man's loss is another man's gain.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli looks at the evolution of the Springboks Bomb Squad in 2025.

OPINION: The Springboks’ second-half performance proved too strong as they recorded a statement 32-17 win over France in Paris on Saturday night.

OPINION: Although France held a 14–13 lead after a strong first half, Les Bleus ended up on the receiving end of a 14-man Springbok side that mounted one of the greatest comebacks in recent memory, triumphing the hosts 32–17 at the Stade de France.

OPINION: Italy produced one of their finest modern-day performances to stun Australia 26-19 in Udine.

OPINION: A phenomenal second-half performance has helped Italy overcome the Wallabies, 26-19, in front of a packed crowd at Bluenergy Stadium in Udine.

OPINION: Scotland’s 120-year search for a win over New Zealand goes on despite a thunderous comeback in a pulsating contest at Murrayfield.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is set to become the ninth player to reach 100 Test appearances for South Africa.

OPINION: The All Blacks survived what looked to be one of Scotland’s most astonishing wins in a long time, with Scott Robertson’s side leaving the BT Murrayfield with a 25-17 victory.

OPINION: Former Springbok head coach Jake White looks ahead to Saturday's mouthwatering encounter between France and South Africa in Paris.

OPINION: The make-up of the Springbok forward contingent may be more important than the selection at flyhalf for the key tour fixture against France this Saturday.

OPINION: The Boks dismantled Japan 61-7 in a dominant display to open their Northern Tour, with many players showing their class once more in the outing.

OPINION: Ireland came into this one as underdogs and started with a bite that briefly had the All Blacks on the back foot. But after Tadhg Beirne’s early red card and a late flurry from Beauden Barrett and co., Andy Farrell’s side were eventually beaten 26-13.

OPINION: The Brave Blossoms were left shell-shocked at Wembley as Eddie Jones’ side were pulverised 7-61 by the world champion Springboks.

OPINION: England got their Quilter Nations Series off to the perfect start with a 25-7 victory over Australia at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

OPINION: Australia made far too many errors and too many of their stars had quiet afternoons as England punished their mistakes in a 25-7 win.

OPINION: With the United Rugby Championship on a break until November 28, @rugby365 unpacks the state of the tournament so far.

OPINION: Jan de Koning does a deep dive into the facts behind the nightmare start of the Sharks and Leinster to their URC campaigns.

OPINION: Dylan Jack argues that Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been misunderstood by critics who call him selfish - and that South Africans should trust his instincts as he grows into his Bok general role.

OPINION: Should the fellow South African United Rugby Championship franchises take a page from the Stormers' book to be successful without the availability of their top players who are on national duty?

OPINION: Battle-hardened by the Rugby Championship, will Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus persist with the current crop of stars as they embark on their end-of-year tour, or are there areas of concern that need to be addressed?

OPINION: Jan de Koning takes a look beyond the clichéd post-match quotes and the real reasons for the Lions' poor start to the season.

OPINION: Jan de Koning runs the rule over the Springboks' year so far, looking at the positive and negatives of the first nine Tests this year!

BOOK REVIEW: To appropriate the BA Baracus catchphrase: 'I pity the fool'.

OPINION: Firstly, can I give a warm congratulations to the Springboks.

OPINION: In a world of sanitised and clichéd media briefings, a book regaling in splendour the raw passion and colourful language of rugby is refreshing.

OPINION: With the Rugby Championship defended successfully for the first time by South Africa, it's time to reflect on the Boks' season ahead of their upcoming end-of-year tour.

COLUMN: Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks shattered their own attacking and kicking records for the Rugby Championship across a monumental 2025 campaign.

OPINION: The Springboks overcame a few nervy stages in London to see off Argentina and secure the 2025 Rugby Championship title.

OPINION: A much-improved performance from a week ago saw Los Pumas push the Springboks in the first half, going into the break 13–10 ahead, despite struggling against a powerful Springbok scrum.

OPINION: It was a seven-word sentence that may have escaped the bulk of the fourth estate.

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli runs the rule over Rassie Erasmus' matchday squad for Saturday's Rugby Championship decider in London.

OPINION: @king365ed rates the South Africa players after their 67-30 rout of Argentina.

OPINION: The All Blacks built an early 20-3 lead on the back of three early tries, only to see the Wallabies storm back into the game by the half.

OPINION: Saturday’s contest between the Wallabies and the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland promised to be a bruising encounter, with both teams fighting for the 2025 Rugby Championship title.

OPINION: Manie Libbok's masterclass display in the 43-10 demolition job of the All Blacks possibly answered any remaining questions surrounding his overall game.

OPINION: The Springboks retained the Freedom Cup with a brilliant performance and also handed the All Blacks their biggest loss ever. This is how we rated Siya Kolisi and his Springbok team as they moved back into second spot in the Rugby Championship standings. 

