TACTICAL SILENCE: Boks, All Blacks decline referee meetings due to new protocols

Both the All Blacks and the Springboks have declined meeting with referee Matt Carley before the first Test at Ellis Park due to new World Rugby protocols. These protocols strictly limit feedback to officials and prevent coaching staff from meeting with referees prior to a Test match without the opposing team's approval. The new rules, including the upload of a maximum of six clips and notes to World Rugby's Athlete Management System, have altered the way teams communicate with referees.

This change may limit the coaches' ability to address specific areas of concern and discuss tactics with the referee. All Blacks coach Dave Rennie and Springboks counterpart Rassie Erasmus confirmed that a pre-Test meeting is not possible under these new protocols. Despite the frustration from coaches, they trust the referees to handle the situation professionally and have opted to express their concerns through media conferences instead.