All Blacks prepare for bigger Springboks test after 33-16 win

New Zealand are preparing for a tougher second Test against South Africa after defeating the Springboks 33-16 at Ellis Park last week. The match in Cape Town on Saturday will be the next fixture in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

The victory ended South Africa’s 12-Test unbeaten run, but All Blacks assistant coach Neil Barnes believes the result will intensify the challenge facing New Zealand. He expects the world champions to produce a more forceful response on home ground.

Barnes said New Zealand spent much of the opening half under heavy pressure in Johannesburg. The All Blacks struggled to reach the advantage line and could not impose their usual attacking structure during that period, leaving them reliant on their ability to withstand South Africa’s pressure.

New Zealand eventually shifted the momentum and recovered to take control of the match. Barnes credited the players for managing the difficult spell before turning the pressure back on the Springboks, but he said the performance would not be enough to secure another win in Cape Town.

He also pointed to South Africa’s mistakes as a factor in keeping New Zealand within reach. The Springboks’ errors allowed the All Blacks to remain in the contest and helped create the opportunity for their second-half recovery.

Barnes believes New Zealand must improve substantially before the rematch. He warned that South Africa cannot be expected to repeat the same mistakes and said the All Blacks will need to be far more effective if they are to complete a series victory over the Springboks.