Calabash triumph highlighted Boks' greatest strength

OPINION: The Springboks worked the problem and won the big moments in an epic clash at the FNB Stadium that had the feel of a World Cup Final, writes Jon Cardinelli.

Rassie Erasmus’ Boks have developed a reputation for winning tight contests over the past eight years – and one play or goal-kick has often meant the difference between glory and defeat.

The Boks won three consecutive World Cup play-offs in 2023 by a single point, and while some put those results and scorelines down to the group’s mental resolve, others suggested that the Boks were a limited unit destined to be exposed by more complete teams.

Fast forward to the present, where the Boks have won 29 of their last 34 Tests – a run that includes back-to-back Rugby Championship titles.

*Also read: Rassie: ‘We’re not sitting here thinking we’re all flipping awesome’

On Saturday in Soweto, the Boks won the “series within the series’ when they beat the All Blacks 29-24.

While the four-match Greatest Rivalry series will conclude next week in Baltimore, the three-Test block in South Africa was always going to be the priority.

While Erasmus’ charges will be desperate to win the fourth clash and claim another trophy – rather than share it with their arch-rivals – they will know that they ticked a massive box at the Calabash.

It wasn’t the most polished performance, but as is the case in most series-deciders and World Cup finals, it didn’t have to be.

The Boks simply needed to absorb the blows, stay in the fight, and deliver the knockout punch when the opportunity presented itself.

The physicality and bloodymindedness that has defined so many South African teams of the past was certainly prominent, but the players and coaches deserve credit for how they adapted on the fly.

It’s been that sort of series, where the tactical picture has changed constantly and where neither side has controlled a match from start to finish.

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Defence has been listed as the Boks’ biggest issue, and it was disappointing to see how easily the line was breached at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

That said, the scramble defence was nothing short of sensational as Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and others sprinted back to deny the All Blacks.

Malcolm Marx’s power and timing around the defensive breakdowns has been momentum-shaping across the series – and this past Saturday, the hooker made another series of turnovers that swung a big game in South Africa’s favour.

The scrum battle was absorbing, partly due to an energetic crowd chanting “Scrum! Scrum!” after every knock-on.

New Zealand struck a few blows at this set piece, but the Boks fired when it mattered most.

A dominant set and drive in the 36th minute forced the All Blacks to impede on their own line, and referee Nika Amashukeli awarded a penalty try that levelled the scores before the break.

After holding their own at the line-out, the tourists had no answer to the Bok maul in the 65th minute.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s subsequent conversion allowed the hosts to move nine points ahead.

There’s been a lot of talk about Feinberg-Mngomezulu over the course of this series.

The young flyhalf has taken some time to regain his form after returning from a serious ankle injury, and wasn’t initially backed as the team’s first-choice goal-kicker.

On Saturday, Feinberg-Mngomezulu moved to fullback following an injury to Kolbe in the ninth minute, and was also forced to kick for goal.

He went on to convert three of his four attempts, with the last penalty in the 70th minute propelling the Boks into a game-winning position at 29-17.

By contrast, Ruben Love – who had been outstanding in general play and from the tee up to last Saturday – failed to deliver under pressure.

That may seem a harsh judgement, as the wind at the ground was particularly strong and more experienced kickers may have faltered.

And yet, as the final scoreline suggests, the All Blacks may have got closer to a win if Love hadn’t missed three goal attempts – and left seven points on the park.

For the most part, the All Blacks have pushed the Boks to the brink over the past three Tests.

Erasmus has been challenged by opposite number Dave Rennie, and it’s for this reason that the Bok boss may find the outcome to the three-game block in South Africa particularly satisfying.

That the players have stood tall in spite of the pressure exerted by the All Blacks – who are twice the team they were last year, according to Erasmus – will encourage the Bok coaches going forward.

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While the Boks were expected to win the mini-series in South Africa, it was nevertheless a statement victory that showed why they remain a force.

The senior players clearly have the ability to contribute to another World Cup campaign.

The youngsters – Ethan Hooker was another standout in Cape Town and Soweto – have shown that they can deliver when the stakes are high.

There will be plenty of analysis ahead of the fourth game in Baltimore, and ahead of a potential World Cup quarterfinal meeting against the All Blacks next year.

The Boks can and should improve across key departments.

But the biggest takeaway for Erasmus and company is that the players still have the ability to work the problem and win the big moments.