By Roger Childs

The Bulls have consistently been South Africa’s best franchise side, making the United Rugby Championship finals in four of the last five years. Loftus Versfeld is of the most formidable rugby grounds in the world, so we are aware of the challenge in front of us and excited at what lies ahead. –Dave Rennie, All Blacks head coach, Friday 14 August.

Three scalps in South Africa

A trio of matches against franchise teams in the republic were designed to give the All Blacks a taste of South African rugby before the first test. The results have surprised some of the pundits. The opener in Capetown against the Stormers was expected with the visitors winning 38-21. The coaches were not happy with the sometimes poor discipline and numerous penalties, but were pleased with the quick passing, running rugby and strong finish. It got better in Durban with a 54-0 win and eight tries scored. 

The brand of rugby was clearly different from Scott Robertson’s sometimes helter–skelter but often conservative approach, and the new players in the squad were clearly enjoying Rennie’s style. 

How would things go in Pretoria?

As in the first two matches the coaching team tried a number of interesting combinations and gave all the reserves a run in the second half. This inevitably meant that the game lost some of its shape after half-time.

Four tries were scored in the first forty, two each to winger Josh Moorby and captain hooker Codie Taylor. From the start the team was enthusiastic, enterprising and dynamic. The Rennie-style emphasizes dominating the opposition forwards, quick passing from the half back, rapid backing up and speedy running to see the ball pass through many hands to set up tries.

The pack pushed back the Bulls scrum and didn’t miss a lineout. The passing was fast and furious, and players knew that they had to rapidly back-up as the ball might arrive at any time. 

There was little kicking and less barging in mid field. Rennie wants to see the team retain possession and focus on making ground and scoring tries. It was great to see the quick backing up and the constant attack on the Bulls defence with the occasional judicious kick over the top. The 24-0 lead after 40 minutes was a fair indication of how the contest was going.

More even after the break

After playing a rather defensive game in the first half, the Bulls coaching team had obviously given their team a dressing-down in the changing room, and their style of play was very different in the second forty mnutes. The home side had more ball and were far more positive and enterprising. They were dominant in the third quarter and score two very good tries after speedy running and passing between backs and forwards.

They added a third try later, but the All Blacks score another four tries with winger Leroy Carter getting a brace. The second showed wonderful interaction involving Carter, full back Beauden Barrett and first-five Josh Jacomb.

The fourth quarter saw another strong finish with the visitors demonstrating their superior fitness. There were some mistakes and the combinations took time to settle as all the reserves came on for a run. At half back Kyle Preston was not as slick as Cortez Ratima had been in the first half.  

Who played well for the All Blacks?

There wasn’t a weak link but a number of players stood out.

• Flanker Peter Lakai was everywhere – vigorous in the tight play, running hard in the open and tackling strongly. 
• Josh Moorby on the left wing was enterprising in scoring the first two tries and made some dangerous breaks in the second half. 
• Reiko Ioane back in black after time overseas impressed with his powerful running brushing off tackles and his ability to set other players up.
• Fabian Holland toiled hard in the tight and took plenty of lineout ball.
• New All Black Josh Jacomb had an enterprising game at first five and impressed with his quick passing, excellent backing up and judicious kicking.

It was not a flawless performance but a number of players showed that they are strongly competing for place in next weekend’s test team. The Springboks had a narrow win over the Pumas a week ago and will be aware that the All Blacks will be very competitive at Ellis Park Johannesburg on 23 August.