Victor Matfield firmly believes that in the initial clash at Ellis Park, the Springboks outplayed their rivals despite some questionable refereeing. Dominating both possession and territory, the Boks frequently breached the All Blacks' 22, but crucially converted only once.
A critical juncture of the game occurred in the 55th minute involving replacement prop Gerhard Steenekamp, who was penalised for an infringement at the scrum. This penalty marked a shift in momentum, ultimately leading to a 33-16 win for the All Blacks.
"If you look at the game, I still believe the Boks were the better team,"
Matfield expressed on the Rugby Rivals podcast alongside former All Black John Kirwan. He acknowledged the growth and strategic acumen of the All Blacks, noting their ability to seize pivotal moments without any flashy plays.
However, Matfield was critical of the officiating, particularly after the 55-minute mark, where he felt the referee's decisions heavily favored the All Blacks. He detailed several incidents that he believed should have gone the other way, affecting the game's outcome significantly.
The decisions included a dubious tackle and subsequent penalties that seemed inconsistent when similar actions were taken by the All Blacks, leading to a yellow card for the Boks. This series of calls put immense pressure on the South African team, contributing to their unraveling as the game progressed.
"Yes, South Africa did make a lot of mistakes up to then, but those four critical decisions just put us under so much pressure."
Despite the setbacks, Matfield dismissed any notion that the Springboks were unprepared or not in peak form, pointing out their dominant performance in the first 55 minutes of the match. His analysis suggested that the Boks should have been significantly ahead before the contentious calls began influencing the game.
In response to the outcome, Rassie Erasmus has selected Siya Kolisi to lead a revamped South African squad aiming to reclaim their top ranking. This response highlights the team's resolve to improve and address the issues exposed during the test.
Injuries also complicate the Boks' situation, with four players sustaining match-related setbacks. These injuries require adjustments to the team dynamics and strategies moving forward.
The fierce rivalry between these teams leaves no room for error, and the Springboks will undoubtedly seek to reclaim their honor in the subsequent meetings, with sharper execution and hopefully, less controversial officiating.
