Springboks issue World Cup warning by snatching late draw versus All Blacks
South Africa have issued a warning to rugby’s leading nations by snatching a last-minute 16-16 draw with a shaken All Blacks in Wellington.
Less than two months out from the World Cup, the Springboks have proved they have serious credentials to claim a third world crown, while silencing those who believe New Zealand are hot favourites to defend their title.
Reserve half-back Herschel Jantjes was the hero for the visitors at the end of Saturday’s absorbing Rugby Championship encounter, latching onto a Cheslin Kolbe chip and juggling before crossing with 50 seconds remaining.
It completed a brilliant week for Jantjes, who scored twice on debut in last weekend’s 35-17 defeat of Australia in Johannesburg. Five-eighth Handre Pollard slotted the pressure conversion to cement the third draw between the great rivals.
Always a tough challenge against @Springboks. We look forward to meeting you in Japan.#NZLvRSA #BACKBLACK pic.twitter.com/zTIshhZ3il
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 27, 2019
On a miserable night for the world champions, influential lock Brodie Retallick exited with a lower arm injury which might impact on his involvement in the world tournament in Japan.
After being dominated for most of the first half, New Zealand appeared to wrest control when a piece of Beauden Barrett magic put Jack Goodhue over and gave them a flattering 7-6 half-time lead.
The All Blacks dominated the second half but paid for a lack of concentration as South Africa found late resolve, as they did 10 months ago in the 36-34 win at the same venue. By comparison, this was a grim spectacle dominated by punishing defences and high error counts.
The Boks stayed in the fight to force a 16-16 draw vs All Blacks in Wellington. Well done manne.#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/6D5Cac78be
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 27, 2019
Both teams were overhauled from wins a week earlier, with the All Blacks making the most-intriguing switch by playing regular five-eighth Barrett at full-back and introducing Richie Mo’unga at five-eighth.
Pollard capitalised on the strong early work of his pack with two penalty goals in the opening 10 minutes and missed another midway through the first half.
With the Springboks looking to ram home their advantage just before the break, skipper Duane Vermeulen dropped the ball cold in what proved a turning point.
The blow by blow RugbyPass account of events in Wellington between New Zealand and South Africa.
https://t.co/QMdxdIQpS3— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 27, 2019
The ball was swung to Barrett, who burned off winger Makazole Mapimpi before putting outside centre Goodhue clear to complete a 75m counter.
South Africa’s discipline deserted them after half-time, particularly at the breakdown, allowing the hosts to establish a foothold.
No count back on boundaries in Wellington. It's a draw. Thanks for an epic Test @Springboks.#NZLvRSA #BACKBLACK ???? pic.twitter.com/iJKkskeELf
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 27, 2019
A Barrett penalty goal was cancelled out by a Pollard three-pointer but Mo’unga, who was handed the late kicking duties, slotted two penalties in the final 15 minutes before Jantjes’ late leap.
The teams next meet in their opening World Cup pool game on September 21 in Yokohama.
– AAP
WATCH: The insightful RugbyPass documentary with Nemani Nadolo, the Fijian playing at Montpellier
Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments