South Africa wowed the rugby media with their dominant record-breaking win at Twickenham, outclassing the All Blacks in every department.
This is how writers from both sides, and the neutrals, saw the contest.
“The Springboks stuck to their word and pummelled New Zealand into submission at Twickenham in their final warm-up match before their defence of the World Cup starts,”wrote Leighton Koopman on South African website iol.co.za.
“Springbok captain Siya Kolisi promised on Thursday they would go all out, and boy did they turn the screws on the All Blacks from the kickoff. They delivered on their promise, and a powerful 80-minute performance by the forwards and backline kept New Zealand under severe pressure throughout.
“There wasn’t a facet that the Boks did not dominate for the entire game, and this performance will stand them in good stead in terms of momentum heading into the World Cup.”
Stuart Barnes, writing in The Times was blown away by the Springboks.
“Talk about Test-match pedigree. Talk about statements. New Zealand’s record defeat was an echoing endorsement of South Africa, Scott Barrett’s red card and possible ban a cause for concern,” wrote Barnes.
“It was an awful day for Ian Foster’s All Blacks, who face France in their opening World Cup match, but a cracking day for English neutrals.
“As for Twickenham, it had the privilege of hosting the world’s two great rugby superpowers. It was good to be at the stadium. I haven’t been able to write that for a while.”
Gavin Rich, writing for Supersport.com, said the Springboks “confirmed the rude health they are in heading into the Rugby World Cup with a smashing record 35-7 win.”
“Smashing is the apt expression as the All Blacks were smashed into submission in a first half in which, as 1995 World Cup winner analyst Joel Stransky put it, could have been 35-0 to the reigning world champions rather than the 14-0 that it was.
“From the off the All Blacks were smashed in the tackle, smashed in the collisions and smashed at forward, with the Bok pack taking complete control of every aspect of the up-front battle as Siya Kolisi’s men set up camp for eight of the first 10 minutes in the All Black 22-metre area and enjoyed a vice-like grip on the territory and possession battle throughout the half.”
Beauden Barrett reacts to the loss. (Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Robert Kitson of The Guardian was enthralled by the contest.
“At last some full-throttle rugby to raise the pulse in south-west London. It may have been a frustrating August for English supporters but here was the thunderous real deal, disguised as a so-called friendly. If this was a warm-up, those about to encounter a rampant South Africa at next month’s World Cup should brace themselves for something massively impactful.
“A full house of almost 81,000, some 30,000 more than are set to attend England’s game with Fiji this weekend, were also given a reminder of the importance of discipline in the modern game. Scott Barrett’s 38th-minute red card for a shoulder to the head of the outstanding Springbok hooker, Malcolm Marx, significantly shaped the outcome here and could have sizeable implications for his team going forward.
“Not as sizeable as this record margin, though. By the end it was about as grisly a dress rehearsal as New Zealand could possibly have experienced. South Africa’s triumph was their most convincing in the 102-year history of this fixture and a depleted All Black pack were left in pieces on the floor. Even before Barrett’s early bath his side’s second-row resources were already stretched and tight-head prop Tyrel Lomax looked to be another serious casualty on a heavy-duty evening.
“On this evidence the Boks will make mincemeat of one or two packs at the World Cup.”
Liam Napier, writing for the NZ Herald, said it was a case of “injuries, cards and a deflating defeat equate to carnage at a heaving Twickenham for the All Blacks.
“The All Blacks wanted a full-blown test in their final outing before the World Cup. They got that and much, much more.
“Two weeks out from the global showpiece the All Blacks suffered a humbling loss to the world champion Springboks. While the result carries minimal World Cup implications, it is another healthy dose of force-fed adversity for Ian Foster’s men.
“With the feel-good factor surrounding the All Blacks sucked into the London air, how they bottle this experience and respond will be telling.
Gregor Paul, also in the NZ Herald, wrote: “The good ship All Blacks met choppy waters for the first time in 2023 in London and ended up looking a lot less seaworthy than at any time this year.
“It ended up with a giant hole being ripped in the hull, as not only were various parts of the All Blacks’ game exposed as having a previously unrealised fragility, but they may have also lost another two key forwards for the opening game of the World Cup.
“The defeat wasn’t such a bad thing by itself and an argument could even be made to see it as a positive – giving the All Blacks a profound hunger to bounce back in Paris – but the nature of it was a concern.
“A big concern. The margin of defeat was massive and reflective of the fact South Africa’s domination was total.
“They were more physical. Way more physical. They were hungrier, sharper and their backline, never one that anyone talks about with much respect, were slicker and more decisive.”
