New Zealand tackle arch foes South Africa in the Rugby Championship in Johannesburg on Saturday, and a sixth loss in seven Tests will almost certainly spell the end for beleaguered coach Ian Foster.
The ferocity of the Springboks in Nelspruit last weekend delivered a 26-10 first-round triumph over the All Blacks, pushing Foster ever closer to the exit door.
Helped enormously by stars like Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, Hansen lost just 10 of 107 Tests, and Foster has been unable to match that record. “I do not think Foster can save his job now. The noise is too loud. He really is on borrowed time,” saysNew Zealand rugby writer Marc Hinton did not spare Foster ahead of the showdown at Ellis Park, where South Africa have won nine and lost five of 14 previous Tests between the countries.
Long the top-ranked rugby nation, the All Blacks’ dismal run has sent them plummeting to fifth behind Ireland, France, South Africa and England.sport writer Chris Rattue has labelled Foster “among the worst All Blacks coaches in history”. “There is pressure, and we are feeling it, but our job is to look at the performance last week and improve on it,” he said.
Props Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax are promoted to try and counter the power of the Springbok pack, and flanker Shannon Frizell is also elevated.