A historical demonstration! Two weeks before the start of the 2023 World Cup in France (September 8-October 28), the two leaders from the southern hemisphere presented themselves with their standard team this Friday evening. Still, the Springboks taught the All Blacks an impressive lesson and sent a message to all of their competitors. From the start of the meeting, Jacques Nienaber’s men announced the color. In the first 20 minutes, the Blacks hardly came out of their 22 meters and spent their time defending. And inevitably, by dint of defending, the faults accumulated and Matthew Carley, the referee of the meeting, released the cards (Scott Barrett 14′, Sam Cane 15′). So, at 15 against 13 and after crossing the goal line twice without managing to flatten, the Springboks found the fault through their captain, Siya Kolisi (19 ‘) thanks to a simple game, all in power as they are used to.
Dominated in all areas of the game and in the physical confrontation, the All Blacks could never exist offensively in this meeting. Despite all his experience, Aaron Smith did not find the solution to remobilize his teammates and structure the game of the Blacks against a South African defense similar to a wall.
It was also through an interception by Arendse that the Springboks scored their second try of the evening (34′) and not the last. Already very complicated, this meeting turned into a nightmare for New Zealand after Scott Barrett’s red card (39 ‘). Author of a dangerous clearing in a ruck, the third row could miss several World Cup matches and is already absent for the opening match against the XV of France.
To make matters worse, as soon as they returned from the locker room the Boks left on the same basis with a third try scored after a ball carried by Malcolm Marx (42 ‘). An action that was repeated twice more with tries by Mbonambi (58′) and Smith (66′) at the conclusion of two devastating penetrating groups. If the solo try by Cam Roigard (71’) saves the honor of the All Blacks, the damage is done with this historic defeat for New Zealand. While remaining on a series of 11 games without defeat since August 2022, the New Zealanders come out of this match with doubts and a player suspended for the start of the competition. They have only two weeks left to react before the inaugural match against the XV of France (September 8). For South Africa, the message is clear: they are serious candidates for their own succession. And all their opponents are now warned.
