South Africa 27
New Zealand 38
IT WAS ALWAYS going to be a mountainous task facing South Africa.
Even on home turf in Johannesburg, the bonus-point win by more than seven against the reigning World Champions seemed improbable.
It’s to their credit that they made it possible in a pulsating first half.
With a trophy on the line the collisions in Ellis Park were never going to be short of full-on, but the intensity these sides are capable of bring to the table is another stark warning (as if one was needed) to the northern hemisphere challengers.
The All Black onslaught came early, but it was met with a ferocious series of tackles before the Springboks returned the favour at the other end. The hosts would come away with three points, but Kiwi efficiency was displayed in all its glory after 12 minutes.
Another piece of sleight of hand Kieran Read set Ben Smith into the 22. The right winger appeared to be boxed into a blind alley, but produced a step to take him inside at a right angle and from there he found the gap enough to find the try-line.
Bryan Habana hit back for the ‘Boks to give them back the lead, and Ellis Park found its roof lifted when the winger won the chase to his own chip.
YouTube credit: Rod Clark
Morne Steyn’s missed conversion tempered emotion somewhat, and the visitors ensured the crowd were hushed further with a series of solid phases that led to a Liam Messam try.
After a long stoppage for an injury to Willem Alberts, Messam got himself over the try-line again. This time, it came on the stroke of half-time to give the All Blacks a 14 – 21 lead at the break. It was a score, if not a lead, that looked crucial.
With darkness descending on Johannesburg, it was the dark green shirts which continued going strong. They pressed and probed the Black wall fro fully seven minutes of the new half before Willie le Roux flung himself over the line to allow Steyn take the lead back for his side – 22 – 21.
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At that, the ‘Boks were just one score away from winning the Rugby Championship. The chances came, breaks were made in midfield and the whitewash was agonisingly close for Le Roux until Read and Savea cut him down to force a knock-on.
The try did come for Jean de Villiers, but only after Beauden Barret had tagged on New Zealand’s only penalty of the day. The replacement had an even bigger part to play before the hour, storming through a rare gap in the ‘Bok defence to ground the All Blacks’ fourth try of they day and so seal the bonus point and the Rugby Championship.
Read capped a magnificent night of rugby with a try to put the game well beyond the hosts. A deflating end to a high-pressure game, but the 65 minutes that preceded was an instant southern hemisphere classic.