The media and public reaction in New Zealand following the All Blacks' 29-24 loss to the Springboks in Soweto has been a mix of deep frustration and concern.
The defeat at a packed FNB Stadium gave South Africa a 2-1 lead in the tour. This ensures that the world champions cannot lose the series on home soil.
While the All Blacks showed attacking promise early on, New Zealand pundits universally pointed to a familiar kryptonite. The set-piece was ultimately overwhelmed by the South African forward pack.
A central talking point across New Zealand rugby circles has been the devastating injury toll. Most notably, the team suffered the loss of captain Ardie Savea. Savea was in the midst of a spectacular performance. He crossed the line for two early tries before suffering a severe shoulder injury late in the first half. Analysts noted that his forced departure completely altered the momentum of the game. The loss of leadership felt immediate on the pitch.
The blow has been compounded by further squad updates. Midfielder Quinn Tupaea and flanker Luke Jacobson will also miss the remainder of the tour due to injuries sustained during the brutal encounter.
Technical scrutiny from New Zealand journalists focused heavily on the team's struggles at scrum time. The tight five faced relentless pressure. Commentators observed that the All Blacks initially managed to offset their set-piece issues with dynamic phase play. However, the Springboks' power eventually broke them.
Loosehead prop Ox Nche was singled out by rugby writers for putting the All Blacks' pack under immense stress. This directly led to a crucial first-half penalty try that allowed South Africa to level the scores at halftime.
Despite the bitter disappointment of the result, the overall mood coming out of the New Zealand camp remains defiantly optimistic. Team leadership and senior players have maintained that the team is close to the standard set by the world champions. They believe the gaps are fixable.
Pundits agree that the All Blacks' attack looked sharper than it has in years. They actually outscored the Springboks in total tries across the first three Tests.
The focus in New Zealand has now rapidly shifted toward a salvage mission. The team is determined to clean up their errors and secure a strong finish when the two heavyweights collide for the final Test.
