OPINION: As pressure continues to mount on All Blacks coach Ian Foster and his team, a win over the world champion Springboks in South Africa could've gone a long to earning back the trust of the fans - but it wasn't to be, with yet another disappointing defeat.
To put it bluntly, New Zealand were manhandled and physically dominated, and will be licking their wounds, after falling to their third loss on the bounce.
Underfire Foster and captain Sam Cane will have done themselves no favours with the performance, and neither has eased doubts over their roles, with the Rugby World Cup fast approaching.
The All Blacks are staring down the barrel of another test defeat, potentially their sixth in seven matches, as they look to bounce back in the return game at Ellis Park next week.
Few players staked their claims for reselection, with only a couple bright spots among a very lacklustre bunch and the curtains closing fast on familiar faces.
1-George Bower 4
Was part of an All Blacks front row that struggled to cope with the Springboks at the scrum, conceding a penalty, but tackled well.
2-Samisoni Taukei'aho 5.5
The best of a poor bunch, Taukei'aho carried hard and strong, and his lineout throwing was excellent. Did concede one penalty, but a promising test from the hooker.
3-Angus Ta'avao 4
The worst of a poor bunch, Ta'avao made all 10 of his tackles, but struggled at the scrum, conceding three penalties, and was guilty of turning over the ball.
4-Sam Whitelock 5
Defended the Springboks maul well and made all his tackles, without conceding a penalty. A solid, but unspectacular performance from the big lock.
5-Scott Barrett 5
Looked to impose himself on the Springboks lineout and fronted well on defence against the opposition drive, but also conceded a penalty.
6-Akira Ioane 4.5
Struggled to front up physically as much as he would like to and was guilty of forcing a pass, when the All Blacks were on attack.
7-Sam Cane 4.5
The All Blacks captain is struggling. Cane looked off the pace, missed a couple of tackles and found it difficult to inspire his team out of a tough situation.
8-Ardie Savea 7
Another solid performance from the strong No.8. The ever-consistent Savea won a ruck penalty, made more runs than any other All Blacks forward and tried his absolute hardest in everything.
9-Aaron Smith 5
Passing as good as always, but struggled to deal with the rush defence and aggressive breakdown tactics by the Springboks.
10-Beauden Barrett 6
A mixed bag for the All Blacks first-five. Made more runs than any other player on the park and also sparked a rare attack from a more-than-compromising position in his own in-goal area, but still struggled to get his teammates firing and questions need to be asked if he's the right man to get the best out of those next to him.
11-Caleb Clarke 7.5
All Blacks' best of the test match, alongside Savea. The stampeding winger repaid the faith shown by coach Foster with dangerous runs and was unlucky not to score near the end, which led to New Zealand's only try of the test.
12-David Havili 4.5
A forgetful night for the All Blacks midfielder, but for a couple of nice runs, was guilty of going missing and struggled to get into the game.
13-Rieko Ioane 5.5
Tried hard to get into the fixture and beat more defenders than any other All Black, but gifted the Springboks the ball, which led to Handre Pollard's drop goal.
14-Will Jordan 5
A very disappointing test by the usually electrifying back's standards. Was completely invisible in the first half on attack, struggled in kick defence, but made one nice run, before slipping.
15-Jordie Barrett 5
Struggled under the high ball and offered little on attack from the back. Was replaced in the 52nd minute with an ankle injury.
Reserves:
16-Dane Coles 5
17-Ethan de Groot 6
18-Tyrell Lomax 5
19-Tupou Vaa'i 5
20-Shannon Frizell 5
21-Finlay Christie 5
22-Richie Mo'unga 5.5
23-Quinn Tupaea 4.5
Reece Labuschagne is a Newshub online sports producer.
