South Africa v New Zealand LIVE: Result and reaction from Rugby Championship as Springboks win Freedom Cup
South Africa 18-12 New Zealand: Sifa Kolisi and Malcolm Marx scored to secure the win for the Springboks
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South Africa defeated New Zealand 18-12 in the Rugby Championship to increase their lead at the top of the table and make it four wins in a row against their old rivals.
Much like in the match in Johannesburg, New Zealand started as the smarter side, taking the points on offer and opening up a six point lead from the boot of Damian McKenzie. Handre Pollard cut that down to three with a penalty kick of his own but a third penalty for the All Blacks’ fly-half sent them into the break on top.
That only spurred the Springboks on though. They came out quickly from the restart, overpowering the New Zealand defence and sending captain Siya Kolisi over the line for the first try of the game. A penalty each made the score 13-12 and the game was set up for a tense finale.
However, a stupide shoulder barge from Tyrel Lomax saw him sin binned with 10 minutes to go and New Zealand, now down to 14 players, couldn’t keep Malcolm Marx at bay with the substitute scoring to secure the Freedom Cup for the hosts.
Relive the score updates and reaction from the Rugby Championship match below:
All Blacks team news
Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara drop to the bench for the All Blacks as Scott Robertson looks to match the impact of the Springboks’ replacements. Will Jordan takes Barrett’s place at full-back with Sevu Reece brought in on the wing. With Ethan Blackadder ruled out due to a hamstring injury, Wallace Sititi joins Sam Cane and Ardie Savea in the back row.
South Africa starting XV
South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Grant Williams, 10 Handre Pollard; 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Canan Moodie; 15 Willie le Roux.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Kwagga Smith, 20 Elrigh Louw; 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Lukhanyo Am.
South Africa team news
Rassie Erasmus recalls Handre Pollard and Willie le Roux to the starting Springboks’ side, while Siya Kolisi is passed fit despite fracturing his nose in last week’s win. Canan Moodie returns on the wing with Kurt-Lee Arendse dealing with concussion, and Eben Etzebeth moves to within a cap of Victor Matfield’s record tally.
New Zealand will look to hit back and keep their Rugby Championshiphopes alive in the second of back-to-back meetings with South Africa.
The Springboks emerged victorious in Johannesburg last weekend as Grant Williams’ late try capped a captivating comeback and sealed a narrow 31-27 win.
The All Blacks had appeared in control at 27-17 ahead during the second half, but another final quarter collapse is reason for concern for Scott Robertson after similar failings in their defeat to Argentina at the start of the tournament.
The two sides swap the Highveld for the Cape Town coast as they again renew one of rugby’s most storied rivalries.
Good afternoon!
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Rugby Championship action as South Africa host New Zealand in the second match of their double header.
The Springboks completed an exceptional comeback to defeat the All Blacks 31-27 last time out and move eight points clear at the top of the table and New Zealand will need to shake off that loss if they are to win today.
They need to inflict a first defeat of the campaign on South Africa if they hope to challenge for the title but it already looks like an uphill battle at the halfway stage.
We’ll have all the team news, updates and more throughout the day so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 4pm.
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