All Blacks legend Frank Bunce: ‘Springboks are in a golden period, they just can’t do any wrong at the moment’
Frank Bunce believes that the All Blacks are “definitely underdogs” for the upcoming games against the Springboks in the Rugby Championship.
New Zealand head to South Africa knowing that they need at least one victory to keep their title hopes alive.
However, the likelihood is that they will have to emerge triumphant in both Tests after their loss to Argentina in the opening round of the competition immediately put them on the back foot.
Springboks’ impressive start
In contrast, Rassie Erasmus’ men comfortably defeated the Wallabies in their two Rugby Championship Tests in Australia, securing 33-7 and 30-12 wins in Brisbane and Perth respectively.
Although the All Blacks can never be discounted, the double defending world champions go into the games in Johannesburg and Cape Town as favourites.
“They (New Zealand) go in as underdogs without a doubt. Winning in South Africa is difficult, it’s hard at the best of times,” Bunce told 1News.
“If they lost both I wouldn’t be surprised, but I can see them winning one – it’s all over the show.
Scott Robertson has named a 36-strong travelling party for the upcoming Tests as they aim to put a turbulent time behind them, with attack coach Leon MacDonald’s departure the latest issue for the All Blacks boss to deal with.
Included in the wider training squad is experienced duo TJ Perenara and Sam Cane, who are in their final year of Test rugby.
Both will depart at the end of the season after signing deals in Japan and Bunce was asked whether Robertson was right to select them when they won’t be available ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
‘Nipping at his heels’
“To be honest, I wouldn’t have picked TJ, only because we’re served well with up and coming half-backs. Three in a row, all young, all at the beginning of their journey, so I wouldn’t have taken TJ,” he responded.
“With Sam, one place that we are a little bit light is in the forwards. I’m not just saying loose forwards but I really, really think we’re going to be up against it in terms of our forward pack.
“I think with Sam Cane, the experience, the toughness, the strength; he’s been around Test rugby for a long, long time.
“I would have gone with him but not TJ because of the guys that are champing at the bit and nipping at his heels right now.”
