South Africa find some pride again
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.South Africa 32 New Zealand 22
Andrew Mehrtens and New Zealand must have dreaded the moment. Back in Johannesburg for the first time since losing the World Cup Final to South Africa last year - the same Ellis Park crowd, the same competitive Springbok side, even the same referee, Derek Bevan of Wales.
Their failure this time was a compliment to a committed South African side driven on by Andre Joubert and Joost van der Westhuizen. It was Joubert who set up the first try, in the 25th minute, as a cutback at pace allowed Van der Westhuizen to score under the posts. Thirteen minutes later Joubert added a penalty but an opportunist try by Sean Fitzpatrick on the stroke of half-time gave the All Blacks hope. Joubert, however, in the 46th minute took a Ruben Kruge pass to score at the corner.
Moments later, Van der Westhuizen caught the New Zealanders unawares with a short tap penalty to score again and when Joubert kicked his third penalty in the 56th minute to give South Africa a 32-8 lead it looked over. But New Zealand scored late tries from Walter Little and Justin Marshall.
South Africa: Tries van der Westhuizen (2), Joubert; Conversion Honiball; Penalties Honiball 2, Joubert 3.
New Zealand: Tries Fitzpatrick, Little, Marshall; Conversions Mehrtens (2); Penalty Mehrtens.
SOUTH AFRICA: A Joubert (Natal); J Swart (Western Province), J Mulder (Transvaal), D van Schalwyk (Northern Transvaal), P Hendriks (Transvaal), H Honiball (Natal), J van der Westhuizen (Northern Transvaal); M Hurter (Northern Transvaal), J Dalton (Transvaal), D Theron (Griqualand West); M Andrews (Natal), K Wiese (Transvaal); A Venter (OFS), R Kruger (Northern Transvaal), G Teichmann (Natal). Replacements: F van Heerdon (Western Province) for Andrews, 39; J Stransky (Western Province) for Mulder, 46; G Pagel (Western Province) for Theron 66; W Fyvie (Natal) for Venter.
NEW ZEALAND: C Cullen (Manawatu); J Wilson (Otago), F Bunce (North Harbour), W Little (North Harbour), G Osborne (North Harbour); A Mehrtens (Canterbury), J Marshall (Canterbury); O Brown (Auckland), S Fitzpatrick (Auckland), C Dowd (Auckland), I Jones (North Harbour), R Brooke (Auckland), J Kronfeld (Otago), M Jones (Auckland), Z Brooke (Auckland). Replacements: G Taylor (Northland) for I Jones, 52; A Ieremia (Wellington) for Cullen, 68.
Referee: D Bevan (Wales).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments