Springboks v All Blacks: Rassie reacts in Cape Town + Eddie Jones & Argentina v Wallabies

Cape Town is set for a backlash. The Springboks are wounded, the All Blacks are rolling, and the second Test of the greatest rivalry could swing on discipline, scrum pressure, and who handles the opening 20 minutes.

David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie break down the Lions’ midweek push of the All Blacks, then go selection-by-selection for Springboks v All Blacks: Handre Pollard’s return, Cobus Reinach’s impact, the Kolisi fitness question, and what Ethan Hooker adds out wide. The All Blacks changes get a full run too, including Bower starting, Tupuo Vaa’i at lock, and Leroy Carter coming in with Moorby to the bench.

Plus: Wallabies v Argentina in Jujuy, the Reg 9 availability mess, and a straight-shooting discussion on TMO process, replays, and post-match sighting.

SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈

Ask Steve Hansen, Ewen McKenzie & Eddie Jones anything! Fill out the form below 👇
tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? .substack.com/

In this episode:
00:00 🎙️ David Pembroke update: no Steve Hansen this week
01:00 🦁 Lions v All Blacks midweek tour value explained
02:25 🔥 Lions surge and Ioane’s tries flip All Blacks game
04:10 🌧️ Cape Town build-up and Rassie Erasmus mood shift
06:10 🧠 Springboks rust, lineout hinge, and overthinking risks
08:05 🏥 Ethan de Groot injury call and scrummaging demands
12:05 🧑‍⚖️ Ref change: Angus Gardner replaces Amashukeli
13:05 🖤 All Blacks selection: Bower, Vaa’i, Parker, Carter changes
15:10 🎯 Reuben Love at 10 and All Blacks confidence signs
16:20 🟩 Springboks changes: Pollard, Reinach, Kolisi bracketed
17:10 🧨 Eddie Jones on Springboks intensity and early survival
20:10 🐂 Ethan Hooker role, aerial targets, and Pollard control
23:00 💥 Cameron Hanekom and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu impact
25:10 🏆 Springboks v All Blacks prediction and conversion pressure
29:05 🇦🇷 Wallabies v Argentina in Jujuy and missing Pumas stars
30:30 📜 Reg 9 explained: clubs, insurance, and availability reality
34:30 🦘 Wallabies team: Valetini, Hooper, McCreight back row talk
39:00 🧩 Les Kiss momentum, Carter Gordon importance, loosehead test
42:10 📺 TMO calibration debate from Springboks v All Blacks question
47:10 👊 Replay and sighting commissioner chat: de Allende incident
50:15 🏟️ Australia 2027 hopes and Super Rugby cross-fertilisation idea
53:40 🏙️ Rugby World Cup 2027 Sydney excitement and travel warning
57:05 👔 MJ Bale Wallabies support and backing rugby sponsors
01:00:00 🏉 Grassroots finals, Sarah Pearce and Bogan Bulls story
01:01:00 🎥 Eddie Jones tip: Northland v Canterbury NPC innovation
01:02:00 🎧 George Gregan and John Schmidt launch I Love Rugby
01:03:00 🕯️ Thoughts for Nepal Tibetan Himalayan region tragedy
01:04:00 🙏 Wrap: Wallabies v Argentina and Cape Town blockbuster

Call to action:
📌 Do you back the Springboks’ bounce-back in Cape Town, or can the All Blacks survive that first 20 minutes and win again?

📩 Got a question? Email us: info@rugbyunity.com.au
🔔 !
📲 Follow us on socials → TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook & LinkedIn @RugbyUnityPodcast