The Sunday News
THE Springboks’ upset 36-34 win over the world champion All Blacks was rated “awesome” but “lucky” by the South Africans as they tempered celebrations in Wellington yesterday.
South Africa’s first win in New Zealand since 2009 left the home side to chalk up their first Rugby Championship loss in three years.
It also snapped the visitors’ six match losing streak to the All Blacks dating back to 2014.
New Zealand outscored the Springboks six tries to five, but while Beauden Barrett had an off night with the boot, South African pivot Handre Pollard was successful with five out of six shots at goal.
“It’s an awesome day for the team and an awesome day for South Africa,” captain Siya Kolisi said.
But coach Rassie Erasmus said his team were lucky to win.
“We could have lost it in the last few seconds,” he said, after replacement All Black Damian McKenzie spilled the ball a few metres short of the line in the game’s final play.
After arriving in New Zealand on the back of losses to Argentina and Australia, Erasmus said his squad had lost some self-belief and a victory against the All Blacks on their home turf was “unbelievable”.
“There’s no way we can get ahead of ourselves,” he added. “This was one win with a bit of luck against the best team in the world.”
The All Blacks, who remain head of the table with two rounds to play, dominated possession but were stunned by the strong South African defence.
“Congratulations to South Africa. They played particularly well and took all the chances that were there,” coach Steve Hansen said.
“We’re obviously disappointed and there are areas we have to work on.
“Anytime you lose it hurts. The dressing room is sombre, very quiet. but it’s important we learn something, otherwise it’s waste of time.”
With time up, and two points in arrears, the All Blacks aimed a series of forward drives at the line without reward, and then moved the ball wide where it was knocked on.
Captain Kieran Read said there was talk on the field about a drop goal, but the option to continue the attack was chosen.
The All Blacks were on the board early when a neat flick pass from Beauden Barrett put his brother Jordie over the line.
Ben and Aaron Smith combined down the right wing for the second try with Ben Smith getting around Aphiwe Dyantyi and drawing Willie le Roux to give Aaron Smith an open run to the line.
Dyantyi and le Roux made immediate amends to start the South African fightback.
First, Ben Smith had to watch Dyantyi run in for the Springboks’ first try, then a botched quick throw in by Jordie Barrett was snapped up by le Roux for the second.
Malcolm Marx extended the lead to 21-12 with a try from a lineout drive and when sustained pressure by the All Blacks produced a try to Rieko Ioane, South Africa responded with a penalty to Pollard on the stroke of half-time.
Immediately after the resumption, the Springboks extended their lead to 31-17, cashing in when replacement wing Cheslin Kolbe picked off a pass from Anton Lienert-Brown to Ioane and raced 40 metres to the line.
When the All Blacks narrowed the margin to seven points with Rieko Ioane’s second try, South Africa countered with a second try to Dyantyi.
With the Springbok defence frustrating New Zealand’s running game, the home side resorted to forward power.
Codie Taylor and Ardie Savea produced late tries from lineout drives but neither was converted. — Sport24
