Springboks win against All Blacks as anticipated. Image credit: Planet Rugby.
(The Post News) – Springboks inflicted the All Blacks’ heaviest-ever Test defeat, thrashing New Zealand 43–10 in Wellington and breathing new life into their Rugby Championship hopes.
Cheslin Kolbe crossed for a try in each half, while Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, and André Esterhuizen also scored, capitalizing on fast-paced, clinical attacks. The Springboks ran in six tries to one, completely overturning the result of last weekend’s 24–17 loss in Auckland.
Springboks Hands All Blacks Record Defeat to Revive Rugby Championship Campaign.
New Zealand struck first, with debutant Leroy Carter finishing a wide move to score in the 18th minute. They led 10–7 at half-time. However, the Springboks dominated the second half, piling on five unanswered tries and 36 points.
“We came in with a really positive mindset,” said Damian Willemse, a central figure in South Africa’s attack. “After reviewing last week’s game, we knew exactly where we went wrong. Tonight, we were far more clinical.”
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus made five changes to his backline after the first Test, and despite losing three backs Lood de Jager, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Aphelele Fassi to injury in the first half, the team delivered sharp combinations and capitalized on strong set pieces. While they relied heavily on a kicking strategy last weekend, this time they forced the All Blacks into defensive kicks by keeping them trapped deep in their own half and starving them of possession.
Both sides looked to play at high tempo and exploit space on the edges, but South Africa’s backline consistently looked more dangerous. Their defensive pressure repeatedly disrupted New Zealand’s attacking rhythm.
Unlike in the first Test, when New Zealand jumped to a 14–0 lead within 17 minutes, South Africa took control early and tested the All Blacks’ defence relentlessly. New Zealand cracked South Africa’s line only once, when Carter scored from a sweeping movement that involved both touchlines and loose forwards.
Kolbe then intercepted Billy Proctor’s pass and sprinted nearly 80 metres for South Africa’s opening try. In the second half, the Springboks dominated territory. After winning a scrum penalty, Siya Kolisi broke through and set up Kolbe for his second try. Manie Libbok converted and added a penalty to extend the lead to 17–10.
From there, the floodgates opened. After a lineout turnover close to New Zealand’s try line, the forwards drove in before the backs released Willemse for a try. Smith then scored the match’s standout try following a counterattack sparked by Ethan Hooker. Libbok launched a cross-kick to Pieter-Steph du Toit, whose pass sent Smith charging in.
Late tries from Esterhuizen and Snyman completed a brutal dismantling of New Zealand.
New Zealand captain Scott Barrett admitted the defeat would sting. “There’ll be real discomfort this week,” he said. “But we’ll use it to bounce forward. We’ve got the Bledisloe ahead and a chance to respond.”
Head coach Scott Robertson pointed to his team’s inability to handle South Africa’s aerial pressure. “When they got going, they were relentless. We couldn’t catch a break, and they made us pay,” he said. “They’ve been criticised for their style before, but now they own that space. They applied pressure, and it worked.”
Former All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina, speaking on Sky Sport, criticized the team’s lack of resistance in the second half. “It looked like they gave up,” he said. “It’s not what you want to see from the All Blacks.”
Robertson refused to single out players but stressed the need for the whole group to take ownership. “First, we need to own it,” he said. “Everyone has to take responsibility. We’ll be clear about what matters on and off the field. Then we’ll make a plan and move forward.”
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