Biggar: All Blacks made Boks look average

Former Wales and British & Irish Lions flyhalf Dan Biggar has encouraged the Springboks to “pull the trigger” in the second Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town on Saturday.

The New Zealanders were able to soak up sustained pressure from the world champions before pulling away in the final stages to claim a statement 33-16 win in the opening Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at Ellis Park.

Biggar believes the biggest difference between the sides was the All Blacks’ ability to turn pressure into points.

“It just goes to show how strong the Springboks have been over the last number of years, when the All Blacks winning is classed as a surprise,” Biggar said on Biggar Thinking: Rugby Analysis.

“It was the Boks’ first loss in 12 matches and their first loss at home since August 2025. A big thing that’s been such a strength in the Springboks’ game over the last number of years was completely missing at Ellis Park on Saturday: they didn’t pull the trigger.”

AVOS: Brown needs to fix Boks’ Tonyball

Biggar praised the All Blacks for absorbing the Springboks’ pressure before producing a ruthless attacking performance when their opportunities arrived.

“Fair play, how good was that performance from the All Blacks? Soaked up all that pressure in the first 60-65 minutes and then just cut loose at the end with their pace, their skill, their power, their handling ability,” he said.

“But it was just their clinical edge that was the big difference. Five tries to one, zero handling errors in the opposition 22.”

He also highlighted the All Blacks’ defensive approach, particularly their work at the tackle and breakdown.

“They filled the line with 14-15 players that made it so difficult for South Africa to get to their star X-Factor players in the game,” he said.

ALSO: Boks eye return to No 1

Biggar said New Zealand’s decision to target the ball in the tackle disrupted the Springboks’ attacking rhythm, while their aggressive work at the breakdown put scrumhalf Grant Williams under constant pressure.

“They were aggressive at the breakdown, counter-rucking and making it really difficult for Grant Williams,” Biggar said.

“They were able, not so much competing on the ball, but just making absolutely every ruck an absolute fight for him to dig.”

PLUS: Plum pickled by Brannas’ bench inclusion

The result was a Springbok attack that Biggar felt looked unfamiliar.

“And it just made the Springboks game look so average, which is something we have not said about the Springboks for a long, long time. So brilliant tactics, brilliantly executed attack. They used short sides, they used pick and goes. They switched it up a little bit. They had pace. They got their best players into the game.”

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images