In Episode 80, Tj is joined by Dane Sherratt from Kick On Rugby to break down New Zealand’s strong tour start, including the win over the Stormers and the 54–0 result against the Sharks, before the final pre-Test audition against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

TJ and Dane also unpack the Springbok challenge: scrum pressure, the aerial battle, competing fly-half options, New Zealand’s outstanding lock and loose-forward depth, and whether the All Blacks can impose enough tempo to disrupt South Africa across a four-Test series.

In this episode:

• All Blacks tour takeaways from the Stormers and Sharks matches
• Bulls v All Blacks: the final Springboks Test audition
• Richie Mo’unga’s return and the No. 10 debate
• All Blacks injury and selection watch
• Cam Roigard, Kyle Preston and the scrum-half race
• How the All Blacks match the Springbok scrum and kicking game
• Springbok fly-half options: Libbok, Pollard or Feinberg-Mngomezulu
• Is the northern hemisphere finally closing the gap on the south?
• First-Test selection calls and series predictions

Subscribe to The Bonus Point Podcast, follow Kick On Rugby, and let us know: Who starts at 10 for the All Blacks in the first Test against South Africa?

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour is officially underway as the All Blacks open their South African campaign against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town.

In Episode 79, I break down the Stormers team and the biggest storylines heading into the match — including senior Stormers debutant Yaqeen Ahmed at fly-half, his huge matchup opposite Beauden Barrett, and why Hacjivah Dayimani is one of the most exciting hybrid loose forwards in rugby right now.

I also look at the All Blacks’ two potential debutants, the major selection calls shaping Dave Rennie’s squad, and the looming Springbok challenge. South Africa’s rotated front rows have continued to deliver dominant scrum production through the opening Nations Championship rounds, making set piece one of the defining battles of this tour.

In this episode:

• What Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour is
• Stormers v All Blacks preview
• Yaqeen Ahmed’s senior Stormers debut
• Why Hacjivah Dayimani is a hybrid-forward threat
• All Blacks selection and debutant watch
• The Springboks’ scrum depth and rotation
• The biggest questions before the All Blacks face South Africa

Who makes the biggest statement in the opening match: Yaqeen Ahmed, Hacjivah Dayimani, Beauden Barrett, or one of the new All Blacks?

#Rugby #AllBlacks #Stormers #Springboks #RugbysGreatestRivalry #RugbyPodcast #RugbyAnalysis

The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season wrapped with a statement as the Hurricanes crushed the Chiefs in a record-breaking final, and we break down exactly why they were the best team in the competition. From the key stats and standout performers to the breakout stars forcing their way into the All Blacks conversation, we dig into the numbers, the tactics, and the selection battles that are shaping the next era of New Zealand rugby.