Another defeat for the All Blacks on Saturday would most likely seal the fate of Foster, described by the daily New Zealand Herald "
as an honest man lost in a brutal universe
".
A 6th defeat in 7 test matches, and a second in a row against the Springboks, would not be forgiven him just over a year from the Rugby World Cup in France.
In the first match last Saturday in Mbombela, South African domination was a further humiliation for a New Zealand team considered invincible until recently and who suffered their heaviest defeat in South Africa since 1928. Foster, but also the Captain Sam Cane, would not be forgiven for further humiliation.
Arrived at the head of the All Blacks in 2019 after their elimination in the semi-finals against the English at the last World Cup, Foster, 57, has already lost 9 international matches out of 26 played.
Read alsoRugby: why nothing is going right with the All Blacks
Saturday's clash between Springboks and All Blacks at Ellis Park is therefore a last chance match for him, if his fate has not already been decided.
New Zealand have fallen to 5th place in the world rankings behind Ireland, France, South Africa and England and the New Zealand Herald Sport does not hesitate to call Foster "
among the worst coaches All Blacks in history
.
Favorite Wallabies
The New Zealand manager made four changes after last Saturday's defeat, replacing fly-half Beauden Barrett with Richie Mo'unga and bringing in Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax as mainstays to counter the power of the south pack. African.
Third line wing Shannon Frizell, who scored New Zealand's only try on August 6 after coming on mid-game, will play from kick-off this time around.
South African coach Jacques Nienaber has for his part made five changes to his victorious team, in particular by relegating the man of the first match Malcolm Marx to the substitutes' bench.
James O'Connor back
For the other game on Saturday, the Wallabies start as favorites after their 41-26 victory last week in Mendoza.
The Pumas lost all of their Championship fixtures last year and haven't beaten Australia since 2018.
But they remain dangerous as shown by their 9-point half-time lead last Saturday.
Their coach, Michael Cheika, knows the Aussies well from coaching them but admits the Pumas need to improve, especially their forward line, to hope they can win in San Juan on Saturday.
Both teams made four changes each after the first game.
Australian coach Dave Rennie notably decided to retain James O'Connor for his first Test match this year after Quade Cooper ruptured his Achilles tendon last week.
