Wiese, Kolbe, Hooker were big winners in New Zealand

The Springboks return home from New Zealand with the rugby world in awe of their sublime performance in dismantling the All Blacks 43-10.

After two matches against the All Blacks, Rassie Erasmus has answers to a host of questions about his players. We look at five takeaways from the weekend’s impressive victory.

Tonyball is here to stay

Erasmus brought in former All Black flyhalf Tony Brown two years ago to grow the Springboks’ attack. Not everyone has been convinced about a perceived move away from the traditional Springbok DNA, and there have been some teething problems, but what we saw in the second half in Wellington was incredible. The Boks won the second half 36-0 as they combined brutality with skill and pace. The All Blacks could not live with the tempo and intensity as the Boks explored the width of the field in scoring five scintillating tries without reply.

Wiese settles No 8 debate once and for all

When Duane Vermeulen retired after the 2023 World Cup final, he left a void at No 8 that has never been fully occupied.

Yes, Wiese has been the leading contender in the position, but he has missed segments of the last few seasons because of suspensions and injuries.

Cameron Hanekom put his hand up before a serious injury, and others have been trialed in the position, including Siya Kolisi. But at the Cake Tin, Wiese delivered a statement performance. He was simply immense on both sides of the ball.

Rassie’s rotation has paid dividends

The rotation of players in the Springbok starting lineup has not been popular with many supporters, and we have seen some incohesive performances from the Boks this year. But with Rassie, there is always a reason.

Nothing is random.

Last Monday, eyebrows were raised when he made seven changes to the run-on team from Eden Park and was criticised for not going for consistency. But of the players coming in, only Ethan Hooker had fewer than ten caps. The coach believes in his players, and he will keep spreading game time around the squad so that by Australia 2027, he will have a seasoned, battle-hardened squad.

Kolbe in a class of his own

The pocket rocket lit up the Sky Stadium with a spectacular performance that oozed poise, pace, and panache. He bravely plucked balls out of the air, tackled like a machine, and was deadly in his finishing. Kolbe’s intercept try had more to it than first meets the eye.

He cleverly pressurised the ball carrier into passing before leaping into the space to make the catch. He would have had a hat-trick but for Jordie Barrett’s almost flukish dislodging of the ball from Kolbe’s grasp in the in-goal area.

Hooker destined for greatness

The 22-year-old product of Westville Boys’ High in Durban was pulled into the Springbok fold by Erasmus not long after he had started playing for the Sharks.

The coach knows a good thing when he sees one, and Ethan Hooker has the ideal attributes for a modern backline player — he is powerfully built and has speed, physicality, and skill in equal measure. Most importantly, he has determination and courage, and that will always get him the nod from Erasmus.