Joel Stransky backs Springbok pack to beat All Blacks into submission

Former Springbok Joel Stransky expects the Springboks to beat the All Blacks in both their back-to-back Rugby Championship Tests.

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An embattled New Zealand side arrived in South Africa last week and face a tough assignment in Mzansi.

Springboks coming off a series win over Wales

Off the back of a historic series defeat against Ireland, they now have to front up against the world champions on consecutive Saturdays.

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The All Blacks failed to win the collisions against the Irish and Stransky expects more of the same against an even bigger, more combative forward pack at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday.

“It’s hard to see our pack of forwards dominated – I think we will win them both, but close games are the nature of our rivalry,” the 1995 Rugby World Cup hero told Kiwi news outlet Newstalk ZB.

“I do think they will raise their game and come back from the defeat against Ireland. But that is so hard to do against a Springbok side that dominates up front.

“If the All Blacks are weak anywhere at the moment, it’s the ability to handle the confrontation. And we just deliver pain and suffering in the confrontational areas.

“That’s our game – mauling you out of the game, scrumming you into the penalty situation. It’s not particularly pretty, it’s not exactly positive, but it is effective and we are really, really good at it. We force the penalties and we force the points.”

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Stransky added that New Zealand should take a page out of Wales’ book, as the Dragons found some success against the Springboks out wide, especially when their defence was unorganised.

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“I think the All Blacks need to play fast and expansively,” continued Stransky.

“The Welsh, who are not the best-attacking team in the world, found ways through our defence and the All Blacks need to learn from that.

“They need to catch South Africa off guard when our defence is not organised and structured, avoid the big confrontational areas. They need to find space in the midfield and out wide… around the fringes and forwards they won’t find anything.”

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As for under-fire coach Ian Foster, Stransky believes it’s do-or-die.

Under Foster, the All Black have the lowest winning percentage (66%) since the professional era began.

“He has got two weeks left to try and right the ship and that’s not exactly a show of confidence… it’s a stay of execution,” said Stransky of Foster.

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