{
  "id": 1211731,
  "title": "Codie Taylor: All Blacks now ‘set up nicely’ for Springboks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/codie-taylor-all-blacks-now-set-up-nicely-for-springboks",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-16T06:06:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/codie-taylor-all-blacks-set-up-nicely-springboks/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor stated that three recent matches against South African teams have effectively prepared his team for their upcoming four Tests against the Springboks. Taylor made this remark following the All Blacks' 50-19 victory over the Bulls in Johannesburg, their 38-21 win over the Stormers in Cape Town, and their 54-0 triumph over the Sharks in Durban. These victories all occurred within an eight-day span. The All Blacks are now set to face the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday, followed by a final game against one of South Africa’s United Rugby Championship teams, the Lions, next Tuesday. Afterward, they will play three Tests against the Springboks – two in South Africa and one in the United States, concluding the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series. While player of the match, All Black flanker Anton Segner, noted that the scoreboard didn't fully capture the intensity of the game against the Bulls, Taylor emphasized that the Springboks would have a different tempo and physicality in Test matches. Taylor, who was New Zealand’s third captain in three games due to Ardie Savea's absence, said that the Springboks would likely lift the tempo and physicality during the series. He also scored two tries during the recent match. Taylor admitted that the Bulls put the All Blacks under pressure at times, but suggested that the team needed to improve executing their opportunities better in future games. Segner added that the Bulls displayed significant physicality, scoring three tries in the second half of the match. Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee, who scored one of those tries, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play against the All Blacks, acknowledging that the intensity they bring is above what the Bulls are accustomed to in the URC. Coetzee stated that they managed to stay in the fight despite the challenge, but complimented the All Blacks for their system, which proved effective during the match. Coetzee also assured the Bulls that they would not make excuses about facing the second-best team in the world.",
  "summary": "'No disrespect to the Bulls... but I can imagine the Springboks are looking at this and thinking [they] are going to lift the tempo and physicality.'",
  "key_points": [
    "All Blacks won three recent matches against South African teams in eight days",
    "Codie Taylor, All Blacks hooker, predicts Springboks will have different tempo",
    "Taylor scored two tries in recent Bulls match, set for four Tests series"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The All Blacks' recent victories over South African teams have provided them a strong foundation to face the Springboks, whose expected increase in tempo and physicality will test their execution and resilience.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}