Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen the All Blacks dismantle the undercooked URC sides with relative ease.

All Blacks fans on social media have been buzzing that their side is back to their best and ready to clean-sweep the series against the Boks four-nil.

Not to say there aren’t Bok fans who think we’re going to send the New Zealanders back to Aotearoa with a hiding.

But aside from the largely underwhelming Test against the Argies, we’ve not had much to go on from the Bok camp.

Rassie and Rennie have largely kept their cards close to their chests and the mind games to a minimum.

Until now…

Things are hotting up, folks, and if this week is anything to go by, the next four weeks will be eventful, to say the least.

First off, Rennie moved his team announcement to Thursday at 1pm. Rassie countered by moving his team announcement to 2pm.

Out of respect for the All Blacks, apparently.

Sure thing, Dr Erasmus. We believe you.

At the same time, a narrative has crept in that the Boks like to slow the game down with fake injuries or by taking a long time to set their scrums and lineouts.

Rassie brought in Jaco Peyper, a former Test referee and now a member of the Bok coaching staff, to answer questions about time-wasting and playing within the laws.

Quite simply, the laws say you have 30 seconds to set your lineout, and you can do anything you like in those 30 seconds.

Like Rassie said, you can even pray.

But also, if our game is so slow and boring…

Why did NZ Rugby go above and beyond to make sure they signed Tony Brown after the Rugby World Cup in 2027?

Because it’s nonsense.

The All Blacks are using the St Stithians school fields for training, and this week they arranged to have the fields fenced off and completely blacked out so their training sessions and tactics couldn’t be spied on…

Bit paranoid, don’t you think?

Now, World Rugby changed the system for how coaches can interact with referees to an online platform where you can lodge a few questions or concerns after each game.

The problem is every other coach can see what you say.

Obviously, that’s not ideal if you want to discuss things that might give away your tactics.

You can now only meet with the referee before the game if both coaches agree to it.

Rassie said he declined a meeting this week.

Rennie said he didn’t need one either.

Sure thing, guys…

But Rassie being Rassie, he sent Grant Williams and, more importantly, Felix Jones to a press conference.

And I have to be honest, I think there was some collusion with one or two journalists because they asked exactly the right questions for Felix Jones to answer and essentially get his message across to the referees, World Rugby, and anyone else watching about what tactics to keep an eye on from the All Blacks…

Things like clearing out at the breakdown without wrapping the arms, bringing down a rolling maul, or lifting players off their feet.

It’s been an absolute joy to watch some of the chess moves this week.

And it’s only going to get more intense.

When they cancelled the Rugby Championship in favour of the greatest rivalry, I thought it was a mistake because the Rugby Championship has been particularly excellent over the last two years.

But I can’t recall this level of intensity and intrigue around a Test series in years…

Perhaps even in my lifetime.

The anticipation for the first Test this weekend is absolutely through the roof.

It’s all I can think about, and I can only imagine what it must be like for those of you living in South Africa.

One thing is for certain…

No one knows who will win this first Test, let alone the series.

But come Sunday morning, both Springbok and All Black supporters will have had their first taste of the greatest rivalry…

Because this isn’t just another rugby match.

It’s four weeks that will shape the next chapter of the greatest rivalry the sport has ever known.

This is war.

And I love it.

Until next time,

Rudi
Aussieboks