Springbok power reigns supreme in Greatest Rivalry thriller

FNB Stadium was roaring for the third Test of the Rugby’s Greatet Rivalry series in Soweto, with more than 85,000 fans recognising the historic nature of the encounter between rugby’s iconic heavyweights.

South Africa’s power at scrum time was a feature throughout 81 minutes of breathless rugby, and while New Zealand produced their own moments of magic, their discipline didn’t hold up in the Bok pressure-cooker. The visitors pulled ahead after a first half that was too tight to call, ultimately prevailing 29-14.

There were signs of early nerves, with Ruben Love firing a pass into touch and South Africa’s first kick pushing long. The Springboks had a chance to attack in the third minute and rumbled forward with a Jasper Wiese carry, but Peter Lakai won a breakdown penalty soon after.

New Zealand were next to break the game open when Lakai broke free down the blindside just one phase after a scrum, and while the ball was stripped and kicked ahead, Will Jordan recovered and broke the line again. Cheslin Kolbe won the race to Jordan’s ensuing chip-and-chase, but it would only relieve the pressure for a moment. The All Blacks’ attack had the wind in its sails, and when Ardie Savea attempted an offload to an unmarked Lakai on the right wing, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was yellow-carded for sticking his hand out and knocking the ball forward.

New Zealand kicked to the corner, and Asafo Aumua was given the ball, running at full tilt off the ensuing lineout. Savea picked the ball up from the base of the ruck and powered over the line for the first try of the game.

The All Blacks were then penalised four times in a row, starting deep in South African territory and ending up on their own five-metre line, and while they won a penalty during the rolling maul once there, the Boks were soon back on the attack. Playing under another penalty advantage, South Africa charged at the Kiwi line before sending the ball wide to Damian de Allende, who stepped Leroy Carter and drew the final defender to put Cheslin Kolbe over in the corner.

Within minutes, New Zealand made another half-break through Carter, and while Kolbe provided another try-saving tackle, Feinberg-Mngomezulu swiped the ball out of the ruck, and it was collected by Savea, who scored again.

South Africa’s next charge upfield ended with an Eben Etzebeth knock-on and Savea leaving the field injured. Luke Jacobson took over the captaincy for the remaining 50 minutes. The Boks came close to scoring when Ethan Hooker won a dynamic breakdown steal five metres from the Kiwi line, but Will Jordan returned the favour by getting over the ball and winning a penalty.

Jasper Wiese bulldozed through the New Zealand line for the next big break of the game, connecting with Ox Nche, who in turn found a dancing Manie Libbok, who was caught just inches shy of the line. From there, the Boks came up agonisingly short of scoring on successive phases, with the pressure culminating in a yellow card to Ruben Love. The ensuing scrum roared forward, and New Zealand’s attempts at halting the momentum were deemed illegal, with a penalty try awarded. 

The seven points evened the scores at 12 apiece just in time for the halftime break.

The All Blacks lost Quinn Tupaea to a knee injury shortly after the second half began. The visitors made it within 10 metres of the Springbok try line, but Will Jordan spilled the ball forward. South Africa then won another scrum penalty, prompting New Zealand to bring their reserve props into the contest.

While the next scrum ended with the same result, the All Blacks won a penalty in the scrum after, and Ruben Love lined up a shot at the posts, missing to the right.

Both teams were hungry for the next points of the game, and who else but Will Jordan to spark something for New Zealand. The winger chipped the ball ahead, and Carter won the race to collect it, popping the ball off the ground once tackled for Jordan to run in his team’s third try of the night.

When South Africa needed a response, Jesse Kriel stepped up to the plate, beating the tackle of Carter and running in a try of his own just two minutes later. Feinberg-Mngomezulu managed to do what Love couldn’t and converted the try, giving the Boks a two-point advantage heading into the final quarter.

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

2.6

10

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Avg. Points Scored

3.4

7

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The Boks were back on attack when a Jordan clearance ran dead, and another scrum penalty was won. The team went to their driving maul and rumbled forward, with Malcolm Marx splitting off once the line was in sight and putting his side ahead by nine.

Fabian Holland was penalised for cleaning beyond the ruck, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu stepped up to the tee from directly in front of the posts, adding another crucial three points.

A Springbok counter-ruck won another penalty in the 73rd minute, and another maul set the platform for Kriel to make another half-break before an offload to Feinberg-Mngomezulu saw him tackled out just shy of the line.

The final few minutes consisted of more Springbok attack in All Blacks territory until Wallace Sititi got his hands on the ball and inspired one final New Zealand break. More metres were then made down the right edge before Samisoni Taukei’aho finished the game with a consolation try for New Zealand. Final score: 29-24 to South Africa.