OPINION: Rassie Erasmus appears to be placing all his chips on a dominant forward performance ahead of the Freedom Cup decider against the All Blacks in Wellington.

OPINION: Very rarely do Test matches have as much history, prestige, and anticipation as this.

OPINION: @king365ed rates the South African players after their 17-24 loss to New Zealand in Auckland.

OPINION: Ill-discipline proved costly for the Wallabies as an 8-3 count against them led to a 21-7 lead for Argentina at the half.

OPINION: World Cup-winning former Springbok coach Jake White gives his take on the battle of the giants - New Zealand against South Africa at Eden Park in Auckland.

OPINION: A Springbok win in New Zealand is as rare as they come, but when managing to do so, it's always an epic contest.

OPINION: Rugby365 contributor Jon Cardinelli has selected his Springbok matchday squad for Saturday's Rugby Championship showdown against the All Blacks at Eden Park.

OPINION: The All Blacks have played 14 Test series this decade, winning eight via clean sweeps and going winless in just one – last year’s Rugby Championship effort against the Springboks.

OPINION: Former World Cup-winning Springbok coach Jake White opines on the Eden Park Rugby Championship face-off between New Zealand and South Africa.

OPINION: We keep getting told that the Springboks always win when it matters. And it doesn’t matter how, they just win. And who can argue with that?

OPINION: The Springboks will head to New Zealand with an unsettled back row and more questions than answers around the No.8 position.

OPINION: Two teams are on the brink of qualifying, while two have already been eliminated.

OPINION: Scott Robertson’s All Blacks have lost their first game in 2025, going down to Felipe Contepomi’s Argentina side, 23-29, in Buenos Aires.

OPINION: History in Buenos Aires as Argentina finally toppled the All Blacks on home soil, winning 29-23 in front of a raucous crowd at Estadio José Amalfitani.

OPINION: South Africa hit back against Australia to revive their Rugby Championship title hopes as they narrowly avoided another slip-up on home soil with a 30-22 victory.

OPINION: Wallabies player ratings: After what was a sensational comeback in round one, the Wallabies couldn’t carry it on in Cape Town, falling to a 30–22 defeat to the Springboks.

PREVIEW: Garsfontein tackle Menlopark in the Noordvaal Cup semi-finals this weekend, while Queen’s College host arch-rivals Dale in the big Eastern Cape derby.

OPINION: The Springboks need to address their bench selections and second-half approach if they want to remain in the Rugby Championship title race.

OPINION: Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Cordoba played host to the second Test match of the 2025 Rugby Championship competition, where the All Blacks beat Argentina, 41-24.

OPINION: Just when we thought the drama at the Paarl Derby – where the final score was only decided in the last minutes – couldn’t be topped, think again!

OPINION: Australia pulled off a staggering 38-22 victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park in the opening round of the Rugby Championship.

OPINION: The Springboks’ stronghold at Ellis Park was breached in dramatic fashion on Saturday as the Wallabies mounted a remarkable comeback to secure a 38-22 victory.

OPINION: Jake White opens up on his Bulls exit and shares his thoughts on the upcoming Rugby Championship opener between the Springboks and Wallabies at Ellis Park.

OPINION: The Currie Cup tournament may be a shadow of its former self, but the quality of the product could be enhanced by one simple move by most of the respective unions. 

OPINION: While a blowout on the Highveld is expected, the Springboks should be wary of a Wallaby ambush in the second Test of the series in Cape Town.

OPINION: The schoolboy rugby season is drawing to a close.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok Women's performance coach Swys de Bruin is set to name his World Cup squad on Saturday, August 9, as South Africa aims to book a historic first-ever quarterfinal spot.

OPINION: The Springboks look set for a timely physical challenge against a Will Skelton-inspired Wallabies side over the next two weeks.

OPINION: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has built his squad's depth to the point of having an embarrassment of riches in almost every position. 

OPINION: The famous saying: 'It's not over until the fat lady sings,' perfectly describes the drama and passion witnessed in the iconic derby in Paarl at the weekend.

OPINION: Finn Morton rates the Australian players after their 22-12 third Test win over the British and Irish Lions in Sydney on Saturday.

OPINION: Josh Raisey rates the British and Irish Lions players after their 12-22 loss to Australia in Sydney.

OPINION: Australia's late capitulation in Melbourne will give second-half specialists South Africa food for thought ahead of next month's Rugby Championship double-header.

OPINION: As the 2025 schoolboy rugby season nears its climax, this past weekend delivered another thrilling round of matches across South Africa.

OPINION: With more than 90,000 fans watching on at the MCG, the Wallabies have fallen painfully short of an incredible win against the British & Irish Lions, going down 26-29.

OPINION: The Lions have won their Test series with Australia after a 29-26 win in Melbourne gave them an unassailable 2-0 lead, and it went right to the wire in front of 90,300 fans.

