Springboks vs All Blacks

The Springbok coaches have a selection conundrum as to who will be in their back three against the All Blacks.

That resulted in a reshuffle of the backline, with Le Roux at full-back and Willemse moving to centre, which saw Lukhanyo Am shifting to right wing. Le Roux played off the bench to help rejuvenate the backline in the Pretoria Test – which saw Willemse shift to flyhalf after Elton Jantjies was replaced at half-time – and then came on in the first half in Cape Town following Kolbe’s injury. Willemse was somewhat of a surprise choice at No 15 as he had starred at inside centre in the Stormers’ charge to the United Rugby Championship title, where he dovetailed superbly with Gelant and flyhalf Manie Libbok in a thrilling, attacking style of play.

Fans are mourning New Zealand rugby's cherished aura of invincibility, but the harder truth is it may never come back.

The All Blacks of that time mount a compelling argument for New Zealand’s best-ever team. That’s something we’ve noticed it’s becoming harder and harder for us to find the players we need.” A golden All Blacks era masked creaks that have evolved into cracks. Six days of silence followed as the All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby held high-powered meetings behind closed doors. In the professional realm this year’s remodelled 12-team Super Rugby competition exposed a dearth of contrasting, confrontational styles. New Zealand rugby’s tipping point appears nigh.

Mils Muliaina and Stephen Donald reflect on the last time New Zealand battled South Africa in consecutive tests in the republic.

They’re a wonderful people outside of the bright lights, a lot have become great mates, but you put a Springbok jersey on them, they’re already about 6’8, and they become 7’8. “We hung in there, and at one stage late in the second half you felt like we were going to steal this after being on the back foot all day. “They do it so well and their trust in the game-plan is patient and relentless. A lot is talked about how the All Blacks can put 20 points on you in a flash, and these guys are the same. “They were bombing the hell out of us with their centres Fourie and de Villiers smacking you on the perfectly timed 28-metre kicks… You’ve got to be in it for the whole 80 minutes – one mistake, one missed high ball and they lift to another level, and when they’re riding in confidence they make you pay. “Hands down it’s the toughest assignment in rugby. They had dominated in Super Rugby. They’d found a game-plan that effectively was kick the ball accurately, chase it and put pressure on teams to make a mistake. You know going over there to expect a physical battle, an intense environment, a big buildup, but now they had the game-plan, and kicking game, to put us under so much pressure. They’re going to the hardest place to tour, but the most satisfying when you win, and they’re away from home where they’re criticised most. I like the way Fozzie has come out so assertive in what he wants now … but you've still got to put out a game-plan that everyone believes in. Donald started at No 10 in both South African tests in 2009 in the absence of Dan Carter while he recovered from an achilles rupture.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster is looking increasingly isolated. Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images. For all the talk of the All ...

An example is this armchair psychologist's observation that en route to their historic series defeat by Ireland – their first at home to the Irish – the New ...

Get 14 days free to read all our investigative and in-depth journalism. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. Subscribers can listen to this article