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Live sport on SN this weekendStransky: Why tour of South Africa is more important for All Blacks than Springboks
Sport Nation • August 6th, 2026 3:27 pm
Dave Rennie | Photo: Photosport
Springboks great Joel Stransky believes the All Blacks’ return to South Africa will be a defining moment in Dave Rennie’s rebuild.
The 1995 World Cup-winning first five-eighth says the rivalry between the two nations remains rugby’s ultimate contest, but believes the All Blacks stand to gain the most from the challenge of facing a Springboks side currently at the peak of its powers.
“This tour to South Africa, for me, is probably more important for the All Blacks than it is for the Springboks,” Stransky told Sport Nation's Millsy & Guy.
“It’s about that growth spell, that evolution into Dave Rennie’s style and into possibly winning another World Cup.
They haven’t played against other South African franchises or provincial teams for a while. It’s one or two Tests a year and it doesn’t really give you that element of real tough, hardcore, brutal Springbok rugby.
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"We just have this plethora of talent. We have these great players. They're all warriors. They are all hard and physical. They all batter and bruise everyone. They have such self-belief and burning desire at the moment and for the All Blacks to learn to beat us is going to take a tour like this."
Stransky has been encouraged by Rennie’s opening matches in charge but says the All Blacks will face a major litmus test against South Africa’s physicality and intensity.
“I’ve been impressed with Dave Rennie’s start. The guys have played a good brand of rugby. They’ve been solid at times,” he said. "I think they’ve got some work to do, and I think they’d be the first to admit that.
“To beat the Springboks, there’s two things you have to do. One, you have to front up physically. You have to fight physicality with physicality.
“You’ve got to be able to take a beating and give a beating. You have to control the gain line.”
Listen to the full interview below:
