Biggar: Contrasting styles will make Springboks v All Blacks series ‘unmissable’

Dan Biggar says the All Blacks’ four-Test showdown with the Springboks in the upcoming Greatest Rivalry Series will be compelling because it sets the world champions’ power game against New Zealand’s evolving, ball-in-hand approach.

The former Wales fly-half, who won 112 caps before retiring from international rugby in 2023, believes Dave Rennie’s side are about to face “the next big, big test” of their new attacking identity against what he calls “the best team in the world by a country mile”.

Speaking on his Biggar Thinking podcast, the 34-year-old outlined why he expects the back-to-back world champions to stick rigidly to their tried and trusted blueprint, while the All Blacks look to push on with a more expansive style under Rennie.

“The next big, big test for this All Blacks team will be four matches against the back-to-back world champions and the best team in the world by a country mile at the minute, the Springboks,” Biggar said.

“How will this attacking shape, with all the passes, the carries, the two, three playmakers, match up against the best team in the world and a team who are just looking to come up with line speed, shut that down?”

‘Clash of styles’ at heart of rivalry

Biggar argued that the series will be defined by a stark contrast in playing philosophies, particularly in how each side attacks and defends.

“I suppose it’s a clash of styles in attack and defence. You’ve got the Springboks who are looking to just get the ball back as quickly as possible and ask teams to almost give the ball back to them through kicking, and the All Blacks who are looking to dominate possession, wait for an error in defence, wait for a fullback to rush up and put a little kick in behind, and just be patient with the ball.

“So I think it’s matching up to be perfect how the Springboks defend and how the All Blacks attack.”

Biggar suggested that New Zealand’s success will hinge on whether they can cope physically with South Africa while still committing to their high-tempo, passing game.

“If the All Blacks don’t win enough collisions against the Springboks and they continue to try and play pass, pass, pass, it could be really difficult.

“If they can move the point of contact, if they can move this big Springbok pack around, a little like Scotland did, they could cause them problems, but you still fancy the Springboks, a dominant force in world rugby.”

Series build-up gathers pace

Anticipation is growing ahead of the Greatest Rivalry Series, which will see the All Blacks and Springboks meet four times in a single campaign.

Rennie is expected to confirm his touring squad early next week as preparations intensify for what Biggar views as a defining examination of New Zealand’s direction under their new head coach.

Before facing the Springboks in the Test arena, the All Blacks will warm up with three matches against South African United Rugby Championship franchises. Their tour opener is against the Stormers in Cape Town on Friday, 7 August.

They will also face the Lions in a midweek fixture scheduled between the first and second Test, giving Rennie further opportunities to fine-tune combinations and reinforce his attacking framework before going head-to-head with the world champions.

Biggar, who has experienced both sides’ physicality and intensity during his own international career, believes those contrasting approaches are precisely what will make the series so compelling for supporters.

With the Springboks seeking to impose their defensive line speed, contesting for possession and forcing opponents into kicking battles, and the All Blacks aiming to hold the ball, manipulate defences and strike when errors appear, Biggar is convinced the rivalry is perfectly poised.

For him, the outcome will come down to whether New Zealand can shift South Africa’s formidable pack around the pitch while still standing up to the collisions – or whether the Springboks’ familiar, brutally efficient template once again proves decisive on the biggest stage.