Boks power & All Blacks of old - what did we learn from series?

South Africa have once again affirmed their status as the world’s premier rugby nation, clinching the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series with a 3‑1 victory over long‑time rivals New Zealand. The Springboks, who lost the opening test in Johannesburg, rallied to win the next three matches, sealing the series with a 43‑28 triumph in Baltimore. The result not only adds another chapter to the historic rivalry but also offers a glimpse of what the world champion team may bring to the Rugby World Cup in Australia next year.

Turning the tide after an early setback

After the initial defeat on home soil, the Springboks demonstrated the resilience that has defined their back‑to‑back World Cup successes. The series turned in their favour when a monster maul, launched just inside New Zealand’s 22‑meter line, culminated in Malcolm Marx peeling off to score a decisive try under the posts. That moment, following a penalty try from a scrum in the first half, highlighted the Boks’ ability to switch from a defensive posture to a powerful forward‑driven attack.

Schalk Brits, a 2019 World Cup winner, told BBC Sport that South Africa’s strategy often involves playing expansively after establishing dominance in the maul or scrum. “New Zealand didn’t have that dominance in the forwards, but people said they played beautiful rugby. I don’t care if it is beautiful or not. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I love a maul and scrum,” he said, underscoring the Springboks’ belief that forward supremacy can be as decisive as flair.

The role of experience and continuity

Rassie Erasmus’ cohort of seasoned World Cup winners – Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, Pieter‑Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe – all remained regular starters throughout the series. Their presence provided a stable backbone, allowing the team to blend physicality with moments of attacking flair. The continuity of these veterans, many now in their mid‑30s, reflects a deliberate approach by the coaching staff to preserve the core that delivered two successive World Cup titles.

Fly‑half Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu, who returned from injury to start all four tests, offered a steady, if not spectacular, performance. Initially named on the bench for the second match, he was promoted after Handre Pollard’s withdrawal. While his play lacked the “flashes of individual brilliance” that have characterised his earlier career, his reliability contributed to the Boks’ overall balance.

All Blacks under transition

New Zealand entered the series with a new attacking coach, Tony Brown, who arrived in 2024 and is slated to join the All Blacks permanently in 2028. Known for crafting a cohesive attacking shape built on sharp ball movement, Brown’s influence was evident in the early tests, where the All Blacks displayed promising signs under head coach Dave Rennie. However, despite scoring more tries in the first two matches, the Kiwis could not match the Springboks’ forward dominance.

The All Blacks’ backline, praised by former England wing Ugo Monye as “the most skilled in World Rugby,” struggled to impose itself when the Springboks’ mauls and scrums dictated the tempo. Half‑backs Cam Roigard and Ruben Love, both 25, were tasked with instilling a return to the All Blacks’ traditional transition game, yet their impact waned in the latter tests. The return of fly‑half Richie Mo’unga for the Baltimore game, his first test since the World Cup final, added experience but did not reach the level that made him a standout at the 2023 World Cup.

Strategic lessons for the upcoming World Cup

The series highlighted two contrasting philosophies: South Africa’s reliance on forward power and New Zealand’s emphasis on expansive backline play. For the Springboks, the ability to shift from a forward‑driven platform to an attacking brand of rugby suggests they can adapt to different opponents at the World Cup. As Brits noted, South Africa “can play multiple styles,” a flexibility that could prove decisive against teams that excel in either set‑piece dominance or open‑play creativity.

Conversely, the All Blacks’ focus on rebuilding under Rennie, after the dismissal of Scott Robertson in January, points to a period of transition. The integration of Brown’s attacking concepts and the return of Mo’unga will be central to New Zealand’s preparation over the next twelve months, as they aim to recapture the “All Blacks of old” that former England scrum‑half Danny Care described as a “great for the game” prospect.

European rivals and the global landscape

While the series centred on the Southern Hemisphere giants, the broader international context cannot be ignored. France, fresh off a Six Nations triumph, sent a weakened side to Christchurch in July, losing narrowly to New Zealand. Their subsequent emphatic defeat to South Africa last November (32‑17) underscores the depth of talent in the French camp. Brits praised France’s tactical flexibility, noting they can “grind it out with the forwards, play the kicking game and the expansive game as well.”

England, still seeking to become the side they “are supposed to be,” and Ireland, described as “traveling under the radar” yet possessing “amazing rugby players and coaches,” remain potential threats. The Springboks’ recent loss at Ellis Park, which temporarily cost them the world number one ranking, exposed a vulnerability that other nations may look to exploit, especially if they can disrupt South Africa’s forward platform.

Implications for the 2027 Rugby World Cup

With the Rugby World Cup scheduled for Australia in 2027, South Africa enter the tournament as favourites, according to the series commentary. Their recent series win, combined with the experience of a core group of World Cup winners, positions them as the team to beat. However, as Brits reflected, “we hate being the favourite; we almost have to have our backs against the wall.” This mindset suggests the Springboks thrive under pressure, yet it also indicates a desire to avoid the spotlight.

New Zealand’s path to the tournament will hinge on how quickly they can integrate Brown’s attacking philosophy and restore Mo’unga’s form. The All Blacks’ reputation for a skilled backline remains intact, but they must find a way to match the Springboks’ forward dominance if they hope to overturn the series result on the world stage.

Looking ahead: the next Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry

The Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, which replaced this year’s Rugby Championship, will return in 2029, offering another opportunity for the two powerhouses to test each other ahead of future World Cups. The 2026 edition demonstrated that while the All Blacks possess the capacity for beautiful, expansive rugby, the Springboks’ blend of power and adaptability can neutralise that flair when needed.

For fans across the continent and beyond, the series reinforced the enduring allure of the South Africa‑New Zealand rivalry: a clash of styles, a battle of wills, and a showcase of the very best that African and Oceanic rugby can produce. As the sport continues to grow, especially with fixtures now being staged in the United States, the rivalry’s global reach expands, promising even more vibrant chapters in the years to come.

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on the source material cited below. Sources: BBC News Africa; bbc.co.uk; Global1.News (15 September 2026).

By Amara Diop, Staff Writer