While the Springboks are trying to navigate a crippling lock crisis, the All Blacks are confident that they can match the South Africans’ physicality in their upcoming Rugby Championship encounters.
The Springboks are sweating over the fitness of Eben Etzebeth ahead of Saturday’s first match at Ellis Park, while locks RG Snyman and Salmaan Moerat have joined Franco Mostert, Jean Kleyn and Jason Jenkins on the sidelines after the trip to Australia.
The All Blacks made the trip without lock Patrick Tuipulotu, but the experienced Scott Barrett is back from a finger injury and help guide newbies Tupou Vaa’i, Sam Darry and Josh Lord during their South African safari.
The All Blacks have lost the experience of seasoned second rowers such as Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, but assistant coach Jason Ryan says they are confident the young guns can rise to the challenge.
“We've got some new cattle in there now with the experienced boys that we lost, but we've been impressed with how the boys are buying into our system,” said Ryan.
“Our lineout boys have done a great job, especially Toops [Tupou Vaa'i] in the last couple of weeks.
“Toops has done an outstanding job. One of the great things I admire about him is his work during the week, which sets him up to play well. He's a reasonably experienced lock now. He's learnt a lot from Brodie Retallick at the Chiefs. He set them up, as did Sam Whitelock when he was in the All Blacks.
Ryan said the All Blacks gained plenty from last year's Rugby World Cup warm-up loss to the Springboks at Twickenham, in addition to the experience he gained in the 2022 and 2023 Rugby Championships.
Ryan added that, after the last few seasons' experiences, the All Blacks were confident in their abilities.
“They dinged us up pretty fiercely. It's the best contest you can judge yourself in, especially in the forwards. That's where the contest is won or lost,” Ryan said.
“They're clear and haven't got too much clutter because when you're playing in this arena, it's the best to test yourself.
“What I've learned is removing a little bit of stuff during the week helps them execute under pressure.”
Vaa'i said he was looking forward to testing himself against the Springboks and was keen to see the side build on their best start this season in the second Test against Argentina.
The All Blacks shot out of the blocks in Auckland following defeat against Los Pumas in Wellington. They were certainly a lot more clinical in their execution upfront in the forwards and in the backs.
“It gives you a lot of confidence heading into the back end of the game, to let the shackles off and just do your thing,” said Vaa'i.
Vaa'i prepared for the clash against the Springboks by absorbing all the information and then backing his abilities and strengths to match South Africa's physicality for 80 minutes.
"From my experience being here, they'll never stop and never go away. They've got a strong set piece which is something we're focusing on this weekend."
@JohnGoliath82