New Zealand vs South Africa LIVE: Rugby Championship result and reaction as All Blacks beat Springboks
New Zealand 35-20 South Africa: The All Blacks produce a first-half blitz to all but secure the Rugby Championship trophy
New Zealand rode another blistering start to a 35-20 victory over South Africa at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday, making a big statement in a World Cup year and placing one hand on the Rugby Championship trophy.
Playing a high-octane brand of attacking rugby married with immense physicality, the All Blacks scored early tries through Aaron Smith and Shannon Frizell before late scores from Will Jordan and Richie Mo’unga put a seal on the victory.
The world champions, starved of the ball and heavily penalised, looked shellshocked by the early onslaught but recovered to score second-half tries through Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe and Kwagga Smith.
The victory made it two wins out of two in the truncated championship for the All Blacks after last week’s 41-12 win over Argentina that was also built on an early try blitz.
Relive all the action from the Rugby Championship below:
All Blacks make Rugby World Cup statement with dominant South Africa win
New Zealand rode another blistering start to a 35-20 victory over South Africa at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium, making a big statement in World Cup year and placing one hand on the Rugby Championship trophy.
Playing a high-octane brand of attacking rugby combined with immense physicality, the All Blacks scored early tries through Aaron Smith and Shannon Frizell before late scores from Will Jordan and Richie Mo’unga put a seal on the victory.
The world champions, starved of the ball and heavily penalised, looked shell-shocked by the early onslaught but recovered to score second-half tries through Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe and Kwagga Smith.
The victory made it two wins out of two in the truncated championship for the All Blacks after last week’s 41-12 victory over Argentina.
All Blacks make Rugby World Cup statement with dominant South Africa win
New Zealand 35-20 South Africa: The All Blacks produced a first-half blitz to all but secure the Rugby Championship trophy
On to Australia vs Argentina...
Advantage New Zealand, then, in the chase for the Rugby Championship as the All Blacks deliver a reminder of their quality with the World Cup around the corner.
We’ve more action for you this morning - Australia take on Argentina hoping to bounce back from their thrashing by the Springboks last week. It’s a Sydney homecoming for Eddie Jones, hoping for much better from his side to try and get his second stint in charge up and running, but their visitors will fancy themselves given the fissures and flaws South Africa found all too easily seven days ago.
You can follow all of the action here with kick-off fast approaching...
Australia vs Argentina LIVE: Rugby Championship score and updates
The Wallabies and Pumas battle for Rugby Championship supremacy in Sydney
FT: New Zealand 35-20 South Africa
Of course, these two do it all again in a month and a bit, with an eagerly anticipated pre-World Cup meeting at Twickenham on Friday 25 August. You wonder exactly how strong each side will be for that one, given the proximity to the tournament start - managing the squad is going to be key for South Africa in particular with almost the entirety of their squad coming off of long seasons in URC and European competition.
FT: New Zealand 35-20 South Africa
That tough opening quarter ultimately ended South Africa’s chances, leaving their bench too much to do. Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus won’t panic, but will have a few things to consider before the Springboks host Argentina at Ellis Park on 29 July. The performance of Damian Willemse could be a concern - might Manie Libbok displace the versatile back as Handre Pollard’s lead fly-half understudy? An off-key showing from Jasper Wiese suggests Duane Vermeulen might yet be best placed to take the starting number eight shirt come the World Cup, too.
Winning skipper Sam Cane reacts to New Zealand’s victory
“We got what we expected, it is always physical, always an awesome test match. What a crowd - it felt like Eden Park.
“We really look forward to playing them. There’s so much history between the two teams. They are reigning World Cup champions and we knew it would be a good test of where we are as a team. We know we’ve still got a wee way to go to get to where we want to.
“I depressed a bit of a nerve in my neck. I’ll rest it and hopefully I’ll be alright.”
Cane is well enough to hoist the Freedom Cup aloft, calling over his teammates to join him and offering Tamaiti Williams a moment with the trophy on debut. Barring a disaster against Australia, the Rugby Championship crown should follow in a fortnight.
FT: New Zealand 35-20 South Africa
Consider that a World Cup statement emphatically delivered by the All Blacks. A frighteningly fast start put them ahead in the game and they rode a South Africa fightback to rally again late on and seal victory. Their forward physicality laid stable platforms all night, with Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett taking full advantage with some beautifully varied attacking play. Will Jordan was utterly superb roaming off his right wing - how nicely is that New Zealand backline knitting together?
Here’s the score that got things started.
FT: New Zealand 35-20 South Africa
All Blacks debutant Tamaiti Williams reacts to his first cap and New Zealand’s win : “It was special to put the black jersey on, especially against the Springboks. Growing up it was the pinnacle for me.
“I was trying my best to keep the emotions in and have a straight face. I’m pretty sure everyone knew I was nervous. I’m just grateful to be able to put this jersey on. It was fast and physical. They are hard men.”
TRY! New Zealand 35-20 SOUTH AFRICA (Kwagga Smith try, 79 minutes)
A late score from Kwagga Smith! It’s sharp from the former sevens star, spotting an exposed ball at the back of a ruck and in like a spear fisherman to pierce it.
He hurries over, a drop-kicked conversion hitting the upright as it is taken in hast to ensure we’ll have one more restart...
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 35-15 South Africa (Richie Mo’unga try, 77 minutes)
Richie Mo’unga scythes through!
Simple as you like for the fly-half, orchestrating things brilliantly tonight and capping his performance with a score. The scrum sets stable foundations and Ardie Savea has the freedom of Auckland as he exits, angling to the blindside. He passes early to Mo’unga, who rather easily gets to Damian Willemse’s outside and slides over with a smile.
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