New Zealand coach expects improved Springboks in second test

New Zealand coach Dave Rennie anticipates a significantly tougher challenge from South Africa in the second test of their series in Cape Town. After securing a 33-16 victory in the first test in Johannesburg, Rennie acknowledged that the Springboks, a four-time world champion, are unlikely to repeat their error-strewn performance.

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We are aware of the potential bounce-back. They will be bitterly disappointed with last weekend. There has been a lot of talk around how they bounced back last year and we have touched on it (as a team).

Rennie expressed awareness of the Springboks' potential for a strong rebound, referencing their history of bouncing back after defeats. "We are aware of the potential bounce-back," Rennie told reporters. "They will be bitterly disappointed with last weekend." He also stressed the importance of his own team improving, stating, "Both teams can be a lot better. I would take a one-point win."

The All Blacks coach identified physicality in the contact areas as a key area for improvement, noting his team's struggles in the first test. "In the contact areas they were full of energy and we struggled to get forward," he said. "It has been a focus. They are big men and sometimes you just need to carry hard, win races and support well." Discipline was another concern, with Rennie pointing to "soft penalties early in the game" that allowed the Springboks easy entries into New Zealand's territory.

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We have also talked a lot about us being better than we were last weekend. Both teams can be a lot better. I would take a one-point win.

Looking ahead to the Springboks' strategy, Rennie anticipates they will aim to execute their gameplan more effectively, potentially incorporating more aerial play and focusing on mauls to keep possession in New Zealand's 22. He praised his team's "energy and scramble" that prevented the Springboks from scoring tries despite significant time in the attacking zone.

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In the contact areas they were full of energy and we struggled to get forward. It has been a focus. They are big men and sometimes you just need to carry hard, win races and support well.

Despite New Zealand's ascent to the top of the world rankings following their first-test win, Rennie dismissed the significance of the rankings. "I am not remotely interested in the world rankings. I don’t understand them, they seem to change on a whim. Our focus is only on the game on Saturday," he stated. The team for the Cape Town clash sees three changes to the starting lineup.

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Discipline-wise we gave away soft penalties early in the game. We gave them easy entries into our 22. Scrum-wise we had a couple of issues but we think our scrum will be a lot better.