South Africa v New Zealand: What did we learn from Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series?
BBC • • sports
Key Points:
- South Africa secured a 3-1 series victory over New Zealand in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, reinforcing their status as the world’s top team ahead of the Rugby World Cup next year.
- The Springboks leveraged their dominant forward pack and powerful mauls, key to their recent World Cup successes, to outmuscle the All Blacks, exemplified by decisive tries from scrum plays and mauls.
- New Zealand showed promising signs under new coach Dave Rennie, with dynamic backline play and young half-backs, but inconsistencies and the return of key players like Richie Mo'unga remain challenges.
- South Africa’s experienced core continues to perform well, but questions remain about the fly-half position, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu showing promise but lacking consistency compared to veteran Handre Pollard.
- France and Ireland are highlighted as significant challengers in international rugby, with France’s tactical flexibility and Ireland’s strong coaching and squad depth making them teams to watch ahead of the World Cup.
