The current year has been exceptionally generous to South African rugby, bringing a multitude of achievements. These include their consistent reign at the summit of the men’s global rankings, Malcolm Marx receiving the prestigious World Rugby Player of the Year accolade, and the women’s team delivering their most impressive performance to date in the Women’s World Cup. To request anything further might seem excessive.
Nevertheless, it is a universal truth that satisfaction is an elusive state. Our desires remain insatiable. We yearn for additional honors, more victories, and further expressions of despair from New Zealand’s sportswriters and English pundits. Rassie Erasmus has committed to an extended tenure, securing his contract until 2031. Given his ability to indulge in further success (indeed, a third helping), it seems perfectly reasonable for us to submit a belated appeal to Father Christmas, imploring the benevolent figure in red to fill our festive stockings with the subsequent items:
A Definitive Mark in the Foremost Rivalry
This particular desire does not entail a complete triumph for the Springboks. Nor is it merely a hope for surprising victories by the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, or Lions when facing the All Blacks (though such outcomes would be welcomed). Instead, it represents a deep longing for this particular series to act as a transformative event, fundamentally altering the landscape of rugby.
With the introduction of the Nations Championship slated for the upcoming year, the prospect of prolonged series, reminiscent of rugby’s amateur era, has become less likely. However, extended confrontations between two specific teams provide fertile ground for intricate storylines to develop, allowing protagonists and antagonists to navigate dramatic, almost theatrical, journeys. Such series enable supporters from global regions to undertake journeys and offer journalists compelling subject matter that might otherwise lack a platform. This phenomenon explains the enduring significance of the British & Irish Lions within the sport, and it is precisely why everyone, irrespective of their South African or New Zealander origins, ought to anticipate a spectacular series when the All Blacks and Springboks engage in their contest.
Despite its lack of originality, the designation is entirely appropriate. This represents the preeminent rivalry within the athletic discipline. These competitors stand as the top two teams and the most prominent entities in rugby. Should they fail to execute a compelling direct series, it is improbable that any other teams could succeed. However, if their performance is outstanding, we could anticipate a greater frequency of such monumental clashes in the years to come.
South Africa
New Zealand
Acknowledging the Continued Importance of Australia and Argentina
Notwithstanding the preceding statements, my hope is that neither the Wallabies nor the Pumas will be overlooked. Even if the ‘Greatest Rivalry’ achieves both commercial and athletic triumph, it would be regrettable if such success were to undermine the integrity of the Rugby Championship.
Australia and Argentina are more than just scheduled adversaries; they serve as indispensable partners in preserving the worldwide equilibrium of power within the sport. Absent their participation, rugby in the southern hemisphere would devolve into a repetitive, insular environment, diminishing rather than enhancing its robustness.
Australia’s difficulties have received extensive coverage, and Argentine rugby persists in overachieving despite the absence of a fully operational professional league. While the sport in both countries is not facing immediate collapse, a succession of unproductive seasons could potentially steer rugby towards oblivion. Furthermore, just as these nations require South Africa and New Zealand, the prominent rugby powers equally depend on their less celebrated counterparts.
The Springboks’ aspiration in this context is for sagacity. The objective should be to leverage rivalries to enrich the sporting schedule, rather than to consume it. It is crucial to safeguard the Rugby Championship as a significant contest, preventing its decline into obscurity. South Africa’s robust foundation was established through rigorous competition in challenging environments, not in desolate ones.
Evan Roos and Cameron Hanekom to be relied upon in the No.8 Position
The Springboks’ squad exhibits considerable talent across numerous positions. However, a singular exception exists. Jasper Wiese stands out as one of the sport’s most formidable ball-carriers and, operating from the rear of the scrum, constitutes a vital component of the Boks’ tactical framework. Nevertheless, should he suffer an injury or incur another suspension due to misconduct, the team’s cohesion could potentially fragment.
Consequently, the year 2026 ought to be the period when either Cameron Hanekom, Evan Roos, or both, ascend to prominence. While these two athletes possess distinct playing styles compared to Wiese and may not deliver the identical impact at the gainline, they are nonetheless more versatile individuals equipped with a broader array of abilities. Both are capable of penetrating defensive lines from the midfield, presenting valuable choices in line-out scenarios, and deploying a more fluid off-loading strategy. Additionally, they both demonstrate superior initial acceleration.
It is undeniable that Wiese currently holds the starting position. He was my individual selection for the top Springbok performer of the year. However, he requires an understudy. The home fixtures against Wales and Scotland, along with the away encounter in Italy, could present an ideal chance to provide valuable match experience to younger players.
The Women’s Boks Require Increased Top-Tier Competition – and a Revised Offensive Strategy
At the midpoint of their quarterfinal contest against New Zealand’s Black Ferns, the South African team entered halftime with the score tied at 10-10. A squad that had never before advanced to the knockout stages of a World Cup found itself on equal terms with the most accomplished team in women’s rugby. Beyond merely being tied, South Africa had largely dictated play throughout the initial forty minutes.
While the conclusive score of 46-17 indicated a significant second-half disparity, the overall performance surpassed initial hopes, transforming key athletes into widely recognized figures. The dynamic Aseza Hele. The consistently reliable Libbie Janse van Rensberg. The diminutive yet explosive Byrhandre Dolf. The imposing Danelle Lochner. Each exhibited exceptional skill. Each merited a position among the sport’s elite. Each is in urgent need of additional competitive opportunities.
A solitary Test match against the Black Ferns is scheduled to precede the third Test of the ‘Greatest Rivalry’ series in Johannesburg, yet this engagement is insufficient. The official SA Rugby website presently displays no scheduled matches for the women’s national team, which underscores that the squad continues to be undervalued despite their considerable advancements. A transformation is imperative, otherwise, genuine progress will remain elusive.
A Novelty from Rassie’s Repertoire of Tactics
We have witnessed various innovations, including mauls initiating from midfield line-outs, wingers participating in scrum feeds, centers occupying flanker positions, and diverse adjustments to bench configurations. The next development is purely speculative, yet my anticipation is that Erasmus possesses a concealed strategy, poised to generate widespread discussion and online commentary.
Throughout the annals of rugby, no individual has garnered more media attention than the head coach of South Africa. This notoriety frequently stems from his verbal declarations, his social media activity, and the commanding performance of his team. Such aspects can, at times, obscure his remarkable capacity for innovation. It is highly probable that he is formulating a new strategic approach during the holiday season.
