Welcome to the first episode of I Love Rugby hosted by George Gregen and John Smit. South Africa 16, New Zealand 33 — and almost none of it made sense.

The Springboks won the scrum, the possession and the carries at Ellis Park, and lost by 17. Hosts George Gregen and John Smit are joined by Justin Marshall — 81 Tests for the All Blacks, the most try-scoring halfback in New Zealand history with 24, and one of the most recognisable voices in world rugby commentary — to unpack the first Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry and work out how a game that lopsided in the stats ended up that one-sided on the scoreboard.

Together they break the Test into big moments: the ten minutes before half-time where the All Blacks absorbed everything and walked off one point down; the 22-entry numbers that explain the whole result (South Africa 0.9 points per visit, New Zealand 3.6); the breakdown tactic Rassie Erasmus admitted he never saw coming; how New Zealand lost the scrum battle and won the Test anyway; and what the Springboks must fix in seven days in Cape Town. Will Jordan's two tries, Jasper Wiese's best Test in a Bok jersey, a 12-Test winning streak gone, and a new world number one. Test 2 is at DHL Stadium on Saturday.

Welcome to the first episode of I Love Rugby hosted by George Gregen and John Smit. South Africa 16, New Zealand 33 &mdash; and almost none of it made sense.
The Springboks won the scrum, the possession and the carries at Ellis Park, and lost by 17. Hosts George Gregen and John Smit are joined by Justin Marshall &mdash; 81 Tests for the All Blacks, the most try-scoring halfback in New Zealand history with 24, and one of the most recognisable voices in world rugby commentary &mdash; to unpack the first Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry and work out how a game that lopsided in the stats ended up that one-sided on the scoreboard.
Together they break the Test into big moments: the ten minutes before half-time where the All Blacks absorbed everything and walked off one point down; the 22-entry numbers that explain the whole result (South Africa 0.9 points per visit, New Zealand 3.6); the breakdown tactic Rassie Erasmus admitted he never saw coming; how New Zealand lost the scrum battle and won the Test anyway; and what the Springboks must fix in seven days in Cape Town. Will Jordan's two tries, Jasper Wiese's best Test in a Bok jersey, a 12-Test winning streak gone, and a new world number one. Test 2 is at DHL Stadium on Saturday.

A weekly podcast hosted by two of Rugby’s most decorated legends, GEORGE GREGAN & JOHN SMIT.

I Love Rugby blends forensic match analysis, unfiltered banter, and personal stories that no journalist can access, from inside international dressing rooms, Test camp hotels, and the hardest conversations in the game.

 

 

A weekly podcast hosted by two of Rugby&rsquo;s most decorated legends, GEORGE GREGAN &amp; JOHN SMIT.
I Love Rugby blends forensic match analysis, unfiltered banter, and personal stories that no journalist can access, from inside international dressing rooms, Test camp hotels, and the hardest conversations in the game.
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