OPINION: The Junior Boks received a glorious welcome at OR Tambo Airport after being crowned World Rugby Under-20 champions for the first time in 13 years.

OPINION: Ian Cameron rates the British and Irish Lions after their 24-19 win over a First Nations and Pasifika XV at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne on Tuesday.

OPINION: Finn Morton rates the First Nations and Pasifika XV after their 19-24 loss to the British and Irish Lions.

OPINION: An iconic rivalry took centre stage at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship 2025, as South Africa and New Zealand clashed in the title decider.

OPINION: The Baby Blacks have fallen just short at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship Final in Rovigo, going down to the Junior Springboks, 15-23.

OPINION: The Lelos showed a gutsy display against the world champion Boks at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, but ultimately went down 10-55 in a spirited performance. 

OPINION: South Africa continued their build-up to the Rugby Championship with an emphatic 55-10 demolition of a willing Georgian side at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday.

OPINION: With 52,229 fans watching on at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, the Wallabies were outmatched and outclassed by the British & Irish Lions, losing the first Test 19-27.

OPINION: So first blood to Lions, but the truth is Andy Farrell’s side didn’t need to work too hard for this 27-19 victory in Brisbane.

OPINION: The skies over Hamilton were clear as Damian McKenzie got play underway in the third and final Test match between New Zealand and France.

OPINION: France wrapped up their 2025 July Series with another defeat, unable to hold on to a two-point half-time lead as they fell 19-29 to the All Blacks.

OPINION: South Africa's performance in Port Elizabeth at the weekend will get opponents thinking about what the Springboks are brewing ahead of the Rugby Championship.

OPINION: The Springboks dominated an Italian side with only 14 men after a red card to Jasper Wiese, but the South Africans remained calm and got the job done. 

OPINION: Italy didn't have the firepower to trouble the Springboks in their second Test match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

OPINION: Finn Morton rates the AUNZ XV players after their 0-48 loss to the British and Irish Lions.

OPINION: Josh Raisey rates the British and Irish Lions after their 48-0 whitewash of the UANZ XV in Adelaide on Saturday.

OPINION: After what was a remarkable performance in the series opener, Fabien Galthié made ten changes for the second Test Match against the All Blacks, and it unfortunately backfired massively against the current men’s Six Nations title holders in this 17-43 loss.

OPINION: The All Blacks bounced back with a comprehensive beating of France to win the second Test and claim a 2-0 lead in the July series in front of 33,872 in the capital.

OPINION: British & Irish Lions player ratings: The Lions avenged their 2013 defeat to the Brumbies with a 36-24 win on a chilly evening in Canberra, maintaining their unbeaten record on Australian soil on tour in 2025.

OPINION: The Springboks need to improve their defence and game management with a view to the second Test in Gqeberha - and the all-important Rugby Championship.

OPINION: The Wallabies have started their preparation for the Test series against the British and Irish Lions with an unconvincing, narrow, 21-18 victory over the Flying Fijians at Newcastle International Sports Centre Stadium.

OPINION: The Wallabies have started their international season with a win, but only just, as they snuck by Fiji 21-18 at the Newcastle International Sports Centre Stadium.

OPINION: Saying that it was a mammoth task for the Italians is an understatement.

OPINION: @AngyboyJ RATES THE @Springboks after their 42-24 win over @Federugby at Loftus Versfeld.

OPINION: It didn’t finish with a bang, but France provided a thrilling spectacle, leaving Dunedin with a narrow 27-31 defeat to the All Blacks.

OPINION: The Lions were given their sternest test during their time in Australia so far, but came through to beat the New South Wales Waratahs on Saturday, winning 21-10 in Sydney.

OPINION: The NSW Waratahs put up an impressive fight against the British & Irish Lions, but the hosts still fell short of an upset win as they were beaten 10-21 in Sydney.

OPINION: Ben Smith rates the New Zealand players after their hard-earned 31-27 win over a second-string French team in Dunedin.

OPINION: The Queensland Reds put up a good fight during the first half against the British & Irish Lions, but the visitors were a class above during the second term as they ran away with a clinical 52-12 win in Brisbane.

OPINION: Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions made it two wins from two on Australian soil with a 52-12 victory against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.

OPINION: Rassie Erasmus' Springboks will break the attacking records set in 2024 if they hit their straps in the Italy series and the matches that follow.

OPINION: The Barbarians were no match for the Springboks at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

OPINION: South Africa started their 'international' campaign with a commanding 54-7 win over the Barbarians in a non-cap game in Cape Town on Saturday.

OPINION: The British & Irish Lions have started their tour of Australia with a confidence-building 54-7 win over the Western Force in Perth. After a tense first half, the Force went scoreless during the second term as the Lions ran riot.

OPINION: British and Irish player ratings: Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions bounced back from their loss to Argentina last week, defeating the Western Force 54-7 in Perth to register their first win of 2025.

