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'Undercooked opposition': South African commentator's warning for All Blacks
Sport Nation • August 18th, 2026 9:06 am
Kyle Preston | Photo: Photosport
The All Blacks have built plenty of momentum ahead of their opening Test against the Springboks, but a leading South African rugby commentator believes their three tour victories come with an important caveat.
SuperSport's Matthew Pearce says the South African United Rugby Championship franchises New Zealand defeated were significantly undercooked, with many players having gone almost two months without playing before facing the All Blacks.
The All Blacks followed their 38-21 win over the Stormers with a 54-0 demolition of the Sharks, before beating the Bulls 50-19 in Pretoria.
But Pearce says the lack of preparation among the South African sides makes it difficult to judge exactly how much the All Blacks have learned ahead of Sunday's (NZ time) first Test.
“I don't know what the All Blacks have learned,” Pearce told Sport Nation's Scotty & Izzy on Tuesday.
“I've been disappointed by the performances of the South African franchises, but not surprised that I'm disappointed. Nobody's making excuses, but these guys haven't played rugby for almost two months.
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“Most of them are five weeks into a pre-season where, at this point in a normal pre-season, they wouldn't be having a game or 80 minutes of this intensity.”
Pearce said the lack of preparation had also contributed to several injuries, particularly during the Stormers match.
Despite those reservations, he was impressed by the way the All Blacks have grown throughout the tour, but expects that momentum to be tested when they finally meet South Africa's full-strength Test side at Ellis Park.
“The intensity is going to be four or five times what we've experienced so far,” he said.
And while the Springboks' starting XV remains unclear, Pearce believes Handre Pollard should be the frontrunner to start in Johannesburg.
The veteran first-five came off the bench in South Africa's most recent Test against Argentina and Pearce sees a strong case for him to start at Ellis Park, particularly because of his goal-kicking range and ability to build scoreboard pressure at altitude.
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“If you're backing your pack in the first Test of a four-Test series to dominate the set piece, then there's absolutely a strong case to be made for playing Handre Pollard,” Pearce said.
“With anything within 55 metres or so in range of a world-class goal kicker, then why would you not take that opportunity to build scoreboard pressure, to try and put lead in the legs at altitude?”
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has indicated all three of his leading options at No. 10 - including Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu - will get opportunities during the four-Test series, but Pollard's experience could make him particularly valuable in the opening clash.
Meanwhile, captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche remain in doubt due to injury, with the pair being afforded Tuesday's training to prove their fitness, Pearce added.
Listen to the full interview below:
