Victor Matfield says the All Blacks will be tested by the Springboks’ “aggressive defence” in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
Under new coach Dave Rennie, New Zealand scored at least five tries in each of their three Nations Championship wins against France, Italy and Ireland.
However, as Matfield pointed out during the Rivals podcast, the All Blacks have yet to face a defence like the Boks in 2026.
RENNIE: Boks a different beast
“The one thing they haven’t been able to consistently get right is to play against this rush defence and, again, they haven’t faced it so far this year, so it’s nicer going to the outside channels,” said the former Bok lock.
“I actually showed a few clips on our show where Ireland’s wingers are hanging back, giving you opportunities, whereas for South Africa the guy will be up there, in their face. It will be a completely different picture they see when they attack against South Africa.
“It’s easy to go into the outside channels if guys are giving it to you.
“Against South Africa you either have to go over the top or the kicking game will need to come into play, so it will be a different picture when you have ball in hand.”
“You’re only as good as your opposition and I think this South African team is at such a level that it’s very difficult for anyone to put them under pressure,” Matfield said.
“I think South Africa, France and New Zealand are just at a different level at the moment. I think they’re a step ahead of everyone else.”
SCHALK: Boks can’t be making 180 tackles
Appearing alongside Matfield, former All Blacks wing John Kirwan said he was “excited” by the potential of Rennie’s side.
“I don’t think this All Blacks team has hit its straps yet, I think we’ve seen pieces of it. The second half against Ireland was a fatigue thing, to play the style of rugby that we want to play you need to play it [consistently],” he said.
“You can do all the fitness work you want but actually translating that onto the field means you’ve got to play like that for 80 minutes. You’ve got to have the courage to run it from your 22 with three minutes to go.
“This All Blacks teams hasn’t hit its straps yet, so that’s what excites me.
“I don’t think either side has really been tested yet, I think we’ve had a little bit better preparation just because of France as France really put us under the pump.
“I just cannot wait, this is going to be absolutely epic.”
HANSEN: How All Blacks can beat Boks
Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images
The post Big Vic: Boks will be in All Blacks’ faces appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Victor Matfield says the All Blacks will be tested by the Springboks’ “aggressive defence” in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
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