It was a day to forget for the All Blacks as they faced a relentless onslaught from the Springboks, culminating in a staggering 43-10 defeat in Wellington. After a promising start that saw them leading 10-7 at halftime, New Zealand’s hopes were dashed as they succumbed to 36 unanswered points in a brutal second half. The loss marks the All Blacks' most severe beating on record.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson didn't mince words about the performance, conceding that his team was thoroughly outplayed. "We’ll take it on the chin," Robertson stated, reflecting on the game's dramatic shift after the break. The South Africans dominated the aerial duels and exploited the All Blacks' mistakes ruthlessly.
"They were clearly better in the second half, weren’t they? The second half, they won the aerial battle and the scraps. Too many penalties around the set piece, there were some really big moments there and the game got away."
Despite extensive preparations aimed at countering the Boks' renowned kicking and aerial game, Robertson admitted that the opposition simply outclassed them. "South Africa have probably been criticized for their aerial game and their kicking over the years, but they put so much value and so much time into that and the way they play and they get return on it, they’re just so good on it," he explained.
The Boks’ performance was a testament to their strategic focus and execution, which left the All Blacks scrambling and ultimately overwhelmed. Robertson praised the South African team's mastery over their game plan. "We did a lot of prep on it but they just owned that area and put so much pressure on us. Well done to them, they know their DNA."
The Springboks' victory not only handed them a record win but also catapulted them back to the top of the world rankings, a position they will be keen to solidify given their current form. The All Blacks, on the other hand, will have to go back to the drawing board, reflecting on their vulnerabilities and preparing to bounce back from this significant setback.