Full Breakdown
All Blacks dominate Bulls in Pretoria ahead of Springboks test series
8/16/2026, 2:26:33 AM
Core Event
On Saturday at Loftus Versfeld, the New Zealand All Blacks beat the South African Bulls 50-19. The visitors crossed the try line eight times, with wingers Josh Moorby, Leroy Carter and captain Codie Taylor each scoring a brace. Centre Rieko Ioane, loose-forward Wallace Sititi and full-back Beauden Barrett added the remaining tries. The Bulls replied with three scores – a try each from lock Ruan Vermaak, wing Stravino Jacobs and captain Marcell Coetzee – but could not stem New Zealand’s dominance.
Background & Context
The match was the final tour fixture of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series before the All Blacks’ four-week test series against the Springboks. Earlier tour stops saw New Zealand defeat the Stormers (38-21) and the Sharks (54-0). The Bulls entered the game after a prolonged offseason, having last played on June 19 in a United Rugby Championship final, leaving them “not match fit.”
Data & Statistics
- Final score: New Zealand 50, Bulls 19.
- Tries: New Zealand 8 (Moorby 2, Carter 2, Taylor 2, Ioane, Sititi); Bulls 3 (Vermaak, Jacobs, Coetzee).
- Conversions: New Zealand 5; Bulls 2.
- Tackle count: All Blacks 127, Bulls 159.
- Turnovers: New Zealand 7 won, 4 lost.
- Front-row impact: Props Tyrel Lomax and Xavier Numia debuted, contributing to a “dominant scrum.”
Why It Matters / Impact
The win gave New Zealand a perfect three-from-three record on South African soil and bolstered confidence ahead of the first test in Johannesburg on August 22. It also provided a platform for fringe players – flanker Anton Segner, wing Leroy Carter and scrum-half Josh Jacomb – to stake claims for the 23-man test squad. Coaching staff highlighted improvements in set-piece stability and defensive discipline.
Official Statements & Responses
All Blacks captain Codie Taylor emphasized the upcoming step up in intensity, noting, “No disrespect to the Bulls but they (the Springboks) will lift the tempo and physicality.” Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus, speaking after the Bulls’ recent win over Argentina, said the South African side was “well recovered” and ready to give “everything for the forthcoming tests.” New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie called the Bulls “a stepping-stone” and said selection decisions for the test match would remain open.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts from Planet Rugby pointed to handling errors and a few mistakes in New Zealand’s execution, suggesting the team needed to refine off-loading in wet conditions and tighten decision-making in the final phases.
On-the-Ground Reports
Referee Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) awarded the Bulls’ first second-half try to Ruan Vermaak and upheld the decision despite a challenge from TMO Eric Gauzins (France). Bulls prop Francois Klopper received a yellow card for repeated infringements in the home-half 22.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The match is reported by numerous outlets as having taken place on August 15, yet the date ledger classifies August 15 as a scheduled (future) event. Consequently, there is a discrepancy between source narratives that treat the game as completed and the ledger’s designation of the date as pending. No additional independent verification of the final score is provided beyond the match reports.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No disrespect to the Bulls but they (the Springboks) will lift the tempo and physicality,” — Codie Taylor, captain, All Blacks
