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Mils Muliaina and Richie McCaw - Source: Photosport -
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The hoopla over Morne Steyn's point-scoring heroics were predictable but there lay a salient message for the All Blacks tucked within the South African newspapers.
The record 31-point haul of first five-eighth Steyn dominated the headlines following the Springboks' 12-point Tri Nations triumph on Sunday.
"It's simple: Steyn 31, NZ 19", The Sunday Independent blared across it's back page.
Writer Kevin McCullum didn't hold back in the opening line of his match report, next to a photograph of No 8 Pierre Spies crashing into All Blacks defenders.
"Belief - utter, unfiltered, untreated belief - coursed through the veins of the Springboks ..."
In the Sunday Times, Simnikiwe Xabanisa opined that the All Blacks had "inexplicably shunned the age-old virtues" of playing conservative rugby when rain made conditions difficult.
"They were skittish under pressure, too often tried to run the ball from their tryline, and gave up penalties in dangerous areas of the field."
However, it is the thoughts of former Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer in the same newspaper which may carry most resonance for Graham Henry and his men.
Meyer said the Springboks had adapted better to the tactical demands of modern test rugby than the All Blacks, who had ignored the importance of an intelligent kicking game.
"One of the reasons New Zealand haven't won a World Cup for so long is their weakness in this area," wrote Meyer, who guided the 2007 Bulls to Super 14 success.
"In the modern game you can't outrun a team - especially a team with a halfback duo like the one South Africa has."
He said New Zealand hadn't had world class halves duo since Justin Marshall and Daniel Carter last combined, in 2005.
"Though it seemed there was a massive difference in quality between the team, kicking was the only major factor.
"The All Blacks were caught in a vicious circle; with (halves)
Steyn and Fourie du Preez supreme, the visitors couldn't leave
their own half."
ONE News Australia correspondent Steve Marshall is with the
All Blacks in South Africa. You can follow Steve and get some great
behind the scenes info about the ABs on Twitter -
http://twitter.com/Ozcorrespondent
