The principle of 'beware the wounded beast' applies both in nature and to the All Blacks team. After defeating the Springboks 33:16 on their home ground at Ellis Park, the touring team faced a defeat the following week when South Africa won 33:26 at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
Now that these iconic rivals are preparing for a new confrontation at FNB Stadium on Saturday, the author believes that the advantage will lie with the touring team. Although this may seem illogical after the recent loss, the All Blacks and Springboks remain the undisputed pinnacle of world rugby, as reflected in global rankings, despite respect for the Irish and French teams.
The author previously predicted an All Blacks victory in the first test match, and this prediction came true. However, the current dynamics suggest that history might repeat itself. Despite the initial momentum of the team being boosted by three friendly matches against local South African franchises, tactical and psychological factors still point to New Zealand's superiority.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie may have expressed public concerns about the Springboks' scoreline, but real adjustments are being made behind closed doors. While the victory gives the Boks significant momentum, the desire for revenge is often a much stronger incentive. If any team knows how to turn a defeat into ruthless execution, it is New Zealand. The disappointed All Blacks are expected to enter FNB Stadium with a desire to silence the South African crowd once again.