MID-YEAR REPORT: Paarl Gym and Paarl Boys have been the best teams on show this season, while Oakdale and Westville have also made a impression in the schoolboy scene.

OPINION: Rassie Erasmus is well placed to give a host of fringe players game time across the Springboks’ coming matches against the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia.

STAT ATTACK: Multiple legends of the game have donned the Barbarians jersey, but how many World Cup-winning Springboks have pulled the famous black and white jumper over their heads?

OPINION: Los Pumas were rightly handed their flowers by Lions head coach Andy Farrell after their impressive 28-24 win over the touring side in Dublin.

OPINION: The Chiefs have lost their third straight Super Rugby Pacific final on Saturday, 16-12, in Christchurch against the Crusaders.

OPINION: For the eighth time in nine years, the Crusaders are Super Rugby champions after holding on for a thrilling 16-12 win over the Chiefs. It was an all-time classic Grand Final, with almost no points scored during a dramatic second term.

OPINION: The British & Irish Lions opened their 2025 campaign with a 24-28 loss that offered plenty of excitement, a dash of spectacle, but a little too much inaccuracy in unusually warm conditions at a sold-out Lansdowne Road.

SEASON REVIEW: Following their disappointing United Rugby Championship Final loss to Leinster, the Bulls and their supporters should still be optimistic for the upcoming season. 

SEASON REVIEW: After yet another disappointing United Rugby Championship season, Sharks fans will start to wonder if their star-studded side will ever gel into a championship outfit.

SEASON REVIEW: A team full of brilliant, talented individuals failed to deliver yet again for a second consecutive season despite all the promise in the world. 

SEASON REVIEW: Following a solid start last year, the Lions self-imploded yet again to finish their second-worst season in United Rugby Championship history. 

OPINION: Leinster finally broke their trophy drought with an impressive 32-7 win over the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship Final on Saturday.

OPINION: Following an internal voting system, the @rugby365com crew selected their United Rugby Championship team of the season. 

OPINION: @rugby365com contributor Jon Cardinelli runs the rule over the South African franchises after a disappointing 2024/2025 season

OPINION: The Bulls failed to produce the goods in their United Rugby Championship Final against Leinster in Dublin on Saturday.

WATCH as Jake White admits his side needs to avoid shooting themselves in the foot by playing with fewer numbers all the time.

OPINION: South Africa's most physical team has what it takes to unsettle and exploit a Leinster side that has a tendency to crack under pressure.

OPINION: The Bulls will head to Dublin for the first United Rugby Championship Final to be played outside South Africa.

SPOTLIGHT: @king365ed looks at three of the key head-to-head face-offs in the United Rugby Championship semifinal between the Bulls and Sharks at Loftus Versfeld.

OPINION: Will it be a case of "one man's loss is another's gain" with uncertainty looming over a Springbok scrumhalf's availability for the international window? 

OPINION: Oh boy, what a nail-biting, nerve-racking weekend of the schoolboy game it was!

OPINION: The Stormers need to address the imbalance in their selections and playing strategy if they want to become a side that can win trophies as well as entertain.

WATCH as the Boks Office crew selects an all-time Springbok XV & @rugby365com provides an alternative option!

STAT ATTACK: Heading into the United Rugby Championship quarterfinals, @rugby365com looks into the Stormers' play-off record. 

STAT ATTACK: With the United Rugby Championship quarterfinals upon us, @rugby365com delved into the archives of the three qualifying South African franchises. 

OPINION: The management of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok, Jordan Hendrikse and Siya Masuku in the United Rugby Championship play-offs could have an impact on Test selections in the coming months.

OPINION: UBB ran out deserved 28-20 winners over Northampton Saints in a brutally intense Champions Cup final in Cardiff – winning the European crown at the first time of asking in a famous day for the club.

OPINION: Northampton fell short in their pursuit of a second Champions Cup title on Saturday, losing to Bordeaux-Begles 28-20 at the Millennium Stadium.

STAT ATTACK: The Sharks may have been unconvincing throughout the season, but have done enough to finish third on the United Rugby Championship table. 

STAT ATTACK: In part three of our four-part series @rugby365com delves into three key areas of the Bulls' game heading into the United Rugby Championship quarterfinals.

OPINION: The two-week buildup to the United Rugby Championship play-offs will allow the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers to address their mental shortcomings.

OPINION: When the emperor can't see he is naked and his subordinates fear being ostracized when they speak up, one ends up with a very unhappy, unhealthy environment.

OPINION: Grey College will be out for redemption when they host Affies this weekend, while a rampant Paarl Boys side will have a score to settle at Wynberg.

OPINION: Damian Willemse's international comeback will provide Rassie Erasmus with a healthy selection headache in 2025, especially when the Springboks face New Zealand, France and Ireland in the marquee Tests.

