Springboks whacked as ‘stupid’ as All Blacks go top of the world
Seething Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus made four changes to his starting lineup after losing the world’s No.1 ranking to the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
New Zealand’s stunning 33-16 upset of the world champions on Sunday (AEST) was a record margin of defeat for South Africa at their famed Johannesburg fortress.
New Zealand celebrate beating South Africa at Ellis Park. Getty Images
Erasmus reacted by dropping No.10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to the bench after a poor performance in the first Test.
Clutch goalkicker Handrè Pollard will form a new play-making pairing with fellow veteran Cobus Reinach after halfback Grant Williams was ruled out with an ankle injury.
Star winger Cheslin Kolbe (hamstring/ankle) has been replaced by Ethan Hooker while iconic captain Siya Kolisi will return at openside flanker if he can get through training.
Kolisi has been battling a hamstring injury and Erasmus opted for young gun Paul de Villiers in the first of four Tests.
Pieter-Steph du Toit led the Springboks in his absence.
“Paul played well on Saturday and there’s no reason why we should keep him out,” Erasmus said.
“But Siya is our captain. There were lots of times that we played badly, not because they (All Blacks) did anything illegal, but we couldn’t get the ball away out of the breakdown when we were in really good attacking positions.
“Siya’s really good at that. And then he’s really good at getting us from defence - him and Pieter-Steph together, we call it ‘the gates’ - they’re well-organised in the defensive sets in the gates. That was definitely something which we lacked.
“But Paul will just get better. He’s only played four matches. I think Siya will definitely help us in those two areas.”
South Africa appeared to have New Zealand on the ropes with their dominant scrum before a remarkable late-game counterpunch from Dave Rennie’s tourists, who scored five tries to one.
“Most of the things we inflicted on ourselves, and that’s frustrating,” Erasmus said.
“We are irritated with each other inside the camp. We’ve got a big hiding of 17 points. When they got the two, three opportunities, like New Zealand most of the years in the past, they converted. We are angry with each other. The coaches did and said stupid things. The players did stupid things on the pitch.
“Me personally, I made wrong calls on some of the tactics we wanted to try and do inside their 22. It didn’t work and that’s on me.”
Erasmus also made five changes to his bench, including the recall of 39-year-old utility forward Deon Fourie.
The All Blacks, meanwhile, have a tour game against the Lions on Wednesday (AEST) to navigate before the second Test.
Veteran Richie Mo’unga will represent his country for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final after being named to start at No.10.
The 32-year-old was called up as an injury replacement in an effort by Rennie to integrate him into the squad a year out from the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
“One reason for coming back (from Japan) was obviously to win a World Cup, but to not have any regrets of ‘geez, I wish I had given it another crack’ or maybe there was a bit more to give,” Mo’unga said.
“I’ve just come back really grateful. I knew I missed it, but coming back in, you realise this is a really special circle to be in. I’m just really savouring every moment and just not going to take these things for granted.”
Rennie also confirmed that forwards Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord would miss the second Test with concussion after clashing heads at Ellis Park.
Prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and lock Jamie Hannah have been summoned as cover.
Flanker Anton Segner has also been ruled out after being a late scratching for the first Test.
Segner has a swollen ankle which has been assessed as acute inflammatory arthritis.
“He went into hospital for another checkup. I will be a bit clearer by tonight,” Rennie said.
Simon Parker took Segner’s place on the bench in Johannesburg.
Lions team to play All Blacks (15-1): Quan Horn, Kelly Mpeku, Henco van Wyk, Richard Kriel, Erich Cronje, Chris Smith, Nico Steyn, Francke Horn (c), Batho Hlekani, Siba Mahashe, Ruan Delport, Etienne Oosthuizen, Sebastian Lombard, PJ Botha, SJ Kotze
Reserves: Morne Brandon, Boan Venter, RF Schoeman, Hyron Andrews, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, JC Pretorius, Haashim Pead, Boeta Chamberlain
All Blacks team to play Lions (15-1): Beauden Barrett, Fehi Fineanganofo, Rieko Ioane, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Emoni Narawa, Richie Mo’unga, Noah Hotham, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Ethan Blackadder, Wallace Sititi, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Pasilio Tosi, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Siale Lauaki
Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Saula Mau, Jamie Hannah, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Josh Jacomb, Anton Lienert-Brown
Springboks team to play All Blacks (15-1): Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker, Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit (c), Siya Kolisi/Paul de Villiers, Ruan Nortjé, Eben Etzebeth, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nché
Reserves: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, André Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morné van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
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Men’s rugby world rankings
- New Zealand – 94.03
- South Africa – 92.21
- Ireland – 88.08
- France – 87.43
- England – 85.68
- Scotland – 84.78
- Argentina – 83.13
- Australia – 82.67
- Fiji – 78.00
- Wales – 76.38
