The Springboks look a shadow of the side they were last year, whilst the All Blacks are on an upward curve as they put the Springboks to the sword with a 31-17 victory in Wellington.

Springboks 17

Tries: Danie Rossouw, Schalk Burger
Conversions: Morne Steyn (2)
Penalty: Morne Steyn

All Blacks 31

Tries: Ma’a Nonu, Mils Muliaina, Rene Ranger, Israel Dagg
Conversion: Dan Carter
Penalties: Dan Carter (2), Piri Weepu


The Boks were completely outplayed in all facets of the game as they produced their second loss in 2 weeks as they were bullied into submission by a motivated All Blacks side.

The All Blacks were stung last year in losing all 3 test matches to the Boks, and have shown they were hurt immensely by those results. Even a poor Super 14 has not stopped their side from collectively being single minded in their desire to hit the Boks hard and show the world who is the number 1.

What has been surprising is the downward spiral this Bok side has shown. They’ve allowed themselves to be dominated by the All Blacks, meekly surrendering their mental edge by inept performances, and seeking excuses to justify their poor performances.

Last week after the Eden park debacle, Jean de Villiers vowed the Boks would bounce back as he said, “I definitely think we’re too good to produce back-to-back performances like that.” If anything Wellington was even worse than Auckland.

At least in Auckland conditions were good. In wet conditions in Wellington, the All Blacks showed their skill levels were vastly superior as it did not stop them running the ball from all over the field and making the Bok defence look woeful.

The Boks for their part have looked one dimensional in their attacking approach. Last week John Smit said it was not the tactics that were to blame, it was the execution. He is right, although when you rely on a kick and hope strategy to attack from, it is no wonder they have rarely asked a question of the All Black defence.

The Springboks were harshly handled by referee Alain Lewis who let the All Blacks slow down the Bok ball, as evidenced by their second try to Mils Muliaina. Jaque Fourie went to ground and Conrad Smith illegally raked the ball back as he did not release the tackler. Ricky Januarie was then at fault as rather than tidy the ball up, he kicked it straight to the All Blacks who counter attacked brilliantly to score.

After the game Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said “I don’t want to discuss the officials in public, but I am frustrated at the moment. We go around the world for conferences about the laws and then I don’t understand what happens at the ground. The only thing a coach can ask for is consistency.”

However if the Springboks were brutally honest, they have failed to pitch up in their two Tri-nations encounters and that has caused their losses. If you don’t match the All Blacks physically up front, you will never win. The Boks have been smashed in the forward battle, and that has allowed the All Blacks time and space to run at them. There are only so many tackles a side can make. And if the intensity is not there on defence, you’ll struggle all day.

An 8 try to 2 drubbing in the 2 games is testament to the fact that the Boks have not asked enough questions of the All Black defence. It comes down to being man-handled at the breakdown and trying to attack from slow, static ball. It is hard to gain momentum, and the Bok attack has looked ordinary because of it.

The Springboks may not win the Tri-nations this year, as they now head to Brisbane, a venue they struggle terribly at. As much as we all hurt from these defeats, it’s not the end of the world however if we can use these matches to learn the lessons that will prepare us to win the Rugby World Cup in 2011. To do that however, the Boks need to be honest with themselves and become better, not bitter.

Springbok Player Ratings from the test in Wellington