The Springboks struck back in the second Test of the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon, beating New Zealand’s All Blacks by 33-26 in a highly entertaining game of rugby played in front of a very appreciative crowd of 56,589.
The win, helped along by a 24-14 lead for the Boks at halftime, squared up the series one all after last weekend’s victory for the visitors in Johannesburg.
It was also a memorable day for Pieter-Steph du Toit, who played the full 80 minutes and delivered a master class, and Ox Nche, as they celebrated their milestone 100 and 50 caps with a good win.
Seven seemed to be the number of the day. Not only the total number of tries in the Test, the winning margin or the number on Du Toit’s back, but also the kicking stats of Cheslin Kolbe. The Bok wing, who was named man of the match, converted all three tries and kicked four penalty goals for a perfect seven out of seven and 18 points.
Another consequence of the Boks’ victory is that they are back to number one on the world rankings, with New Zealand at number two. It was a match that gave justice to the world rankings and one that will be remembered and talked about for a long time.
There were late changes to the Bok squad when the three starting front rowers were moved to the replacement bench, with the three named on the bench promoted to starting roles.
It started out as a wet Saturday in the Mother City, but the sun came out at the kick-off, bringing some blue skies to the Test match. Jesse Kriel brought the thunder though, less than two minutes into the match.
New Zealand kicked an average touch finder and from the kicking and from the lineout, the Bok pack drove and mauled many metres. When it was finally played to the backs, Kriel was the final recipient of the flowing move and crashed over near the poles. Kolbe kicked the conversion and the Boks were 7-0 up.
The visitors recovered well from the opening punch and managed decent field position with some good passing, but the Bok defence were strong. The All Blacks were forced into a kicking game, with Jordie Barrett not shy to push grubbers through.
That did turn around the Bok defence, who were hard off the line and when Angus Gardner found that to be too hard, New Zealand kicked for the corner. Their attacking lineout went astray though after a good contest by Eben Etzebeth at the front and the immediate danger was averted.
Not so 15 minutes in when Cam Roigard scored, running a good support line to Will Jordan, who beat three defenders with a wonderful run down the right touch line and then found his scrumhalf in space. The try was converted by Ruben Love and scores tied.
New Zealand fluffed the restart though, resulting in a penalty to the Springboks, which Kolbe landed from straight in front and the Boks were back in the lead immediately.
That was extended when Damian de Allende found himself at the end of a stunning Bok maul attack. A kick to the corner, following a penalty to the Boks, kick-started the momentum and after several metres made, it was sent wide. Another ruck and return to the backs allowed De Allende to score his 12th try in his 101st Test. Kolbe converted and at 17-7 the Boks looked much more in control.
But New Zealand came to play as well and on the half hour mark, Damian McKenzie scored and Love converted to cut the Boks’ lead to three points.
The Bok analysts will have an easy job finding the source of the try – some iffy defence after a lineout won by New Zealand the obvious cause. The All Blacks used slick hands after the first breach and McKenzie had acres of space to run in.
A great kick to the corner by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu forced the All Blacks to play the ball on the ground near their line and on queue, Erasmus called Nche and Malcolm Marx onto the field for a power scrum, which had the desired result.
New Zealand were pinged and the Boks opted for a second scrum. From that, good one-off runners had the All Blacks reeling and Siya Kolisi ran a great line to score his 15th try in his 105th Test, with Kolbe’s conversion giving the Boks a 24-14 lead at the break.
Manie Libbok appeared from the tunnel to start the second half, with an injury to Damian Willemse forcing the change. Feinberg-Mngomezulu moved to fullback, with Libbok slotting in at flyhalf.
Soon after, Andre Esterhuizen replaced Kolisi, and his first engagement with ball in hand handed the Boks momentum and ultimately a penalty, with New Zealand going offside at a ruck. Kolbe lined up the kick and extended the lead to 27-14.
Less than two minutes later Kolbe landed another penalty goal, this time after relentless defence pinged the All Blacks behind the gain line and Du Toit forced the turnover. That kick extended the lead to 30-14.
The Bok squeeze was now on, forcing New Zealand into attack mode at all cost. They started running the ball from all areas of the field and their high-risk high-reward plan kept the Bok defence very busy.
There was some reward when the Boks were pinged on defence and New Zealand kicked to the corner. Etzebeth rose imperiously though to steal the ball and the first wave was stopped.
However, the Boks could do nothing about a try by Leroy Carter 66 minutes in. They kicked for aerial possession, lost it and from the resulting play, Carter was given the ball in space, and he dotted down despite a desperate tackle by Libbok. The conversion was wide and the Bok led 30-19 with 12 minutes to play.
A great turnover by Malcolm Marx handed the Boks the opportunity to extend their lead and Kolbe stepped up to slot the 40-metre penalty goal, much to the relief of the crowd, who loved the effort from their favourite sports team.
The All Blacks, needed to score twice in 10 minutes to claim the draw, pressed hard and did get a penalty awarded in front of the poles.
They opted for the lineout though, only to lose the contest. Unfortunately, the Boks knocked the ball forward in the process, handing New Zealand a scrum 15m from the green tryline.
They attacked to the right, but Jordan was stopped short and when the attack came left, Ardie Savea scored. Love converted to set up a tight finish with three minutes left.
The tension levels rose even more when Lood de Jager was sent to the sin bin for a high shot, giving New Zealand one more go at the Bok line, now only with 14 defenders.
They tried but it was not to be as the Springboks left the field not only as the number one team in the world, but also keeping Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry alive. Onto FNB Stadium!
Scorers:
Springboks 33 (24) – Tries: Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Siya Kolisi. Conversions: Cheslin Kolbe (3). Penalty goals: Kolbe (4).
New Zealand 26 (14) – Tries: Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Ardie Savea. Conversions: Ruben Love (3).
SOURCE: SA RUGBY
