All Blacks v Springboks: Five takeaways as New Zealand had ‘no answers’ to ‘recalibrated’ world champions
Springboks wing Cheslin Kolbe impressed with two tries.
Following a 43-10 victory for the Springboks over the All Blacks at Sky Stadium in Wellington, here’s our five takeaways from Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash.
The top line
Stung by huge criticism at home and elsewhere, South Africa responded in the style of world champions as they delivered a composed and physical performance to secure a record win over New Zealand in Wellington, their biggest ever victory on New Zealand soil.
The Springboks controlled the opening 20 minutes, dominated the breakdown and forced the All Blacks into repeated defensive resets. Cheslin Kolbe scored twice, Damian Willemse added one, Kwagga Smith finished a flowing move started by Ethan Hooker, while RG Snyman and Andre Esterhuizen also crossed late on. Manie Libbok kicked 13 points and managed territory with accuracy as he was pressed into action early on.
This was more than a win, it was a response. After a poor showing in Auckland, Rassie Erasmus made seven changes, dropped senior players and restructured the backline. The criticism had been sharp; questions around cohesion, tempo and leadership were valid, and in Wellington, South Africa answered with clarity. Siya Kolisi returned as captain, Cobus Reinach controlled tempo, and the Bomb Squad closed the game with power and precision.
But it may have been very different; New Zealand started well, scoring through debutant Leroy Carter, but had no answers once momentum shifted. Discipline faltered, tackles were missed, and the defensive shape fractured under pressure. Billy Proctor and Carter showed glimpses of promise, but the broader issues remain unresolved.
The Freedom Cup returned to South Africa, not through emotion, but through structure. Springboks didn’t just react; to their credit they adjusted, recalibrated and delivered a performance that matched the scale of the occasion.
Reflection and adjustment
South Africa’s performance in Wellington was shaped by calm refinement and intelligent adjustment of strategy rather than overhaul.
The defeat in Auckland had exposed tactical gaps and raised questions around cohesion, particularly in the final quarter. Erasmus responded not with wholesale change, but with targeted refinements. Roles were clearer, combinations more balanced, and execution more consistent.
Those opening 20 minutes set the tone. South Africa controlled territory, won collisions and forced New Zealand into early defensive shifts. Kolbe’s intercept try came from pressure rather than risk, and the back-row, Kolisi, Jasper Wiese and Pieter-Steph du Toit, set a physical benchmark that held throughout.
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The Freedom Cup added context. Introduced in 2004 to mark 10 years of democratic South Africa, it has become a fixture in the rivalry with New Zealand. It may not be the most prominent trophy, but it carries weight between two champion sides. In World Cup years, it’s decided in a single Test. In Wellington, that Test mattered; not just for the result, but for what it said about South Africa’s ability to respond to recent criticism.
Selection reflected intent. The Bomb Squad was primed to control the final 30 minutes. Reinach and Kolbe brought tempo and edge, Du Toit’s lineout work and Wiese’s carrying gave continuity, and Kolisi was central – nine tackles, two turnovers, and a key offload in the build-up to Smith’s try.
Libbok and Willemse really delivered big shifts as they both made a huge impact on the match. Willemse made 17 metres from three carries, beat four defenders and completed six passes at 86 per cent accuracy. His positional flexibility allowed South Africa to shift shape late on. Libbok assisted one try, found touch twice under pressure and managed the final 10 minutes with calm distribution. Together, they brought balance and composure.
This wasn’t just a statement win. It was a measured response to a poor performance, shaped by context and delivered with clarity. South Africa didn’t chase redemption; they showed they had learned, adjusted and moved forward, delivering a record scoreline in a composed and complete performance.
Kolbe masterclass
Kolbe’s performance in Wellington was decisive and influential, a display built on timing, positioning and execution.
