Dave Rennie Gives Surprising Verdict on Springboks-All Blacks Gap After Second Defeat

• The All Blacks coach has offered a revealing assessment after another closely fought battle with the Springboks
• New Zealand had chances to take control before South Africa produced a decisive spell after half-time
• Rennie believes key moments, rather than a major difference in quality, shaped the result

Dave Rennie believes the Springboks and All Blacks remain much closer than their recent results might suggest after New Zealand suffered a second defeat in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

South Africa won 29-24 at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 5 September 2026, to take a 2-1 lead. The All Blacks led 17-12 early in the second half but could not hold on to their advantage.

Rennie said the contest ultimately turned on crucial moments.

“I don’t think there was much in it, even in the first Test, which we won convincingly on the scoreboard in the end,” Rennie said, according to SA Rugby Magazine.

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“It comes down to key moments. But I still don’t think the gap between the two teams is very big at all.”

Springboks seized the momentum

New Zealand had enjoyed success by playing at speed during the opening half. Rennie felt that approach had caused problems for South Africa's forwards.

“We were able to play at a high tempo in the first half and we saw a lot of their big men struggling with that,” he said.

However, errors then handed the Springboks opportunities to apply pressure through their scrum and maul.

After Kriel restored South Africa’s lead, Malcolm Marx scored from a powerful lineout maul to make it 26-17.

Rennie identified that passage as decisive.

“We made a few errors that slowed the game down into scrum penalties and gave them field position,” he explained.

All Blacks face final chance in Baltimore

The defeat leaves New Zealand needing victory in Baltimore next weekend to draw the series. However, injuries have complicated their task. Captain Ardie Savea will miss the final Test after suffering a shoulder injury, while Quinn Tupaea and Luke Jacobson have also been ruled out.

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Despite the setbacks, Rennie praised his players and believes they can respond.

“I can guarantee the changing room is pretty gutted right now,” he said. “But our mindset will be to bounce back next week.”

South Africa, meanwhile, cannot lose the series after taking the 2-1 advantage. The All Blacks' official match report confirmed that the Springboks' forward power proved decisive during the second half.

Rassie Erasmus reveals where Springboks left points on the table

Briefly News also reported that Rassie Erasmus acknowledged the Springboks had opportunities to make their 29-24 victory over the All Blacks more comfortable.

The coach pointed to missed kicks, knock-ons and errors out wide, while also disputing suggestions that South Africa had completely dominated the scrum. His comments offered another perspective on just how fine the margins were in Johannesburg.

Source: Briefly News