Charlie Morgan, writing in London’s Daily Telegraph, that “Scotland and Ireland, the Springboks’ pool opponents, might have been watching this monstering from behind their sofas by the end”.
He added, “warm-up or not, New Zealand will have left Twickenham with egos and bodies bruised from all-time record loss; more so because they were close to full strength”.
“Jacques Nienaber’s team partied like it was the 2019 final, and seem in a strong position to defend their title across The Channel.”
Chris Foy, writing in the Daily Mail, said the Springboks “showed that they can defend the title they won in 2019, with a demonstration of force and flair”.
While “it would be premature to write off New Zealand, never in their proud history have they been beaten so badly by anyone and it will savagely dent their belief ahead of a tournament opener against hosts France in Paris”.
“In theory, these great rivals could meet again in the World Cup quarterfinals. If so, the Springboks are bound to take heart from striking a massive psychological blow here.”
Flyman
Roar Rookie
Never was, never will be a home game at Twickenham.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
The Boks arnt but most of their players are.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Mate YOU are a sore winner, and you won nothing.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Things will be being said behind closed doors Die Hard. SA wont get that sort of help next time.
BleedRedandBlack
Roar Rookie
In 1999 the AB's went into world cup year with an abysmal record the year before and a coach the NZRFU didn't have the courage to dump. They started well, with two compelling victories over SA and one over OZ. All seemed to be well, was the conclusion. The problems have been fixed, the "wise" heads said. Then they got poleaxed by the Wallabies in the Bledisloe decider, and the truth that Humpty couldn't be put back together started to show.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
As was I Ozinsa! Oh yes it was grim indeed. And BBBBB seemed to compound things being tricky inside the red zone instead of being steady. I was pretty surprised only 14 down at oranges and would have been beaming if disbeleving if it was 14-7. I new in my gut it would end badly when Telea was pinged. Firstly as i couldnt see a knock on but mostly because the TMO went back 4 phases and are only meant to do that for foul play. Swings and MerryGoRounds you say, and yes I agree. But when we went down to 14 when SB did the naughty deed we were always doomed to this end. Its not a good view from down here Ozinsa. Dont like it. No wonder we drink so much eh?
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Harsh CB! But also a big No to your accusation. If you want to get riled by an apologist opinion for their beaten team take it someplace else. Either keep your words about rugby or else say nothing and move on. Never attack the writer. I gave examples to back my thoughts. Argue the examples if you want. Even better maybe discus them and try to enjoy yourself.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
No I am offering a reason not an excuse CheetahBok!. However a boot stud or blade should not be able to slice so deep. Never whined in my life, however I love chewing over the result good and bad. Don't be defensive about winning my friend. The game goes on and we will meet again.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Hard to argue with that CheetahBok.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Very bitter indeed, do not like the view at all. Feeling very much humbled.
CheetahBok
Roar Rookie
Nobody said they would fail! It wasn’t the loss that had people, sit up and take notice. It was how the AB’s were brutalised in contact and rattled. You can cling onto the RC title as much as you want. It isn’t the RC, it is the WC, and prior to this spanking the AB’s were looked at as favourites. No people are thinking ????. Hang on, maybe they aren’t such a sure bet. If it was a tight loss, the reaction would have been different. Even with 14 men, AB’s have not been tossed aside like that before.
CheetahBok
Roar Rookie
You are one sore loser, and all your comments just make you look like a sore loser. None have any merit, just unsubstantiated whining.
CheetahBok
Roar Rookie
Are you implying it was deliberate? Or just being a whiner in general?
CheetahBok
Roar Rookie
Pedantic how? Pedantic because the AB’s were the team penalised? There are rules, if you think applying them, is pedantic, which rules should we then ignore?
CheetahBok
Roar Rookie
Oh I am not betting my house in. Bok win, rugby is far to unpredictable. It was you that was so convinced the AB’s will best the Boks next time around. Though I suspect, that is just post match stress bluster ????
Loosey
Roar Rookie
Yeah he's deceptively slow.
piru
Roar Rookie
They're big, strong men, they always have been.
Wooliej
Roar Rookie
It’s the front up physically that’s the worry. Teams with young props who haven’t built man muscles yet are at a disadvantage. Not possibly safe, or an even playing field.
piru
Roar Rookie
The Boks aren't doing anything mysterious, they're doing what they've always done, just to a higher proficiency. You need a strong scrum (strong enough not to give up penalty advantage every time). A lineout that works Minimise errors Front up physically.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Never said that Jean. Obviously Boks deserved to win. They did so convincingly. In case you’ve mistaken me for an AB fan, there are a few NZers who might be offended by that. Thanks for dropping by.