The All Blacks’ 24-17 win at Eden Park may have extended South Africa’s barren run at the Auckland fortress, but New Zealand greats believe the Springboks left enough on the table to suggest a real threat awaits in Wellington this weekend.

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Reflecting on the clash on The Breakdown, former All Black fullback Mils Muliaina pointed to South Africa’s slow start as decisive to their defeat.

“When you go two tries behind, it takes you a little bit of time to get back into the game,” Muliaina said.

“And when you come up against quality teams like the All Blacks or the Springboks, it takes you a little bit longer. You can’t get your hands on the ball, you’re starting to scramble, you’re looking at your leaders and you’re thinking what are the things we have to get back to?”

While Eden Park again proved unyielding, the second half offered a glimpse of what could be coming in Wellington. Former wing Jeff Wilson highlighted the set-piece battle as a turning point in South Africa’s favour.

“The Springbok side is going to be better [in Wellington]. The impact came from the bench and there was a change in the last 20 minutes,” Wilson explained.

“It’s not often that you see an All Black scrum go backwards and there was a pivotal moment in about the 60th minute. A statement was made. We’ve had troubles in 2024 in the last 20 minutes so that should give the Boks optimism.”

The big talking point heading into Wellington, however, centres on who should wear the No 10 jersey. While Handré Pollard came under fire for his mixed display in the wet, former All Black scrumhalf Justin Marshall urged Rassie Erasmus to hold his nerve.

“That’s such a pivotal jersey. You’re talking goal kicker, driver – that’s the jersey. So you’ve got to bank on that jersey,” Marshall insisted.

“Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was awesome off the bench.”

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The message from across the Tasman is clear: the Springboks showed enough power and depth at Eden Park to believe a backlash is brewing. Wellington, with no fortress aura like Eden Park, looms as the real test of South Africa’s mettle.

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