Springboks admit All Blacks tactic caused major problems in first Test
- Thomas Ramos hits out at rugby chiefs over major new rule change - September 14, 2026
- Damian Willemse makes blunt Springboks admission after All Blacks series win - September 14, 2026
- All Blacks hit out at multiple referee decisions following series defeat to Springboks - September 13, 2026
Breakdown.
The Springboks have identified New Zealand’s work at the breakdown as one of the major problems they must solve ahead of Saturday’s second Test in Cape Town.
Cobus Reinach admitted the All Blacks put South Africa under significant pressure at Ellis Park, with their attempts to slow down possession making life particularly difficult for the Springbok scrum-halves.
South Africa head to DHL Stadium trailing 1-0 in the four-Test Greatest Rivalry series following their 33-16 defeat in Johannesburg.
Reinach, who will start alongside Handre Pollard this weekend, explained how New Zealand attacked the Springboks at the breakdown rather than specifically targeting him and fellow scrum-half Grant Williams.
“I don’t think they targeted us as individuals as number nines; they went after our breakdowns quite hard and tried to slow down the ball with throwing their legs and other things,” Reinach said.
“We felt the pressure, and we knew we had to get the ball out somehow, and we have to work out ways around it.”
South Africa enjoyed periods of dominance during the opening Test but struggled to turn enough of their opportunities into points before New Zealand pulled clear during the final quarter.
Reinach believes the pressure created by the All Blacks also contributed to his yellow card during the closing stages at Ellis Park.
“They put us under pressure and made us do things that led to my yellow card.”
Reinach was one of two Springboks sent to the sin-bin during the final 11 minutes, alongside Marco van Staden, as South Africa’s challenge unravelled late in the contest.
Rather than dwelling on the defeat, Reinach says the Springboks have focused on identifying solutions to the problems New Zealand presented.
“The review after a loss is never good, but it’s learnings, and as long as we take the lessons and grow as a team, we will be in a good place.”
The Springboks have also attempted to recreate New Zealand’s breakdown pressure during training as they search for ways to produce cleaner and quicker possession in Cape Town.
“When we train, we try to emulate that, and try to figure out ways in which we can improve,” Reinach added.
South Africa have made changes for the second Test, with Reinach and Pollard forming a new starting half-back partnership as Rassie Erasmus looks for a response from his side.
The stakes are already significant. Victory would level the series at 1-1, while another All Blacks win would leave South Africa unable to win the four-Test series
