| 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
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.
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Showing posts with label TriNations Rugby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TriNations Rugby. Show all posts
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Boks add Tri-Nations title to a string of historic triumphs
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Trinations Rugby: Boks Bash All Blacks 30-28
NVDL: There were some shocking decsisions in this gamke by the ref, but for once luck was on our side at the death. The wind played havoc with kicks. In the end the heroes that emerged were Ricky Januarie and Frans Steyn.
South Africa break 10-year New Zealand drought
New Zealand 28-30 South Africa
South Africa broke their 10-year drought on New Zealand’s soil, and recorded their first-ever Test win in Dunedin, thanks to a brilliant opportunist try by Ricky Januarie four minutes from time to remind New Zealand that they are world champions not just in name, but also in deed.
The Springbok scrum-half’s try clinched a match which was as bitterly contested off the field as it was on it following a media slanging match in the week preceding it with allegations of cheating at the scrum, All Black favouritism by referees, and racism, thrown into the mix.
A match which ebbed and flowed appeared to be going New Zealand’s way due to the superior tactical generalship of Dan Carter until, with the All Blacks leading 28-23 going into the final knockings, Januarie broke sharply on the blind side of a ruck and raced between Neemia Tialata and Sione Luaki before chip-kicking over Leon MacDonald and collecting on the bounce to level the score at 28-28. It was left to Francois Steyn, a second-half replacement, to settle the account in the Springboks' favour by kicking the conversion, and the youngster kept his nerve.
Although New Zealand counter-attacked ferociously for the remainder of the game, setting up two drop-goal opportunities for Carter, he pushed the first one wide and, in the last play of the match, the second effort was charged down and Steyn latched on it to stampede down the field as time ran out for the All Blacks. Their failure to kick drop-goals when the pressure is on will be beginning to gnaw at them.
South Africa also had to recover from the blow of losing their captain and chief lineout provider, Victor Matfield, when he was yellow-carded eight minutes from time for a marginal high tackle on Luaki with Carter - whose goal-kicking was immaculate - punishing the indiscretion to set up the final drama.
Neither side were helped by the often pedantic Australian referee, Matt Goddard, and it is difficult to understand why the IRB decided to make an exception by allowing the coaches of the two sides to discuss legal niceties with him before the match.
However, there is also no question that South Africa, who outscored the All Blacks by two tries to one, came within a slither of losing a match which they should have won conclusively following the departure of All Black lock Ali Williams to the touchline after a collision with the formidable Schalk Burger had left him dazed and hobbling just before the half-hour. The upshot was that New Zealand were left to field one of the most inexperienced lock combinations in their history when Kevin O’Neill, making his debut, joined Anthony Boric, who was winning his second cap.
At that stage New Zealand were leading 12-9, with Carter kicking four out of four penalties to Percy Montgomery’s three from three, however the South Africans were already much improved on their set-piece performance a week ago in Wellington. Not only was Matfield claiming plenty of ball at the lineout, but the South African scrum was far more solid in all respects, and soon after Williams had departed they squandered the first serious opportunity of the match after Januarie, Juan Smith and Butch James had given Jean de Villiers and Adrian Jacobs room to threaten on the outside.
When Jacobs was bundled into touch deep in the New Zealand 22 their lineout was under pressure, and with O’Neill missing Andrew Hore’s throw, Adam Thomson was forced to touch down in goal, conceding a five-metre scrum.
South Africa took full advantage of the new scrum ELV, which requires the defensive line to be five metres back from the hindmost foot, and Springbok No 8 Joe van Niekerk was quick off the mark from the pick-up, getting the angle on Rodney So’ialo before putting JP Pietersen over in the right-hand corner for the opening try of the match and a Springbok lead for the first time at 14-12 despite Montgomery’s failure to convert.
Soon afterwards Carter was well wide with a drop-goal attempt, but, four minutes from the interval, James gave him a textbook example when he hit a 30m drop-goal to put South Africa 17-12 ahead from a Matfield lineout catch. Montgomery had an opportunity to extend the lead with a penalty two minutes from the break but missed, and, when a strong run by Mils Muliaina took the All Blacks into South African territory Carter kicked his fifth penalty to narrow the half-time gap to 17-15 after Jacobs had been penalised for a body-check.
