Lucky Maree
Before the match, Jeff Wilson’s prediction that the All Blacks will win by 10, seemed fanciful. Turns out he was conservative by two points.
As if we didn’t expect it, the terms are set from the kick-off. Jaden Hendrikse’s box kick is inch perfect, South Africa wins the scrum – but then the expected scenario changes dramatically.
Joseph Dweba’s first throw-in at the line out is stolen, Ardie Savea has a great run down the try-line. Pollard misses the tackle and only great work by Willemse prevents a try. But then Willemse is yellow-carded and Jesse Kriel goes off injured, causing a big reorganisation of the backline.
Perhaps the six forwards-two backs on the bench strategy should be reconsidered.
For the next minute the All Blacks are on the Springbok try line, winning two penalties but without scoring.
Pieter-Steph du Toit’s great interception takes the Boks to the try-line, but the All Blacks get a penalty that relieves the pressure.
After 20 minutes there is still no score, but unfortunately it can be ascribed largely to the Springboks following the All Blacks’ lead – which is to ignore the game plan.
Dweba in the team? Maybe not. The Springbok scrum takes a maul a good 20 metres down the sideline but Dweba spills a great scoring opportunity with a skew throw-in. Maybe Bongi doesn’t have to worry too much just yet.
New Zealand’s three point lead from a penalty is well-deserved and suddenly it’s all New Zealand. South Africa’s helter-skelter defence seems to hold but Sam Cane goes over in the corner. New Zealand lead by eight.
A minute later All Black hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho corkscrews over – and right now, the crowd is silenced.
Thankfully, Dweba departs the field after 30 minutes, replaced by Malcolm Marx. Mbonambi can sleep well. Steven Kitshoff and Jasper Wiese come on a minute later. The bomb squad are on the field – and not a minute too soon.
The All Blacks are full value for their 15 point lead until Lukhanyo Am scores a classic try down the right wing.
On halftime the Boks get a penalty and trail by 10-15 as they go into the tunnel.
Can coach Jacques Nienaber get the players to channel their energy into playing according to the game plan. Discipline is going to win this match – either for New Zealand or South Africa.
Five minutes after the restart, Pollard’s penalty brings the Boks within two points, but the five point lead for the All Blacks is restored through a Richie Mo’unga penalty.
With Franco Mostert, Vincent Koch and Kwagga Smith on the field, the Boks have all but emptied the forward bench, but at last, with 30 minutes to go the best Springbok team available is on the field.
Twice, the Springboks choose the line out over kickable penalties. Could this be decisive? Lukhanyo Am’s run down the middle is the best of the series so far, but a try by Makazole Mapimpi is reversed and Mo’unga’s penalty gives the All Blacks an eight point lead.
But then Damian Willemse’s magical pass gives Mapimpi an open run for the try.
Pollard’s perfect conversion leaves the All Blacks with a one point lead with 20 minutes to go – but the Springboks have the momentum.
Beauden Barrett gets sent off for cynical play, but the Springboks could argue they were robbed of a penalty try. Pollard’s penalty gives South Africa the lead for the first time: 23-21 with 13 minutes to go.
But then, with 14 players on the field, the All Blacks score through David Havili and then the All Blacks scored one of those tries that make them a great team. Scott Barrett’s try seals the victory.
South Africa 23-35 New Zealand
South Africa: Tries: Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi
Conversions: two
Penalties: three
Drop goals: none
New Zealand: Tries: Sam Cane, Samisoni Taukei’aho, David Havili, Scott Barret
Conversions: three
Penalties: three
Drop goals: none
Image source: @Springboks
