Rugby365's Warren Fortune runs through individual ratings from the All Blacks' 29-24 defeat in the third Test of the Greatest Rivalry series. The analysis paints a clear picture of a New Zealand side that matched the Boks for a half before folding under the pressure of the second 40 minutes. The prop pairing of Bower and Lomax were the standout weak links — both rated below 5 — with Nche's demolition of Lomax in the scrum directly producing a Springbok penalty try. Carter's chronic defensive lapses at outside back were equally costly, contributing to two Bok tries despite his attacking contributions. On the positive side, Roigard and Jordan both rated 8/10, and Savea's impact in the first half before his injury exit was significant. The substitutions — particularly Holland at lock — failed to provide the energy the All Blacks needed to stem the tide, and Fortune's verdict is clear: New Zealand's second-half personnel changes went backwards while the Boks' impact replacements (including Malcolm Marx) shifted the game decisively.
All Blacks Player Ratings: Where the Third Test Was Won and Lost
Fortune's individual ratings expose a tale of two halves — a competitive New Zealand side let down by scrum fragility, leaky defence on the wings, and ineffective bench contributions, while the Boks' second-half intensity proved the difference in a 29-24 win.
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.