The Springboks were highly successful with their kicking game and smothered the All Blacks on defence, according to Opta stats.
12.4% – In possession, South Africa often kept the play tight – they attacked within 10 metres of the openside from 32% of their breakdowns, a round-high, but varied their play too, by attacking the shortside from 12.4% of their rucks – also the highest rate of any team. Narrow. pic.twitter.com/EpOWK1o87x
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) August 11, 2022
5 – Although going wide creates more opportunities to find space in the defensive line, it can also leave players isolated, a huge risk when players like Malcolm Marx are on the pitch – his 5 jackals were the joint most in a TRC match. Capitalised.https://t.co/XiDSODWnju
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) August 11, 2022
8 – New Zealand built up longer spells of possession than South Africa, going through 5+ phases on 8 occasions, the joint most in TRC Rd 1 (also Australia), however they averaged just 14m gain from those 8 possessions, compared to SA’s 22m from 5 such possessions. Static.
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) August 11, 2022
2 – Ahead of their next meeting on Saturday, New Zealand will need to find a way of nullifying South Africa’s counter-rucking threat and kicking game, as well as working out how to unlock the @Springboks defence. Turnaround. pic.twitter.com/mwZ9m5s4KK
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) August 11, 2022
Photo: Twitter: @Springboks
