Potent blend in Wellington highlights Boks’ RWC threat
OPINION: The Springboks struck the perfect tactical balance against the All Blacks in Wellington to deliver their most emphatic attacking performance under Rassie Erasmus.
Analysis seems unnecessary at times like these.
When a team wins a World Cup Final, beats the British and Irish Lions or claims a rare win in New Zealand, the most important stat is the result.
Of course, there are other stats which cast a particular result in a more meaningful light.
Consider what the Boks achieved in New Zealand this past Saturday, when they thrashed the All Blacks 43-10 in Wellington.
Some may view that result as an affirmation of the Boks’ dominance. South Africa have won five of their last six matches against New Zealand.
Others will recognise it as only the fifth win on New Zealand soil in the professional era.
In that respect, the result is truly special, and the performance is simply the cherry on a rare and significant cake.
The Boks needed this win in New Zealand.
They needed a new story after the miracle in Wellington seven years ago, and they needed a result that reminded all and sundry why they are the best team in the world.
The 17-24 defeat in Auckland was disappointing, in that it was a missed opportunity to claim a rare win at Eden Park.
But when one takes the history of these fixtures into account, a single win from a two-game series in New Zealand must be viewed as a success.
The result and the 33-point margin will echo into eternity – and the group may reflect on that achievement in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup.
If you can win in New Zealand, you can win anywhere. Now, about that cherry on the cake.
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Perhaps it’s more significant than most are willing to admit. Perhaps the performance was nearly as important as the result.
Rassie Erasmus and his coaches came in for criticism after the loss in Auckland.
Some of the criticism was justified – the Boks were caught cold in several instances, and the line-out imploded – while the call for a new game plan was not.
Execution was the issue in Auckland, and if there was frustration in the aftermath, it stemmed from a missed opportunity at the New Zealand fortress.
When Erasmus made seven changes ahead of the Freedom Cup decider, many critics – myself included – questioned the balance of a backline featuring so many young players and untried combinations.
Nobody could have predicted those selections, and few if any would have bet on that particular team recording one of the most important results in Springbok history.
The how of that performance is important.
I must admit, when I saw Erasmus’ selections for the Test in Wellington, I feared that the Boks would attempt to run the All Blacks off their feet – and ultimately play into the Kiwis’ hands.
But in the end, the Boks produced one of their most balanced performances under Erasmus – and here the stats are particularly illuminating.
The attacking numbers make for pleasant reading.
Six tries and 43 points – new records on New Zealand soil – as well as 622 metres gained, 11 linebreaks, and 46 defenders beaten.
Looking at those stats, one may be tempted to believe that the Boks played with more attacking intent in Wellington, to the point where they forced passes and took chances.
And yet, it was a largely controlled performance, anchored by another fine scrummaging display as well as a much-improved breakdown and gainline effort.
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The final scoreline may suggest otherwise, but the game was shaped by a cagey tactical kicking contest, with the All Blacks kicking from hand on 30 occasions and the Boks putting boot to ball 31 times.
South Africa managed to fracture New Zealand with a series of well-directed box kicks and high bombs.
The decision of when and how to kick was excellent, and Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok and Damian Willemse in particular deserve high praise.
What’s more, the kick-chase – which has been a big feature of the Boks’ game, even in this new era of “Tonyball” – was at its best.
Cheslin Kolbe, Ethan Hooker and others won the race to the high ball as well as the ensuing aerial contest more often than not.
Overall, the Boks regained eight kicks and effectively created the opportunity to run against at a disorganised All Blacks defence.
In a sense, the Boks rediscovered their identity in Wellington.
It can’t be denied that they are playing with more width than ever, and throwing more passes and offloads than in previous seasons.
Yet they continue to play to their strengths, and when they get the balance right – as they did at the Cake Tin – there are few if any who can stop them.
The Boks have achieved their objective of a win in New Zealand, and will turn their attention to the remaining Rugby Championship matches against Argentina.
Whisper it, but they have the momentum now, and may realise their goal of defending the Rugby Championship title.
They will keep the next set of heavyweight clashes against France and Ireland in mind – and those teams will have noted how the Boks played in New Zealand.
Erasmus has also made it clear that the Boks are gunning for another World Cup title in 2027.
If they continue on their present trajectory, the Boks will be a far more rounded side by the time they arrive in Australia – and will be far more likely to become the first team in history to claim a World Cup hat-trick.
