According to 1News, the All Blacks suffered a 43-28 defeat to the Springboks at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, exposing a growing performance gulf between the two sides after South Africa claimed an outright 3-1 series victory. Head coach Dave Rennie admitted his side fell short despite initial confidence, while South Africa capitalized on clinical finishing and superior attention to detail during the historic first Test played on American soil.
Dave Rennie Assesses the Baltimore Defeat and Tour Progress
The 43-28 loss in Baltimore marked the third defeat for the All Blacks—a skid not seen since 2022, according to 1News reporting. Head coach Dave Rennie noted that while his squad believed they could square the series after an earlier 33-16 victory at Ellis Park, the team ultimately fell short against a pragmatic and streetwise Springboks outfit.
“We were confident that if we got a few things right tonight we’d have a good chance of winning,” Rennie told 1News after the match. “We fell short. It’s disappointing from that perspective.”
Despite the scoreline, Rennie pointed to positives from the two-month tour, highlighting a “captured audience of 49 players” evaluated by the coaching staff. Standout performers included Richie Mo’unga, playing his first Test in three years, and Ethan Blackadder, who scored his first Test try. Second-five Jordie Barrett and wing Will Jordan also drew praise for consistent excellence throughout the tour.
Pro Tip: When analyzing rugby union performance data, coaches look closely at line breaks and set-piece parity. Rennie noted that line breaks were even in Baltimore, but South Africa proved significantly more clinical when converting their opportunities.
Tactical Battle and Set-Piece Struggles in the USA
South Africa outscored the All Blacks six tries to four, utilizing predictable lineout drives and strong defensive pressure. Malcolm Marx, Damian de Allende, Morne van den Berg, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Cameron Hanekom all crossed the try-line for the Springboks. Rennie described the All Blacks’ set piece as “excellent” overall, though referee Karl Dickson penalized the side multiple times over captain Codie Taylor’s “brake foot” in the scrums.
The match also featured a bizarre nine-minute stoppage in the first half caused by a technical failure with the officials’ communications equipment. Rennie expressed frustration over the delay, telling 1News, “It’s just something that shouldn’t happen but did happen. If your comms goes down you pull out a spare set, surely. I’m not sure why it took so long but that’s not an excuse.”
Did You know? The historic clash in Baltimore marked the first time the All Blacks and Springboks played a Test match on American soil, arranged to generate revenue for the rival national unions, as reported by 1News.
Codie Taylor Looks Ahead to Future Test Seasons
Captain Codie Taylor emphasized that the tour served as an essential stepping stone for the squad heading into next year. Reflecting on the team culture and internal connections, Taylor expressed pride in the players’ daily commitment.
“There’s so much to be excited about and proud of in the group that we have in the All Blacks,” Taylor told 1News. “This is a good stepping stone for what is to come for us, especially next year. The culture has been amazing. We’ve grown as a team off the field and I feel that the connections amazing.”
While the absence of regular skipper Ardie Savea and centre Quinn Tupaea impacted the lineup, emerging talents like Peter Lakai gained valuable experience. Rennie and his leadership group plan to address high-ball fielding errors and defensive lapses before the next international window.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Test match in Baltimore?
According to 1News, South Africa defeated the All Blacks 43-28 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Who won the overall rugby series between the All Blacks and Springboks?
South Africa won the series 3-1, claiming the trophy outright after securing three consecutive victories following their opening loss at Ellis Park, per 1News.
Why was there a lengthy delay during the first half?
A technical failure with the match officials’ communications equipment caused a nine-minute stoppage before halftime.
Who were some of the standout players for the All Blacks on tour?
According to 1News, Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder, and Richie Mo’unga—playing his first Test in three years—were among the notable performers.
What are your thoughts on the All Blacks’ performance during the North American tour? Drop a comment below, share this article with fellow rugby fans, and subscribe to our newsletter for more post-match analysis.
Related reading