Cheslin Kolbe has sounded the alarm before the Springboks return to the Highveld, warning that an All Blacks side wounded by defeat will arrive at FNB Stadium with a score to settle.
South Africa levelled Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series with a bruising 33-26 victory in Cape Town on Saturday, with Kolbe producing an immaculate 18-point haul from the kicking tee.
The diminutive wing now expects New Zealand to come out swinging in the third Test, turning the decider into another heavyweight collision where complacency could prove costly.
“When you lose, the team is always going to come back with a point to prove,” said Kolbe.
The two-time World Cup winner believes the Springboks have plenty of homework after being stretched by an All Blacks attack that repeatedly found cracks in the South African defensive wall.
“We need to go back on Monday and see where we didn’t capitalise on opportunities,” he said.
“New Zealand are a quality team; they attack well and they cut us open a few times. We definitely need to look at where we can improve and get better as a team.”
Kolbe also revealed how the emotional temperature around the Bok camp shifted after their 33-16 defeat at Ellis Park.
“We could feel the atmosphere, not negativity but less energy, throughout the week because of the loss last week,” he said.
“As they always say, when we lose, it’s ‘n Blou Maandag [a Blue Monday]. We felt that, but we just wanted to rectify it.
“It wasn’t easy at all; we needed to stay in the fight. It’s going to be like that for the next two matches.”
With the series now poised on a knife-edge, Kolbe knows the Boks must sharpen every edge of their game. The second Test exposed opportunities for improvement, while New Zealand’s attacking weapons remain capable of turning half-chances into havoc.
Reaction from Rassie Erasmus: “They are a brilliant team and there are definitely things we must fix” – more here: https://t.co/wtO5k9nlY7 🗣️#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/awSMYL8EJI
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 29, 2026
Kolbe’s boot, meanwhile, has become an unexpected weapon in his rugby arsenal.
The Stormers-bound back credited his season in Japan and Springbok assistant coach Tony Brown for helping refine his goal-kicking technique.
“This season in Japan, I had the responsibility of taking over the goal-kicking and that’s contributed to my style and technique.
“I can also give credit to the coaches in Japan, and Tony in the Springbok set-up is doing a few things for me so I can get more consistency.
“That’s the same for every rugby player; you always need to bring something new to the team … it’s contributing to the team’s success,” he added.
Asked how far he can realistically kick for goal, Kolbe responded with the humour that has become part of his trademark.
“I think most of the balls tonight were just over the crossbar!”
The joke landed softly. The warning did not.
The All Blacks have been stung, the Boks have momentum, and the Highveld now awaits the next chapter in a rivalry that rarely leaves anyone breathing easily.
