Boks’ squad unity fuels sustainable success ahead of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry

With the Springboks preparing to face New Zealand in the opening Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry at Ellis Park on Saturday, Jones has praised the work being done throughout the national pathway. 

He singled out Junior Springboks coach Kevin Foote, SA Rugby’s high-performance structures and the wider coaching network for developing players who are eager to challenge for places. Jones also credited Rassie Erasmus for integrating those youngsters into the senior squad. 

"The camaraderie in the group is driven by the competition between the guys. Huge credit needs to go to all the junior coaches who are producing so many young and hungry players, and of course the way in which Rassie has set up the team culture as the older guys bring the younger guys along with them instead of pushing them down.

"We think we have a healthy level of competition and it's what makes selection so difficult for us."

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New Zealand arrive in South Africa having defeated France, Italy and Ireland in the Nations Championship before adding wins over the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls. Jones was asked whether the three provincial matches provided as much useful information as the All Blacks’ international test outings.

"Yes because they faced some test level players and those games might be indication of how they will play, but they clearly have a strong identity in what they want to achieve in each area of the game. However, you can tell that there has been a shift in what they're trying to do."

The Springboks enter the opening Test having put together an unbeaten run in 2026, including victories over the Barbarians, England, Scotland, Wales and Argentina. Their latest international campaign also gave the coaching staff an opportunity to test combinations and introduce fresh players before the highly anticipated All Blacks series.

Jones says the Springbok coaching staff have been closely monitoring New Zealand’s performances against the South African franchises as they prepare for the first Test. The All Blacks beat the Stormers 38-21, the Sharks 54-0 and the Bulls 50-19, giving the Bok coaches plenty of footage to analyse. 

The Springbok management also consulted coaches from the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls to gain further insight into what they experienced against the visitors.