Erasmus warns Springboks on All Blacks’ high‑tempo, breakdown threat

What Erasmus sees as the threat

Erasmus said the All Blacks are advocating “a high intensity, running game, with multi‑phase attacks,” and that this approach is visible in the statistics. He added that New Zealand coach Dave Rennie is “very sharp” and that the big battle will centre on each team having “total control of what they do with the ball” when they have possession.

On specific tactics, Erasmus highlighted the All Blacks’ physicality at the breakdown and their ability to take the ball through many phases before using dangerous attacking kicks. He said:

“What concerns us most is how physical and brutal they are at the breakdown. They take the ball through so many phases and then they put in a well‑timed grubber kick, their attacking kicks are as dangerous as when they have ball‑in‑hand.”

Expecting variations and hidden plans

Erasmus warned that the All Blacks would bring plans they did not show in the Nations Championship, including “little things, such as lineout variations, maybe a front peel or back peel move,” and noted that such moves have caught South Africa out before.

Recent meetings and preparation

The last time the teams met, Erasmus’ Springboks recorded a 43‑10 win in Wellington, which followed a loss in Auckland the week before. Erasmus said much has changed since then, pointing to the new All Blacks coaching team under Rennie and their renewed focus on traditional New Zealand strengths: speed, distribution between backs and forwards, and multi‑phase play.

Injury updates

Erasmus said he would name his team on Thursday and that the only two doubtful players in the Springboks squad were “Siya” (Siya Kolisi) and “Ox” (Ox Nche), who were “coming along well.” He said:

“I wouldn’t say either is confirmed out, but if they get through training today it could go either way. Apart from those two, everybody else is available.”

On the All Blacks’ side, the source notes that prop Ollie Norris became the fourth player ruled out of the tour, while utility back Damian McKenzie (ankle), winger Will Jordan (back) and scrumhalf Cam Roigard (calf) all had injury niggles.

Match details

The match kicks off at 17:10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.