Springboks defeat All Blacks 3-1 in rugby series

South Africa's Springboks secured a 3-1 series victory over the New Zealand All Blacks, a win highlighted by their physical dominance in scrums and lineouts. Following the series, Springbok players Steven Kitshoff and Trevor Nyakane selected a combined team of players, which included nine Springboks and six All Blacks.

Notably, Malcolm Marx was the only former World Rugby Player of the Year to be included in the selection. Other past winners, including Ardie Savea, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Beauden Barrett, were omitted from the team.

Former All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree suggested that New Zealand may need to select larger players to compete with the physicality of the Springboks. He noted that the All Blacks appeared passive in key moments and struggled to stop the momentum of South African runners like Jasper Wiese, Eben Etzebeth, and Malcolm Marx.