Moorby expects Springboks to mix set-piece power with wide threats in first Test

All Blacks winger Josh Moorby has urged patience and composure as New Zealand prepare for Saturday’s first Test against South Africa at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, dismissing the narrative that the Springboks will simply look to slow the game to a crawl.

The first Test week has carried a tense undercurrent, with both head coaches fielding questions about game style and the pace at which the match will be played. The All Blacks have been vocal about wanting a fast, high ball-in-play contest, but Moorby acknowledged that South Africa will have their own say in how the game unfolds.

“They’re going to bring a high line speed and challenge us with ball in hand and test our skills,” Moorby said in Johannesburg. “So for us, we know the threat that they’re going to pose, and I guess it’s about just being patient and being calm and trusting our game and our system.”

The 28-year-old Te Awamutu-born back, who scored two tries against the Bulls in Pretoria during the tour warm-up, expects the Springboks to deploy a varied approach rather than relying solely on their traditional set-piece and aerial game.

“I think a bit of both,” he said. “They’re obviously very good at retaining possession through the high ball and contestable game, but they also got the athletes to throw the ball around and challenge us out wide. So yeah, we can expect a variety of rugby from them.”

Moorby also reflected on the influence of his one-year stint with Montpellier in France before returning to Wellington to play for the Hurricanes, crediting the experience with sharpening his game. “I think it was really beneficial for myself, not only developing as a person, but also understanding what I really enjoy about rugby and taking the great parts of the French style and sort of adding it to my game.”

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie echoed a measured outlook when addressing the game-speed debate, noting that the two URC sides New Zealand faced on tour had adopted noticeably different tempos. “We’ve played club sides where it’s been very slow, and one of the lineouts against the Sharks took 50 seconds to set, and so the Bulls had a much more positive mindset,” Rennie told reporters. “There’s a lot more ball in play, and yeah, I’m anticipating the Springboks will feel the same way.”

With both camps having weighed in on the stylistic argument, the first Test at Ellis Park will provide the definitive answer on which team’s vision for the game prevails.