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International

'That’s what the All Blacks don’t have': Ex-Bok coach highlights Dave Rennie's issue

Ben Smith

Published: 16 August 2026 21:29 CDT

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - SEPTEMBER 06: South Africa pack down a scrum during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and South Africa Springboks at Eden Park on September 06, 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Former Springboks head coach Heyneke Meyer believes that the gulf in depth between the two sides will be the difference in the Greatest Rivalry series.

According to the ex-coach the All Blacks don’t have the numbers in the forwards to match the Boks, while the game has changed to suit South Africa.

The eligibility rules in New Zealand have meant that a number of players head offshore when their international careers aren’t progressing, leading to a lot of departures in their late 20s.

“I think it’s very difficult for Dave Rennie to start [his All Blacks tenure] and to face the Springboks,” Meyer told the Behind the Ruck podcast.

“I think what the Springboks are doing right now is picking our best side, and this side is very experienced and four Test matches is going to be very tough, but we’ve got depth.

“And I think that’s what the All Blacks don’t have.

“I’ve got so much respect for the way they play, but they don’t have the depth because they only keep big guys [high profile players] in New Zealand and they’ve lost a lot of good guys.”

In 2026 New Zealand rugby farewelled a number of capped All Blacks including Blues pair Dalton Papalii and Hoskins Sotutu, two loose forwards at 28-years-old.

Stephen Perofeta and AJ Lam, who spent time in the All Blacks squad, are also due to depart. Other capped players announced to be leaving are Samipeni Finau (Japan), David Havili (Japan), Braydon Ennor (France), Dallas McLeod (England).

Former Bulls coach Meyer, who coached the Springboks from 2012-15 believed that the game has shifted away from how New Zealand typically play, with South Africa’s ‘bomb squad’ innovation part of driving that shift.

He believed that only France can match South Africa’s playing stocks in the forwards which is where Tests are being decided.

“On the day, the All Blacks can beat any team, but I think the way the game is going now you have to scrum well, you have to maul well. It’s a set-piece game,” he said.

“They [New Zealand] like a continuous game. The game has changed because you can bring in a whole new pack. So, we’re the only team in the world that’s got that depth in the forwards, maybe France.

“And if you don’t have a good set-piece, you’re in trouble. And we’ve got an unbelievable set-piece. So, it will be close, but at home, you have to back the Springboks.”

Comments

128 Comments

Jmann 14 days ago

famous last words…

NoLongerARuck 19 days ago

If NZ could call upon all their players from across the world their squad starts to resemble a dream team as opposed to the number 2 ranked side. They have alot of depth in NZ but outside of NZ lies a whole bubble of players who could prove the difference between a world cup and a runner up finish. Right now they go into this test series with just 1 world class proven winger. The rest of the wingers have just recently been selected for the AB’s. Think about all the world class experienced wingers currently out of NZ rugby and thats where the true depth of the Nation is lost.

PickOllieMathisOrKeepLosing,Rob. 20 days ago

Bang on. ABs really need to win the first two tests because the liklihood of key players being put for the third is pretty high.

unknown 20 days ago

I think the message he is really saying is that Nz eligibility rules are archaic in today’s game. Need to be changed…. Can def come up with a formula that keeps the integrity of the legacy of the All blacks but moves forward with the changing times…. As Dylan said “for those that are hurt are those that have stalled”

JW 19 days ago

Really what’s changed in todays game that necessitates change?

Haha I googled youre phrase and just fnd a hole lot of Rugby pass articles you’ve used it in!

Are you sure you don’t mean;

is it a miss quoting of a bob dylan song?

Yes, you are exactly right. It is a slight misquotation of Bob Dylan’s legendary 1964 anthem, "The Times They Are A-Changin'". [1, 2]
In the third verse of The Times They Are A-Changin', Dylan addresses politicians with the actual lyrics: [1, 2, 3]
"Come senators, congressmen, please heed the call Don’t stand in the doorway, don’t block up the hall For he that gets hurt will be he who has stalled There’s a battle outside and it is ragin’" [1]

JW 20 days ago

According to the ex-coach the All Blacks don’t have the numbers in the forwards to match the Boks, while the game has changed to suit South Africa.

