The Springboks' clash with the All Blacks at Eden Park on September 6 has come into even sharper focus after the latter's maiden defeat on Argentine soil on Saturday night.
The Rugby Championship was blown wide open after Argentina's 29-23 victory as all four teams have recorded a win each in the first two rounds.
The Eden Park clash has long taken on red-letter day status as the All Blacks put their proud record at the ground on the line against their greatest foes. The Boks have not played there since 2013 when their defeat left a bitter taste in the mouth after Bismarck du Plessis' much-disputed red card.
Springbok utility forward Kwagga Smith recognises the opportunity in what could be a date with destiny. “It is a massive game going to Eden Park. When we lost that other game in Auckland a few years back that was also disappointing,” he said about the defeat at Mount Smart Stadium.
He was keen to point out, however, the Boks need to learn from their defeat at Ellis Park against Australia, as well as their 30-22 win over the same opponents in Cape Town. “I think it is going to be a tough game. New Zealand will obviously be a great opponent. For us it is trying to get better every game and taking that confidence to get better.”
You learn from defeats. If you win by a small margin you might brush over things and move on. If you lose the reality hits you really hard. We learnt from our mistakes
— Springbok utility forward Kwagga Smith
Though not uttered in so many words, Smith intimated the Boks might derive benefits from their defeat at Ellis Park. It was perhaps the jolt they needed after having things their own way in winning 12 of their previous 13 matches. “You learn from defeats,” reminded Smith. “If you win by a small margin you might brush over things and move on. If you lose the reality hits you really hard. We learnt from our mistakes.”
For the Boks to inflict on the All Blacks a first defeat at Eden Park since 1994 they will have to improve on several fronts.
There are concerns about their line-out, which has lacked authority in recent Tests. That has perhaps affected their ability to deploy their maul to greater effect. Though on that front, they might also be keeping their powder dry until Auckland.
The Bok defence has also leaked more tries than they have become accustomed to. Australia's ability to exploit space made the Bok defence look ordinary at times with the visitors running in nine tries across two Tests. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt pointed out his team's six line breaks in Saturday's Test might be a concern for Bok coach Rassie Erasmus.
The Boks' have also lacked fluency in their attack. Moreover, they are yet to deliver a compelling 80-minute performance this season. The Boks racked up the points before the start of the Rugby Championship but they are yet to play with the conviction and authority that have become hallmarks over the last five or so seasons.
They have lacked the cohesion that has made them such redoubtable opponents but that is easily explained by their selection policy. Erasmus remains on a mission to build squad depth by spreading game time as they march to the next Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027.
The result however has been, his team can look irresistible one moment and ordinary the next.
“Last week’s performance was a two or three because of that second half,” said Erasmus of the performance at Ellis Park. “Overall, for this game, the handling wasn’t great, but I do think conditions played a role. I think their back three was fantastic on their side, and they were really elusive, so I think a win can be a six or a seven.
“We know it wasn’t a perfect performance, but sometimes it’s just about getting back onto the horse.
“People tend to think when we lose a game, there are all these massive problems and everybody starts analysing the squads, which shows how passionate the supporters are.
“So, I think with the kind of pressure we were under this weekend, I will give the team a seven.
“Now we have to go to New Zealand and beat them twice if we want to have any chance,” he said before knowing the result of the All Blacks' clash in Buenos Aires.
“We’re back, we have log points. The Wallabies are ahead of us on the log, but overall, we are just happy with the win.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.