Planet Rugby's post-match ratings make clear that the All Blacks' 33-16 win was built on a two-man spine — Will Jordan (9) and Jordie Barrett (9) — doing the heavy lifting while the rest of the team was largely kept in check by Bok pressure. Jordan's try-scoring instincts and Barrett's relentless physicality and decision-making were the difference, with Cam Roigard (8) the third linchpin. The piece also credits Dave Rennie's selection calls: Fabian Holland, brought in after barely two games since November, was rated 8 after a try and a strong set-piece showing, while Luke Jacobson justified his inclusion with an 8-rated breakdown display that earned him a try. The scrum, however, was a serious concern — Lomax (4) and De Groot (4) were dominated, and it was only the impact replacements, particularly George Bower and Fletcher Newell, that steadied the platform and changed the complexion of the game. Josh Lord (5) may face a selection challenge as a result. For Springbok fans, the ratings sharpen the picture of where the Boks genuinely won the battle (the scrum, aerial contest) and where the All Blacks' class told — a useful lens heading into the second Test.
All Blacks player ratings: Jordan and Jordie the difference-makers as Boks pay for second-half fade
Jordan and Barrett carried the All Blacks to a 33-16 win, but the scrum was a genuine weak point — Planet Rugby's ratings break down where Rennie's big calls paid off and where the Boks inflicted real damage.
Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
Hansen's Right to Back Himself — But the Boks' Five-Match Streak Tells a Different Story
Jean de Villiers acknowledges Hansen's logic but argues last year's results and performances make it hard to see the All Blacks closing the gap on the Boks — and the panel get genuinely animated over what a 2-2 series tiebreaker would even look like.
Keo & Zels: Stubborn All Blacks policy make Boks smile
The boys love that New Zealand keep picking their second-best, long may it continue.
All Blacks' loosehead crisis hands Springboks a ready-made weapon in Greatest Rivalry Series
Jeff Wilson has publicly identified loosehead prop as the All Blacks' most dangerous weakness ahead of four consecutive Tests against the Springboks — with Williams likely out, Tu'ungafasi's future uncertain, and the remaining options short on caps and experience. Set against the depth Erasmus has built across the prop positions, this piece maps out why scrum time could be where the Greatest Rivalry Series is decided.
Stephen Donald: Robertson copied the Boks — Rennie must go back to All Blacks DNA
Stephen Donald backs Hansen's anti-copycat argument, saying Robertson erred by chasing the Springbok blueprint rather than New Zealand's tempo-based strengths — and expects Rennie to correct that course ahead of a blockbuster four-Test series in South Africa.