Beware of the wounded Springbok
After a disappointing opening to the Greatest Rivalry series, I expect the Springboks to regroup, trust the process and beat the All Blacks in Cape Town.
The Springboks suffered a disappointing opening to their Rugby Championship tour against the All Blacks, losing 23-13 in Cape Town. A key player, Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira, played 117 Tests and 20 against the All Blacks, contributing to two Rugby Championship wins and the 2019 World Cup. After a tough start, the Springboks must regroup, acknowledge their mistakes, and work to fix them before facing the All Blacks again in Cape Town.
The All Blacks, buoyed by their strong start, will seek to build on their confidence and momentum from the first Test. Dave Rennie's team will likely be looking to capitalize on the belief and momentum they gained in Johannesburg at Ellis Park as they prepare to face the Boks at DHL Stadium. A strong set-piece performance could be crucial for the Boks, as the All Blacks demonstrated their potency with clinical entries into the Springboks' 22-metre area.
George Bower's introduction in the second half proved influential for the All Blacks, suggesting the Boks could benefit from sustained play from Ox Nché, who showed devastating potential in the first half. Ultimately, the Boks need to convert their opportunities and ensure they do not lose the series, while the All Blacks aim to not only avoid defeat but also maintain their unbeaten streak.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
