Springboks hold tough for tense win over All Blacks

Sat, Sep 7, 2024, 4:46 PM
AW
by AFP and Nathan Williamson
The Springboks face the All Blacks in Cape Town. Photo: Getty Images
The Springboks face the All Blacks in Cape Town. Photo: Getty Images

The Springboks have dug deep for an 18-12 win over the All Blacks in Cape Town.

The boot of Damian McKenzie delivered all the points for the Kiwis as they took a 9-3 lead into the break.

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Springboks captain Siya Kolisi put the hosts in front just after the break with the opening try of the game.

But the deciding point came late when Tyrel Lomax was yellow carded for taking out Cheslin Kolbe seven minutes from full-time.

It allowed Malcolm Marx to cross from the rolling maul as South Africa held on late for the win.

The win was South Africa’s fourth in as many matches in the tournament, almost guaranteeing them the title.

It was New Zealand’s third defeat, eliminating them from contention.

It was also South Africa’s fourth successive win over New Zealand, going back to 2023. They had not won four in a row against their arch-rivals since 1949.

New Zealand deservedly led 9-3 after a tight first half, with flyhalf McKenzie kicking three penalty goals against one by Springbok opposite number Handre Pollard.

Despite conceding an early scrum penalty the All Blacks exerted early pressure, aided by the Springboks losing three lineouts on their own throw inside the first 10 minutes.

McKenzie put New Zealand ahead in the 15th minute when Springbok number eight Jasper Wiese conceded a penalty for tackling scrumhalf Cortez Ratima without the ball and was given a yellow card by English referee Matt Carley.

But the All Blacks were also reduced to 14 men almost immediately after the restart when winger Sevu Reece took out Springbok fullback Willie le Roux in the air.

The Springboks had a chance to equalise in the 22nd minute when the All Blacks were penalised in their own 22 but they opted to kick for touch and were unable to score from the resulting lineout.

McKenzie kicked a second goal before Pollard landed a penalty from the New Zealand 10m line.

The All Blacks were pressing hard after the half-time hooter but opted to take the three points when they were awarded a penalty near the Springbok posts, with McKenzie putting his side six points ahead.

South Africa came out strongly after the break and went ahead for the first time when Kolisi scored a try after a period of sustained pressure, during which the Springboks opted for three lineout drives in a row after being awarded penalties. Pollard converted.

Replacement flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu stretched the lead with a penalty but McKenzie cut the lead to one point with 21 minutes to go.

McKenzie missed two penalties after Le Roux was yellow-carded for a deliberate knockdown.

But the Springboks dominated the closing minutes and Marx scored in the left corner after a drive from a lineout.

SPRINGBOKS 18

Tries: Kolisi, Marx

Cons: Pollard 1/1, Feinberg-Mngomezulu 0/1

Pens: Pollard 1/1, Feinberg-Mngomezulu 1/2

Drop Goals: Kolbe 0/1

ALL BLACKS 12

Pens: McKenzie 4/7

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