Rising loose forward Cameron Hanekom has opened up about the Springboks’ meticulous tactical masterclass following their thrilling victory over the All Blacks at a packed stadium in Soweto.
The physical encounter saw the world champions leverage their trademark set-piece dominance before unleashing a devastating final-quarter surge to down their greatest rivals in what was South Africa's final home Test of the season.
Speaking after the match, Hanekom revealed that the Springboks' game plan was built entirely on sustained pressure and attrition. The strategy relied on wearing New Zealand down upfront before unleashing fresh, explosive power from the substitutes' bench in the final 20 minutes.
“We pride ourselves on our scrum work, rolling maul movements and our lineouts,” Hanekom said. “There are, however, many other things that we can still work on, but we ticked the boxes in most areas."
The Springbok coaching staff's utilisation of the 'Bomb Squad ' requires immediate intensity from the players coming on. Hanekom, who put in a massive shift after being introduced to the game, embraced the immense responsibility that comes with wearing a substitute's jersey.
“From a personal point of view, I knew that I, like all our replacements, had an important job to do,” Hanekom explained. “That is to bring energy and help the guys who have already been on the field for 60 minutes. When I got the opportunity, I knew I just had to give it everything.”
For Hanekom, the victory was more than just another notch on the Springboks' historic rivalry with New Zealand; it was a deeply personal milestone in his international comeback. Facing the All Blacks in front of a roaring local crowd provided the perfect backdrop for his return to peak form.
“It has been a very special experience so far. I think playing against the All Blacks in any capacity will always be special,” he reflected. “This is my second game against them and the atmosphere in the stadium was crazy."
The electric Soweto crowd clearly left an indelible mark on the team, feeding them the energy required to close out the tight contest.
“The passionate way in which the supporters sang the national anthem was very special, and we finished our last game on home soil on a good note,” Hanekom concluded.
With the home leg of their campaign wrapped up successfully, Hanekom and the Springboks will look to carry this set-piece dominance and clinical finishing onto the international road.