There are rugby matches and then there is Springboks versus All Blacks.
At Ellis Park last night, Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry turned into a black-and-blue ambush as New Zealand delivered a thunderous 33-16 victory, leaving the world champions with more questions than answers.
The All Blacks scored five tries to one, exposing a fatal flaw in the Springbok game: enormous pressure without enough attacking polish.
For 40 minutes, the Boks looked every inch the heavyweight contenders. Their scrum became a demolition site, their maul a runaway locomotive and their forwards battered the All Blacks across the park.
Yet New Zealand had the scoreboard.
Will Jordan, Josh Moorby, Fabian Holland, Luke Jacobson and Jordan again crossed for the visitors, while Ruben Love converted four tries. Jordan’s second score in the 75th minute applied the final coat of black paint to a bruising victory.
South Africa’s points came from Cheslin Kolbe’s two penalties in the first half and two in the second, plus a converted try from replacement André Esterhuizen. Kolbe finished with 11 points, while Esterhuizen’s five-pointer briefly appeared to have tilted the contest towards the hosts.
At half-time, the Boks led 13-12, despite New Zealand having crossed twice.
That scoreline flattered South Africa’s execution.
The Boks repeatedly marched into the All Blacks’ red zone and returned empty-handed.
Malcolm Marx lost possession over the line, while a succession of promising attacking movements dissolved into dropped passes, loose handling and ponderous decision-making.
New Zealand played like street fighters with silk gloves.
Ruben Love, Cam Roigard and Damian McKenzie supplied the creative spark, while Ardie Savea prowled like a shark smelling blood.
The All Blacks needed little invitation to turn scraps into scoring opportunities.
Fabian Holland’s charge-down try early in the second half was the dagger. Luke Jacobson’s score stretched the wound, before Jordan’s late double finished the job.
The Boks’ scrum remained magnificent. Their attack remained maddening.
That was the cruel arithmetic of the evening.
Even Damian de Allende’s 100th Test cap could not rescue South Africa from an All Blacks side that defended with ferocity and attacked with ruthless clarity.
Two late yellow cards for Cobus Reinach and Marco van Staden compounded the misery.
New Zealand have drawn first blood. Now the rivalry moves to DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, where the Boks must find a sharper edge or risk watching the All Blacks run away with the series.
Ellis Park belonged to the visitors. Cape Town awaits the reply.
- There are rugby matches and then there is Springboks versus All Blacks.
- At Ellis Park last night, Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry turned into a black-and-blue ambush as New Zealand delivered a thunderous 33-16 victory, leaving the world champions with more questions than answers.
- The All Blacks scored five tries to one, exposing a fatal flaw in the Springbok game: enormous pressure without enough attacking polish.
- For 40 minutes, the Boks looked every inch the heavyweight contenders.
- Their scrum became a demolition site, their maul a runaway locomotive and their forwards battered the All Blacks across the park.
At Ellis Park last night, Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry turned into a black-and-blue ambush as New
For 40 minutes, the Boks looked every inch the heavyweight contenders.
Yet New
Will Jordan,
At half-time, the Boks led 13-12, despite New
Malcolm Marx lost possession over the line, while a succession of promising attacking movements dissolved into dropped passes, loose handling and ponderous decision-making.
New
Ruben Love, Cam Roigard and Damian McKenzie supplied the creative spark, while Ardie Savea prowled like a shark smelling blood.
Fabian
Even Damian de
Two late yellow cards for Cobus Reinach and Marco van Staden compounded the misery.
New
Ellis Park belonged to the visitors. Cape Town awaits the reply.
