Why 39-year-old flanker Deon Fourie was picked over Bongi Mbonambi
The Springboks called upon Stormers flanker Deon Fourie for the second Test in Cape Town, with the 39-year-old set to make his fir…
Ben Smith
26 Aug 2026, 15:35
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Contributors
Ben Smith
@bensmithrugby
A former financial analyst & auditor in retail banking, Ben is a columnist at RugbyPass specialising in opinion-based analysis, breaking down rugby as he sees it, to uncover what professional teams are trying to do around the world.
'We dominated them': Ex-Bok captain Matfield not worried about losing All Blacks series
Former Springbok captain Victor Matfield is not worried about losing the Greatest Rivalry series to New Zealand after going down 1…
Ben Smith
26 Aug 2026, 14:36
23
The unjustified vilification of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Since returning as the Boks flyhalf against Argentina, he's had two performances that are below his game-breaking standard from 20…
Ben Smith
25 Aug 2026, 19:46
65
Opinion
You don't pick Handre Pollard to score tries
Despite the idea that Erasmus keeps everyone second guessing, the repeated patterns in team naming and selection make the Springbo…
Ben Smith
24 Aug 2026, 19:49
28
Analysis
Grant Williams was targetted in defence by the All Blacks
New Zealand already had a recipe that worked, yet Erasmus and his team went again with Williams. For the second time, it backfired…
Ben Smith
23 Aug 2026, 18:26
61
'100% legal': The All Blacks tactic that surprised Rassie Erasmus
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus was left surprised by the unexpected defensive tactic by the All Blacks in the 33-16 loss in …
Ben Smith
22 Aug 2026, 21:27
20
Opinion
All Blacks never-say-die grit pays as Rassie sinks his own ship
The All Blacks 33-16 win over the Springboks was a classic story of weathering the storm and winning the little moments that matte…
Ben Smith
22 Aug 2026, 19:27
54
'Walking around': Rennie questions Springbok scrumming tactic after set piece struggle
The All Blacks scrum came under immense pressure all afternoon in Johannesburg with the visitors unable to stabilise the set piece…
Ben Smith
22 Aug 2026, 17:15
38
'It was the right call': Dave Rennie weighs in on Ardie Savea's tackle on Jasper Wiese
A dramatic turning point in the All Blacks 33-16 win over the Springboks came with the All Blacks looking to land the definitive b…
Ben Smith
22 Aug 2026, 16:52
31
Ex-All Black captain Read says Argentina gave the 'blueprint' for Boks
Ex-All Black captain Kieran Read believes that Argentina provided the blueprint for beating the Springboks in Buenos Aires a fortn…
Ben Smith
19 Aug 2026, 16:44
29
Damian McKenzie 'trending well' as Cortez Ratima still under injury cloud
All Blacks fullback Damian McKenzie is heading in the right direction according to assistant coach Tana Umaga as he battles to be …
Ben Smith
18 Aug 2026, 19:57
11
Dave Rennie reveals Rassie Erasmus turned down pre-match meeting with officials
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie revealed that the coaches will not be having any pre-match meetings with the match officials aft…
Ben Smith
18 Aug 2026, 14:07
21
'Always three truths': Rassie Erasmus and Jaco Peyper respond to accusations of slowing the game
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus and technical consultant Jaco Peyper have responded to the narrative that the Springboks want…
Ben Smith
17 Aug 2026, 19:29
103
'We’re well aware': All Blacks coach Dave Rennie not phased by Springboks' scrum
Dave Rennie is confident that the All Blacks' forwards will match the Springboks at set piece time in the first Test at Ellis Park…
Ben Smith
17 Aug 2026, 18:53
13
'That’s what the All Blacks don’t have': Ex-Bok coach highlights Dave Rennie's issue
Former Springboks head coach Heyneke Meyer believes that the gulf in depth between the two sides will be the difference in the Gre…
Ben Smith
16 Aug 2026, 19:29
128
Opinion
Predicted All Blacks' 23 to face the Springboks in the first Test
The All Blacks will name their team to face the Springboks on Thursday, with a number of players uncertain after injuries across t…
Ben Smith
16 Aug 2026, 19:10
61
All Blacks pile 50 on the Bulls to remain undefeated in Greatest Rivalry tour
The All Blacks have beaten the Bulls by 50-19 in Pretoria to remain undefeated on the Greatest Rivalry tour.
Ben Smith
15 Aug 2026, 12:03
71
Dave Rennie not satisfied with All Blacks' first half as discipline issues persist
The All Blacks ran out to a resounding 54-0 win over the Sharks at King's Park in Durban, but head coach Dave Rennie was left unsa…
Ben Smith
11 Aug 2026, 21:03
22
Opinion
All Blacks player ratings vs Sharks | Rugby's Greatest Rivalry 2026
The All Blacks led 14-0 at half-time but went on to score eight tries in the 54-0 win with the trio of midfielders having a big ni…
Ben Smith
11 Aug 2026, 11:57
62
'Clearly the number one': Springboks coach Erasmus shoots down Hanekom talk
Hanekom delivered a man-of-the-match performance in his second showing of the year after missing the entire 2025 season with injur…
Ben Smith
10 Aug 2026, 14:31
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