The four‑match series stands evenly at one win each, and the rivalry that has long been billed as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is now bubbling with heightened tension as South Africa’s coach Rassie Erasmus and New Zealand’s boss Dave Rennie trade increasingly sharp words. To set the scene, the All Blacks opened the tour with a convincing 33‑16 victory at Ellis Park. The Springboks answered in kind a week later, edging the New Zealand side 33‑26 in a thrilling encounter in Cape Town. For that Cape Town clash the Springboks originally named a front‑row trio of Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw.
However, just an hour before the kickoff the lineup was overhauled: Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit were handed the starting jerseys while the first three were relegated to the bench. Erasmus explained the last‑minute shuffle as a reaction to the weather forecast, which had predicted rain that ultimately never materialised. “We were expecting wet conditions, so we selected a front‑row that could cope with that,” Erasmus said after the match. “The forecast for the week was consistently saying it would be rainy.” Rennie, for his part, declined to criticize the South African changes.
“We stuck with the team we named and it doesn’t bother me at all,” he remarked. “They announced their side on Monday; that had no bearing on our selections.
No drama from my perspective.” Under World Rugby’s official regulations a medical dispensation is normally required for any alteration to a squad within 48 hours of kickoff. Yet because the Springboks‑All Blacks series is administered independently, Erasmus enjoys far more flexibility to tweak his roster at will.
In total, Erasmus made five changes to the squad he announced on Monday for the second Test, including a complete overhaul of the front row. During the week, fly‑half Handre Pollard went from fit to injured and was withdrawn, while winger Cheslin Kolbe recovered from a niggling injury and was reinstated on the wing. Erasmus hinted he will keep his options open for the third Test in Johannesburg, depending on conditions. “If the pitch is dry and clear, this will be the starting XV, but if it rains we may make a change or two,” he said.
The coach’s willingness to adapt has become a talking point, especially as the series edges toward a decisive third match. Beyond team selection, a more technical dispute has emerged concerning the scrums. Rennie accused the Springboks of “walking around” during set‑pieces – a claim that the South African pack were deliberately angling their bodies sideways rather than staying square, thereby gaining an unfair advantage by slipping past the All Blacks’ front row. The New Zealand head coach was visibly irritated and said he had already fed his concerns back to World Rugby.
“The scrums were better tonight. I think referee Angus Gardner was firm in setting a mark and keeping the hookers in the same space. The Springboks drifted further left and he stopped them,” Rennie explained. “We’ll give some feedback because it’s still an issue for us; they can walk around and then drive straight through our tighthead.” Rennie added that a few technical points would be shared with the officials, but he praised Gardner’s performance overall: “Both teams were able to play off the scrums, and I think Angus did a reasonable job.” Erasmus fired back at Rennie’s accusations with a blunt response, dismissing the notion that his pack was “walking around.” “We’ve been playing with this group together for a long time.
This is the first time anyone has suggested we are moving around in the scrum. Why would we suddenly start doing that?” he said.
“I won’t entertain that nonsense. If I had a problem with the lineout, I would speak up, but I’m not going to moan about it.
If they want to start complaining, it’s because they feel the pressure.” The exchange underscores the psychological warfare that often accompanies high‑stakes rugby. Whether it is genuine tactical concern, a ploy to unsettle the opposition, or simply the heat of competition, the verbal sparring has set the stage for a third Test that promises even greater drama.
Fans can expect a match that not only decides the series but also serves as a vivid reminder of why this encounter is celebrated as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. All fixtures are broadcast live on Sky Sports, with kick‑off times listed for the UK and Ireland. Viewers can stream every moment of New Zealand’s South African tour, including the upcoming decisive encounter, contract‑free via NOW.