In a revelation that has sent shockwaves through the rugby world, former All Blacks captain Kieran Read has dropped a bombshell about the gap between New Zealand and South Africa—and it’s not just about rankings or recent results. According to Read, the Springboks possess a critical, almost intangible quality that the current All Blacks squad simply cannot claim: the undeniable ability to claw their way out of impossible situations.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast, Read didn’t mince words when comparing the two rugby giants. The Springboks, under Rassie Erasmus, have built a machine that thrives on adversity. They’ve won back-to-back Rugby World Cups, a series against the British & Irish Lions, and back-to-back Rugby Championship titles in 2024 and 2025. Their 85.71% win rate last season is a testament to their dominance. But for Read, it’s not just about the stats—it’s about a deep-seated resilience that the All Blacks, despite their own storied history, apparently lack right now.
The Memory of a Miracle
Read harkened back to a legendary 2013 Test in Dublin, where the All Blacks trailed Ireland 19-0 before pulling off a stunning 24-22 victory. That game, he explained, was a masterclass in composure—a team that had built “absolute belief” in each other and the ability to come back from any deficit. “You got Skipper (Richie McCaw) just telling you to relax and calm down,” Read recalled. “Even though the scoreboard told us something different, we went back to our process.”
But that kind of belief, Read warned, can’t be switched on overnight. “There’s something about belief and building that over a period of time. And you can’t just switch it on,” he said. And that, insiders say, is precisely the problem for the current All Blacks.
Blunt Truth: ‘No, They Don’t’
When asked directly if the current All Blacks squad has that same escape-artist ability, Read’s answer was as blunt as a tackle. “No, they don’t. But because they don’t have the experiences or the evidence of it happening, right? They’ve been put there and coming out the other side. I don’t think so,” he revealed. The statement, sources close to the situation claim, has sent a jolt through New Zealand Rugby circles, where fans and analysts are reportedly buzzing about the implications.
Read then drew a sharp contrast: “The South Africans have it. They definitely have it, you know, because they’ve built this experience of games that are hard and have come through and won.” The Springboks, he argued, have a complete understanding of their identity and how they want to play—a clarity that the All Blacks, who fired head coach Scott Robertson earlier this year and appointed Dave Rennie, are still searching for. “All Blacks right now probably don’t,” Read added, referring to that self-knowledge.
What This Means for the Next Clash
The timing of Read’s comments couldn’t be more dramatic. The All Blacks, under new leadership, are gearing up for a highly anticipated tour to South Africa later this year. With both teams sitting at the top of the world rankings—South Africa at No. 1, New Zealand at No. 2—the stage is set for a showdown that could define a generation. But if insiders are to be believed, the psychological edge lies firmly with the Springboks.
One unnamed source close to the All Blacks camp reportedly told us that the team is aware of this deficit and is working hard to build that collective belief ahead of the tour. “It’s not something you can fabricate in a training session,” the source said. “It comes from surviving real pressure moments, and that’s what they’re trying to create.”
Meanwhile, South African fans are reportedly mocking the All Blacks’ struggles, with social media buzzing about the “mental gap” between the two sides. Rassie Erasmus, never one to shy away from mind games, has allegedly been seen smiling at Read’s remarks, according to one insider.
The Verdict
Read’s critique isn’t just about nostalgia for the McCaw era—it’s a warning. The All Blacks have historically been the team that finds a way, but without the recent evidence of that resilience, they enter the next chapter with a question mark hanging over their heads. The Springboks, on the other hand, seem to have built their empire on a foundation of unshakable belief. And as Read put it, that makes all the difference.
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