Themba Hadebe/AP
The All Blacks soak up their heavy loss to the Springboks in Mbombela.
The South African media continue to be merciless on the All Blacks as they look towards this weekend’s rematch with the Springboks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
The Springboks have predictably been hailed for their impressive 26-10 victory in Mbombela – the second largest points margin victory over their biggest rivals and largest victory over New Zealand in 94 years.
And the All Blacks, now down to No 5 in the world rankings, have just as predictably been pulverised by the press.
Sky Sport
Hosts score two tries to one to win their opening Rugby Championship test.
South African rugby writer Mark Keohane had cruelly labelled Ian Foster’s team “imposters” in the buildup to this opening Rugby Championship match and felt this latest New Zealand performance and result had justified that.
READ MORE:
* By the numbers: The biggest All Blacks loss to Springboks in 94 years
* Ian Foster rallies ailing All Blacks for ‘huge’ week: ‘There’s no point sulking’
* Take Five: Who’s to blame for the All Blacks’ losing streak and what happens next?
* ‘Our most improved performance this year’: Ian Foster’s claim after All Blacks outplayed
“The Boks were the best by some margin … my narrative was also that these All Blacks in South Africa are imposters to that legacy and wouldn’t be fit to tie the laces of some of those giants in black,” he wrote for Keo.co.za
“It was vindication of this belief as the Boks crushed the All Blacks 26-10. It could have been closer to a 30-point differential but the respect the boys in green have for those in black kept it reasonable.
“There was only one side in this contest – and only winner. It will be the same a week from now.”
Craig Ray of The Daily Maverick was just as scathing and gave little hope to Foster saving his job as the All Blacks “limp to Ellis Park”.
Christiaan Kotze/Photosport
All Blacks coach Ian Foster faces a huge job trying to turn the All Blacks around for their rematch with the Springboks.
“New Zealand hardly had any ball, they lost the aerial battle, they were destroyed on the ground and smothered when they did try to launch attacks,” Ray wrote.
“Ian Foster’s time in charge is now surely measured in hours, not days as his side slumped to a third consecutive defeat.
“South Africa’s power game was too much for this callow New Zealand side to handle.
“New Zealand were bullied in contact and relentlessly knocked back when they did have the ball.”
“The All Blacks will limp to Johannesburg for the second Test at Ellis Park next week, but they won’t be relishing the challenge if the outcome and performance at Mbombela was anything to go by. If the Boks were more accurate on attack, they could have scored 40 points or more.”
Khanyiso Tshwaku of Sport24 felt the Springboks “produced an uncompromisingly physical, rabidly aggressive and their most tactical assured showing since becoming world champions”.
“The 16-point buffer was by far their most convincing winning margin in the professional era.
Themba Hadebe/AP
South Africa’s players celebrate their big win over the All Blacks.
“It wasn’t pretty – seldom is the Bok way of rugby – and it is said that only a mother could love how they go about their business.
“It was aggressive. It was physical. It was faultless and flawless in every sense”
“It wasn’t pretty – seldom is the Bok way of rugby – and it is said that only a mother could love how they go about their business.
“It was aggressive. It was physical. It was faultless and flawless in every sense.”
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