‘Absolutely terrifying’
Dustin Wetdewich, Nova News
“What looked comfortable at 33-19 with nine minutes remaining became absolutely terrifying as the All Blacks scored seven points and threw everything at a Springbok[s] side desperately trying to close out a match that swung from clinical dominance to nail-biting desperation.
“When the final whistle blew, relief washed over the home crowd. The Springboks had delivered the response Rassie Erasmus demanded after Ellis Park’s horror show, playing with intensity, accuracy and the kind of clinical edge that was completely absent six days earlier.
“But they made it harder than it needed to be and the All Blacks’ refusal to surrender nearly produced another famous comeback.”
‘Far from perfect’
Craig Ray, Daily Maverick
“A ferocious first-half onslaught by the Springboks was enough to withstand a late rally by the All Blacks in a pulsating encounter that underlined the intensity of the old rivalry in 80 riveting minutes.
“The Boks, stunned by a 33-16 loss in the first test at Ellis Park, ripped into the New Zealanders from the outset and laid down a marker.
“There would be no soft moments on this day as they deservedly took the spoils to inflict a first defeat on new All Black[s] coach Dave Rennie in his ninth outing.
“It was far from perfect, but the intensity was higher and in the first half, they wasted far fewer chances than a week earlier.”
‘The Boks are back’
Gerard Meagher, the Guardian
“The Boks are back. Level at one apiece in the series after a return to what they do best. Blending power and directness, blood and thunder, to edge far enough ahead of New Zealand and withstand a gutsy comeback from the All Blacks. Throw in some brazen mischief from Rassie Erasmus, who swapped his entire front row just an hour before kickoff, and this was much closer to a trademark Springboks performance, after they were unrecognisable a week ago.
“South Africa were far from flawless but constantly ferocious. It was not a knockout blow – not least given how the All Blacks finished the match – but it was some counterpunch after last week’s humbling. The third test is scheduled for Johannesburg but they may consider relocating to Manila.”
The All Blacks sing the national anthem ahead of the second test against the Springboks. Photo / Photosport
‘Clinical execution’
Clinton Van Der Berg, SA Rugby Magazine
“It was a flex of coaching muscle, timing a personnel switch to maximise pressure on a fraying New Zealand pack. Depending on where you sit, Erasmus’ switch was either shrewd game management or something closer to cynical, but nobody can argue it did not work.
“Crucially, South Africa converted every 22m entry into points in the first half, a marked improvement on last week’s wastefulness at Ellis Park, where clinical finishing deserted them at the crucial moments. This time, power was blended with aggression at the collision and clinical execution followed.”
‘Wasteful’
Jared Wright, Planet Rugby
“After being incredibly ruthless in attack in Johannesburg, Dave Rennie’s men were far more wasteful in Cape Town, averaging 2.8 points per entry into South Africa’s 22. Still, it was mightily impressive how the men in black were able to tear the Boks’ defence to shreds when it mattered.
“New Zealand clearly targeted Kriel in the first half and got huge benefit from it, with Jordan skinning both Bok[s] centres before sending Roigard over. McKenzie and Carter’s scores were equally breathtaking but the All Blacks’ biggest issues wasn’t the attack misfiring from far out, but in close.
“Far too often, they also overplayed their hand, forced the attack and conceded a penalty, which would have all been avoidable if they kicked instead.
“Furthermore, it’s clear as day that when the Springboks have their best front row on the park, the All Blacks simply don’t have an answer. Rennie may have had a word with World Rugby about South Africa’s scrum tactics but once Nche and Marx were injected into the game, [referee] Angus Gardner’s arm was raised in South Africa’s favour time and time again.”
All Blacks fullback Damian McKenzie scores against South Africa in Cape Town Photo / SmartFrame
‘Little separating the teams’
Jacques van der Westhuyzen, The Citizen
“Though the Boks were outscored four tries to three, Cheslin Kolbe’s excellent kicking from the tee ensured the home team got across the line.
“The Boks were more clinical than last week in Jo’burg, where they scored just one try to the five by the visitors.
“There was little separating the teams in the forward exchanges, with no one really getting the better of the other in the set pieces. Both teams also played well with their backs.”