At the start of the second half it was clear that New Zealand had twigged that their best chance of winning the match was to keep it fast and loose, and to use their superior counterattacking skills to overhaul South Africa. They piled on the pressure, but nearly caught a cold when a multi-phase attack saw Carter clattered and the ball break to Bryan Habana on the edge of the Springbok 22, however Montgomery’s kick simply gave the ball back to New Zealand rather than exploiting the opportunity to the full. South Africa’s failure to bring Habana into the game more was a weakness considering the danger he poses every time he is given space.
At this stage the Springboks seemed tactically adrift, and the habit of kicking the ball away to New Zealand became almost endemic - and it is a particularly dangerous ploy when there is a player of Carter’s calibre in the opposition ranks. He nearly unstitched the South African defence with a clever cross-kick for Rudi Wulf on the left touchline with Pietersen struggling to get back.
The All Blacks coach, Graham Henry, then made an inspired substitution by introducing Luaki for Jerome Kaino, because the powerful No 8 had only been on the field for a minute when he scored the try that put the All Blacks back in control. However, the architect of the try was Conrad Smith, who is fast earning the reputation as the most incisive outside-centre in the game. After approach work by So’ialo and Andy Ellis, Smith slipped under James tackle, allowing Ellis to put Luaki in the clear to score by the posts, Carter converting for a 22-17 lead.
Springbok woes were compounded when Montgomery missed a straightforward penalty on the hour before being replaced by Conrad Jantjes. This meant that the goal-kicking mantle was passed to James, and he narrowed the gap to 22-20 soon afterwards. However, the quick-thinking Carter nudged New Zealand out again to 25-20 with an exceptional low trajectory drop-kick on the swivel after a sharp counterattack through Wulf.
The nip-and-tuck continued when James put the Springboks within striking distance again with a penalty in the 67th minute, whittling the gap to 25-23, and setting up the late firework display which saw Januarie emerge as the Springbok hero.
Here's a Prematch assessment from FOXNEWS:
Both teams have slight changes, but it's hard to see any change to the result of this Tri-Nations match between New Zealand and South Africa as the Tri-Nations caravan moves as far south as it can go and the weather remains miserable.
South Africa has never won a Test at Dunedin's Carisbrook - venue for this week's showdown. It had a great chance in 1994 when the All Blacks had come off a series defeat to France in New Zealand and a great chance in 2005 when a late Keven Mealamu try won the match for the All Blacks.
The weather may be a bit drier in cold Dunedin than it was in Wellington, which may help the Highveld Springboks, but it will not really be a factor.
What will be a factor is the confidence the All Blacks will take with them in their togbags as they journey south. There were questions asked of them before the Wellington Test. New Zealanders were unsure of them. Now the surge of the nation is a confident one. They know they can win. Knowing they can win has ever been a powerful weapon for the All Blacks - except at World Cups, it seems. Confidence will set them playing more freely.
The Springboks, on the other hand, have their backs to the wall, which has always been their best starting position. If they can all fight back the way Schalk Burger will, they could cause a surprise.
One selection that may well work for them is that of Percy Montgomery. Well as Conrad Jantjes played in Wellington the Springboks lacked a left boot, in fact any authoritative boot, which Montgomery may well give them. Then if Butch James is over whatever ailment he had in Wellington things may be better for them.
On the other hand the selection of Joe van Niekerk remains a mystery as his contribution to the side is uncertain, and the retention of Luke Watson on the bench seems to have little to do with rugby football.
John Smit's leadership will be missed but there are enough senior players in the team to lift the spirits and Bismarck du Plessis is unlikely to capitulate.
The All Blacks will miss suspended Brad Thorn who takes solidity to the levels of genius, but the inclusion of John Afoa for Greg Somerville will certainly not weaken the All Blacks who will again be expected to dominate the scrums, even without the power of Thorn. The All Blacks have a settled air about them. They are men going about their business with authority.
Players to watch:
For New Zealand: You will again watch/see Dan Carter (New Zealand) who may just be playing the best rugby of his career with great all-round skill and unruffled calm - effortless superiority. You will also watch Ma'a Nonu of New Zealand if he can imitate the bulls of Pamplona and get on the run.
For South Africa: Amongst the Springboks you will again watch/see action man Schalk Burger with all his bustling, reckless energy. Has there even been a rugby player who has given more in his team's cause? And you will also experience that frisson of excitement when the ball is going Bryan Habana's way. He, too, gives his all.
