All Blacks suffer a “grisly” fate, “bludgeoned into submission” while stunning boks deliver a “monstering”.
South Africa wowed the rugby media with their dominant record win at Twickenham, topping the All Blacks in every way.
This is how writers from both sides and the neutrals saw the competition.
“The Springboks kept their word and brought New Zealand to submission in their final warm-up game at Twickenham before the World Cup defense begins,” Leighton Koopman wrote on South Africa’s iol.co.za website.
“Springbok captain Siya Kolisi promised Thursday they would give it their all and boy did they have their fingers crossed for the All Blacks from kick off. They kept their promise and a strong 80-minute display from both forwards and defense kept New Zealand under intense pressure throughout.
“There wasn’t a team the Boks didn’t dominate the whole game and that performance will help them in terms of momentum heading into the World Cup.”
Stuart Barnes, writing in The Times, was overwhelmed by the Springboks.
“Speaking of test match pedigree. Talk about statements. “New Zealand’s record loss was a clear endorsement for South Africa, and Scott Barrett’s red card and potential suspension were concerns,” Barnes wrote.
“It’s been a terrible day for Ian Foster’s All Blacks who face France in the opening game of the World Cup, but a great day for neutral England.
“Twickenham has had the privilege of being home to the two greatest rugby superpowers in the world. It was nice to be in the stadium. I haven’t been able to write that for a while.”
Gavin Rich, writing for Supersport.com, said the Springboks “confirmed the good shape they are in heading into the Rugby World Cup with a stunning 35-7 win.”
“Smashing is the apt term, as the All Blacks were crushed into submission in a first half that, as 1995 World Champions analyst Joel Stransky put it, could have been 35-0 against the reigning World Champions instead 14:0 it was.
“From the start, the All Blacks were shattered in tackle, crushed in the clashes and pushed forward, with the Bok pack taking complete control of every aspect of the frontline fight while Siya Kolisi’s men set up camp for eight of the first players.” 10 minutes in the All Black 22-yard range and enjoyed a vise-like grip over territory and a battle for possession throughout the half.”
Beauden Barrett reacts to the loss. (Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images)
The Guardian’s Robert Kitson was enthusiastic about the competition.
“Full throttle rugby at last to get the heart pumping in south west London. It might have been a frustrating August for England fans, but this was where the real action came, disguised as a so-called friendly. If this were just a warm-up, those who face an overwhelming South Africa at next month’s World Cup should brace themselves for something utterly impressive.
“A full house of almost 81,000 spectators, some 30,000 more than expected to attend England’s game against Fiji this weekend, was also a reminder of the importance of discipline in modern football. Scott Barrett’s 38th-minute red card for a shoulder injury to the head of outstanding Springbok player Malcolm Marx defined the outcome here and could have a major impact on his team’s future.
“But not as big as this record lead. It ended up being the scariest dress rehearsal New Zealand could have experienced. South Africa’s triumph was the most convincing in the game’s 102-year history, and an exhausted All-Black team was left dismembered on the floor. Even before Barrett’s early bath, his side’s back-row resources were exhausted and narrow-minded support Tyrel Lomax looked like another heavy loss from a tough night.
“Based on this evidence, the Boks will be making mincemeat out of a pack or two at the World Cup.”
Liam Napier, writing for the NZ Herald, said it was “injuries, cards and a disappointing loss that would amount to carnage at Twickenham for the All Blacks.”
“The All Blacks wanted a full test in their last game before the World Cup. You have that and much, much more.
“Two weeks before the top global game, the All Blacks suffered a humiliating loss to world champions Springboks. Though the result has minimal World Cup impact, it’s another healthy dose of force-fed adversity for Ian Foster’s men.
“Given the feel good factor that the All Blacks feel in the London air, how they put that experience into words and react to it will be telling.
Gregor Paul, also in the NZ Herald, wrote: “The fine ship All Blacks first encountered troubled waters in London in 2023 and ended up looking a lot less seaworthy than she had at any time that year.”
“It ended up tearing a huge hole in the shell as not only did various parts of the All Blacks’ game exhibit a previously unrealized fragility, but they may have lost two other key forwards for the All Blacks’ opening game.” World Championship.
“The defeat wasn’t such a bad thing in itself and one could even argue to see it as something positive – it gave the All Blacks a strong urge to get back on their feet in Paris – but the nature of the defeat gave rise to the Worries.”
“A big concern. The defeat was huge and reflected the fact that South Africa had total dominance.
“They were more physical. Much more physical. They were hungrier, sharper and their back line, which nobody talks about with much respect, was more skillful and decisive.”
Charlie Morgan wrote in London’s Daily Telegraph that “Scotland and Ireland, the Springboks’ pool opponents, may have ended up watching this monster from behind their sofas”.
He added: “Warm up or not, New Zealand will have left Twickenham with egos and bodies bruised from the record loss; all the more because they almost reached their full strength.”
“Jacques Nienaber’s team celebrated like it was the 2019 final and appear to be in a good position to defend their title across the English Channel.”
Chris Foy wrote in the Daily Mail that the Springboks “showed with a display of power and flair that they could defend the title they won in 2019”.
“While it would be premature to write New Zealand off, never in their proud history have they been beaten so badly by anyone and it will seriously affect their faith ahead of the tournament opener against hosts France in Paris.”
“Theoretically, these great rivals could meet again in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. If so, I’m sure the Springboks will have the courage to deal a massive psychological hit here.”
https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/08/26/world-view-all-blacks-suffer-grisly-fate-pummelled-into-submission-as-stunning-boks-deliver-a-monstering/ All Blacks suffer a "grisly" fate, "bludgeoned into submission" while stunning boks deliver a "monstering".
