Rugby News 2022: Springbok victory joins struggling All Blacks in South Africa-New Zealand score woes
South Africa beat New Zealand 26-10 in the opening match of the Rugby Championship at Mbombela on Sunday morning at AEST.
New Zealand flew to South Africa after losing four of their last five games amid calls to sack coach Ian Foster and captain Sam Kane.
Foster and Kane know that another loss to arch foes will almost certainly spell the end for both when the teams clash again next Saturday in Johannesburg.
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The Springboks’ ferocity has always upset the All Blacks. The All Blacks were fortunately beaten in the opening 40 minutes and he remained 10-3 at half-time.
New Zealand had many possessions in the second half, but a lone try from substitute loose forward Shannon Frizel arrived as a fundamental error took its toll and South Africa were reduced to 14 men.
South Africa’s first try scorer, winger Kurt Lee Arense, was given a red card in the 75th minute after fouling airborne fly-half Boden Barrett.
“It was exactly what we wanted. We wanted to be candid,” said South Africa captain and flanker Siya Kolisi.
“Our highball was good. We did everything we wanted. We made tackles. We have a few players.”
Underfire Kane says: They threw a lot of things at us. I was able to absorb it, but it robbed me of a lot.
“They are very good at putting pressure on. Their kicking game was good and they probably would have won that as well.”
South African hooker Malcolm Marks was warmly received by a sold-out crowd of 42,367 as he rushed onto the field in front of his teammates in the northeastern city to congratulate him on winning his 50th cap. rice field.
The Southern Hemisphere Championship opener got off to a dramatic start when Springbok scrum-half Faf De Clark’s head knocked out All Blacks winger Caleb Clark in the knee.
De Klerk was sent off on a stretcher but was given a long round of applause midway through the first half when he appeared on the sidelines after failing a head injury assessment test.
Inexperienced Jaden Hendricks, who made his debut in the home series against Wales last month, replaced de Clark just 43 seconds into the game.
South Africa rode the momentum and dominated early possession and territory before scoring the first goal in the eighth minute. Arense scored the reigning world champion’s first try in his second appearance.
The New Zealand defense failed to grab a lofted kick from fly-half Handre Pollard, and center Lucaño Amu was fed to Arense, who raced across the try line.
An unpredictable goal kicker, Pollard turned around from the touchline and extended the lead to 10 with a close-range penalty in the 22nd minute.
There was a sudden change in momentum as halftime approached and New Zealand were awarded four penalties in quick succession, aided by a steady scrum.
Full-back Jordy Barrett, one of three brothers in the All Blacks’ starting lineup, scored one of his penalties in the 36th minute to close the gap to seven and remain 10-3 into half-time. .
Heading into the game, Springboks coach Jack Ninavar has stressed the need to translate dominance into points, and will be disappointed to find his team only leading by seven points.
But he would have been thrilled with Marx’s performance. That’s because the Japan-based front-line player scored several turnovers and was constantly showing up in attacks against the All Blacks.
In the second half Pollard kicked two penalties and a drop goal to give the home side a 19–3 lead before both teams scored late tries.
Frizel dove into a corner, fellow substitute Richie Mounga converted, replacement back Willie Le Roux scored next to the post, and Pollard converted for a personal tally of 16 points.
– AFP
first published as ‘Pure dominance’: Springbok win adds to plight for struggling All Blacks
Rugby News 2022: Springbok victory joins struggling All Blacks in South Africa-New Zealand score woes
Source link Rugby News 2022: Springbok victory joins struggling All Blacks in South Africa-New Zealand score woes