Mike Blair expressed confidence that the All Blacks team will be able to overcome the Springboks' defensive systems in the upcoming third test match. Previously, the second match of the 'Great Rugby Rivalry 2026' series took place at Cape Town Stadium, where Ardie Savea from New Zealand faced Cheslin Kolbe from South Africa, as both teams aim to win the Soweto derby.
Great Rugby Rivalry
Mike Blair, a former Scottish halfback, believes that the All Blacks possess sufficient capability for success in the decisive third match, which will take place at the FNB Stadium on Saturday. He noted that the All Blacks demonstrated weaknesses in the Springboks' defense in the wing areas twice in the first two matches, scoring nine points compared to four for South Africa, and Blair's influence on increasing the team's attacking efficiency was quite significant.
Blair maintains close working relations with All Blacks coach Dave Rennie, with whom he collaborated at the Kobe Steelers in Japan from 2023 until the beginning of this year. When Rennie took over the All Blacks after Scott Robertson, he included Blair in his new coaching staff. They also previously worked together at the Glasgow Warriors from 2016 to 2019, when Rennie held the position of head coach.
On Monday before the third match, Blair gave an interview to the media and answered a question about the announcement of the team roster by Erasmus. He stated that such announcements should be observed, but they must be met with a degree of skepticism. According to him, Rasmi's comments after the second match about changing the squad depending on the weather demonstrate the team's ability to make such changes.
He added that an early announcement of the squad gives an idea of the team's intentions, but one should not spend too much time planning around a specific player in a certain position, given that this might change right before the start of the game. Blair emphasized that the All Blacks will prepare for the overall Springboks defensive system, rather than focusing on individual matchups. He noted that they understand the 'South African DNA' in play and defense, and most players will fit into this system, so preparation will be based on team spirit, not on individuals.
With the current score at 1-1, Blair recognizes the importance of Saturday's confrontation, which is expected to be attended by a huge crowd at the FNB Stadium, which has a capacity of 94,000 people. He speculated that the series could be won by the team that wins this match, as South Africa only has three games. He views this as a crucial game for his team, asserting that a victory will allow them to take the initiative.
Blair also reported that the All Blacks are pleased to have the opportunity to play in front of a packed stadium, noting that 84,000 tickets have already been sold. He expressed the team's joy at the chance to show everyone their abilities and express themselves in front of a large audience. Despite the 33-26 defeat in Cape Town last week, the team quickly shifted its focus to finding solutions before the third match. Blair mentioned having a 'real problem-solving mindset' and stressed that one cannot dwell on the result for long, as there are still two matches ahead.
In Blair's opinion, the attacking play of the All Blacks remains in good shape despite the recent loss. He believes that the main thing is to maintain faith in the game the team has managed to execute in recent months and to trust the work done. Although four touchdowns were scored on Saturday, the team missed many other opportunities, and discussions are currently underway on how to utilize them. The All Blacks' attacking coach sees grounds for optimism but admits that much still needs improvement, as the scored touchdowns were more difficult than other created chances.