Head to Head: The battle of the Bantams at scrumhalf is always interesting - Andrew Ellis (New Zealand) against Enrico Januarie (South Africa). Then there is an interesting contest in the middle of the scrum - strong Andrew Hore against combatative Bismarck du Plessis. At lock there will again be the contest between two skilled players - emotional Ali Williams of New Zealand and calmer Victor Matfield of South Africa, two top men with skills locks rarely possess. It is also interesting to see what happens at outside centre where Conrad Smith of New Zealand and Adi Jacobs of South Africa meet. In a sense Jacobs won in Wellington because it was his moment of clever skill that ended when Habana scored a try.
Oh, when All Black and Springbok meet it is a head-to-head of 15 against 15, 22 against 22. It is rugby greatest contest.
Previous Results in the Tri-Nations:
2008: New Zealand won 19-8, Wellington
2007: New Zealand won 26-21, Durban
2007: New Zealand won 33-6, Christchurch
2006: New Zealand won 35-17, Wellington
2006: New Zealand won 45-26, Pretoria
2006: South Africa won 21-20, Rustenburg
2005: South Africa won 22-16, Newlands
2005: New Zealand won 31-27, Dunedin
2004: New Zealand won 23-21, Christchurch
2004: South Africa won 40-26, Johannesburg
2003: New Zealand won 52-16, Pretoria
2003: New Zealand won 19-11, Dunedin
2002: New Zealand won 41-20, Wellington
2002: New Zealand won 30-23, Durban
2001: New Zealand won 12-3, Newlands
2001: New Zealand won 26-15, Auckland
2000: New Zealand won 25-12, Christchurch
2000: South Africa won 46-40, Johannesburg
1999: New Zealand won 28-0, Dunedin
1999: New Zealand won 34-18, Pretoria
1998: South Africa won 13-3, Wellington
1998: South Africa won 24-23, Durban
1997: New Zealand won 35-32, Johannesburg
1997: New Zealand won 55-35, Auckland
1996: New Zealand won 15-11, Christchurch
1996: New Zealand won 29-18, Newlands
South Africa break 10-year New Zealand drought
New Zealand 28-30 South Africa
South Africa broke their 10-year drought on New Zealand’s soil, and recorded their first-ever Test win in Dunedin, thanks to a brilliant opportunist try by Ricky Januarie four minutes from time to remind New Zealand that they are world champions not just in name, but also in deed.
The Springbok scrum-half’s try clinched a match which was as bitterly contested off the field as it was on it following a media slanging match in the week preceding it with allegations of cheating at the scrum, All Black favouritism by referees, and racism, thrown into the mix.
A match which ebbed and flowed appeared to be going New Zealand’s way due to the superior tactical generalship of Dan Carter until, with the All Blacks leading 28-23 going into the final knockings, Januarie broke sharply on the blind side of a ruck and raced between Neemia Tialata and Sione Luaki before chip-kicking over Leon MacDonald and collecting on the bounce to level the score at 28-28. It was left to Francois Steyn, a second-half replacement, to settle the account in the Springboks' favour by kicking the conversion, and the youngster kept his nerve.
Although New Zealand counter-attacked ferociously for the remainder of the game, setting up two drop-goal opportunities for Carter, he pushed the first one wide and, in the last play of the match, the second effort was charged down and Steyn latched on it to stampede down the field as time ran out for the All Blacks. Their failure to kick drop-goals when the pressure is on will be beginning to gnaw at them.
South Africa also had to recover from the blow of losing their captain and chief lineout provider, Victor Matfield, when he was yellow-carded eight minutes from time for a marginal high tackle on Luaki with Carter - whose goal-kicking was immaculate - punishing the indiscretion to set up the final drama.
Neither side were helped by the often pedantic Australian referee, Matt Goddard, and it is difficult to understand why the IRB decided to make an exception by allowing the coaches of the two sides to discuss legal niceties with him before the match.
However, there is also no question that South Africa, who outscored the All Blacks by two tries to one, came within a slither of losing a match which they should have won conclusively following the departure of All Black lock Ali Williams to the touchline after a collision with the formidable Schalk Burger had left him dazed and hobbling just before the half-hour. The upshot was that New Zealand were left to field one of the most inexperienced lock combinations in their history when Kevin O’Neill, making his debut, joined Anthony Boric, who was winning his second cap.
