With a historic demonstration and a record defeat inflicted on the All Blacks (35-7) the entire South African collective delivered an excellent score. But at the helm of this collective, the hinge of the Springboks radiated by its mastery over this meeting. Back with the number 9 in the back, Faf de Klerk is the perfect manager to set up the South African game plan. Always in support of his forwards, he is at the origin of the infernal rhythm imposed throughout the match by the Springboks. For his part, Mannie Libbok was fair in his choices and his passes on the few offensive launches offered by the South African back line. He even managed to be reliable against the poles with a 5/5.
How not to be impressed by such domination. By advancing on each duel, whether offensive or defensive, the South Africans have facilitated the match. Physically the Boks are probably the best team in the world and they totally suffocated the All Blacks with or without the ball. At the end of the match, the New Zealanders came out marked by these clashes and they will certainly not be the only ones to experience the same fate during the looming World Cup.
If the melee and the South African touch reigned supreme throughout the game, the Springboks knew how to use their domination wisely. Of the five tries scored tonight, three came from touchdown combinations and carried balls that hurt the Blacks very badly. The Boks were able to take advantage of New Zealand’s many faults to seek penalties and find the efficiency that they were slightly lacking in the first period.
FLOPS
More than a defeat tonight, the Blacks have especially lost a player for the start of the World Cup. Author of a dangerous and violent clearing in a ruck, and after having already received a first yellow card, Scott Barrett received a direct red card which deprives him of the start of the competition. Like his entire team, Scott Barrett tried to react to the South African domination. But he too often made the mistake like his partners and mentally cracked on his red card with a more than avoidable gesture. Damage.
Reviewing the images of the evening scrums, the South African forwards will certainly be very happy. On each scrum, the forwards of the All Blacks found themselves in extreme pain, tortured by the power of South Africa. Penalized almost every time, the All Blacks scrum was pushed several meters with each opposing push and will have to rework to be ready against the Blues on September 8.
New Zealand’s last defeat was in a game against Argentina on August 27, 2022 (18-25). Since then, Ian Foster’s men had gone eleven games unbeaten and advanced towards the World Cup with certainty and confidence. So, experiencing such a disappointment two weeks before the start of the tournament will inevitably leave its mark on the group and could cast doubt on a team that seemed sure of its strength by winning the last Rugby Championship.
