Overview
- The Springboks beat the All Blacks 3-1 in the four-Test series, with repeated opposition scrum penalties and maul control providing decisive momentum shifts.
- Scrum coach Jason Ryan said he has “looked pretty hard” at his role after a frank squad review and identified defending opposition ball as a primary weakness.
- Scott Barrett is set to rejoin the squad for the Bledisloe Cup and coaches expect his experience to help steady the pack but not to instantly cure set-piece problems.
- Barrett and coaches warned that repairing scrummaging will take deliberate grass work to change habits and match exposure rather than quick tactical fixes.
- Australia’s win over South Africa in Perth underlines the set-piece threat the Wallabies pose, increasing urgency for targeted forward work ahead of Eden Park and the trip to Sydney.