Mallett says Springboks’ halfbacks let All Blacks escape Ellis Park with emphatic win
Nick Mallett says South Africa wasted its chances in the 33-16 defeat to New Zealand at Ellis Park Stadium, blaming the Springboks’ halfbacks for letting
Nick Mallett says South Africa wasted its chances in the 33-16 defeat to New Zealand at Ellis Park Stadium, blaming the Springboks’ halfbacks for letting the match slip away. The former Springboks coach pointed to Grant Williams and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu after Rassie Erasmus’ side managed only one try in Johannesburg while the All Blacks scored five.
South Africa had long periods of territory and pressure in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry opener, but could not turn them into enough points. They led by only one point at half-time after New Zealand repeatedly shut down dangerous-looking attacks. By the end of the 80 minutes, the numbers told a blunt story: the Boks made 10 entries into the 22-metre zone and averaged 0.7 points per visit, while the visitors were far sharper, averaging 3.6 points from their nine entries.
Halfbacks under pressure
Mallett said New Zealand deserved credit for its defensive work, but he was firm that South Africa’s decision-making around the halfbacks caused problems for Erasmus’ men. Williams and Feinberg-Mngomezulu struggled to control the game when the Boks were on the front foot, and the team failed to cash in when the spaces opened.
The criticism lands in a wider discussion about how top Test sides turn pressure into points. In a match of this size, territory alone is not enough. New Zealand absorbed wave after wave, then punished each lapse with ruthless finishing.
Why the result stung
The defeat also underlined how fine the margins remain in elite international rugby. South Africa had the possession to make the contest uncomfortable for the All Blacks, but their final pass, timing and game management broke down at key moments. That left the tourists free to build a 33-16 win that looked increasingly comfortable as the game wore on.
Mallett’s view is likely to feed debate over Erasmus’ selection calls, especially after the halfback pairing failed to deliver in a major Test. For South Africa, the scoreline was severe. For New Zealand, the message was simpler: one side took its chances, the other did not.
