'Irritated' - Erasmus rings changes after 'hiding' by All Blacks
South Africa rugby coach Rassie Erasmus has made several changes to his squad following a heavy defeat to New Zealand. The team is now preparing for a critical second Test match in Cape Town.
Why it matters
The match is a pivotal moment in the international rugby series, determining whether South Africa can remain competitive for the title.
South Africa is no longer looking down the rankings on the rest of world rugby for the first time in almost a year. New Zealand officially replaced the two-time world champion Springboks as the No.1 men's Test side after the shocking <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/08/23/blitzed-boks-in-meltdown-as-all-blacks-go-one-up-in-south-africa/">33-16 win last Sunday </a>at the launch of their first four-Test series in 50 years. The second Test in Cape Town this Sunday morning (NZT) <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/08/23/massive-rennie-hails-famous-all-blacks-victory-over-boks/">has become a must win</a> for the host. Lose again and South Africa can no longer win a series it started as the heavy favourite. Coach <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/08/24/analysis-how-the-all-blacks-out-thought-boks-coaching-mastermind/">Rassie Erasmus </a>reacted overnight to their heaviest defeat at Ellis Park to New Zealand with four changes to the starting XV — the fewest changes he's made this year — and brought in five new reserves.
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