All Blacks legend takes huge swipe at Springboks as Victor Matfield hits back
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Rivals.
All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan has taken a swipe at the Springboks’ style of rugby, admitting that watching South Africa “bores me to tears”.
The Springboks and All Blacks are locked at 1-1 in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry following South Africa’s 33-26 victory in Cape Town last weekend.
While New Zealand have looked to attack with ball in hand throughout the series, the Springboks have continued to lean heavily on their traditional strengths, including their kicking game, scrum, maul and physicality.
Speaking alongside Springbok legend Victor Matfield on the Rugby Rivals podcast, Kirwan praised the direction New Zealand are heading under Dave Rennie but admitted South Africa’s approach is not for him.
“I think the team is getting better; I love the style of play,” Kirwan said.
“I think a lot of South Africans who came up to me afterwards going, ‘yeah we won, but it’s great to see you guys playing rugby’.”
Kirwan pointed specifically to a period in Cape Town where South Africa repeatedly went to their kicking game.
“For 15 minutes of the game, all the Springboks did was kick box-kicks,” he added.
“Let’s talk about the philosophy of the game, the beautiful game which is something I think we all love, and I don’t think South Africa are particularly playing that.”
Matfield immediately pushed back on his former rival’s assessment.
“Why? There are different ways of playing the game. Everyone doesn’t have to play it the way you do,” Matfield said.
“In South Africa, we love a big scrum, going over guys, box-kick and winning it back.”
The former Springbok captain told Kirwan that both nations should be allowed to embrace their own rugby identities and see which approach comes out on top.
“You just keep to your way of playing, and we keep to what we do. Let your style beat us, then you’re fine, but don’t tell us our game isn’t right.”
Kirwan accepted Matfield’s argument but couldn’t resist another dig.
“I don’t disagree, Victor, but it just bores me to tears.”
Matfield then turned the criticism back on the All Blacks, questioning whether New Zealand’s approach is always as entertaining as Kirwan suggests.
“Doesn’t it bore you when you go for 15 phases across the field, left to right, right to left and don’t go anywhere?” he asked.
Kirwan ultimately acknowledged that the two nations simply have different rugby philosophies, describing South Africa as “awesome” at playing to their traditional DNA while arguing that New Zealand’s approach is higher risk.
The debate adds another layer to Saturday’s third Test at FNB Stadium, with the contrasting identities of the two great rivals once again set to collide with the series level at 1-1.
