Rennie backs All Blacks scrum to match Springboks' set-piece power in Ellis Park Test

Dave Rennie has backed the All Blacks’ forward pack to hold their own against South Africa’s formidable scrum in the first Test at Ellis Park, acknowledging the Springboks’ set-piece dominance while insisting New Zealand are prepared for the challenge.

Much of the pre-match discussion has centred on South Africa’s strength at scrum and maul, amplified by a loaded bench that effectively gives the Springboks two distinct forward packs. The All Blacks’ own scrum showed vulnerability during warm-up fixtures, with loosehead Pasilio Tosi conceding four penalties under pressure against the Stormers, before the unit improved in subsequent outings against the Sharks and Bulls.

The memory of last year’s Eden Park Test also looms large — a rare tighthead by the Springboks saw them win possession against the feed and drive the All Blacks pack backward in a moment that underlined South Africa’s physical edge.

Rennie, however, is not rattled. “You play to your strengths. They’ll see [the scrum] as a strength. I think our scrum will bar up,” he told media. “I think what they’ve been good at is applying a lot of pressure. Back-to-back penalties, put you in a corner, and they’re the best in the world at turning that pressure into points down there.”

The All Blacks coach identified discipline and accuracy as the pillars on which New Zealand’s performance must be built. “Our discipline will be really important, our accuracy will be really important, our set-piece will be massive,” Rennie said. “But that’s exciting. We get an opportunity to measure up against the best in the world, so the boys are looking forward to it.”

Beyond the scrum, Rennie flagged South Africa’s blitz defence and high line speed as another significant step up from anything his side has faced during the warm-up series. “Certainly the line speed will be a hell of a lot higher than what we faced on the weekend, especially, and in any of those games, and then the intensity throughout,” he said.

Rennie drew comfort from the experience within his squad, noting that several All Blacks have played regularly in South Africa and understand what the environment demands. “We’re going to have to play at our best and force them to be below their best,” he added — a straightforward statement of intent that frames the Test as a contest New Zealand believe they can win, but only if everything clicks.