Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach has dismissed suggestions that New Zealand specifically targeted South Africa’s halfbacks during their recent defeat at 10bet Ellis Park, pointing instead to a clinical breakdown masterclass by the visitors.
The Springboks suffered a stinging 33-16 loss in the opening Test, unravelling in the final quarter after holding a narrow 13-12 lead at the halftime break. The defeat snapped the Boks' recent momentum and saw them slip to second place in the world rugby rankings.
Among the chief talking points post-match was the intense pressure exerted on starting scrumhalf Grant Williams and Reinach, who later picked up a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on as the game slipped away. However, speaking ahead of the second Test in Cape Town, Reinach clarified that the tactical battle was won on the ground, not through individual targeting.
"I don't think they necessarily targeted the nines," Reinach stated. "They just targeted the breakdown. They used their legs, they used their bodies to get in the way and slow our ball down."
The All Blacks' ability to disrupt the ruck area effectively starved South Africa of the quick, front-foot ball they needed to unleash their potent backline. For a scrumhalf, dealing with that suffocating presence is an occupational hazard that requires collective solutions rather than individual adjustments.
"As nines, all we can do is feel the pressure and find ways to get the ball out," Reinach explained. "If they get away with it, we need to adapt. We can't just look at the referee; we have to find a way to clear that ball."
The veteran halfback admitted that reviewing the match footage was a tough pill to swallow. While the Springboks dominated territory, possession, and the scrum battle for the first 50 minutes, an inability to convert opportunities inside the opposition's 22-metre line ultimately proved fatal.
"Reviewing the tape wasn’t enjoyable, but it’s a necessary look into the mirror," Reinach said. "We made handling errors, but you have to give credit to the pressure New Zealand put us under. They forced those mistakes."
Despite the heavy scoreline, Reinach is adamant that the mood in the Springbok camp remains highly positive. The squad has spent the early part of the week simulating the All Blacks' breakdown tactics in training to ensure they aren't caught off guard a second time.
Crucially, Reinach reminded fans and pundits that the Springboks have been in this exact position before and successfully turned the tables.
"There is a silver lining. We’ve been here before where we lost the first Test against the All Blacks and came back to win the next one. We know what micro-mistakes we made, and we know exactly how to fix them. The focus now is entirely on executing that plan in Cape Town."
The Springboks face the All Blacks in the second Test at Cape Town Stadium this weekend, where a fiercely contested breakdown battle awaits once more.