All Blacks coach Dave Rennie stated that he does not object to late changes in the squad before the match started, when the Springboks changed their front line lineup the day before Saturday's game in Cape Town. He noted that these changes did not affect his team's performance, which lost 33-26 in Cape Town on Saturday.
Rennie expressed admiration for his team's fighting spirit after they managed to level the score in the second match of the greatest rugby rivalry at the DHL stadium. Ultimately, the Boks managed to win, restoring balance after the first defeat in Ellis Park, making the series tied 1-1 with two tests remaining. Nevertheless, the visitors demonstrated fierce fighting in the last fifteen minutes, putting immense pressure on the world champions in the final seconds. They scored two late tries, but the Springboks' defense held firm.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie also questioned the Springboks' scrum technique after the Boks secured a seven-point victory in Cape Town.
Rennie explained that there is always a possibility of changes when the squad is announced on Monday. He added: 'I suppose when you announce the team on Monday, there is a chance that changes will happen. So, to be fair, we paid little attention to the Monday squad because there was a possibility it would be different on Saturday.' He continued that despite the replacement of player Cheslin, both players, Kolbe and Handré Pollard, are excellent athletes, so the differences are negligible. He concluded that regardless of who is named on Monday, the game plan will remain the same.
'We could have stolen the draw at the end, but I am very proud of the character and effort of the lads,' said Rennie. Captain Ardie Savea, who sustained an early injury after a heavy collision with Siya Kolisi, noted that playing against the Boks always feels like a World Cup final. He mentioned that Kolisi's hit, delivered to one of his good friends, had its cost, but Savea overcame the pain and scored a try late in the match.
Savea emphasized: 'Playing against the Springboks is always physical, and they started very aggressively. We cannot let them take the initiative so easily. But again, how we reacted and fought in those tense moments, the guys held on and almost stole the game. We just need to fix a few small things in our game. However, on Monday we will go back to the drawing board and get back into shape.' As the series remains tense, the third test will take place at the FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday afternoon, and the final match will be held in South Africa.