I was hoping this idea would be put to bed once and for all but unfortunately the URC sides have played their second stringers, ones with no association to this Springbok depth.

Bring on the next four years, or three years is it? Before the Boks have to travel to NZ and we’ll certainly show you then!

So, it will be close, but at home, you have to back the Springboks.”

Haha spoken like a true bok supporter, I guess set piece must have nothing to do with then?

Bazzallina 19 days ago

Our Super sides will go hard JW admittedly the time it occurs in season will suit us better but they will probs get a heads up from the Lions tour

TokoRFC 20 days ago

“they only keep big guys [high profile players] in New Zealand and they’ve lost a lot of good guys.”

This hits the nail on the head really.

Someone asked in another thread who would be prefer instead of Parker and personal preference aside, Papalii, Flanders, Finau, heck Boshier would all be genuine options. But they’re gone

JW 19 days ago

Only Boshier is ineligible and he’s a 7 not a 6. Dalton is injured, Flanders has never been selected, and Finau I think is biding his time.

Granted they wouldn’t be eligbile next year unless Rennie is able to continue Razors crusade!

Ayre123 None 20 days ago

The Boks backline defence with the likes of Fassi, Moodie, KLA, Libbok or Grant will be targeted by the ABs who will be inept not to grab what is given.

DW at 15 is reliable but slow to plug defensive holes, that brings the likes of Hooker and AE as ideal defenders vs the ABs marauders but can’t see Rassie selects them due to the party’s diversity rules?

JW 19 days ago

Thought they were abolished? That reformation had be (campaigned as) achieved?

Kinda lost by your sentence. Are you saying because the 15 is not that tight the SB will chose to be negative and back their own defence more?

Shouldn’t we be questioning DMac’s attacking strength now?

Cat73 20 days ago

I’m not sure I’d agree, you just need to watch the NPC to know NZ still has great depth. The DNA skills and attacking mindset is there too. Really looking forward to the clash of styles on Saturday. Lots of ways to play rugby; that’s what makes it the best team game in the world imo.

TokoRFC 20 days ago

I think that’s his point though isn’t it Cat? We produce both great and good players but we aren’t able to hang onto all of them do the «good» ones that could plug holes as attrition sets in have left and aren’t able to be used.

Bazzallina 20 days ago

Plenty of depth imo still needs to be tested in the furnace but the debate on many positions is well alive atm

Whether it will be good enough time will tell but AB fans should have an equal amount of confidence as “fear” haha

TAB has ABs at $2.80 Boks $1.42 atm for test 1 so they obviously don’t agree

JW 19 days ago

Are you talking about the SB depth needing to be tested in the furnace or ABs best XV?

GS 20 days ago

Pretty accurate odds I imagine, at this moment I think Bok by 12+ - hope I’m wrong, and fingers crossed that the ABs will come through.

Bigger worry for me, is you can see with the injuries how deep into the squad that ABs are going to have to go. Given indepth strength of Boks vs ABs would not be surprised if it got ugly by game 3 and 4.

Think when you consider Saula Ma’u is now been pulled into the ABs, how do you imagine he would go if pulled into test match? Reds game last year left him in tears and the Reds do not exactly have a WC Scrum, unlike the Boks.

Blackmania 20 days ago

Former Boks coaches and players keep harping on about one thing: depth, depth, and more depth.

The All Blacks don’t have the same depth as the Boks to play the way the Boks do, but they have enough depth to play the way the All Blacks do.

I don’t see where the All Blacks lack depth. There is depth in every position. The only position that is more exposed is prop. We know that. And they will need a bit of luck for the props to avoid injuries across the four matches. Statistically, that’s unlikely.

NxxTX 20 days ago

Depth will be good for them 2027/28 when half their team retires like ours did in 2015. But for now its still only a 23 man game.

HS 20 days ago

Norris is returning home as well, so after the warm up games that is 4 out of 44. I expect the test matches to be brutal, and playing 4 of them in 4 weeks will test depth.

The All Blacks do not just need depth to play the way the All Blacks do; you need depth to play the way the Springboks do as well.

TD 20 days ago

You can't say NZ is losing forward depth and only name two players.

JW 19 days ago

If you’re SA you can do anything haven’t you heard how good they are?

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