What a test match that was this morning between both New Zealand and South Africa at a sold out Eden Park Stadium in Auckland.

Not sure what Rassie Erasmus was at with another embarrassing set play ..

MORE HERE: 🚨The Springboks had what is being labelled as the worst line-out ever ..

Not sure when exactly the Boks swapped their tough moniker for a show pony one but it seems fairly complete now. Midfield lineout mauls are fancy when you’re winning.

South Africa’s tackle success has only gotten above 80% in one game this calendar year. pic.twitter.com/OpII8DAq1G

— Jim Demps (@jim_demps) September 6, 2025

Here are some of the comments online ..

Although, Fletcher did engage so should have been a maul…

Four and five clearly coming in from the side after the maul was engaged. Karl Dickson not watching the game.

Rassie’s 4D chess exposed as the bull💩it is. Midfield mauls, intentional offside at kick offs, 7-1 split. All useless “innovation”, yet he’s supposedly a rugby savant.

I honestly don’t get why they do this? I’m not anti innovation I love lots of the things Rassie has done for rugby but this seems like a dumb play…? Someone tell me the point of these plays

I didn’t know about that tackle stat 👀…. It’s spooky.
This clip shows how prepared the @AllBlacks
were. As soon as they set up the lift, defenders knew to shoot in to go behind the maul and contest the ball