South Africa v New Zealand LIVE: Rugby result and reaction after Springboks thrash All Blacks
The Springboks and All Blacks square off in their final Rugby World Cup warm-up match at Twickenham
South Africa laid down a marker ahead of the Rugby World Cup with a record win over New Zealand at Twickenham.
In the final warm-up fixture for both southern hemisphere sides before the tournament in France, the Springboks were close to irresistable, capitalising on the All Blacks’ indiscipline to produce a statement 35-7 thrashing.
First half tries from Siya Kolisi and Kurt-Lee Arendse were followed by scores from Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi and Kwagga Smith after the interval as the world champions flexed their muscles ahead of the defence of their crown in front of a close-to-capacity crowd in London.
Cam Roigard’s spectacular late consolation was all that New Zealand could muster on a disastrous evening for head coach Ian Foster, with Scott Barrett sent off as thee All Blacks suffered their biggest ever defeat.
The lock was shown a second yellow card after dropping a shoulder into Marx’s head and will face a disciplinary hearing, while starting tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax was also carted off with a serious-looking leg injury.
The All Blacks open the World Cup against hosts France in Paris on Friday 8 September, while South Africa begin their campaign against Scotland in Marseille two days later.
Follow the action from Twickenham with our blog below and you can find the latest rugby tips and betting offers here:
South Africa 7-0 New Zealand, 24 minutes
New Zealand are restored to 14 by the return of Scott Barrett and do a better job defensively, an errant passed toed too far ahead by Canan Moodie and scuttling out of the back of the in-goal area.
South Africa 7-0 New Zealand, 23 minutes
Crash, bang, wallop! Andre Esterhuizen shows his strength, adjusting his angle at the line to brush off Jordie Barrett’s slighly meek low tackle and accelerate into Richie Mo’unga in the All Blacks backfield.
New Zealand just about recollect themselves and Mark Telea takes a slightly aimless crosskick. The wing can’t help but carry the ball into touch, though.
South Africa 7-0 New Zealand, 22 minutes
And the scrum that follows allows South Africa an opportunity to milk more yardage and a penalty out of an under-resourced New Zealand pack.
Missed penalty! South Africa 7-0 New Zealand, 21 minutes
Or not! A tug to the left and away Mo’unga’s effort cannons off the post!
South Africa 7-0 New Zealand, 20 minutes
But the lead will surely be immediately narrowed. South Africa draw Matthew Carley’s whistle for the first time and this is a sitter of a starter for Richie Mo’unga...
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 7-0 New Zealand (Siya Kolisi try, 19 minutes)
Ball conclusively against ground - Siya Kolisi has got there!
20 minutes of clattering against the All Black wall but at last South Africa have a lead they richly deserved. Kolisi has Eben Etzebeth lending his weight behind him and the pair make like a battering ram through New Zealand’s front door, Kolisi twisting to ground beneath the posts.
Manie Libbok’s conversion is simple as they come.
Try? South Africa 0-0 New Zealand, 18 minutes
This time? There’s a raised arm of celebration from Faf de Klerk but Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi don’t, perhaps, look as certain.
Matthew Carley makes the square signal to once again employ Tom Foley...
South Africa 0-0 New Zealand, 17 minutes
But this is turning into an attack vs defence training drill. New Zealand are penalised 35 metres out to allow South Africa another 22 entry...
No try! South Africa 0-0 New Zealand, 16 minutes
Yet more brilliant last-ditch stuff from New Zealand - Malcolm Marx has boulders for shoulders but even he hasn’t the requisite strength to force through three All Black defenders. He’s held up.
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