At that stage New Zealand were leading 12-9, with Carter kicking four out of four penalties to Percy Montgomery’s three from three, however the South Africans were already much improved on their set-piece performance a week ago in Wellington. Not only was Matfield claiming plenty of ball at the lineout, but the South African scrum was far more solid in all respects, and soon after Williams had departed they squandered the first serious opportunity of the match after Januarie, Juan Smith and Butch James had given Jean de Villiers and Adrian Jacobs room to threaten on the outside.
When Jacobs was bundled into touch deep in the New Zealand 22 their lineout was under pressure, and with O’Neill missing Andrew Hore’s throw, Adam Thomson was forced to touch down in goal, conceding a five-metre scrum.
South Africa took full advantage of the new scrum ELV, which requires the defensive line to be five metres back from the hindmost foot, and Springbok No 8 Joe van Niekerk was quick off the mark from the pick-up, getting the angle on Rodney So’ialo before putting JP Pietersen over in the right-hand corner for the opening try of the match and a Springbok lead for the first time at 14-12 despite Montgomery’s failure to convert.
Soon afterwards Carter was well wide with a drop-goal attempt, but, four minutes from the interval, James gave him a textbook example when he hit a 30m drop-goal to put South Africa 17-12 ahead from a Matfield lineout catch. Montgomery had an opportunity to extend the lead with a penalty two minutes from the break but missed, and, when a strong run by Mils Muliaina took the All Blacks into South African territory Carter kicked his fifth penalty to narrow the half-time gap to 17-15 after Jacobs had been penalised for a body-check.
At the start of the second half it was clear that New Zealand had twigged that their best chance of winning the match was to keep it fast and loose, and to use their superior counterattacking skills to overhaul South Africa. They piled on the pressure, but nearly caught a cold when a multi-phase attack saw Carter clattered and the ball break to Bryan Habana on the edge of the Springbok 22, however Montgomery’s kick simply gave the ball back to New Zealand rather than exploiting the opportunity to the full. South Africa’s failure to bring Habana into the game more was a weakness considering the danger he poses every time he is given space.
At this stage the Springboks seemed tactically adrift, and the habit of kicking the ball away to New Zealand became almost endemic - and it is a particularly dangerous ploy when there is a player of Carter’s calibre in the opposition ranks. He nearly unstitched the South African defence with a clever cross-kick for Rudi Wulf on the left touchline with Pietersen struggling to get back.
The All Blacks coach, Graham Henry, then made an inspired substitution by introducing Luaki for Jerome Kaino, because the powerful No 8 had only been on the field for a minute when he scored the try that put the All Blacks back in control. However, the architect of the try was Conrad Smith, who is fast earning the reputation as the most incisive outside-centre in the game. After approach work by So’ialo and Andy Ellis, Smith slipped under James tackle, allowing Ellis to put Luaki in the clear to score by the posts, Carter converting for a 22-17 lead.
Springbok woes were compounded when Montgomery missed a straightforward penalty on the hour before being replaced by Conrad Jantjes. This meant that the goal-kicking mantle was passed to James, and he narrowed the gap to 22-20 soon afterwards. However, the quick-thinking Carter nudged New Zealand out again to 25-20 with an exceptional low trajectory drop-kick on the swivel after a sharp counterattack through Wulf.
The nip-and-tuck continued when James put the Springboks within striking distance again with a penalty in the 67th minute, whittling the gap to 25-23, and setting up the late firework display which saw Januarie emerge as the Springbok hero.
Here's a Prematch assessment from FOXNEWS:
Both teams have slight changes, but it's hard to see any change to the result of this Tri-Nations match between New Zealand and South Africa as the Tri-Nations caravan moves as far south as it can go and the weather remains miserable.
South Africa has never won a Test at Dunedin's Carisbrook - venue for this week's showdown. It had a great chance in 1994 when the All Blacks had come off a series defeat to France in New Zealand and a great chance in 2005 when a late Keven Mealamu try won the match for the All Blacks.
The weather may be a bit drier in cold Dunedin than it was in Wellington, which may help the Highveld Springboks, but it will not really be a factor.
What will be a factor is the confidence the All Blacks will take with them in their togbags as they journey south. There were questions asked of them before the Wellington Test. New Zealanders were unsure of them. Now the surge of the nation is a confident one. They know they can win. Knowing they can win has ever been a powerful weapon for the All Blacks - except at World Cups, it seems. Confidence will set them playing more freely.
