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We like to think allegiance is simple and that you play for the country where you are born and raised. But in a globalised world, allegiance is fluid. Photo: Themba Hadebe, AP

Boks’ win raises questions of allegiance, privilege and the test of leadership

The rugby team’s victory over the All Black was way more than a record win; it was a symbolic one too

Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard Photos: Craig Mercer/Getty Images

The good, the bad and the Boks

There was much to report on this year with multiple World Cups taking place across several sporting codes

Sam Cane of New Zealand looks dejected as he walk past the Webb Ellis Cup after the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)

Red card will be with me forever, says All Blacks skipper Cane

Head coach Ian Forster was extremely proud of how his New Zealand side had taken it to the wire despite playing one man down for about 50 minutes.

South Africa’s flanker and captain Siya Kolisi lifts the Webb Ellis Cup after South Africa won the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on October 28, 2023. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)

South Africa celebrates as Boks win again – by one point

The All Blacks were winning the battle for both territory and possession but the Springboks drew on their reservoirs of self-belief to win 12-11

Siya Kolisi acknowledges the fans after defeat to Ireland during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between South Africa and Ireland at Stade de France on September 23, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Siya Kolisi is our own Babe Ruth

Rugby, represented by the Springboks, is the country’s most symbolic, just as baseball is to Americans.

Mateo Carreras of Argentina and Richie Mo’unga of New Zealand in action during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 semi-final match between Argentina and New Zealand at Stade de France on October 20, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)

All Blacks surpass national hopes by reaching World Cup final

The three-time champions were regarded by some as outsiders going into the tournament

Eben Etzebeth. File photo by Andrew Boyers/Reuters

Grieving Springboks captain Etzebeth to play against All Blacks

The 31-year-old Lock’s father died on Tuesday

South Africa’s Siya Kolisi is shown a yellow card during the Autumn International match at Twickenham Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday November 20, 2021. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)

The world of rugby doesn’t like the Boks – and that needs to change

Sports media rights are where the money is, and investors want a return on their cash, so the Springboks need to up their game when it comes to charisma

Regardless, sport is a part of the geopolitical and diplomatic whāriki. It can be a force for isolation as well as unity.
 (Photo by Ross Land/Getty Images)

What the All Blacks-Boks rivalry teaches us about sport diplomacy

Richard Calland talks to the New Zealand high commissioner to South Africa about the beauty of the All Blacks-Springboks rivalry

Cake and politics: On rugby quotas and the World Cup

Boks bank on experience against All Blacks

The world champions must win with a bonus point in Townsville on Saturday to keep their slender Rugby Championship hopes alive

New Zealand’s haka before they destroyed Ireland in the quarter final of the Rugby World Cup. (Getty Images)

England and NZ search for perfection

After sterling quarterfinals, momentum will decide this much-anticipated mini-final

Steve Hansen’s New Zealand side search for their third Rugby World Cup in a row. If they beat England on Saturday

All Blacks coach Hansen says Springboks are NZ’s ‘biggest rival’

The coach admits that this weekend’s match against England will be a mighty clash, but insists that they are not his side’s fiercest rival

The tournament — especially the early parts — is being played during prime typhoon season. (Grant Pitcher/Gallo)

A tropical subject: Could typhoons hit Rugby World Cup?

Here are some of the key questions as one of the world’s natural disaster hotspots prepares to host one of the world’s biggest sporting events

Steve Hansen’s New Zealand side search for their third Rugby World Cup in a row. If they beat England on Saturday

Coach drops top All Blacks

Steve Hansen wants a “200%” improvement from his players for their clash with the Aussies

The All Blacks have drafted in legendary fly-half Dan Carter to calm any nerves among the faltering world champions.

Call Carter: All Blacks legend settles Bledisloe Cup nerves

The defending world cup champions have brought a two-time winner to advise creative players in the setup

Scott and Beauden Barrett celebrate a Bledisloe Cup victory over and Australia. (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

How the Barrett family has plotted the course for New Zealand rugby

Not only have Beauden, Jordie and Scott Barrett are the first sibling trio to take the field at the same time

Despite a few wobbles, the All Blacks are undoubtedly the best side in the world and have a great chance to take the cup home from Japan. (Phil Walter/Getty Images)

How have the All Blacks remained the world’s best for over a decade?

New Zealand have a chance to do the incredible in Japan later this year and win a third consecutive World Cup

Steve Hansen’s New Zealand side search for their third Rugby World Cup in a row. If they beat England on Saturday

All Blacks coach winds back on domestic violence comments

Steve Hansen moves to clarify comments he made, downplaying the role of gender in domestic violence

The All Blacks and the Wallabies played against each other in the Rugby World Cup Final in 2015. The teams from New Zealand and Australia have long been rivals and are equally patriotic. (Javier Garcia/BPI/DPPI)

What it’s like wearing the All-Black jersey

A new book delves into the secrets behind the mighty rugby team from a tiny country

Super Rugby returns on Friday with 21 straight weeks of competition until the July 6 final. (Getty Images)

Five talking points for the new Super Rugby season

Here are five talking points for the 24th year of the southern hemisphere club championship