Ruben Love admits All Blacks self-doubt before Springboks opener

Ruben Love, 25, will wear New Zealand’s No 10 jersey against South Africa at Ellis Park in the opening match of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. The fly-half’s selection marks a major change from two years ago, when his place in the All Blacks setup was uncertain.

Love is making his second trip to South Africa with New Zealand, but this time he arrives as the player expected to direct the All Blacks in one of rugby’s biggest Test rivalries. His previous visit came while he was still viewed as a developing option rather than an established international.

His progress was interrupted by injuries and uncertainty over whether his long-term position would be fly-half or fullback. In 2024, he made just one Test appearance for the All Blacks, coming from the bench against Japan. Much of the following period was spent training without regular international selection.

That absence prompted Love to examine his performances and his preparation. He accepted that he had not yet reached the required standard and used the period after New Zealand’s 2024 end-of-year tour to set a clearer target. His aim was to secure the Hurricanes’ starting fly-half role and then claim the same position for the All Blacks.

Love said the process required sustained work away from the field, particularly to rebuild his belief that he could reach those goals. He has now achieved both selections, although he considers the achievement only an early step in his international career.

The challenge at Ellis Park will bring a different level of pressure. Love expects South Africa to test New Zealand’s kicking game and place greater demands on his ability to manage pressure. He will rely on the instructions provided by the coaching staff as the All Blacks attempt to deal with difficult moments against the world champions.