New Zealand braced for improved Springboks in second test in Cape Town
New Zealand rugby coach Dave Rennie is preparing for a competitive second test against South Africa in Cape Town. Despite a comfortable win in the first match, Rennie expects a strong response from the Springboks and is focusing on improving his team's physicality and discipline.
Why it matters
High-profile international sports rivalries drive significant media engagement and reflect the competitive landscape of professional rugby.
Rugby Union - New Zealand Press Conference - Sandton Sun and Towers, Johannesburg, South Africa - August 21, 2026 New Zealand's Ardie Savea and head coach Dave Rennie before the press conference REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
CAPE TOWN, Aug 27 - New Zealand coach Dave Rennie expects both sides to put in improved performances when they face South Africa in the second test of their four-match "Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry" series in Cape Town on Saturday.
The All Blacks were worthy 33-16 winners against an error-strewn Springboks side in the first test in Johannesburg, but Rennie does not expect the four-times world champions to be as poor again.
New Zealand defeated South Africa comfortably in Auckland last year, but the following weekend suffered their worst ever test defeat, a 43-10 humbling in Wellington under former coach Scott Robertson.
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