Heyneke Meyer claims All Blacks lack depth against Springboks

Former Springbok head coach Heyneke Meyer believes the All Blacks lack the squad depth required to compete with South Africa over a four-Test series. Meyer suggests that the upcoming rivalry series has arrived too early in Dave Rennie's tenure as All Blacks coach.

Rennie has secured victories in his first five matches, which include tour wins against the Sharks and the Stormers. However, Meyer argues that the Springboks are currently selecting their most experienced players and possess the necessary depth to sustain a long series. He noted that New Zealand has lost several quality players to overseas clubs, leaving them with fewer options compared to South Africa.

Meyer, who led the Springboks from 2012 to 2015, believes the modern game prioritises set-piece dominance through scrummaging and mauling. He stated that while the All Blacks prefer a continuous style of play, South Africa possesses a superior set-piece and the ability to introduce an entirely new forward pack during matches. He identified France as perhaps the only other nation with similar forward depth.

The former coach pointed to South Africa's recent 17-10 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires as evidence of their resilience. He observed that despite not playing at their best and facing significant pressure, the Springboks managed to secure the win through two decisive tries.

While Meyer acknowledged that the All Blacks are capable of defeating any opponent on their day, he maintains that the Springboks' set-piece is the best in the world. He concluded that playing at home makes the Springboks the team to back for the upcoming series.