@joncardinelli.bsky.social
Rugby writer
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...
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...
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
03.10.2025 18:20 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Mad game in CT... Stormers now a lot stronger over the ball in 3rd quarter, but Wales arewinning the aerials and scraps!
03.10.2025 18:12 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Will they learn in the 2nd, or are they gluttons for punishment?😅
03.10.2025 17:56 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Stormers 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
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 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...
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.
Boks too! Although it was close at Eden Park (34-31)
29.09.2025 12:14 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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...
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...
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!
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...
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
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.
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).
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.
Both teams true to 2025 form.
Wallabies growing stronger after a weak start, All Blacks losing their way after racing out the gates.
Fascinating 2nd half in the offing. ABs should win, but Aus could deny them the BP and take some momentum into Perth.
What did we just see at Cape Town Stadium?!
Stormers have beaten URC champs Leinster.
Kept them tryless.
Kept them pointless.
Got the BP themselves.
Cullen and Nienaber looked less than impressed as they walked past the media box at the end....
RC/URC overlap continues to compromise SA teams in the early stages of the club season.
Franchises could be short-handed for the start of the Champs Cup, due to the 5-Test tour in Nov.
A big picture piece on the 2025/26 club season for @dailymaverick.co.za www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
The ever-improving Springboks have found yet another gear in recent weeks, and if all goes to plan against Argentina, they may become first SA side in history to win back-to-back Rugby Championship titles.
My column for @financialmailsa.bsky.social
www.businesslive.co.za/fm/life/spor...
There’s nothing overly careful or conservative about Rassie Erasmus’ selections for the match in Durban.
The Boks coach has picked a team that can beat Argentina AND claim the bonus point.
My take:
rugby365.com/countries/so...
Nice blend of youth and experience for the Test against Argentina in Durban – both in the starting XV and on the bench.
Hooker and Moodie rewarded for their outstanding performances in Wellington. Morné van den Berg gets his first run (from the bench) since the Italy series
