Springboks level series with All Blacks despite being out-carried and out-passed

The Springboks drew level in the Greatest Rivalry Series with a 33-26 victory over the All Blacks at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, overcoming significant disadvantages in both carries and passes.

South Africa made a marked improvement in performance, but their defence will remain a concern after New Zealand produced almost twice as many post-contact metres during the match.

The All Blacks made 154 carries to the Springboks’ 103, while their post-contact metres totalled 494m compared with South Africa’s 287m. New Zealand also completed 248 passes, well clear of the Springboks’ 93.

Despite spending less time carrying and passing the ball, South Africa were more effective in several decisive areas. Their six turnovers won were three times the All Blacks’ total of two, with Malcolm Marx responsible for three of the Springboks’ six.

The hosts also completed all nine of their lineouts, while New Zealand won 15 of their 18 for an 83% success rate. South Africa were similarly perfect from eight restarts received, compared with five from the All Blacks, who again had an 83% success rate.

New Zealand enjoyed a slight advantage in line breaks, making seven to South Africa’s five. The All Blacks also lost seven turnovers, two more than the Springboks’ five.

South Africa made 186 tackles during the contest, compared with 123 by New Zealand. The Springboks missed 40 tackles, giving them a completion rate of 82%, while the All Blacks missed 25 and finished with an 83% completion rate.

The kicking figures further illustrated the contrasting approaches. South Africa kicked 35 times, with a kick-to-pass ratio of 1:2.7. New Zealand kicked 23 times and recorded a ratio of 1:10.8.

The victory was a much-improved showing from the Springboks, who were able to turn their greater defensive workload and lower attacking totals into a seven-point success.

However, the 494 post-contact metres conceded to the All Blacks will be a notable area of concern for South Africa. New Zealand’s ability to continue making ground after first contact was one of the clearest statistical advantages in the match, even though it did not prevent the Springboks from securing victory.

The result means the Springboks have levelled the Greatest Rivalry Series with the All Blacks.