The Springboks, on the other hand, have their backs to the wall, which has always been their best starting position. If they can all fight back the way Schalk Burger will, they could cause a surprise.
One selection that may well work for them is that of Percy Montgomery. Well as Conrad Jantjes played in Wellington the Springboks lacked a left boot, in fact any authoritative boot, which Montgomery may well give them. Then if Butch James is over whatever ailment he had in Wellington things may be better for them.
On the other hand the selection of Joe van Niekerk remains a mystery as his contribution to the side is uncertain, and the retention of Luke Watson on the bench seems to have little to do with rugby football.
John Smit's leadership will be missed but there are enough senior players in the team to lift the spirits and Bismarck du Plessis is unlikely to capitulate.
The All Blacks will miss suspended Brad Thorn who takes solidity to the levels of genius, but the inclusion of John Afoa for Greg Somerville will certainly not weaken the All Blacks who will again be expected to dominate the scrums, even without the power of Thorn. The All Blacks have a settled air about them. They are men going about their business with authority.
Players to watch:
For New Zealand: You will again watch/see Dan Carter (New Zealand) who may just be playing the best rugby of his career with great all-round skill and unruffled calm - effortless superiority. You will also watch Ma'a Nonu of New Zealand if he can imitate the bulls of Pamplona and get on the run.
For South Africa: Amongst the Springboks you will again watch/see action man Schalk Burger with all his bustling, reckless energy. Has there even been a rugby player who has given more in his team's cause? And you will also experience that frisson of excitement when the ball is going Bryan Habana's way. He, too, gives his all.
Head to Head: The battle of the Bantams at scrumhalf is always interesting - Andrew Ellis (New Zealand) against Enrico Januarie (South Africa). Then there is an interesting contest in the middle of the scrum - strong Andrew Hore against combatative Bismarck du Plessis. At lock there will again be the contest between two skilled players - emotional Ali Williams of New Zealand and calmer Victor Matfield of South Africa, two top men with skills locks rarely possess. It is also interesting to see what happens at outside centre where Conrad Smith of New Zealand and Adi Jacobs of South Africa meet. In a sense Jacobs won in Wellington because it was his moment of clever skill that ended when Habana scored a try.
Oh, when All Black and Springbok meet it is a head-to-head of 15 against 15, 22 against 22. It is rugby greatest contest.
Previous Results in the Tri-Nations:
2008: New Zealand won 19-8, Wellington
2007: New Zealand won 26-21, Durban
2007: New Zealand won 33-6, Christchurch
2006: New Zealand won 35-17, Wellington
2006: New Zealand won 45-26, Pretoria
2006: South Africa won 21-20, Rustenburg
2005: South Africa won 22-16, Newlands
2005: New Zealand won 31-27, Dunedin
2004: New Zealand won 23-21, Christchurch
2004: South Africa won 40-26, Johannesburg
2003: New Zealand won 52-16, Pretoria
2003: New Zealand won 19-11, Dunedin
2002: New Zealand won 41-20, Wellington
2002: New Zealand won 30-23, Durban
2001: New Zealand won 12-3, Newlands
2001: New Zealand won 26-15, Auckland
2000: New Zealand won 25-12, Christchurch
2000: South Africa won 46-40, Johannesburg
1999: New Zealand won 28-0, Dunedin
1999: New Zealand won 34-18, Pretoria
1998: South Africa won 13-3, Wellington
1998: South Africa won 24-23, Durban
1997: New Zealand won 35-32, Johannesburg
1997: New Zealand won 55-35, Auckland
1996: New Zealand won 15-11, Christchurch
1996: New Zealand won 29-18, Newlands
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Tri-Nations Rugby: South Africa beats Australia
After trailing 10-16 in a bruising first half the Springboks dug deep to overwhelm a very intelligent tactical Australian opposition 22-19.
The South African Captain, John Smit, was injured early on; he left the field in the opening sortie. Springbok Pierre Spies was yellow carded after 36 minutes and his team had to make do without his power and might for a vital 10 minutes spent in the sin bin. Australian stars George Gregan and Stephen Larkham were in top form, but both made some rare unforced errors, particularly in the second half.
The Springboks were also missing match winner Brian Habana (who has an injured knee), the Springboks put the first penalty (Montgomery) and first try (Jaques Fourie) on the scoreboard. Matt Giteau made a determined surge to score beside the posts for the Aussies. Then it came down to a series of penalities between Percy Montgomery (3)for the Boks, and Stirling Mortlock (4) for the Wallabies.
