Steve Hansen Reveals How Refereeing Decisions Went Springboks’ Way Against All Blacks
- Steve Hansen has highlighted the refereeing decisions he believes went South Africa’s way during the All Blacks series
- The former New Zealand coach said the Springboks benefited from several crucial moments in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry
- His comments come after another All Blacks coach raised concerns about decisions made in the Baltimore Test
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Steve Hansen believes the Springboks received the “rub of the green” from officials at important moments during their Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks.
South Africa secured a 3-1 series victory after beating New Zealand 43-28 in Baltimore on Saturday, 12 September 2026. Two days later, on 14 September, Hansen discussed the series on the Rugby Unity podcast.
As reported by SA Rugby Magazine, Hansen said the Springboks had benefited from moments that swung matches in their favour.
“When you break it down, South Africa were just too good in the end,” Hansen said.
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He then pointed to the margins that had repeatedly favoured the world champions.
“In probably every Test other than the first one, there were just moments – whether it was three or four moments in the Test – that swung it their way,” he added.
‘A couple of rubs of the green’
Hansen was particularly outspoken when discussing the officials in the final Test.
“They got a couple of rubs of the green, maybe in the last one with some of the refereeing decisions,” he said.
However, Hansen stopped short of suggesting that officiating explained South Africa’s victory.
“But when you’re going forward and playing well, you normally get those rubs of the green, so you’ve just got to take it on the chin,” he added.
His remarks came after All Blacks assistant coach Neil Barnes also criticised several decisions in Baltimore.
Barnes was particularly unhappy with two early scrum penalties against Codie Taylor for brake-foot infringements. He argued that both teams had committed the same infringement at the same time.
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All Blacks had already raised concerns
Barnes later suggested that New Zealand may have felt hard done by in some of the tighter exchanges, saying the All Blacks were “probably just not getting the rub of the green” when it mattered most.
However, he did not dispute South Africa’s overall superiority on the night. Hansen also pointed to several areas where New Zealand needed to improve, particularly at the breakdown, in the scrum and under the high ball.
He explained that the Springboks had been particularly effective over the ball, noting that South Africa were “very good at getting over the ball”. Hansen also felt the All Blacks had failed to apply sufficient pressure at scrum time.
While he believed some marginal calls had gone South Africa’s way, Hansen ultimately accepted that the Springboks had done enough throughout the series to justify their 3-1 triumph.
All Blacks legends praise Springboks after Baltimore
Briefly News previously reported that former All Blacks stars Mils Muliaina, Aaron Cruden and John Afoa praised the Springboks after their 43-28 victory in Baltimore on 12 September 2026.
Muliaina called South Africa “a step ahead of everyone”, while Cruden admitted the uncomfortable truth was that the Springboks were “just better”. Afoa also highlighted a leadership gap in the All Blacks.
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Source: Briefly News
