‘The better team won’: McKenzie after record All Blacks defeat

Damian McKenzie concedes the Springboks were “far too good” and that “the better team won on the day” in Wellington, as the visitors ran away with a historic 43-10 triumph – the heaviest defeat in All Blacks history.

New Zealand struck first through debutant Leroy Carter, but a second-half blitz saw South Africa record a record-breaking win on the road. After four rounds in The Rugby Championship, Australia sit in first place, despite their narrow defeat to Argentina on Saturday.

The All Blacks kept their winning streak at Eden Park alive with a 24-17 win against the Boks last weekend. That result meant the Freedom Cup was on the line, with the victor of this Test at the ‘Cake Tin’ set to claim the trophy for the next year.

Bok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi on last RWC

Bok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi on last RWC

Carter opened the scoring in the 17^th minute, before a Cheslin Kolbe intercept try helped level the contest. New Zealand took a three-point lead into the sheds after McKenzie converted a penalty attempt, but it was one-way traffic in the second term.

South Africa piled on 36 unanswered points, which included five tries and a successful penalty attempt from Manie Libbok. As McKenzie said afterwards, it was a “real game of two halves”, but the Springboks deserved their victory.

“We obviously had a decent first half, made the most of a couple opportunities, had a narrow lead,” McKenzie told reporters post-game.

“In the second half, you’ve got to give credit to South Africa and the way they played. Obviously they had a clear mindset around coming out and playing a lot of footy and at times we just couldn’t counter it and at the end of the day the better team won on the day.

“We did have our opportunities in the second half, we didn’t quite ice them, but again take nothing away from the performance of South Africa, they’re far too good for us tonight.”

Kolbe helped the Springboks take the lead early in the second half, with the world-renowned winger completing a double in the 42^nd minute. Libbok knocked over the conversion and a penalty attempt shortly after, before Damian Willemse crashed over for a score.

Kwagga Smith and RG Snyman helped extend South Africa’s advantage with a try each within a four-minute span, before Andre Esterhuizen had the final try-scoring say. The Boks made the most of their opportunities, recording more than 310 post-contact metres by full-time.

“They kept putting us under pressure. They’ve got a great kicking game,” McKenzie reflected.

“At times we combatted it, at times we didn’t and they kept turning us around and it felt like our backs are up against the wall quite a bit. We still felt like we had our opportunities but again, we didn’t quite ice the opportunities we had and they did clearly.

“Like I said, take nothing away from how well they played in the second half. They just were the better team.”

The All Blacks will have to wait a fortnight to bounce back, as they prepare to host the Wallabies in the first Bledisloe Cup Test of the year. Australia need to win that match and the following fixture at Perth’s Optus Stadium to end their Bledisloe Cup drought.

While the Wallabies were beaten by Los Pumas at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, there is a genuine buzz about the team in Australia. They have beaten Fiji, the British & Irish Lions, the Springboks and Los Pumas so far in 2025.

McKenzie noted the Wallabies “are going really well”, with the All Blacks expecting a tough two Tests against another one of their great rivals. These matches will be played on September 27 and October 4.

“Boys are hurting, that’s for sure,” he added.

“We’ve got a week off now and then a couple of tough Tests against an Aussie side that are going really well.

“It’s never nice. When you take losses you want to get straight back into it so this week off, I’m sure the boys will have a good reflection of tonight and we’re just going to get back on the horse.

“We know what we’re capable of doing and we’ve just got to nail more opportunities when we get them… it’s going to be a long week to reflect but we’re excited for what’s to come.”