OPINION: Leinster's premature exit from the Champions Cup may lead to a backlash in the United Rugby Championship, but may also serve the Bulls' top-two ambitions.

WATCH as former Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff gives his view on the bomb squad concept in the latest episode of BOKS OFFICE.

OPINION: The Bulls, Sharks and Stormers head into the final stages of the URC with confidence and momentum following a series of statement wins in Glasgow, Belfast and Cape Town.

The Japan Rugby League One tournament might not be very familiar to the South African public, but it has played a significant role in the Springboks' success. 

OPINION: @RugbyPass' New Zealand-based columnist Ben Smith asks how long can the Springboks keep dragging South Africa along, after another dismal failed season in Europe.

The Bulls should be lauded for a clean sweep of the Irish provinces, following the South African collective' largely inconsistent run across all tournaments.

OPINION: South African teams should focus more on luring back top coaches instead of overseas-based players.

OPINION: @rugby365com columnist @jon_cardinelli unpacks the Bulls' gruelling schedule in the business end of the season.

OPINION: With whispers of a change in the Lions' management structures, @king365ed looks at what must be the worst coaching record in the once proud franchise's history.

OPINION: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus capped 12 new Springboks in 2024 and might add a few more in 2025 and beyond. 

OPINION: @rugby365com columnist @jon_cardinelli unpacks the Sharks biggest problems as they head into the @ChallengeCup_ Round of 16.

OPINION: The Bulls, Lions and Sharks may need to sacrifice their European Challenge Cup title ambitions in order to realise their grander United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup goals.

OPINION: @rugby365com columnist @jon_cardinelli recaps the Six Nations tournament and looks at the biggest threat the Springboks will face on the year-end tour.

STAT ATTACK: Table-topping Leinster has notoriously sent second-string outfits on their previous United Rugby Championship tours to South Africa.

OPINION: Bryn Palmer rates the Scottish players following their 16-35 Six Nations defeat to France

OPINION: Josh Raisey rates the French players following their 35-16 title-clinching win over Scotland

OPINION: Now we can say for certain this is a Steve Borthwick team definitely on the up.

OPINION: Ireland player ratings: Ireland made it hard on themselves, securing a narrow 22-17 win over Italy in Rome that ended their Six Nations on more of a whimper than a high note.

OPINION: A brave and ambitious performance from Italy, who made Ireland work extremely hard for a 22-17 win at the Stadio Olimpico.

OPINION: The home side’s long wait for a Test victory goes on after England inflicted a 17th successive defeat on Matt Sherratt’s team, who finish this year’s Six Nations rock bottom and with another wooden spoon.

SPOTLIGHT: Rugby365 contributor Jon Cardinelli takes a look at some permutations as we enter the business end of the United Rugby Championship.

OPINION: Perhaps unsurprisingly, the vibes that almost carried Wales to victory against Ireland in Round Three of the Six Nations were not enough at Murrayfield.

OPINION: Scotland withheld Wales in Edinburgh on Saturday, registering a 35-29 win in Round Four of the Six Nations.

OPINION: Ireland’s Six Nations Grand Slam hopes have well and truly been Le Crunched by France, who were deserved 42-27 winners in their top-of-the-table clash in Dublin.

OPINION: The appointment of Felix Jones highlights the scale of the Springboks' tactical ambition ahead of a potentially monumental 2025 Test season.

STAT ATTACK: It took the Bulls eight attempts in the United Rugby Championship to get a victory over the Stormers, but they could seal a three-peat should they overcome the Capetonians this weekend and put that record under threat.

OPINION: It was agony for Scotland fans when Finn Russell’s final kick against England in the Six Nations last Saturday curved wide off the left upright to leave a below-par English side still alive in the title race.

SPOTLIGHT: The logistical challenges of the 2025 Test season will be mitigated by the Springboks’ outstanding strength in depth.

OPINION: Fabien Galthie’s France rejuvenated their Six Nations title bid with a smashing 73-24 win over Italy to set up a tantalising March 8 showdown against defending champions Ireland in Dublin.

OPINION: Wales fans arrived at the Millenium Stadium with a sense of cautious optimism – if such a thing exists – and the players almost gave them something tangible to cheer.

OPINION: Unbackable favourites Ireland were well and truly humbled, even if they ultimately did scrape and scrap to an incredibly hard-fought 24-18 win at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.

OPINION: England defeated Scotland in a thrilling affair at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the third round of the Guinness Six Nations, as they collected the Calcutta Cup for the first time in many years.

OPINION: England’s eight-year wait for a home win over Scotland came to an end on Saturday, as they ran out 16-15 winners in yet another epic at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium in round three of the Six Nations.

OPINION: The Sharks are in a strong position in the United Rugby Championship to ensure a top-four finish and push to claim the title this season. 

OPINION: The bonus-point victory in Cape Town has provided the Bulls with some breathing room, yet Jake White faces some difficult decisions at a key stage of the season.

