Are the Springboks going through an identity crisis?

947’s Robert Marawa speaks with sports journalist Mike Greenaway and former Springbok Thando Manana.

Watch the discussion below:

South Africa will be looking to bring the fight back to New Zealand on Saturday as they take on the All Blacks at Wellington.

This follows the Boks’ 24-17 defeat at Eden Park.

Despite a strong opening 20 minutes, the Springboks’ play was riddled with mistakes from the lineouts to the backline.  

Greenaway says the game was a missed opportunity to rewrite history.  

RELATED: Will the Springboks bounce back against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday?

“They’ve got a little bit of an identity crisis [right now]… Yes, we understand that with one eye on the World Cup, Rassie has spoken about what to grow our attack… it comes at a cost… We are focusing on our attack, and we are now exposing our defence.”

– Mike Greenaway, sports journalist

“... Rassie Erasmus and his coaching staff... they’ve got to make a call regarding 2027.”

– Thando Manana, former Springbok

The tough result prompted Erasmus to make an early team announcement ahead of round two in Wellington. 

He made seven changes to the team that started at Eden Park, most of them in the backline.

And noticeably, no player has been selected out of position. 

RELATED: Springboks announce team to play New Zealand in Rugby Championship

Damian Willemse and Canan Moodie will form a new centre pairing, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will take up at flyhalf.

Ethan Hooker will get his first start at wing while Aphelele Fassi returns to fullback.

Back from suspension, Jasper Wiese will start at number eight.

Siya Kolisi will reclaim his captaincy and start at flank.

“Rassie has taken a step back and rested a whole bunch of senior Springboks…. I look at this [new] backline and I see energy… This is a try-scoring backline.”

– Mike Greenaway, sports journalist

Scroll up to watch the discussion.