PremiumOpinionOpinion byGregor PaulRugby analyst·NZ Herald·5 Sep, 2026 09:00 PM5 mins to readRugby analyst and feature writer‌Xavier Numia (left) and Leroy Carter after the All Blacks' loss to the Springboks in Soweto. Photo / PhotosportBy Gregor Paul in SowetoThere is a reason South Africa are back-to-back world champions as the All Blacks discovered in Soweto, where they were crushed, pressured, outsmarted and outplayed by a side that just knew how to handle the big occasion.

The All Blacks had history within their grasp,