OPINION: Scotland’s hopes of launching a credible Six Nations challenge suffered a major setback as they suffered an 11th successive defeat by Ireland, equalling their worst-ever sequence against their Celtic cousins.

OPINION: Ireland player ratings: Scotland certainly put it up to Ireland in a chaotic 32-18 scrap in Murrayfield, but the men in green showed their class to effectively smother the home side until the result was out of reach.

OPINION: Wales player ratings: Warren Gatland’s Wales have plumbed new depths in Rome, losing to Italy 22-15 at the Stadio Olimpico.

OPINION: England will not replicate the Springboks’ second-half successes until they strike a better balance between youth and experience across the matchday squad.

OPINION: Same old England. Plenty of vim and vigour as usual to carve out a promising situation and then they lost… as usual.

OPINION: Scotland player ratings: Scotland’s Six Nations campaign got off to a winning start with a five-try, 31-19 bonus-point victory over Italy at Murrayfield.

OPINION: Ian Cameron rates the French players after their 43-0 whitewash og Wales in the Six Nations opener.

OPINION: Josh Raisey rates the Wales players after their 043 whitewash loss to France in theSix Nations opener.

STAT ATTACK: Centre Sonny Bill Williams became an instant XV's fan favourite for his trademark offloading ability when he converted from Rugby League to Union back in 2008, but Springbok RG Snyman's ability to do the same as a forward has caught the eye in recent years. 

OPINION: The Stormers and Lions face an uphill battle to qualify for the United Rugby Championship quarterfinals.

OPINION: Much has been made of several Springbok players who are heading into their golden Test years come 2027, but their value shouldn't be discarded due to their age. 

SPOTLIGHT: Former New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen's stance on the All Blacks's selection policy of players only being eligible to play for the national side if playing domestically is slightly changing in regards to Test players playing in Japan’s Rugby League One .

OPINION: Results as well as the key scoring stats show how South Africa's top teams regressed in the latest edition of the Champions Cup.

ANALYSES: RugbyPass columnist Nick Bishop believes the Springbopks' famed Bomb Squad is coming to the end of its life cycle.

OPINION: The Bulls, Sharks and Stormers have combined for three home defeats and zero wins in Europe in what’s shaping up as South Africa’s worst Champions Cup campaign yet.

OPINION: Retired England flyhalf Andy Goode shines the spotlight on the Mack Hansen suspension and the state of the officials.

WATCH as BOKS OFFICE host Hanyani Shimange, Nick Mallett and Gary Gold discuss which players can make it to the 2027 World Cup.

OPINION: The events of the past 18 months will provide Toulouse as well as the Sharks with added motivation ahead of their Champions Cup meeting in Durban on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: While most All Blacks are hitting the beaches, on the boat fishing, and enjoying some quiet time before the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season kicks off, Jordie Barrett is in the midst of a United Rugby Championship season for Irish heavyweights Leinster.

SPOTLIGHT: With the United Rugby Championship on a break, @rugby365com looks at the prospects of the South African sides claiming local bragging right.

SPOTLIGHT: Former England skipper Owen Farrell has been branded a Top 14 transfer flop after failing to impress during his first five months in France.

SPOTLIGHT: Following 12 debutants during the 2024 season, Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus could use the 2025 incoming series Tests against Italy and Georgia to blood more players ahead of World Cup 2027. 

SPOTLIGHT: Back-to-back World Cups orchestrated by Rassie Erasmus with a long term prospect of the Boks joining the Six Nations.

OPINION: In the wake of the Springbok Women's astounding phoenix-like status having risen out of the ashes this year comes a stark realisation that the women's game is still treated as an unnecessary expense at domestic level.

EXPLAINER: @OwainJTJones untangles the method behind the selection of the @RugbyPass Top 100 players for #2024!

WATCH as Boks Office crew analyses Springbok captain Siya Kolisi's move from openside flank to No.8.

`OPINION: The Sharks' chances of hosting a Champions Cup quarterfinal may hinge on an away win at Leicester this Saturday.

OPINION: Andy Farrell came into this expecting his Irish side to produce their best performance of this Nations Series.

OPINION: The 19-22 defeat to Ireland will be a particularly bitter pill for Joe Schmidt and this Wallabies team, who were most of this contest the better side.

OPINION: Retired England flyhalf Andy Goode shines the spotlight on RFU CEO Bill Sweeney's ridiculous salary package at a time of a record £37.9-million loss.

WATCH as former Springbok captain and World Cup winner Jean de Villiers believes that 2025 will test the Boks’ mettle after a stellar 2024.

OPINION: Pieter-Steph du Toit has taken his game to new heights in 2024, and an all-conquering Springbok team has reaped the benefits, writes Jon Cardinelli.

OPINION: Neil Fissler rates the Australia players after their dream-shattering 13-27 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.

