{
  "id": 1909692,
  "title": "KEY MAN: Malcolm in the middle: How Marx could swing key battles in SA’s favour",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/key-man-malcolm-in-the-middle-how-marx-could-swing-key-battles-in-sas",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-19T10:22:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-19-malcolm-in-the-middle-how-marx-could-swing-key-battles-in-sa-s-favour/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malcolm Marx, the 2025 World Rugby Player of the Year, is set to play a pivotal role in the upcoming Test match between the Springboks and the All Blacks at Ellis Park. This Saturday's encounter is anticipated to be a critical battle for set pieces and breakdowns, with both teams employing distinct strategies.\n\nSouth Africa's coach Rassie Erasmus has expressed concern over the All Blacks' \"brutal\" breakdown and maul tactics, which could potentially overpower the Bok pack. Conversely, All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has accused the South Africans of slowing down the game in recent matches.\n\nMarx's ability to effectively steal the ball at the breakdown has earned him the nickname \"the man in the middle.\" His performance could be instrumental in keeping the All Blacks in check. The Springboks have demonstrated their dominance in set pieces recently, having won five of the past six Tests against New Zealand and dominating the All Blacks pack in many of those contests.\n\nCoach Erasmus has started Marx in 11 out of 14 Tests, with a goal of giving him 65 minutes or more in each match. However, he may not start Marx in all four tests due to the intensity of the fixtures and Marx's high workload. The Boks will enter the first Test with a psychological advantage, having won the last five Tests against New Zealand, but Marx insists they have something more to prove.",
  "summary": "Malcolm Marx, 2025 World Rugby Player of the Year, will have a game-shaping role to play at the set pieces and breakdowns when the Springboks tackle the All Blacks in the first Test at Ellis Park on Saturday.",
  "key_points": [
    "Malcolm Marx, 2025 World Rugby Player of the Year, crucial in upcoming Test match.",
    "South Africa concerned about All Blacks' brutal breakdown and maul tactics.",
    "Marx's ball-stealing ability at breakdown could keep All Blacks in check."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}