Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 1h

Young Test stars are getting more exposure, but consider the next wave, the Junior Boks who won the world title, the schoolboys in the pipeline – and a system that's bearing fruit.

My @dailymaverick.co.za piece on the outlook for SA rugby (Spoiler: it's good)
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...

Forward planning by Rassie Erasums and Saru will extend golden era for Springboks

South African rugby has the talent, structures and the leadership to succeed at the highest level for years to come.

www.dailymaverick.co.za

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 23h

My in-depth review of the Springboks' Rugby Championship campaign, for @RugbyPassPlus

– Young guns come of age
- Older warriors rage against the light
– Tonyball 🤝 Totalball
– 5-3 split in vogue, but...
– Platform set for 5/5 in Europe this November?

www.rugbypass.com/plus/tonybal...

'Tonyball, ageing warriors and worrying growth' - What the Springboks learned from the Rugby Championship

Rassie Erasmus continues to strengthen his player pool and diversify his game plan, but there is room for improvement ahead of a massive northern tour.

www.rugbypass.com

1 2

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 3d

What the stats say about the Boks' Rugby Championship campaign, why it was their best since Rassie took charge in 2018, and how the ongoing quest for an all-court game is taking shape.

More offloads, less carries yet more metres, and (yes) more kicks!

rugby365.com/countries/so...

Rugby Championship showcased a Bok attack at its peak

COLUMN: Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks shattered their own attacking and kicking records for the Rugby Championship across a monumental 2025 campaign.

rugby365.com

2 3

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 4d

Bok scrum magnificent once again.

Five scrum penalties awarded to the big green machine, and played through a few more advantages.

Used the maul a lot more today too – after barely using it earlier in the Rugby Champs.

3

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 4d

Been a rollercoaster of a campaign.

Great response after the humiliating loss in Joburg.

Auckand was disappointing, but they fought back to get a losing BP – how crucial was that to the final tally?

Cut loose in Wellington and Durbs, more pragmatic at Twickers today.

1

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 4d

The Boks go back-to-back in the Rugby Champs for the first time in history!

Close race for the title this year, but can't say that the Boks didn't deserve it.

Fantastic way to retain the southern hemisphere crown and their place at the top of the World Rugby rankings.

3

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 4d

Cagey 1st half – following the pattern of games in Wellington and Durban...

Discipline letting Boks down early on. Not patient enough with ball in hand.

Finding rhythm, though, at the end of the 1st. Maul and scrum pens are ominous.

Think we may see more kicks too in the 2nd

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 5d

Bledisloe done and dusted, and as expected, the equation for the Boks is thus:

If they beat Argentina at Twickers, they will win the Rugby Championship.

If they lose (even with BPs), the All Blacks will take the title.

Opportunity to make history is there

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 5d

Stormers race away in the 2nd to secure a good win against Ospreys in CT.

That's 9 out of possible 10 log points from their first two URC matches.

Massive, considering they played Leinster in R1 and are without key Boks.

Great platform set for the tour to Wales and Italy.

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 5d

Ruhan Nel has made such a difference to this Stormers backline in the early stages of this comp. Massive rugby IQ. Lovely touches to set up Simelane for a crucial try

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 5d

Mad game in CT... Stormers now a lot stronger over the ball in 3rd quarter, but Wales arewinning the aerials and scraps!

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 5d

Will they learn in the 2nd, or are they gluttons for punishment?😅

1

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 5d

Stormers have picked up where they left off from last week – at least at the scrum and kick chase. Matongo and Fouche feasting at the set piece!

Tough night at the breakdown though – as it always is against Welsh teams. Storm have to sharpen up around the tackle in the 2nd half

1 1

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 7d

Malherbe, Nyakane, Fassi, Arendse et al are unavailable, but more should be read into the fact that Pollard, De Klerk, De Jager, Koch etc are in London and have been omitted from the 23.

Closer look at the stakes ahead of TRC final, for @dailymaverick.co.za
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...

Rassie Erasmus’ record-breakers close in on historic Rugby Championship double

Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks will become the first South African side in history to defend the Rugby Championship title if they beat Argentina in London this Saturday — a result that could set the platf...

www.dailymaverick.co.za

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 8d

Rassie Erasmus may have been tempted to pack his Springbok team with senior statesmen (and a more conservative approach), given the mission to Twickenham amounts to a final.

Yet he's selected younger players and surrounded them with veterans.

A lot to gain this Sat.

rugby365.com/countries/so...

Final selections highlight Rassie’s faith in new order

OPINION: Rugby365 columnist Jon Cardinelli runs the rule over Rassie Erasmus' matchday squad for Saturday's Rugby Championship decider in London.

rugby365.com

1 1

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 8d

Nche back in the starting XV, and Williams should provide some impact from the bench.

Mbonambi back in the 23 for the first time since the Test against Aus in Joburg.

1

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 9d

Boks too! Although it was close at Eden Park (34-31)

1 1

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 10d

It wasn't JUST an attacking masterclass in Durban – the Boks kicked from hand 40 times, and regathered 8 kicks!

The 43-10 win in Wellington reveals a similar pattern.

My analysis on the Boks' all-court game, and why the best may be yet to come
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...

Rassie’s all-court team are challenging the narrative around the Springboks

The stats show why South Africa’s record-breaking attacking success is grounded in their traditional strengths — and why accurate kicking has sharpened their threat.

www.dailymaverick.co.za

4

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 11d

My attempt to describe 80 mad and glorious minutes at Kings Park.

Kolbe's brain explosion (and redemption), PSDT on beast mode, an attack at its peak.

But a kid named Sacha was the catalyst...

For @dailymaverick.co.za
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...

Sublime Sacha sets Bok record against Argentina to bolster Boks’ title bid

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored a record-breaking 37 points – including a breathtaking hat-trick of tries – to propel the Springboks to a much-needed 67-30 bonus-point victory against Argentina in Du...

www.dailymaverick.co.za

3

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 11d

Sacha claims his second hat-trick of the year, and the record for the most points. Take a bow, one of the great all-round performances. Du Toit immense too.

BP in the bag for the Boks, and well placed now to win the title. Playing some decent rugby too!

2

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 11d

Bulls rack up nine tries and 53 points in the first game of the URC campaign.

Defence needs work, but attack is looking very dangerous.

Big ask for Leinster on the highveld next week, after losing 35-0 in CT...

1

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 11d

Nico Janse van Rensburg. Top rugby IQ on display in that break and pass to set up Serfontein.

Bulls putting on a show late in the game

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 11d

On a growing list of things I didn't see coming this weekend:

The Ospreys scoring four tries against the Bulls in Pretoria – in the first half!

Still think Bulls are favourites in the second stanza, but it's been a pretty shaky start.

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 12d

This year's Rugby Championship results pattern:

Aus: WLWLL
NZ: WLWLW
SA: LWLW
Arg: LWLW

Boks or Pumas will become the first team in the 2025 tournament to win back-to-back.

(Please don't let it be a draw).

4 8

Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 12d

Result in Auckland sees the All Blacks moving to the top of the Rugby Championship log (14 points)

But if the Boks win in Durban, they will head into the final round at the top of the log (superior PD).

BP could put them properly in charge.

Destiny still in Boks' hands.