OPINION: Bryn Palmer rates the Scotland players after their impressive 27-13 win over Australia at Murrayfield on Sunday.

OPINION: As the curtain shuts on a whirlwind 2024 season for both Italy and the All Blacks, Scott Robertson’s side has sent leaving players TJ Perenara and Sam Cane off with a scrappy win against Italy.

OPINION: South Africa completed an unbeaten year-end tour for the first time since 2013, beating an outclassed Wales 45-12.

OPINION: After a scrappy first half the All Blacks held a 17-6 lead after tries to scrumhalf Cam Roigard and fullback Will Jordan in Turin.

OPINION: Owain Jones rates the Wales players after their 12-45 loss to South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday.

OPINION: France was extremely efficient and scored from every opportunity they created to close the Autumn Nations Series with a 37-23 win in Paris.

OPINION: Former Springbok head coach and current Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White shares his thoughts on Ireland, Australia and Wales current struggles.

OPINION: Leo Cullen's latest two-year deal with Leinster could set him on a path to take over as Ireland coach.

OPINION: The balance of the Springbok selections points to a big victory against Wales this Saturday as well as another win for Rassie Erasmus' development plan.

OPINION: As we prepare to close out the 2024 season, @rugby365com examines the bedrock of the game in South Africa.

WATCH as two-time World Cup-winning prop Steven Kitshoff speaks about the neck surgery that will hopefully save his career.

OPINION: Just one point separated the mighty All Blacks and France on Saturday evening, as the impressive hosts took a 30-29 victory over their rivals.

OPINION: ben Smith rates the New Zealand players after their one-point, 29-30, loss to France at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday.

PLAYER RATINGS: England player ratings live from Twickenham Stadium: What a belter of a spectacle under the south-west London lights.

PLAYER RATINGS: South Africa earned a hard-fought 29-20 win against England at twickkenham, which was an arm-wrestle until the end.

OPINION: Argentina player ratings: It wasn’t to be for Los Pumas who, after pushing Ireland to the limit, lost by three points in Dublin, a city they have never been able to celebrate in.

OPINION: Ireland were once again afflicted by unforced errors in a hard-fought 22-19 win, but there were enough reserves of resolve to save the day.

OPINION: Former Springbok coach and current Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White shared his views on the state of England and the Springboks' famous seven-one bench split tactic ahead of the crucial Test at Twickenham.

OPINION: As a sports science graduate with a deep appreciation for Rugby Union, I find the current landscape of the international game fascinating.

OPINION: South Africa not only returned to the top of the world rankings, they have now gone more than 180 minutes without conceding a try against Scotland.

OPINION: England player ratings live from Twickenham: After successive one, seven, and two-point defeats to New Zealand, this was a Saturday afternoon ripe for Steve Borthwick’s team to take their many All Blacks frustrations out on a wounded Wallabies XV.

OPINION: Japan was defeated 12-52 by a dominant France side at the Stade de France in Paris.

OPINION: Bryn Palmer rates the Scotland players after their 15-32 loss to South Africa at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Sunday.

OPINION: Despite a late withdrawal from wing Damian Penaud, France’s star power was unmatched in the contest as they ran out to a 31-0 lead by halftime and never looked in doubt of securing the result.

OPINION: Australia player ratings: Australia snatched a try at the death to beat England 37-42 at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium in a match for the ages on Saturday.

OPINION: The Springboks must avoid an attacking shootout with a dangerous Scotland side this Sunday.

OPINION: Ben Smith rates the New Zealand players after their 23-13 win over Ireland at Lansdowne Road on Friday.

OPINION: Ian Cameron rates the Ireland players after their 13-23 loss to New Zealand at Lansdowne Road on Friday.

WATCH as former Springbok coach and now television analyst Nick Mallett reveals what makes Rassie Erasmus so special.

SPOTLIGHT: There was a curious moment ahead of the All Blacks’ clash with the Springboks at the 2019 World Cup – one in which Rassie Erasmus, as only he could, went on a four-minute rant about how New Zealand had, for the last 10 years, won favourable treatment from referees as a result of their number one status.

OPINION: Fiji paid the price for a sluggish start and ill-discipline as they fell to a record 17-57 defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield.

OPINION: Scotland launched their Nations Series campaign with an ultimately rousing eight-try victory over Fiji at Murrayfield after cutting loose in the final quarter.

OPINION: Ben Smith rates the New Zealand players after their hard-earned 24-22 win over England at Twickenham.

OPINION: Liam Heagney rates the England players after their heart-breaking 22-24 loss to New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.

OPINION: World Cup-winning former Springbok coach Jake White runs the rule over South Africa's year-end opposition.

OPINION: Former referee Wayne Barnes has come out in support of the 20-minute red card while it is being trialed in the current Nations Series. 

OPINION: Use the words ‘equity deal’ in the rugby space these days, and everyone thinks of SA Rugby, Ackerley Sports Group (ASG), and billions of Rands.

