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<\/a> <\/p>\nFormer Springboks flanker Schalk Burger has predicted that South Africa<\/a> will replicate their Wellington<\/a> game plan when they face the All Blacks<\/a> in next month\u2019s Test series.<\/p>\n After losing 24-17 to the All Blacks at Eden Park, the Springboks flipped the script with a new-look line-up and returned to beat the All Blacks 43-10 in Wellington the following week.<\/p>\n Key to the dominant win was the aerial supremacy by the Springboks, using the high ball through Mannie Libbok to put the home side under pressure repeatedly.<\/p>\n Burger highlighted that throughout July, none of the All Blacks\u2019 opponents tested them out through the air effectively.<\/p>\n \u201cNone of the teams that they\u2019ve played against have really challenged them in an aerial kicking game. The French game, it\u2019s a long kick, a long kick. Ireland, this past weekend, didn\u2019t get involved in a kicking battle,\u201d he told the panel on the Boks Unpacked X The Verdict podcast.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a different game when you\u2019re running back and against the Springboks. You think of that Wellington Test match last year, under the high ball, that was ultimately where the Boks dominated. The Boks will come with the same game plan.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is going to be such a fascinating format series because we don\u2019t have those opportunities anymore. You know the All Blacks will be better for it by the third or fourth game.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first two games, if the Springboks keep on improving, we\u2019ll put them under immense pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n The All Blacks have implemented new tactics to deal with the high ball after the escort rules have changed, preferring to use the retreating winger as the primary catcher when they can.<\/p>\n New first five-eighth Ruben Love has been secure in the backfield the few times he was required to, with Will Jordan and Josh Moorby fielding the lion share of kicks.<\/p>\n Although confident of South Africa\u2019s prospects coming into the series, Burger conceded that the Boks haven\u2019t felt pressure on defence so far in 2026 after games against England, Scotland<\/a> and Wales.<\/p>\n The All Blacks are playing a high possession game with long phase counts, which will require the defence to tackle well.<\/p>\n \u201cDefensively, we weren\u2019t put under a lot of pressure [in the Nations Championship<\/a> so far],\u201d Burger said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we come up against the All Blacks, and if they play like they currently are, we\u2019re going to be making 160, 180 tackles, so tackle success rate is one area to improve.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd also, do you have the ability to have that intensity and line speed all the time? That\u2019s a different challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite claiming that they haven\u2019t been put under pressure, the Springboks conceded 31 points against the Barbarians, 21 against England, 28 against Scotland before holding Wales<\/a> to nil in their final July outing.<\/p>\n![\"Video](\"https:\/\/postview.rugbypass.com\/images\/video-player\/spacer-new.png\")
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