Beav backs All Blacks plan for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry opener

The All Blacks have made measured changes to their attacking approach before Saturday’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry opener against the Springboks at Ellis Park. The adjustments are intended to prepare New Zealand for a defensive challenge designed to restrict their pace and movement.

Former All Blacks flyhalf Stephen Donald said the changes do not represent a move away from the attacking principles established under coach Dave Rennie. New Zealand still want to play quickly, attack with ambition and create opportunities against a defence that may not give them clean possession or time on the ball.

Donald’s assessment, made during The Aftermatch with Kirst & Beav, was that the All Blacks accept they will not control every phase of the contest. Their task will be to keep searching for weaknesses in South Africa’s defensive line while remaining effective when the Springboks disrupt their preferred rhythm.

For South Africa, Donald identified slowing New Zealand’s game as a central requirement. The Springboks are expected to challenge the All Blacks at the set-piece, reduce the speed of the ruck and apply pressure through their defensive line. Those measures would make it harder for New Zealand to build the fast sequences on which their attack depends.

Donald also pointed to South Africa’s kicking strategy as an important part of that plan. Kicks aimed at New Zealand’s receivers would give the Springboks an opportunity to advance with their chase and put immediate pressure on the next phase. The intention would be to crowd the area around the ruck and slow the All Blacks’ defensive organisation.

That sets up a contest between New Zealand’s adjusted attacking plan and South Africa’s efforts to deny it space and tempo. The All Blacks are expected to retain their adventurous approach, but they will need to find answers when the Springboks win the set-piece battle, contest the collisions and force the game into slower phases.