Boks add Tri-Nations title to a string of historic triumphs

SHOOT: This was an epic match to watch [Smit also called it 'epic' several times in a bloody-faced post match interview]. The Boks completely outplayed their hosts in Hamilton in the first half, and Francois Steyn can be credited with some beautiful long range efforts. A drop from Morne Steyn didn't do any harm to their chances either [and the winning margin turned out to be 3 points]. The second half saw the Boks narrowly miss an opening 5 minute try and at 60 minutes, the full force of the All Blacks rained on the Boks. Sitiveni Svivivatu found a weakness in Schalk Burger, who seemed slower and exhausted, and managed to get around him to score. McCaw's Kiwi crew closed down the Boks, and broke their way through, culminating in a: IOL: ...a pin-point Carter cross kick [which] found Richie McCaw unmarked on the far touchline and he fell over in the corner for the try. SHOOT: It was a beautiful execution and one which they repeated without success in the nailbiting 81st minute. Habanna was earlier bounced out of the field of play in a move that would almost certainly have been a try earlier in the match. Final score 32-29 clipped from www.iol.co.za John Smit's Springboks had to delve into the full repertoire of skills to ultimately see off the All Blacks 32-29 at the Waikato Stadium and win the 2009 Tri-Nations title. The Boks were in command for three quarters of the match and then defended for their lives to withstand the Kiwis' frantic late challenge. The Boks led 22-12 at half time and the home team frankly did not deserve to be as little as ten points adrift, so out-played they had been. They were kept in the game by four Dan Carter penalties while the Boks cancelled those out with three gargantuan efforts by Frans Steyn, one of them a 60m effort, the other two only slightly shorter, and by a well-taken drop goal by Morne Steyn. The Boks worked hard for their lead and none more so that scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, who had another exceptional game. Ten points clear at half-time, the team talk from John Smit was to mend the old Springbok failing of losing intensity in the period just after half time.