Erasmus’s Springboks Are the Model, but Hansen Warns Copying Them Would Be a Mistake

Key facts

• South Africa have won four Rugby World Cups (1995, 2007, 2019, 2023) to New Zealand’s three (1987, 2011, 2015).
• The Springboks, under Rassie Erasmus, won back-to-back Rugby Championships in 2024 and 2025 and are ranked No.1 in the world.
• New Zealand have not toured South Africa for a full Test series since 1996, when they won 2-1.
• The Greatest Rivalry Series will feature four Tests: August 22 at Ellis Park, then Cape Town Stadium, FNB Stadium, and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
• Dave Rennie replaced Scott Robertson as All Blacks head coach after a turbulent two seasons for New Zealand.
• Japie Mulder, a member of the 1995 Springbok World Cup-winning squad, warned against underestimating the All Blacks.

A Rivalry Renewed: The Greatest Rivalry Series

The two most successful nations in rugby history will collide in a four-Test series starting August 22 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. It is the first time the All Blacks have toured South Africa for a full Test series since 1996, when they secured a 2-1 victory widely regarded as one of their finest overseas achievements. The series will also include matches at Cape Town Stadium, FNB Stadium, and a rare fixture at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA.

Erasmus’s System: Innovation and Dominance

Under Rassie Erasmus, who returned as head coach after Jacques Nienaber’s tenure, the Springboks have built a system that extends beyond a single team. Erasmus has deployed innovative tactics such as the ‘Bomb Squad’ replacements, open play lineouts, and strategic exploitation of the laws. He has also placed a premium on hybrid, versatile players like Andre Esterhuizen and Marco van Staden. The results speak for themselves: back-to-back Rugby Championship titles in 2024 and 2025, and the world No.1 ranking.

Hansen’s Warning: Culture Cannot Be Copied

Sir Steve Hansen, who was part of two World Cup-winning coaching staffs with New Zealand and served as head coach for the 2015 triumph, cautioned against the temptation to replicate the Springbok model wholesale. Speaking on the DSPN podcast, Hansen agreed with host Martin Devlin that copying South Africa would be a mistake. “One of the things I’ve learned both coaching in Wales and Japan is that what works with New Zealanders doesn’t always work with other people,” Hansen said. “You’ve got different cultures, different backgrounds.” He urged Dave Rennie, the new All Blacks head coach, to take elements from the Springboks but not the entire blueprint.

New Zealand in Transition: A Tough Period

The All Blacks arrive at the series in a period of flux. Recent seasons have brought unfamiliar challenges, including a historic first defeat to Ireland and inconsistent results that led to the dismissal of head coach Scott Robertson. Dave Rennie has been appointed as his successor, tasked with restoring the team’s aura. The Springboks, by contrast, are in much better stride, having dominated world rugby under Erasmus.

Mulder’s Caution: Beware the Underdog

Japie Mulder, who etched his name into Springbok folklore with a try-saving tackle on Jonah Lomu in the 1995 World Cup final, warned that writing off the All Blacks would be a serious mistake. “You’re number one now, but rugby is a funny thing,” Mulder told Rugby365. “In 1995, we weren’t even rated. Everyone said we did well by getting to the quarterfinals, and no one gave us a chance. But we went on to win. So, beware the underdog.” He noted that the series could end 4-0 in either direction, given the quality on both sides.

Stakes and Outlook: A Defining Series

The series carries enormous significance for both teams. For South Africa, it is a chance to cement their status as the dominant force in world rugby and to extend their winning run. For New Zealand, it is an opportunity to reassert themselves and prove that their recent struggles are temporary. The matches will be played at iconic venues, including Ellis Park, where the Springboks won their first World Cup in 1995. The outcome could shape the trajectory of both teams for years to come.

The bottom line

• Rassie Erasmus has built a dominant Springbok system based on innovation and versatility, winning back-to-back Rugby Championships and the world No.1 ranking.
• Sir Steve Hansen warns that copying South Africa’s model wholesale would be a mistake due to cultural and contextual differences.
• The Greatest Rivalry Series is the first full Test series between the two teams on South African soil since 1996.
• New Zealand are in transition under new coach Dave Rennie after a turbulent period, while South Africa are at their peak.
• Japie Mulder cautions that the All Blacks, despite being underdogs, should not be underestimated, citing the 1995 Springbok triumph as a precedent.