Josh Kronfeld says Springboks are unmatched in size and aggression

Former All Blacks flanker Josh Kronfeld has stated that the Springboks possess a level of size and aggression in contact that no other team can match. The former opensider believes the physical difficulty presented by South Africa remains a unique factor in international rugby.

Kronfeld, who earned 54 Test caps between 1995 and 2000, was part of the All Blacks squad that achieved a historic series win in South Africa in 1996. He noted that South Africa's consistency in physical confrontation is a defining characteristic. He recalled that during his playing career, being at the bottom of a ruck often resulted in physical injury, such as having an ankle stepped on.

He suggested that the intensity of the game in that era was pushed to the limits of the law, noting that modern camera technology would likely make matches more stop-start if the same physicality were applied today. Kronfeld described South Africa as the most difficult nation to visit, suggesting the challenge involves more than just the rugby match itself.

According to Kronfeld, visiting players must contend with South African pride and the atmosphere of the entire country. He noted that several players on the current tour had not previously visited the nation and might not have known what to expect from the environment.

To prepare his squad for these conditions, All Blacks coach Dave Rennie organised a meeting between current players and members of the 1996 touring team during the Ireland Test weekend in Auckland. The session allowed the younger players to hear stories from the previous era and understand the historical context of South African rugby.

During the gathering, the veterans discussed the history of the Boks touring New Zealand and the anti-apartheid protests of 1981. Rennie noted that the session helped the players understand the deep connection between the country's history and its rugby culture.