Springboks legend: All Blacks ‘the one team’ to negate South Africa’s main weapons as Scott Robertson offered hope despite ‘concerning’ injury

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus.

Former Springboks record cap holder Victor Matfield believes that the All Blacks pack could well be a match for Rassie Erasmus’ men in the Rugby Championship.

South Africa go into the upcoming competition as the defending champions after they claimed their first title since 2019 last year.

The key to their success was the two victories over Scott Robertson’s side in the Republic in 2024 as they claimed successive 31-27 and 18-12 wins.

Erasmus’ outfit were clear favourites going into the matches, particularly since the All Blacks had suffered a shock defeat to Argentina not long prior, but both were keenly contested.

All Blacks’ impressive set-piece

New Zealand were particularly competitive in the set-piece and were one of the few opponents to challenge the Boks’ main strengths.

They will hope to do so once again when the teams go head-to-head in the key Rugby Championship encounters in September.

It is expected to decide the destination of the trophy but this time the games will take place in New Zealand, including the big Eden Park contest.

During the Rivals podcast, Sir John Kirwan and Matfield looked ahead to the clash with the former All Blacks wing concerned by the potential loss of tighthead Tyrel Lomax.

“We’ve got Lomax injured, so that’s a bit more of a concern for me. If you’re coming up against South Africa, if you can leave out some of those front-rowers that are big, amazing props, then the front-row is going to be a massive [battle],” he said.

“The scrum and lineout against South Africa is going to be fundamental to us winning – I think Lomax is a bigger loss.”

Kirwan is obviously concerned about the Springboks set-piece but Matfield believes that Robertson’s men have the capabilities to put their scrum and lineout under pressure.

Springboks selection decisions

“Lomax has been very good for the All Blacks but the All Blacks was the one team we didn’t really get the upper hand in the scrum,” the Springboks great said.

“It will be interesting to see with Wilco Louw coming in there now, he’s been really good for the Bulls.

“We’ve seen it, they don’t use the scrum as a starting point anymore to play, almost every scrum is to try and get a penalty, and after that you play away

“The set-piece will be very important. Last year, our lineout was under pressure from the All Blacks as well.

“We’ve got Lood de Jager back, Ruan Nortje was man of the match [against , we’ve got Franco Mostert in that five position as well, so it will be interesting to see is Rassie is going there with the older guys or he gives the youngsters an opportunity to play in a big Test match against the All Blacks.”