Ex-All Black describes record loss to Springboks as ‘unacceptable’

The All Blacks, having narrowly lost to the Springboks in the 2023 World Cup final, will now begin a new era under coach Scott Robertson and his new management team.

Although just one point separated the two teams in the RWC title decider, the Springboks inflicted the heaviest defeat on the All Blacks in New Zealand’s storied history, running away 35-7 victors, at Twickenham on the eve of the World Cup.

ALSO READ | Four Springboks in top 10 list of world rugby forwards

One of the most impressive results for the Springboks over the All Blacks

The Springboks scored five tries to one – flyhalf Manie Libbok converting all of them – to head for France with plenty of momentum maintained and the milestone of having eclipsed the previous heaviest defeat (21 points) suffered by New Zealand – a 28-7 reverse in Sydney in 1999.

Marshall has said there were too many inconsistent results such as this during the past four years under Ian Foster.

“I feel very strongly about it. All the way through to the next World Cup, where we want to win it, is vitally important for us to make sure we continue to create history, we continue to protect our history,” Marshall told The Platform.

“The fluctuations of the last four years since Ian Foster took control is unacceptable, and we’ve got to look at that.” Yeah, there were moments that were great, and there was success, but equally, there were big major disappointments in our history,” he added.

“Losing to Argentina for the first time in our history, losing a Test match to Argentina for the first time on our own soil. Losing to Ireland for the first time on our own soil, losing a Test series for the first time.

“Those types of things are not acceptable. Getting beaten by South Africa by a record score. That’s not the All Blacks.”

ALSO READ | Which Springbok ‘newcomers’ could soon make Test debut?