The All Blacks were made to look mortal against a brutally determined Springbok side who had every chance to steal a win of their own in the dying moments. Had Lood de Jager stayed in field at the last drive it would have meant big trouble for New Zealand, and the young giant will not enjoy watching himself get driven out by Beauden Barrett in the team debriefing. On the whole it was a terrific match of teeth-grinding intensity, one that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a World Cup.
Credit must go to Heyneke Meyer, who had the courage to start Handré Pollard in place of Morné Steyn and change the game plan completely from a week ago. The kicking game was still prevalent, but South Africa had a real crack at the All Blacks with ball in hand, and looked far more dangerous as a result. In fact it would not be a stretch to say they looked the better side, with a few soft penalties and unforced errors ultimately contributing heavily to the loss.
Pollard enjoyed his most accomplished performance to date. He took a page out of the Beale-Folau school of rugby with a wonderful inside pass to Cornal Hendricks, the winger scything through a gap for a cracking try. Later on he nailed a superb drop goal under pressure, one that would have made Jannie de Beer proud. After a couple shaky matches against the Pumas, it was a remarkable effort from the 20 year old.
The set piece was strong, with Victor Matfield claiming ownership of the lineout and the scrum doing well despite a couple strange penalties from Jérôme Garcès. Above all it was the defense that stood out. Led by bearded behemoth Duane Vermeulen, the green jerseys repeatedly smashed the New Zealanders backwards in twos and threes. A ferocious challenge by Vermeulen in the opening exchanges on Richie McCaw drew gasps, followed by applause when the All Black captain miraculously emerged unscathed.
Apart from being battered the flanker had a massive impact. Aaron Cruden’s inch-perfect cross kick found the outstretched hands of Kieran Read, leaping high over Jean de Villiers, and the big no8 managed to keep his feet long enough for McCaw to double around the outside and dive in for a classic score. When Vermeulen burst from the final scrum, it was McCaw who wrangled him to the deck, and with the game on the line it was McCaw who saved the ball from the clutches of de Jager at the lineout, with Aaron Smith’s clearance heralding final whistle.
Well done to both sides and the remaining fixtures have become more interesting as a result, particularly the return leg when the All Blacks travel into Springbok territory. Though they lost on the scoreboard, this could well be a defining moment for South Africa, one that proves they can challenge for the Webb Ellis Trophy if they get their tactics right. For New Zealand, laurels alone won’t be enough to repeat as champions. There is plenty of hard work still yet on the horizon.
NEW ZEALAND 14 vs 10 SOUTH AFRICA
Saturday, September 13, 07:35 GMT, Wellington
SCORING
11 mins – A. Cruden pen 3-0
16 mins – C. Hendricks try 3-5
17 mins – H. Pollard con 3-7
23 mins – A. Cruden pen 6-7
46 mins – R. McCaw try 11-7
55 mins – H. Pollard drop 11-10
66 mins – B. Barrett pen 14-10
NEW ZEALAND
I. Dagg; B. Smith, C. Smith, M. Nonu (C. Jane HT), J. Savea; A. Cruden (B. Barrett 59), A. Smith; W. Crockett (J. Moody 59), D. Coles (K. Mealamu 71), O. Franks (B. Franks 59); B. Retallick, J. Thrush (P. Tu’ipulotu 78); S. Luatua (S. Cane 50), R. McCaw (capt.), K. Read.
SOUTH AFRICA
W. le Roux (P. Lambie 71); C. Hendricks, J. Serfontein, J. de Villiers (capt.), B. Habana; H. Pollard, R. Pienaar (F. Hougaard 35); T. Mtawarira (T. Nyakane 67), A. Strauss, (B. du Plessis 55) J. du Plessis (M. van der Merwe 78); E. Etzebeth (L. de Jager 71), V. Matfield; F. Louw (W. Whiteley 47), M. Coetzee, D. Vermeulen.
Referee: J. Garcès (FFR)
Assistants: P. Gaüzère (FFR) & R. Hoffman (ARU)
TMO: P. Marshall (ARU)
