Boklash puts All Blacks under pressure ahead of Jozi showdown
REACTION: The pressure has now shifted to the All Blacks.
That is the view of Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus after South Africa fought back from their Ellis Park defeat to beat New Zealand 33-26 in the second Test of the Greatest Rivalry at DHL Stadium.
The victory levelled the series at 1-1 and ensured the Springboks retained their No. 1 position in the world rankings.
The Boks were outscored four tries to three, but a flawless kicking performance by Cheslin Kolbe, who landed four penalty kicks and three conversions.
New Zealand’s defeat was their first of 2026 and ended head coach Dave Rennie’s eight-match unbeaten run since taking charge of the All Blacks.
For South Africa, the victory was a huge relief after the pressure that had built following their 16-33 defeat to New Zealand at Ellis Park in the opening Test.
A second defeat would have ended the Springboks’ hopes of winning the Greatest Rivalry series.
Erasmus admitted that he felt the pressure going into the Cape Town Test and believes the All Blacks will now experience a similar feeling heading into the decider.
“You lose and you go to No.2 in the world, and then next weekend you play against the No. 1 team in the world,” Erasmus told reporters after the match.
“We as the Springbok squad, players, coaches, management team, the respect we have for the All Blacks has always been the team that we admire and aspire to. And when they beat us in a game, we’re down, we’re sad, but then we try and make plans.”
Erasmus understands why expectations around the Springboks are so high.
“So, 100% understand the pressure, why people are upset, because who wants to support a losing team? Nobody in South Africa is supporting anything that’s not working.
“I think a loss here and there, you’re obviously not a losing team immediately, but it’s when you’re going on that run-off and the pressure’s on. So, of course I felt the pressure.
“I think the players will tell you I felt the pressure. I always try not to put it onto them, but I was nervous. I know Dave [Rennie] got probably nine years on me. I see he’s also a November baby, so we’re both Scorpions. So, I think that’s why he’s able to work me out.
“But, I mean, he’s experienced. He would keep the team calm, and he’ll do it now with his first loss.
“They’ll be a little bit under pressure. He’s an experienced coach, and he’ll feel what we felt last week.”
Despite the victory, Erasmus was quick to praise New Zealand and warned that the Springboks will have to improve significantly before the third Test.
“We must make sure that we do not go and comfort everybody, because there was a lot of shit things that we did,” Erasmus stated.
“The one thing we immediately all agreed in the changing room was this is a really good New Zealand team.
“I’m not even talking about after last week, because this week I thought we did a lot of things much better, and they improved on a lot of things.
“I can tell you factually now, this is not the same New Zealand team that played last year against us. It’s a different team.
“They attack with width, get offloads away. They are really well coached, and they’ve got athletes that can beat you in a game.
“So, the only thing you do in the half, the start was great for us, because normally New Zealand get a great start, so that was job done first.
“But you know, if they kept the ball another two phases, it might have been a draw.
“So, some of our plans worked and some didn’t.”
With the series locked at 1-1, the Greatest Rivalry now heads to Johannesburg for the third and final Test on South African soil.