His first try came from a clean intercept, stepping into Proctor’s pass with control and finishing untouched. It shifted momentum, not just on the scoreboard but in the tempo of the match. His second came from a support line off Reinach’s break, staying connected and finishing with balance under pressure. Both scores reflected system awareness, with a seasoning of Kolbe’s individual flair.
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He carried 13 times for 108 metres, beat five defenders and made one clean break. His aerial work was outstanding for a player of 1.72 metres, winning four contests under the high ball and providing clean possession in exit zones. His tries will make the headlines, but his aerial contribution allowed South Africa to manage territory and apply pressure without overplaying.
Kolbe’s influence extended beyond the scoresheet. His chase lines forced hurried kicks, his defensive reads narrowed New Zealand’s options, and his presence on the edge kept the All Blacks honest in their press defence. He made 10 tackles, stayed error free, and remained connected in a defensive system that asked him to cover both depth and width.
His night ended after a shoulder charge from Tupou Vaa’i, which went unpunished but removed South Africa’s most composed back. By then, Kolbe had already shaped the outcome with clarity and control.
Bok clarity
South Africa’s improvement in Wellington was built on clarity of role and timing of impact. The Bomb Squad delivered exactly what was required. Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Wilco Louw stabilised the scrum, winning four penalties in the final half hour, while Snyman and Smith added tempo and physicality.
The turning point came from a clean lineout take by Du Toit, who had already stolen two throws. From that platform, Hooker broke through midfield, drawing defenders and creating space. Reinach recycled quickly, Kolisi straightened, and when the ball was kicked wide, Du Toit gathered on the edge and offloaded inside for Smith to finish.
Esterhuizen’s arrival was immediate. His first touch broke the midfield and forced a fold in the All Black defence, setting up the sequence that led to Kolbe’s second try. Reinach controlled tempo throughout, passing crisply and managing the short side with intelligence. Kolisi was again central – nine tackles, two turnovers and a key offload in the build-up to Smith’s try.
With Snyman grabbing a try, he’ll be the first to credit his back-row, and in particular, his number eight. Wiese was relentless. He carried 17 times for 82 metres, beat three defenders and made 11 tackles. His ability to generate momentum and recycle quickly gave South Africa continuity in areas where they had struggled in Auckland.
Willemse added balance in the final quarter, covering ground and linking play with minimal fuss. Libbok brought control off the bench when he replaced Feinberg-Mngomezulu, delivering two touch finders, one assist and a composed final 10 minutes. This was not a reactive performance. It was a structured response, built on bench impact, defensive clarity and a clear plan to stretch New Zealand late.
All Black humiliation
New Zealand’s performance in Wellington was disjointed, lacking resilience and physicality. Their record loss will be a moment of reckoning for this proud team.
14 penalties conceded, 26 missed tackles and two lineouts lost told the story of a side unable to absorb pressure or reset under duress. South Africa’s physicality and bench impact exposed structural gaps, and the 43-10 defeat marked the All Blacks’ heaviest ever home loss to the Springboks.
The opening quarter offered some control. Carter opened the scoring, and Barrett’s kicking game created field position. The defensive line held until Kolbe’s interception shifted momentum.
From that point, New Zealand had no answers. Their exit strategy faltered, the breakdown was second best, and defensive shape narrowed under pressure. A shoulder charge from Vaa’i on Kolbe went unpunished, but it was the kind of contact that often sees a yellow card. South Africa capitalised immediately, scoring twice in quick succession and taking control of the contest. The response to criticism from the South African media was clear — wave after wave of green and gold pressure.
There were a couple of positives. Proctor defended well, making nine tackles without error and contributing to the kick chase that led to Jordan going close. Carter, on debut, showed glimpses of his sevens pedigree. He beat two defenders, made 38 metres from five carries and competed well under the high ball. His knock-on under pressure was costly, but his work rate and positioning were encouraging.
This was a performance with early control but lacking consistency. The positives were isolated. The broader issues – discipline, defensive cohesion and bench impact – remained unresolved across 80 frustrating minutes.
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