All Blacks centre Quinn Tupaea tries to evade a couple of Sharks defenders during the second tour match of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry in Durban on Tuesday.
The All Blacks have given the Springboks another indication that they are ready to adapt to whatever Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry throws at them after their first two matches on South African soil.
After grinding out a hard-fought victory over the Stormers in their tour opener in Cape Town, the All Blacks produced a completely different performance in Tuesday’s 54-0 demolition of the Sharks in atrocious conditions in Durban.
The result highlighted the adaptability of Dave Rennie’s side, who looked comfortable despite the rain and slippery conditions as they maintained their attacking threat while also showing they can win through a more pragmatic approach.
That will not have gone unnoticed by Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus and his management team, who will have taken plenty from the All Blacks’ performance ahead of next Saturday’s opening Test at Ellis Park.
