South Africa Test Series a Lot Tougher than a World Cup Says All Blacks Coach Rennie
Dave Rennie said the All Blacks could use up to 30 players as South Africa seek to extend a 12-Test winning streak.
- On Saturday, New Zealand's All Blacks begin a four-Test series against South Africa at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, marking the first full-size tour between these rugby titans in 30 years.
- New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie said Monday that competing in this four-Test series against South Africa's Springboks "will be a lot tougher than a Rugby World Cup."
- Relying on his "Bomb Squad" of powerful forwards, Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus aims to force back-to-back penalties and convert pressure into points from set pieces.
- Injuries are a primary concern for the All Blacks, as Rennie expects the grueling four-Test schedule across two countries to impact his 44-man squad; he has already replaced four players.
- Both teams view the series as critical preparation for the 2027 World Cup in Australia, with Rennie noting that facing the Springboks will help them learn significant lessons before the global showpiece.
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19 Articles
Associated Press News
Rugby’s fiercest rivalry resumes: Springboks play All Blacks in first 4-test series in 50 years
Rugby titans South Africa and New Zealand have finally arrived at their long-awaited test series, the culmination of the first full-size tour between them in 30 years.
South Africa Test series a lot tougher than a World Cup says All Blacks coach Rennie
Finalists in the four-yearly World Cup have to play seven matches, but the strength of opponents varies considerably. "But facing the Springboks will be great. Both sides will be about a year out from the (2027) World Cup when this series finishes so we will certainly learn a lot," said Rennie. South Africa edged New Zealand 12-11 in the 2023 World Cup final in Paris, and they could face each other at the quarter-finals stage of the global showp…
SA Test series a lot tougher than a World Cup says All Blacks coach
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie said on Monday that playing a four-Test series against South Africa “will be a lot tougher than a Rugby World Cup”. Finalists in the four-yearly World Cup have to play seven matches, but the strength of opponents varies considerably. “But facing the Springboks will be great. Both sides will be about a year out from the (2027) World Cup when this series finishes so we will certainly learn a lot,” said Rennie. So…
All Blacks have lost none of their aura in South Africa
Nonsense to those who believe the All Blacks in South Africa have lost their aura. Laughable, is my response, to those who think the interest in the All Blacks in South Africa has waned. The All Blacks are the biggest rugby ticket in South Africa when playing the Springboks. Ellis Park (62 000), the DHL Stadium in Cape Town (52 000) and the 90 000 big one at the FNB Stadium in Soweto are sold out. Baltimore, USA, host of the fourth and final Tes…
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