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:
New Zealand 20-10 South Africa, 57 minutes
Swift handling to the left and Ardie Savea breaks free up the touchline, Grant Williams going low and doing rather well to halt the number eight.
That’s pretty silly from Kwagga Smith, in good position to drive over the top of an under-resourced ruck but unable to resist a swipe at Aaron Smith, who topples over to make the contact clear and draw a penalty. Richie Mo’unga will have a go from 48 metres and virtually bang in front.
New Zealand 20-10 South Africa, 56 minutes
New Zealand swap in Samisoni Taukei’aho and Nepo Laulala to try and resolidify things up front.
Pieter-Steph du Toit makes a nuisance of himself, slowing New Zealand ball and allowing his teammates to rush up and force Richie Mo’unga into a hurried kick. Mark Telea taps it back, and Du Toit’s hands are bothersome again - but this time illegally, off his feet and fiddling after the ruck has been formed.
TRY! New Zealand 20-10 SOUTH AFRICA (Malcolm Marx try, 54 minutes)
And this time the rumbling mass gets moving!
At last, joy for the South African maul as their replacements begin to make their impact felt. Malcolm Marx sweeps to the back after hitting his jumper and rides the green wave to the line.
With Faf de Klerk off, Cheslin Kolbe has taken over duties from the tee for South Africa...and his first one is over, despite an untimely slip as he strikes.
New Zealand 20-3 South Africa, 52 minutes
Brodie Retallick jackals inside his own 22 as South Africa test the fringes, the lock’s position strong but only possible thanks to hands on the floor past the ball. He’s rightly penalised - back to the corner go the Springboks.
New Zealand 20-3 South Africa, 50 minutes
Cheslin Kolbe somehow controrts himself to gather a high kick at the second attempt on the slide having initially fumbled unchallenged in the air.
South Africa win back possession inside the All Blacks half. Faf de Klerk takes a nasty-looking tumble as he tries to leap into position at the base of a ruck, Brodie Retallick unintentionally a fence that De Klerk can’t clear. Retallick, a little harshly given he was rolling away level with the offside line, is penalised; De Klerk is replaced by Grant Williams, the starting scrum-half favouring his leg a little while making his way off.
New Zealand 20-3 South Africa, 48 minutes
Dreadful! South Africa just haven’t been able to get out of their own way. Faf de Klerk tries to squeeze every metre out of his punt for touch but skews it the wrong side of the corner flag. New Zealand will feed a scrum near halfway as De Klerk grinds his teeth in frustration.
New Zealand 20-3 South Africa, 47 minutes
A knock on from Ardie Savea on the left continues a bitty few minutes, and allows South Africa to continue to evidence their depth - enter Duane Vermeulen at number eight, with Jasper Wiese not quite finding his damaging best tonight.
South Africa’s scrum draws a penalty out of Tyrel Lomax, turning in under pressure from Steven Kitshoff.
New Zealand 20-3 South Africa, 46 minutes
Faf de Klerk shoots out of the line to cut off a potential overlap for the All Blacks, leaping to ensure he gets in the way of Will Jordan’s wide pass as Shannon Frizell looks at a vacant runway in front of him. De Klerk knocks on as he tries to intercept - just a scrum for New Zealand, despite Aaron Smith’s protesting chirp.
New Zealand 20-3 South Africa, 45 minutes
That’s a better exit from South Africa, utilising Willie le Roux’s left boot to thump up towards halfway.
Another change for the Springboks, with more forward reinforcements called for - Franco Mostert steps out, Pieter-Steph du Toit steps in.
New Zealand 20-3 South Africa, 44 minutes
Almost another Will Jordan stunner! Lovely interplay at the line from the All Blacks, Jordie Barrett taking on the charge with options either side and deftly popping for the blindside wing. Jordan gets away from a lunging Bongi Mbonambi but is just, just hauled back from Makazole Mapimpi, a tug of the shorts elastic preventing the silky smooth Crusader from striding beneath the posts.
Jordan searches for an offload but knocks on. South Africa are drawn into their first changes - RG Snyman and Malcolm Marx are on for Lood de Jager and Mbonambi.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments