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Springboks ready for All Blacks ‘backlash’

Springboks ready for All Blacks ‘backlash’

All BlacksSeptember 5, 2024

South Africa expects the All Blacks to attempt a backlash at Cape Town on Sunday (NZT) to match their second Test recovery after losing to Argentina earlier in the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship.

South Africa won the first Test of two 31-27 at Johannesburg.

After losing 38-30 to the Pumas in the first Test of the Championship, the All Blacks stormed back at Eden Park.

Motivated by extending their unbeaten run to 50 games at their Auckland fortress, the All Blacks achieved their goal with a 42-10 win.

But South Africa, the world champions, will be a more challenging task.

Springbok forward coach Daan Human said, "The All Blacks made a massive comeback against Argentina. They are a world-class team, so we expect them to fight back equally hard this week.

"We have a lot of respect for them and know what they can do.

"That said, we are concentrating on our game and to control what we can in the game this weekend."


The Springboks' review demonstrated room for improvement, especially after they fell 17-27 behind heading into the final quarter. 

But he acknowledged the quality of the All Blacks play to get into that position.

"New Zealand are a quality side, and they are a tough outfit to face, so one needs to be realistic about expecting great results against them in all departments."

There is still plenty on the game to motivate the All Blacks. A fourth consecutive loss to the Springboks has not been achieved since 1949 when the Springboks enjoyed a six-Test run of wins, two from the 1937 series in New Zealand and four on the All Blacks 1949 tour of South Africa.

The All Blacks have held the Freedom Cup, contested by the two countries annually, since 2009.  

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