Ethan Hooker
Hooker was far from terrible, but his involvement was largely limited to dealing with the high ball.
With the series on the line, Erasmus’ more conservative approach and reliance on the box kick was understandable. However, the Springboks will likely need to be more positive in attack when they head into the third Test.
Kurt-Lee Arendse could offer a more direct threat on the wing, potentially helping the Boks get their attack flowing more effectively. They were outscored in tries by the All Blacks in Cape Town, highlighting an area that will need to improve.
Verdict: Bring Kurt-Lee Arendse back (if fit)
Arendse was forced off with a head injury in the first Test and was then a late omission from the squad after Cheslin Kolbe was cleared to play this week.
If he has fully recovered, Arendse would offer a more well-rounded option than Hooker and provide a greater threat with ball in hand.
Lood de Jager
De Jager was shown a yellow card late in the match, and while it ultimately did not cost the Springboks, it gave the All Blacks a lift heading into the final minutes.
The lapse in discipline could also leave him vulnerable to being dropped for the third Test.
Verdict: Match the All Blacks and utilise a hybrid lock
De Jager was only used from the bench anyway, while the All Blacks have opted for a hybrid lock as their third option.
The Springboks could consider a similar approach by using Pieter-Steph du Toit as the third lock and bringing an additional flanker onto the bench.
With the quality available in the back row, that could provide another injection of energy in the second half and potentially allow the Springboks to play at a faster tempo than they have previously.
