A question mark still hangs over the future of All Blacks coach Ian Foster, despite the team's stunning victory over the Springboks at Johannesburg.
New Zealand scored two late tries to defeat the world champions 35-23 at their Ellis Park fortress, reversing the result from seven days earlier in their Rugby Championship opener at Mbombela.
Foster seemed destined for an early exit from his head coaching role, riding a three-game losing streak into the encounter and seeking just his second win in seven outings dating back to last year's northern hemisphere tour.
While the result may have restored some public faith in the direction of the team under Foster, NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson has stopped short of endorsing his continued tenure with the national side, which have slumped to their lowest world ranking of fifth.
"We were incredibly proud of the group," said Robinson. "They've been through an awful lot - as has the organisation - so for the team, management and organisation, it was a pretty pleasing night.
"We all saw some real shifts in a number of areas around the game and improvements, which are really pleasing. To win under such adversity and challenging conditions was obviously really pleasing."
But Robinson refuses to confirm whether Foster will still be in charge for the All Blacks' next scheduled outing against Argentina on August 27, insisting that would become clearer later this week, once everyone had returned to New Zealand.
"We know there's a huge amount of speculation and interest in this, so we're trying our best to keep people informed the best we can," he said. "We're not going into detailed conversations because of the very things we're talking about.
"At the same time, there's also a huge expectation for NZ Rugby to be visible at this time and be commenting. The reality is, in these situations, there's only so much we can say and we hope people can appreciate that."
Interviewed by Sky Sport immediately after the game, Foster admitted he had no idea whether he would retain his job past this series - and Robinson's comments have done nothing to quell the rumour mill.
"We've been having conversations right through this time," he said. "We believe we know where we stand, we've just got to work through that with him."
Robinson insists NZ Rugby will make no "major announcements" while the team is away from home and family support. Amid the waffle, that comment doesn't make promising reading for Foster and his supporters within the team.
Robinson confirms he spent time with Foster after their victory and was still on speaking terms with the head coach.
"We were in the sheds together last night, and we were able to congratulate him and the team and management. I'm really pleased for Ian... and it's pleasing to see him reflect, and enjoy a special result like that with his team and all his management."
Foster is expected to front media before departing Johannesburg later Sunday.
