New Zealand coach Scott Robertson says the All Blacks will not alter their approach to playing South Africa in light of the Springboks’ surprise capitulation to Australia at Ellis Park.
South Africa’s 38-22 loss at their Johannesburg stronghold stunned the rugby world while putting their Rugby Championship defence on shaky ground before a potentially decisive, two-test tour of New Zealand next month.
The Springboks have tried to move to a more expansive, ball-in-hand game style away from their usual strengths of physical dominance and tactical kicking – but Robertson suggested it may not last.
“No. We know how they’re going to play – they’ll play to their strengths,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“It’s just their DNA,” he said.
“It’s about how you stop them, but also how you play your own game.”
After conceding a 22-0 lead, Australia ran in six unanswered tries to beat the hosts at Ellis Park for the first time in over 60 years and trigger renewed optimism under coach Joe Schmidt.
Robertson, however, declined to conjure even faint praise for the Wallabies, saying he was more focused on the All Blacks’ second test against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
“It was a game of small moments — a bounce of the ball, a pass. South Africa played beautifully for a long period, and then it just turned, didn’t it?” he said.
“It shows how discipline, accuracy and limiting errors can change things quickly.
“I’ll turn the page when we get past this week and we’ll start talking about those teams,” he said.
The All Blacks saw off an Argentina fightback to win 41-24 in Cordoba last Saturday despite a lack of cohesion in the back-line at times.
Rieko Ioane’s move to the wing and Billy Proctor’s promotion to starting number 13 remain under the microscope, with neither dominating their positions.
Robertson defended both players, saying Ioane was getting better every week and calling for patience for five-test Proctor.
“He’s a long-term project, and we’re sticking with him,” he said of Proctor.
