Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett has labelled the 2025 Rugby World Cup draw "scandalous" after South Africa and New Zealand were placed on a collision course for the quarter-finals.
The two highest-ranked teams in world rugby could face elimination in the last eight of the tournament in Australia, a scenario Mallett described as a travesty. Speaking on SuperSport's Final Whistle presents Side Entry show, the ex-coach was joined by Victor Matfield in criticising the draw.
"It's the two best teams in the world; they should get to a final if they win all the games," Matfield said.
The comments followed South Africa's 29-24 victory over New Zealand in Soweto on Saturday, which gave the Springboks a 2-1 series lead in the inaugural Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. The All Blacks claimed a comfortable win in the opening Test at Ellis Park, but the subsequent fixtures have been closely contested.
Matfield suggested the All Blacks are improving under Dave Rennie and beginning to close the gap on the Springboks. "I think they're catching up – something is happening there with the culture within the group," he said.
The former lock pointed to New Zealand's unbeaten run under Rennie as evidence of progress, noting the side has yet to be tested by defeat. The series concludes in Baltimore this weekend, with the All Blacks seeking to level the contest.