The All Blacks have delivered their strongest warning yet to the Springboks, running in eight tries to crush the Bulls 50-19 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
New Zealand dominated what was expected to be its toughest provincial assignment of the South African tour, taking a commanding 24-0 halftime lead before completing another half-century ahead of the opening Test against the world champion Springboks.
The victory leaves the All Blacks unbeaten through the provincial phase of their Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, following wins over the Stormers 38-21 and Sharks 54-0.
Moorby and Taylor strike twice
Wing Josh Moorby did the early damage, scoring two first-half tries as New Zealand found space around the Bulls defence.
Captain Codie Taylor then took over, crossing twice before halftime as the All Blacks turned sustained pressure and Bulls indiscipline into points.
Taylor’s double was part of an impressive return alongside props Tyrel Lomax and Xavier Numia, with New Zealand’s set-piece holding firm against the South African pack.
Flanker Anton Segner was named player of the match after an influential performance at the breakdown, while the All Blacks repeatedly converted turnovers into attacking opportunities.
Bulls fight back after halftime
The Bulls finally broke through immediately after the restart through lock Ruan Vermaak, ending a run of 124 minutes without the All Blacks conceding a point across their matches against the Sharks and Bulls.
But New Zealand responded almost immediately.
Leroy Carter produced two tries of his own, while centre Rieko Ioane and loose forward Wallace Sititi also crossed as the All Blacks pushed the score beyond 50.
The Bulls added second-half tries through Stravino Jacobs and captain Marcell Coetzee, but the damage had already been done.
The final New Zealand try tally belonged to Moorby, Taylor and Carter with two each, alongside Ioane and Sititi.
Springboks now the real test
The result completes an impressive provincial build-up, but the level of opposition is about to rise dramatically.
The Bulls were depleted and coming off their off-season, while only a handful of the All Blacks who played in Pretoria are expected to start the opening Test.
New Zealand now heads to Johannesburg for the first Test against South Africa next Saturday, beginning four consecutive weekends of Test rugby against the Springboks.
The Pretoria performance has also increased pressure on selectors, with Segner, Moorby, Carter and others putting their hands up as competition for Test places intensifies.
Three provincial matches, three victories and consecutive 50-point performances have given the All Blacks momentum.
But after putting the Bulls to the sword at Loftus, the real examination now begins against the Springboks.
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