It’s been a mighty interesting week in the aftermath of South Africa’s record 43-10 Rugby Championship thumping of New Zealand in Wellington, with pundits on both sides of the fence quick to offer up their thoughts.
Schalk Burger of the Boks Unpacked X The Verdict podcast highlighted the affect that the South Africans’ second-half ability to turn pressure into points had on the hosts.
“The fact of the matter is we dominated so many areas that the ball was in the air behind the All Blacks, they were forced to turn around and run back,” said the former World Player of the Year.
“Every collision went South Africa’s way, set piece we grew, our scum was so dominant, our lineout was sorted out. But the aerial game was what really bullied them, they were running backwards, they were hanging by a thread at the end of that first-half.
“Second-half they capitulated, and it was only after we got scoreboard pressure. The biggest moment for me was that scrum just after halftime; our sub timing was perfect. Wilco Louw comes on, penalty advantage and a try after that. As soon as scoreboard pressure happened, we had 70% territory at that time.
“As far as brutal Bok rugby goes, this is right on top of that.”
Speaking with Xola Ntshinga on the That Rugby Union Channel podcast, veteran rugby journo Simnikiwe Xabanisa shared his view on the perceived ongoing descent of the quality of the All Blacks.
“These days it’s quite scary that you can look at a New Zealand side and be like, no they’ve got weaknesses here, there, everywhere. In the old days it just never happened. To a man, all 23 would be these giants.
“I am curious in terms of what the problem with the All Blacks is. Is this just another Man United situation where it doesn’t matter which coach you bring in, the results will always be iffy?”
On The Breakdown show, former Kiwi scrumhalf Justin Marshall said the Bok approach took the three-time World Cup winners by surprise.
“The Springboks ambushed the All Blacks in the way that they played. I don’t think they [the All Blacks] suspected that they would have the ambition to play that much. They knew that that [Bok] backline could play, but they didn’t think they would play as much as they did, and all of a sudden they were chasing the game, particularly in the second-half.”
Fellow panellist and All Black centurion Mils Muliaina also drew attention to the balance between the Boks’ willingness to attack with ball in hand with their traditional strengths.
“I think if you look at the first forty, for me I would have been confident [in a win for New Zealand]. Where the Boks got it right is they played an expansive game, but then they mixed it up with the stuff that they always talk about; that’s in their DNA.
“They won the high ball, they went ahead, and as they continued to grind, they eventually started to get that confidence, and the All Blacks just couldn’t find an answer.”
On a more optimistic note for New Zealand, double World Cup-winning All Black Sonny Bill Williams, speaking on Australia’s Stan Sports, believes his former side’s latest misfortune could prove fatal for Australia in the upcoming Bledisloe Cup series.
“Can I be frank? I feel like this [record defeat] is danger signs for the Wallabies. I’ve been in camp where we’ve lost a game, and it’s like a morgue. It’s like someone’s died. And I feel like that pressure’s gonna come out. Where are we playing [the first Bledisloe Test]? Eden Park.
“But if the Wallabies have the confidence to play a bit and back themselves, it could be interesting. But I feel that we’re primed for a really big occasion at Eden Park.”
