All Blacks, Springboks’ recent struggles make Eden Park cliffhanger too close to call

THE Springboks have arrived in Auckland to face the All Blacks in arguably the best possible psychological state after a sobering series against the Wallabies.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

The Boks are in second place in the World Rugby standings thanks to losing a Test to Australia in Johannesburg, and face off against the No 1-ranked team, New Zealand, in matches in Auckland (September 6) and Wellington a week later.

While few rugby fans will accuse the Springboks of arrogance under “feet-on-the-ground” coach Rassie Erasmus, the reality is that the Boks are chastened by a series recently shared with a Wallabies team that was tipped to be heavily beaten by the Boks in South Africa.

The reality is that the Aussies went home with five Rugby Championship points, compared to the four of the Springboks, which makes the levelled series seem like a loss for the Boks.

Erasmus’ men understand that they have to ratchet up a level if they are to be the first Bok team to win in Auckland in 88 years, and the first team to beat New Zealand at their Eden Park fortress since France did the business 31 years ago.