Wary Nienaber insists All Blacks are over 2022's troubles: 'Crisis was subjective'

Whether the local media were just searching for a provocative soundbite or genuinely still ponder the true strength of the All Blacks, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber phlegmatically played a solid proverbial forward defensive when questioned over the magnitude of this weekend's Rugby Championship challenge in Auckland.

Despite finishing 2022 strongly with six victories and a draw in their final seven matches, head coach Ian Foster's job was widely touted to be on the line after a poor start, where they lost four in five, including a home series loss to Ireland.

Ironically, that rot started to stop when the All Blacks - against expectations - won against the Boks at Ellis Park, a week after they were outplayed in Nelspruit.

That memory clearly dictates Nienaber's view on the matter.   

"New Zealand haven't lose their aura. They're still a formidable side," the Bok mentor said from the Kiwi capital on Tuesday.

In retrospect, it was probably a blip on the radar instead of the apocalypse. 

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21 Duane Vermeulen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok

"I remember when it was being written about last year and how some were saying that the All Blacks are in a crisis. I found it interesting that some were saying that, if they lose two in a row their win ratio dips below 80%, it would represent a major problem because a lot of other teams are actually striving for