All Blacks Warned They Can’t Handle the ‘Big Boys’ After Springboks Defeat
- A Kiwi writer has raised fresh questions about New Zealand’s ability to cope with rugby’s most powerful sides
- The Springboks’ latest victory has brought one familiar All Blacks weakness back into focus
- Dave Rennie now has a chance to respond when the rivalry moves to Baltimore for the decider
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The All Blacks have been warned that their attacking strengths may not be enough against rugby’s “big boys” after the Springboks claimed a 29-24 victory in Johannesburg on 5 September 2026.
The result put South Africa 2-1 ahead in the four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series. The Springboks’ forwards also played a major role, with their scrum earning a penalty try before Malcolm Marx finished a powerful lineout maul.
Writing for the New Zealand Herald, Paul Lewis believes New Zealand must find a better balance between their expansive game and the physical demands of Test rugby.
“The loss of the third test against the Springboks highlighted a broader question for the All Blacks: how to keep playing their high-octane, high-reward but high-risk game and win against the big boys?” Lewis wrote.
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‘Big boys’ problem facing New Zealand
Lewis defines those opponents as “full-strength teams from South Africa, France and England”.
He argues that New Zealand's record against those sides since 2022 shows a recurring problem.
“The All Blacks are skilled enough to see off most teams,” Lewis wrote, “but a look at the ‘big boys’ confronted over the past four years reveals they struggle against the biggest packs and toughest defences.”
That assessment comes after another match in which the Springboks' forward power proved decisive. South Africa scored four tries, including a penalty try and Malcolm Marx's effort from a powerful maul.
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Rennie has Baltimore opportunity
The All Blacks now have a chance to respond in Baltimore on 12 September.
However, they will be without captain Ardie Savea, who suffered a dislocated shoulder in Johannesburg, while Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea have also been ruled out.
Lewis believes Rennie must find answers quickly.
“Rennie must find a way to upset the odds in Baltimore this week – and in Australia next year [at the World Cup],” he wrote.
New Zealand must win in Baltimore to level the series, while South Africa need only avoid defeat to secure the series victory.
All Blacks confirm squad changes for Baltimore Test
Briefly News previously reported that Dave Rennie has confirmed a reshaped 36-man All Blacks squad for the final Test against the Springboks in Baltimore on 12 September.
Nine players are heading home following the 29-24 defeat in Soweto, with injuries also forcing changes to the group.
The Baltimore Test now carries major series implications, with South Africa holding a 2-1 advantage heading into the finale.
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Source: Briefly News
