Springbok stars such as Damian Willemse can punish the All Blacks if they make mistakes with ball in hand.
The rivalry between the Springboks and the All Blacks has never needed artificial hype to stoke its flames, but former Crusaders scrumhalf Bryn Hall has provided an intriguing spark nonetheless.
Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, Hall claimed that the All Blacks possess the tempo and attacking capability to "run the Springboks off their feet" when the two sides lock horns in the upcoming Greatest Rivalry Series.
While the All Blacks’ high-octane intent under new coach Dave Rennie bore fruit during their recent Nations Championship campaign, with wins over France, Italy and Ireland, any suggestion that spreading the ball alone will tire out Rassie Erasmus’ world champions underestimates the current DNA of Springbok rugby.
Assuming the Boks can be run ragged relies on a fundamental misconception: that South Africa’s forward pack will be forced into an 80-minute war of attrition.
