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| Prior to the Rugby World Cup, the All Blacks suffer their worst defeat in team history, losing to the Springboks 35-7. |
In their Rugby World Cup warm-up match at Twickenham, South Africa thrashed New Zealand 35-7, handing the All Blacks a record loss.
Never before in their illustrious past has the All Blacks suffered such a crushing defeat.
Prior to defending their Rugby World Cup title in France, the Springboks issued a warning to adversaries with their performance.
Captain Siya Kolisi, winger Kurt-Lee Arendse, hookers Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi, and flanker Kwagga Smith all contributed to their five tries.
Following lock, the All Blacks played the whole second half with just 14 players. They had no response to the Springboks' ferocity and dominance in set pieces, and Scott Barrett was given a second yellow card that translated to a red.
substitute back The All Blacks' Cam Roigard scored a consolation try, but coach Ian Foster will be disappointed that his first-choice player performed poorly in every aspect of the game.
against September 9 AEST, they take against France in Paris in their Rugby World Cup debut.
Sam Cane, the captain of the All Blacks, remarked, "We are really disappointed with how we played, but a lot of credit must go to how the Springboks played."
"They were superior in every way, and our lack of discipline really cost us.
We struggled to establish any momentum against them because of their dominance in the scrum, maul, and lineout.
"It hurts, but we will have a lot to learn from this game. Instead of waiting a few weeks, I would want to get it now.
While the outcome against the Springboks won't quite set off alarm bells in their camp, it was an uncommonly sluggish performance. The All Blacks have twice lost to the Wallabies by 21-point margins.
The All Blacks gave up the first eight penalties of the game and were pinned in their half, setting the tone early on.
Prior to scoring their first try, the Springboks were twice stopped over the All Blacks' line despite having the advantage in the scrum and line-out.
While Arendse's quick feet allowed him to intercept on the edge of the All Blacks' 22 and race in to score beneath the posts for a 14-0 halftime advantage, Kolisi forced his way over from close range.
All three of the Springboks' scores in the second half came off of line-outs as they plowed through the faltering All Blacks defense, which was forced to contend with their numerical deficit.
"We were not going to come to Twickenham in front of 82,000 people and hold anything back," Kolisi declared.
The hard work must now begin, but we knew it had to begin up front with the forwards. In France, we must defend the World Cup.
On September 11 AEST, the Springboks take on Scotland in their opening Rugby World Cup match.
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