New Zealand may have lost the battle against South Africa, but All Blacks coach Dave Rennie insists his team is moving in the right direction with the 2027 Rugby World Cup now less than a year away.
The All Blacks suffered a third consecutive defeat to the reigning world champions on Saturday, falling 43-28 to the Springboks in Baltimore, Maryland, as South Africa completed a 3-1 series victory in the four-test showdown.
Despite the disappointing result, Rennie said the series provided valuable evidence that New Zealand is closing the gap on the world’s No. 1-ranked team.
“We’ll wake up tomorrow and know we’re moving in the right direction,” Rennie said after the match. He pointed to New Zealand’s attacking output, with the All Blacks scoring 17 tries across the four tests, while also highlighting improvements in their defensive game.
The Springboks, however, once again demonstrated why they remain the benchmark in international rugby.
South Africa scored six tries in the Baltimore finale through Damian de Allende, Morné van den Berg, Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cameron Hanekom. New Zealand answered with tries from Codie Taylor, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder and Beauden Barrett.
The All Blacks actually started the series in spectacular fashion, defeating South Africa 33-16 in Johannesburg in the opening test. But the Springboks responded by winning the next three matches, eventually taking the series 3-1.
South Africa showed why it remains the team to beat
Rennie acknowledged that South Africa is currently where New Zealand wants to be.
The Springboks’ experience, physicality and ability to punish mistakes proved decisive throughout the series. In the final test, New Zealand remained within striking distance for much of the contest, but South Africa repeatedly capitalized when opportunities appeared.
The All Blacks trailed just 17-14 at halftime before the Springboks pulled away early in the second half. New Zealand fought back to reduce the deficit, but Arendse’s spectacular individual try with nine minutes remaining effectively ended the comeback attempt. Hanekom then added another try before Beauden Barrett scored a late consolation.
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus said afterward that the match remained uncertain until the final stages, despite his team’s eventual 15-point victory.
He also stressed that the margin between the two traditional rivals was not as large as the final score might suggest.
A painful series—but important lessons for New Zealand
The All Blacks entered the final test hoping to level the series at 2-2, but injuries and disciplinary problems had already complicated their campaign.
Captain Ardie Savea was ruled out after suffering a shoulder injury, while Luke Jacobson also returned home with an injury. New Zealand had earlier been criticized for its discipline after conceding 12 penalties, including a penalty try, in the 29-24 third-test loss.
Rennie responded by making significant changes for the finale.
Veteran flyhalf Richie Mo’unga returned to the starting lineup, making his first Test appearance since the 2023 World Cup final. Codie Taylor was also restored to the team and named captain. Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane were among the experienced players available from the bench.
Those changes ultimately could not stop South Africa from winning the series, but Rennie believes the six-week campaign will help accelerate New Zealand’s development.
“We’ve been together for 10 or 11 weeks while they have a lot of experience,” Rennie said, pointing to the difference between a developing All Blacks group and an experienced Springbok squad.
World Cup countdown begins
For New Zealand, the bigger objective is now clearly the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The All Blacks will have another opportunity to sharpen their game during the Nations Championship in November, with tests scheduled against Scotland, Wales and England. Their World Cup campaign is scheduled to begin against Chile in Perth on October 2, 2027.
South Africa, meanwhile, heads into the World Cup cycle as the team everyone else is trying to catch. The Springboks are seeking an unprecedented third consecutive Rugby World Cup title after triumphs in 2019 and 2023.
The message from New Zealand is therefore not that the defeat does not matter—it clearly does.
But for Rennie, the four-test series offered something potentially more important than an immediate trophy: a measuring stick.
The All Blacks now know exactly how high the bar is. And with a World Cup on home-region soil less than a year away, they have limited time to reach it.
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