Why the Springboks Believe They Can Finally Conquer New Zealand at Eden Park

South African rugby fans don’t need reminding that New Zealand has been a graveyard for the Springboks for decades. Eden Park, in particular, looms like an unscalable fortress, with the Boks last tasting victory there way back in 1937. But something feels different in 2025. This time, the belief isn’t rooted in blind hope. It’s built on hard-earned knowledge.

From Hope to Hard Evidence

Former captain Jean de Villiers once said that the Boks of his era often went into clashes against the All Blacks armed with little more than hope. A rare win in 2014 at Ellis Park showed younger teammates like Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Willie le Roux that victory was possible but it wasn’t until Rassie Erasmus took charge in 2018 that the Springboks’ mindset truly shifted.

Since then, South Africa’s rivalry with New Zealand has been far more competitive. The famous 36-34 win in Wellington in 2018, a draw the following year, and victories in World Cup finals and Freedom Cup battles have all added to a growing sense that the All Blacks are no longer untouchable.

The Numbers Behind the Belief

Erasmus himself is quick to point out South Africa’s poor overall record in New Zealand only four wins in 26 matches since 1996. Yet, the current squad is stacked with players who’ve beaten the All Blacks in recent years.

From stalwarts like Etzebeth, Kolisi, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe to newer stars like Canan Moodie, Manie Libbok and Ox Nché, nearly 30 members of the touring party have already played a part in victories over New Zealand. That experience matters. This is no longer a squad that simply hopes to compete they know they can win.

The Eden Park Factor

Eden Park remains rugby’s most intimidating venue, a place where the All Blacks have built their legend. For South Africans, it’s a painful reminder of near-misses and heavy defeats. Yet, some of the Bok veterans were there as youngsters in 2013, soaking in the atmosphere and learning what it takes. This year, they return not as hopeful novices but as leaders of a World Cup-winning generation.

Social Media and Fan Buzz

On South African rugby Twitter and fan forums, the mood is mixed. Some warn against overconfidence, especially after the Boks’ disappointing loss to the Wallabies earlier in the Rugby Championship. Others argue that this side has earned the right to be optimistic. As one fan posted: “If we can beat the All Blacks in Paris, why not in Auckland?”

A Rivalry Rewritten

Strip away the weight of history and focus only on the past eight years, and the picture changes. The Boks have not only matched the All Blacks but in some stretches dominated them. The Freedom Cup, once a symbol of Kiwi supremacy, was lifted by South Africa in Cape Town last year for the first time since 2009.

This new chapter of the rivalry is not about hope. It’s about evidence, knowledge, and a squad brimming with players who have lived through triumphs over the men in black.

Can the Springboks Finally Do It?

Make no mistake: beating the All Blacks in New Zealand is still one of the hardest tasks in world sport. But for the first time in generations, the Springboks have more than history and passion to lean on. They have the knowledge, the scars, and the scoreboard to back them up.

If South Africa does rewrite the Eden Park story this September, it won’t be a miracle. It will be the logical next step in a rivalry that is finally balanced on the knife’s edge.

Source: Daily Maverick 

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com