ÒPINION: The Lions’ unbeaten start to the URC season came to an abrupt end at the weekend, as they suffered a 6-24 loss to Leinster in Dublin.

OPINION: Ian Cameron rates the Leinster players after their 24-6 win over the Lions in a top-of-the-table United Rugby Championship clash in Dublin.

OPINION: Are the Lions on the threshold of repeating their Super Rugby glory days, when they were the dominant South African team in Super Rugby?

OPINION: The masterclass against the Ospreys served as a timely reminder of why Willie le Roux remains an asset to the Springboks whether he starts at fullback or not.

OPINION: It is portrayed as an 'incredible occasion'. Ireland are, rightfully so, proud of the record-breaking United Rugby Championship derby between Leinster and Munster at Croke Park.

OPINION: The @rugby365com team sat down and put on their selection hats on, to decide the best-of-the-best from the just completed Rugby Championship.

OPINION: Rassie Erasmus will take a strong Springbok squad to the Northern Hemisphere next month, while leaving another group of potential world-beaters at home.

SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com contributor Ryan Grant takes a look at the state of the global game.

OPINION: The Rugby Championship results as well as a series of unprecedented stats highlight the Springbok evolution under attack coach Tony Brown.

OPINION: A powerful performance by the forwards laid the platform for the Springboks' emphatic 48-7 victory over Argentina on Saturday.

OPINION: The Los Pumas didn’t show too much in their defeat to the Springboks in the Rugby Championship decider in South Africa.

OPINION: The Wallabies came out of the blocks fast to score the opening try through Fraser McReight after seven minutes of power rugby.

OPINION: The Wallabies have been beaten by the All Blacks in Wellington 33-13. Following last weekend’s heroics in Sydney, the men in gold seemed the more confident of the two sides early on but they couldn’t maintain any dominance throughout the entire Test.

OPINION: The management of Manie Libbok in the lead-up to the final Rugby Championship fixture in Mbombela will be key, writes @rugby365com contributor Jon Cardinelli.

OPINION: The Manie Libbok curse struck South Africa again - a missed penalty kick sending the Rugby Championship into decider in Nelspruit next week.

OPINION: Philip Bendon rates the Argentinean players after their 29-28 Rugby Championship win over South Africa.

OPINION: Rassie Erasmus' savvy selections of Handré Pollard and a six-two forward-heavy bench highlight the Springboks' respect for Argentina and the occasion in Santiago del Estero.

OPINION: Big results in the Rugby Championship have given Rassie Erasmus the leeway to further develop his game plan and squad in the coming months.

OPINION: Finn Morton rates the New Zealand players after their 12-18 Rugby Championship loss to South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday.

OPINION: They always talk about the famed 'bomb squad'. On Saturday, South Africa unleashed a nuclear bomb on a rampant New Zealand team.

OPINION: The Springboks must address their first-half failings ahead of a Freedom Cup decider that could echo into eternity.

WATCH as the Boks Office crew – host Hanyani Shimange, along with Springbok legends Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger - with guest, retired All Black Andrew Mehrtens, analyse the Razor Robertson reign.

OPINION: Argentina’s bright start to the Rugby Championship is now firmly in the rearview mirror as they let slip a late lead to fall to the Wallabies 19-20 in La Plata.

OPINION: The Wallabies met Argentina in cold and wet conditions at Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi and came away with a 20-19 win.

OPINION: Rassie Erasmus' brave yet necessary selections point to a more expansive approach in the Freedom Cup series-opener against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday.

OPINION: @rugby365com columnist Peter Ryan is taking a deep dive into the troubles faced by the game in Wales and offer possible solutions.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks’ will be ’hellishly hard to beat’ when they host the All Blacks in two highly-anticipated Tests.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Wallaby Cameron Shepherd expects Tom Lynagh to play a part in the upcoming two-match series against Los Pumas in Argentina.

OPINION: @king365ed explores his memory banks to find five of the most iconic Springbok versus All Black encounters he attended at the famous Ellis Park stadium.

OPINION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White shares valuable insight ahead of the Rugby Championship match between South Africa and New Zealand.

OPINION: @rugby365com columnist @jon_cardinelli looks at some of the selection posers facing @Springboks coach @RassieRugby.

OPINION: New Zealand-based RugbyPass scribe Ben Smith points out the Springboks' weaknesses ahead of their two matches against the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship.

OPINION: The All Blacks have bounced back after a dominant first half to beat Argentina 42-10 at Eden Park in Auckland.

OPINION: New Zealand got their Rugby Championship campaign back on track with a first-half blitzing of Argentina to secure a 42–10 win in Auckland.

OPINION: South Africa set their stall at the top of the Rugby Championship standings with back-to-back wins in Australia.

OPINION: Finn Morton rates the Australian players after their 12-30 loss to South Africa in Perth on Saturday.