Lucky Sithole
Given the atmosphere before the kick-off in the match between the Springboks and the All Blacks on Saturday, there is a strong case to be made that the Boks played a great game. You could say that the Boks can hold their heads high and we’re in with a shot next week.
All well and good, but the scoreboard tells the story. The 100th match between the All Blacks and the Springboks has ended in victory for New Zealand.
The match will be remembered as a match that the Springboks lost more than that the All Blacks won.
On the positive side, it was great to see Siya Kolisi leading from the front as the great rugby player that he is, and, in addition, seeing him playing a captain’s role. Excuse the cliché, but Kolisis was a beautiful example of “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”!
My man of the match? That South African front row, both in the first and second half. As good as it’s ever been.
To be honest, the right team won. In those very close final moments, it was as if the Springboks were satisfied to put up a creditable performance, but the Kiwis were there to win.
All Blacks 19 (13) (Will Jordan try; Jordie Barrett con, 4 pen) Springboks 17 (11) (Sbu Nkosi try; Handre Pollard 4 pens)
Image source: @SaffasRugby
