Anton Linet-Braun called on the All Blacks team ahead of the decisive match against the Springboks

Loose forward Wallace Sititi stated that the All Blacks team needs to correct issues with discipline and set-piece defense before the final test match in Baltimore.

Following the 29–24 loss to the Springboks at FNB stadium in Soweto, the team conducted a candid analysis of the game. Wallace Sititi reported that the squad underwent a 'rather strict review' before traveling to Baltimore for the final series match.

The loss of 12 penalties in Soweto proved fatal for New Zealand, as it constantly allowed South Africa to enter dangerous areas. For Sititi, eliminating these self-inflicted errors is a mandatory condition if the New Zealanders manage to level the series at 2–2 in the four-match series.

Sititi noted: 'We had a rather strict review, and now it's about moving forward. We have a big test this weekend. Wherever you give away penalties, it's always a problem. Not just in ball play. Somewhere. I think we are simply giving them easy entry into our 22-meter zone, and they capitalize on it slightly better than us.'

In addition to overall discipline, the dominance of the Springboks forwards touched upon a sensitive issue. The power of the Springboks in set pieces led to penalty tries and a scoring run from a distant maul, exposing defensive vulnerabilities that the All Blacks intend to fix before taking the field in Maryland.

Sititi admitted: 'It's never pleasant for any team to concede such touchdowns as we did over the weekend, and we do not take it lightly. We are focused on getting better at this and ensuring it doesn't happen again.'

Difficulties in Baltimore are compounded by a growing number of injured players. Captain talismanic Ardie Savea and winger Luke Jakobson were ruled out due to injuries, creating a huge void in the backline.

Nevertheless, Sititi, who demonstrated outstanding play after replacing Savea in Soweto, insists that the team will not make excuses. He stated: 'We have existed long enough to know that when the time comes to show ourselves, it is your time. We will take care of holding each other accountable.'

Loosehead All Blacks George Bower stated readiness for another intense clash against the Springboks on Saturday in Soweto. He challenged the South African team ahead of the third match in the greatest rivalry series in rugby, insisting that New Zealand is ready to meet the world champions in a tough fight.

The scrum has been a topic of discussion throughout the series after the All Blacks struggled under pressure at Ellis Park stadium in the first match. Then the Boks again took the upper hand in the scrum moments during their 33-26 victory in Cape Town last week.

With the current score at 1-1, Bower believes that the All Blacks have no reason to avoid a heavy confrontation when the teams meet at the FNB stadium in Soweto (match starts at 17:00). Although there is verbal sparring surrounding the scrum, Bower expresses only anticipation for the opportunity to fight against one of the best scrums in the world.

Since returning to the All Blacks, he has become a pillar of the team, providing stability in the scrums and posing a serious challenge to the Bok tightheads during the tour. Bower emphasized his desire to participate in the scrum, stating on Thursday: 'Oh, I love the scrum. I want to scrum.'

He noted that despite much talk from both sides, it all comes down to the first scrum. 'We'll see who talks,' he added. He acknowledged that South Africa prides itself on its scrum and uses it as an opportunity to earn penalties and advance. However, he also stated that the All Blacks' mentality after the first match is that they are at the same high level.

Bower expressed his intention to challenge them, noting that they know about the approaching opponents, but they are also ready themselves. 'I want to scrum, and I know my five back players want to scrum too. As a team, we must focus on our connection and density, our binding and our setup, and hopefully, this will neutralize what the South Africans bring this weekend.'

The ferocious rush defense of the Springboks, which has served as a cornerstone of their success for nearly a decade, is showing signs of weakness this season.

This defensive system, designed to stifle opposing playmakers, restrict width, and provoke mistakes, is known for its intense commitment. However, the Springboks have recently conceded an unusual number of tries, not only during the current high-stakes series against the All Blacks but also in their Nations Championship fixtures against England and Scotland.

The defensive frailties have manifested in several ways. Against Scotland, the Boks were repeatedly vulnerable to inside balls, as attackers capitalized on minor gaps created when defenders advanced too aggressively without securing their inner shoulder.

A similar vulnerability was observed when playing Ireland at home in 2024, where runners exploited weaknesses by attacking both sides of the ball carrier before executing a quick inside pass.

Противостояние величайших соперников регби

Against the All Blacks, the problems have surfaced on the wider parts of the field. A contributing factor involves positional inaccuracies within the rush structure, which were worsened by necessary backline adjustments during the first two Tests.

In the initial Test, injuries in the backline required central defensive linchpin Jesse Kriel to move to the wing, which immediately compromised the communication center at the outside centre position.

During the second Test in Cape Town, indecision regarding structure proved detrimental on the edges. Ethan Hooker, despite performing well overall, struggled with defensive shifts, being unsure whether to defend narrowly or hold wide, leaving him exposed as New Zealand utilized the outer channel.

The All Blacks have also demonstrated clever adaptations to circumvent South Africa's line speed. In Cape Town, New Zealand's attacks frequently originated from deeper positions before initiating their plays. By maintaining a deep stance, their playmakers gained valuable extra time, compelling the Bok rush to overcommit prematurely before distributing the ball through passing lanes into the open space near the outside shoulder.

Flyhalf Ruben Love has been instrumental in this strategy, supported by forwards who delivered superior ball through short passes from the backfield compared to their Springbok teammates. Love consistently appears behind the play after making an initial pass, acting as a reserve player who has significantly troubled the Boks in these wide areas.

Historically, the Springboks have relied on their exceptional scrambling ability to neutralize line breaks. However, the current All Blacks squad possesses such high quality that they have managed to inflict damage whenever given even a slight opportunity.

Acknowledging this danger, the Springboks implemented a significant tactical change in the second half at DHL Stadium. Instead of attacking from the outside-in to suppress the ball carrier, they switched to defending from the inside-out, prioritizing alignment, drift, and tracking to seal off the wide channels.

As the Springboks prepare for the third Test at FNB Stadium in Soweto, improving the precision of their rush defense is crucial, as it remains a powerful tool when executed correctly. The system depends entirely on players making astute choices to enter passing lanes without overextending, while simultaneously committing fully to intercepting both the opponent and the ball.

To regain their formidable reputation, the Boks must eradicate hesitation on the edges and reinstate the precise, suffocating discipline that once earned them world championship status.