Erasmus tips Rennie to make a success of All Blacks rescue mission

DAVE Rennie is expected to bring renewed grit to the All Blacks, and that prospect has Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus wary ahead of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series later this year.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

Rennie replaced Scott Robertson, who was dismissed following an in-depth review of their 2025 rugby season. The New Zealander will not have much time to settle into the role, with a demanding schedule awaiting him almost immediately.

His attention will soon turn to the much-anticipated Greatest Rivalry tour, which includes four Tests against the world champion Springboks in South Africa and the US.

The All Blacks will also face South Africa’s four franchise teams in midweek matches as part of the tour.

Before that, however, a tough Nations Championship lies ahead, with fixtures against Six Nations heavyweights France and Ireland, as well as an increasingly competitive Italy.

While Rennie’s immediate priority will be ensuring a strong start, the Tests against the Boks are expected to provide the real baptism of fire. The stakes are heightened by the fact that the two rugby giants are widely expected to collide again at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.