Head coach Rassie Erasmus and his management have a mapped out plan for what they want the Springboks to achieve in 2026.
The Springboks may have comfortably dispatched the Barbarians in Gqeberha, but the bigger story is what lies ahead as Rassie Erasmus continues to build towards another demanding international season.
With England arriving next weekend for the opening Test of the Nations Championship, the world champions are still fine-tuning combinations, expanding their depth after including six uncapped players in the squad and ensuring they have answers for every possible challenge that awaits.
In the latest episode of The Last Word on Rugby, the team takes a closer look at Erasmus’ long-term planning and the remarkable depth chart he is assembling. With more than 70 players on the Bok radar, the coaching staff are leaving little to chance as they balance proven veterans with a new generation of talent ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
We look at the rise of youngsters such as Riley Norton and Paul de Villiers, the continued evolution of the Boks and the challenge of keeping so many players engaged while maintaining the standards that have made South Africa the envy of world rugby.
