'Unstoppable': Ex-All Black midfielder's verdict on new-look Springboks

Former All Black and current Tongan and Benetton centre Malakai Fekitoa has offered his view on the new-look Springboks after their first game of 2024.

With Rassie Erasmus returning as head coach of the national side, the coaching staff includes a number of new assistants including former Highlanders coach Tony Brown.

Fekitoa, who played under Brown’s tutelage when he was an assistant coach with the Highlanders, said he could already see Brown’s influence after their 41-13 win over Wales at Twickenham.

Taking to X, he wrote that the “shapes look different already” and that the Springboks would be “unstoppable after a few tests” as they build a new identity.

Great to see South Africa 🇿🇦 moving the ball well in attack. Shapes looks different already. Some 50/50 but they will be unstoppable after a few tests. The work of Tony Brown in attack is starting to show. 🔥

— Malakai Fekitoa (@MalakaiFekitoa) June 22, 2024

With young flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse receiving a rare start at No 10, the Springboks showed a desire to move the ball early and took all of three minutes to construct a long range strike.

Wide play to the left edge saw Jesse Kriel and Makazole Mapimpi combine for the game’s first try to the Springbok centre. In the second half, Kriel turned provider to set up Mapimpi for a try down the left flank.

Right winger Edwill van der Merwe finished the game with a solo effort, beating a handful of Welsh defenders up the middle for a blistering score.

Fullback Aphelele Fassi impressed under the high ball, defusing a number of high kicks from Wales, while reserve flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu looked composed scoring his first Test points with a penalty from over 50.

The Springboks return to South Africa for their scheduled July slate, with two Tests against Ireland and one against Portugal.