The New Zealand rugby press is largely satisfied with where the All Blacks sit heading into the Ellis Park Test, reading their 50-19 win over the Bulls as meaningful progress from a shaky tour opener against the Stormers. The Herald's Gregor Paul frames the Pretoria performance as a mentality shift — tighter, more disciplined, and physically confrontational in the way South Africa demands — while identifying the scrum as the standout structural positive. He's particularly bullish on Xavier Numia's tighthead durability and Anton Segner's openside energy, both of whom he sees as near-certain inclusions in the Test 23. The broader takeaway, for Paul, is that the All Blacks have begun to grasp what it takes to win in South Africa — scrumming for penalties, kicking long under pressure, and being ruthless in the red zone. Stuff's Richard Knowler focuses on the selection headache Rennie now faces around Ioane and Barrett, both of whom were left out of the recent Nations Championship campaign but impressed against the Bulls. Knowler sees both as bench candidates rather than starters — Ioane fighting a crowded back-three picture, Barrett potentially invaluable as a McKenzie insurance policy if the fullback isn't cleared to play.