This is not catastrophic.

The first video I ever made that went viral was a reaction to the Wallabies downing the Springboks at Ellis Park last year.

It was the opening game of the Rugby Championship, and in the video I asked whether the Springboks had already thrown away the tournament.

The video resonated with many people…

Because we all felt the same. We couldn’t believe the Springboks had lost…

Because we aren’t really used to that anymore. We’ve become spoilt by the Springboks’ success.

But truth be told, we’ve been here before…

We lost the opening match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup to New Zealand.

We lost the opening match of the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2021.

We lost the pool match against Ireland at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

We lost the opening match of the Rugby Championship in 2025 to Australia.

We lost the game against the All Blacks at Eden Park last year.

And each of those times, we recovered and went on to win the series or tournament.

So there should be no reason why we can’t recover from the loss to New Zealand.

This is not catastrophic.

The first video I ever made that went viral was a reaction to the Wallabies downing the Springboks at Ellis Park last year.

It was the opening game of the Rugby Championship, and in the video I asked whether the Springboks had already thrown away the tournament.

The video resonated with many people…

Because we all felt the same. We couldn’t believe the Springboks had lost…

Because we aren’t really used to that anymore. We’ve become spoilt by the Springboks’ success.

But truth be told, we’ve been here before…

We lost the opening match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup to New Zealand.

We lost the opening match of the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2021.

We lost the pool match against Ireland at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

We lost the opening match of the Rugby Championship in 2025 to Australia.

We lost the game against the All Blacks at Eden Park last year.

And each of those times, we recovered and went on to win the series or tournament.

So there should be no reason why we can’t recover from the loss to New Zealand.

But it’s the little moments that can swing the momentum in a Test match, and we just didn’t have any fall our way.

But the overriding feeling is that the Boks did a lot of good during that game. And with a bit better execution, things could—and will—be different.

That’s why I am in favour of the two big changes for the team playing in Cape Town.

I think Handré Pollard is the safe pair of hands we need at the moment, and Cobus Reinach was our best nine last year. I think we missed him on the weekend.

Not to say Sacha and Grant don’t have what it takes, but let’s be honest: Sacha has just come back from injury and isn’t quite firing on all cylinders, while Grant Williams also didn’t play a lot of rugby last year, and I found his distribution to be ponderous.

And while young Paul de Villiers is an absolute emerging Bok star…

Siya Kolisi is the captain, and thankfully he has been ruled fit and will face the All Blacks on the weekend.

But can we just talk about the Lions nearly beating the All Blacks this week?

What a performance!

I am telling you now, there is something special brewing at the Lions.

They made the URC playoffs for the first time last year, as well as claiming the SA Shield.

They pushed the All Blacks all the way, and as I heard someone say, the All Blacks didn’t want to have to play Test-match rugby to win this game…

But the Lions made them play.

This young Lions squad is going to get better and better, and I think they will be a real surprise package in the URC this year.

And how good do they look in their new kit, going back to the traditional red horizontal stripe?

So yes, the Springboks lost.

And yes, there are things that need to be fixed.

But this is not unfamiliar territory.

We’ve seen this team stumble before…

And every time people start wondering whether the wheels are coming off, the Springboks seem to find another gear.

Cape Town is not just another Test match now.

It’s a chance to save the series, restore some pride and remind the All Blacks—and everyone else—exactly who they’re dealing with.

Because the Springboks are never more dangerous…

Than when their backs are against the wall.

Until next time,

Rudi
Aussieboks