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:
PENALTY! NEW ZEALAND 20-3 South Africa (Richie Mo’unga penalty, 38 minutes)
A hint of draw from right to left and that’s beautifully flighted by Mo’unga, tucking it inside the upright from 42 metres or so on the angle.
New Zealand 17-3 South Africa, 36 minutes
But the All Blacks will have a shot at an immediate answer. Aaron Smith tries to exploit an under-manned South Africa blindside defence but a retreating Steven Kitshoff is in the way of his flick from the floor. A penalty for offside and Richie Mo’unga will try from the tee.
PENALTY! New Zealand 17-3 SOUTH AFRICA (Faf de Klerk penalty, 36 minutes)
At last, the Springboks are on the board. Faf de Klerk’s left peg earns three.
New Zealand 17-0 South Africa, 34 minutes
South Africa’s ruck detail has been all over the place so far. Codie Taylor is the latest to pounce after a crouching Eben Etzebeth, going off his feet in a clearout, knocks the ball out of a tackled players hands.
But the Springboks get joy out of Taylor as he isolates himself on the charge. This time they’ll try to take the points.
New Zealand 17-0 South Africa, 33 minutes
The All Blacks forwards step away from a lineout, hoping that Methieu Raynal will look unfavourably on South Africa’s closing of the gap. In fact, it’s the opposite - a free kick against New Zealand for their withdrawal.
South Africa scrum powerfully and draw a penlaty advantage. Cheslin Kolbe scoots up the right, and advantage is already over due to his progress, meaning Sam Cane is clear to capitalise on the work of back-row colleague Ardie Savea and complete a turnover.
A sliced Will Jordan kick flies straight out.
New Zealand 17-0 South Africa, 30 minutes
Handy hands from Steven Kitshoff, dropping anchor as he locks over the ball at a breakdown. A clean jackal and a turnover penalty.
But New Zealand steal the lineout! Brodie Retallick has been supreme in this first half-hour, and somehow extends his fingers up between Lood de Jager’s clasping hands to nick possession.
New Zealand 17-0 South Africa, 29 minutes
Faf de Klerk picks Aaron Smith’s pocket at the base of the scrum to help his side out of a bit more bother. His kick is well directed but takes an unfriendly hop into touch as Cheslin Kolbe accelerates up through the gears on the chase.
Kolbe is soon retreating back beyond his own line to dot down after an apparent fumble in the air by Will Jordan is ruled to have come backwards off a South African hands.
New Zealand 17-0 South Africa, 27 minutes
You imagine that decision will be heavily debated over the coming days. It was an exceptionally tough call for Whitehouse to make - I fancy other TMOs might have concluded differently, though.
And that just makes it worse for the visitors. Another basic, basic error, Damian de Allende putting down Jordie Barrett’s long dropkicked restart.
No try! New Zealand 17-0 South Africa, 26 minutes
TMO Ben Whitehouse rules...a knock-on! The Springboks were back in their own half, thinking their wing had done just enough to ground, but Whitehouse is not satisfied there is pressure on the ball. Goalline drop out.
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