The All Blacks may have celebrated a record-extending Eden Park victory over the Springboks on Saturday, but even in defeat South Africa flexed their greatest weapon – the scrum.

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With both sides running fresh legs in the final quarter, the Boks detonated a set piece in the 62nd minute that bulldozed the New Zealand pack backwards and delivered Malcolm Marx’s try. Loosehead Ox Nché spearheaded the shove, with Marx and Wilco Louw completing a front-row combination that left the hosts rattled in their own 22.

“All our scrums were a bit messy, especially on our ball,” admitted All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan.

“There was one where they climbed into us … that will be a never again moment.”

SCRUM OF THE YEAR! *Sound ON*

World Rugby may try to depower it…
Pundits may call it boring…
But Scrum IS Rugby 😍🍆🔥 pic.twitter.com/RKHgE7QVnv

— Tim Cocker (@cocker) September 6, 2025

Though the Springboks’ errors ultimately cost them in a 24-17 loss, that scrum – and the impact of the bench – provided a statement ahead of Saturday’s rematch in Wellington.

Nché and Marx were the only starting front-rowers left on the field at the time, but their dominance highlighted the depth Rassie Erasmus has at his disposal. New Zealand, meanwhile, were exposed with Codie Taylor already off injured and Tyrel Lomax slipping under pressure on his return from a thumb injury.

Ryan praised the effort of his forwards over the 80 minutes but conceded that the Boks’ power told in that pivotal exchange.

“It had everything weather-wise, we adapted quite well, but there were parts where we took the pressure off,” he said.

Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images