RUGBY’S GREATEST RIVALRY: Backs to the wall as Springboks’ Rassie admits to being outsmarted by All Blacks

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus acknowledged that New Zealand's Dave Rennie outmaneuvered him and his staff during the first Greatest Rivalry Test match between the All Blacks and the Springboks. In a post-match interview, Erasmus admitted that the All Blacks' tactics had taken the Boks by surprise and that his team did not respond as effectively as it should have. The coach praised All Black coach Dave Rennie and his team, but indicated that not all was as it seemed, as the Boks failed to adapt to the new tactic.

Erasmus attributed the loss to many factors, including the All Blacks' attacking the ball in the tackle and the Boks' handling errors, which led to 23 turnovers. He also pointed out that the Boks turned the ball over 11 times in the All Blacks' 22-meter area, while the All Blacks made only nine visits to the Boks' 22-meter area, scoring an average of 3.6 points per entry. The Boks were also criticized for their poor execution, with the team failing to capitalize on numerous opportunities.

The coach's bench decisions were also questioned, as the lack of balance in the backline and the substitutions made by Erasmus throughout the game seemed to contribute to the team's decline. Notable performances included wing Kurt-Lee Arendse's concussion, wing André Esterhuizen and scrumhalf Cobus Reinach's deployment, and number eight Jasper Wiese's dominance.

However, the Boks will need to find a way to respond and turn their fortunes around for the second Test in Cape Town, as another loss could result in them falling short of the series victory.