Compulsive Tackling
After plenty of intensity and tension, the Boks found themselves in the second half trailing 16-19, with only 15 minutes of match time remaining. Wave upon wave of green fell against the Australian back line, but the desperate attacks were pinned down or held back each time, despite being so deep in Aussie territory. The Australians tackled compulsively to stem the tide.
Match Winner
At this stage 20 year old ex Grey College match winner Frans Steyn came onto the field. An impact player, the big young man was on the field for only a few minutes before launching a drop goal to level the scores. With very little match time remaining tempers flared; both sides continued to thump and test one another. Then the winger, Steyn, received a deepish kick, turned on his heel and hoofed the winning drop kick.
Deserved Victory
But it was a win the home team earned. The South Africans had dominated play in the second half forcing the Aussies to defend, and making their opponents tackle at a ratio of 1:3. The Aussie tackle quota at full time exceeded 150 (while the South Africans were around 50). Australian David Campese made the comment that South Africa had been perhaps too inclined to kick away possession at vital turns of play, but the innovative Butch James couldn't be blamed when there were often few other options to choose from on the table.
Consistency
It has to be said that going into the next game (South Africa vs New Zealand) the Boks will need to raise their game even more. Consistency is crucial, and to beat the All Blacks they will need passion and character. Beyond the Tri-Nations, with their sights on the Rugby World Cup in September, the Boks will need to learn and maintain consistency with a few to developing momentum. The South Africans have now won 4 consecutive matches, but every successful team needs a strong foundation, and this means a stable management family.
In South African rugby, cricket, swimming and other sports, what undermines the performance of athletes and players is the background of squabbling officials, politics and overall pressure brought to bear directly on managers. Sprinbbok coach Jake White has had a difficult and distracting week, having recently had a scuffle with a pony newspaper journalist in a bar, aswell as the commotion involved in the on-again-off-again meeting with the President. This meeting never materialised thanks to the intervention of the South African Rugby Union (who felt White had not arranged the meeting through the proper channels).
Additional instability is created in South African sport when players are expected to accomodate protocols designed by outsiders, where officials expect the artificial insertion of players in teams to represent a preconceived racial composition. This is unsettling, and at a high level, can mean that small difference in confidence, consistency, self belief and coming through in the end to win.
In the end it was a gutsy win. Now the Boks have a week to regroup and advance along the steep gradient of their learning curve. They must learn from this game, because their opponents in the next crunching Tri-Nations encounter will be the mighty All Blacks.
The South African Captain, John Smit, was injured early on; he left the field in the opening sortie. Springbok Pierre Spies was yellow carded after 36 minutes and his team had to make do without his power and might for a vital 10 minutes spent in the sin bin. Australian stars George Gregan and Stephen Larkham were in top form, but both made some rare unforced errors, particularly in the second half.
The Springboks were also missing match winner Brian Habana (who has an injured knee), the Springboks put the first penalty (Montgomery) and first try (Jaques Fourie) on the scoreboard. Matt Giteau made a determined surge to score beside the posts for the Aussies. Then it came down to a series of penalities between Percy Montgomery (3)for the Boks, and Stirling Mortlock (4) for the Wallabies.
Compulsive Tackling
After plenty of intensity and tension, the Boks found themselves in the second half trailing 16-19, with only 15 minutes of match time remaining. Wave upon wave of green fell against the Australian back line, but the desperate attacks were pinned down or held back each time, despite being so deep in Aussie territory. The Australians tackled compulsively to stem the tide.
Match Winner
At this stage 20 year old ex Grey College match winner Frans Steyn came onto the field. An impact player, the big young man was on the field for only a few minutes before launching a drop goal to level the scores. With very little match time remaining tempers flared; both sides continued to thump and test one another. Then the winger, Steyn, received a deepish kick, turned on his heel and hoofed the winning drop kick.
Deserved Victory
But it was a win the home team earned. The South Africans had dominated play in the second half forcing the Aussies to defend, and making their opponents tackle at a ratio of 1:3. The Aussie tackle quota at full time exceeded 150 (while the South Africans were around 50). Australian David Campese made the comment that South Africa had been perhaps too inclined to kick away possession at vital turns of play, but the innovative Butch James couldn't be blamed when there were often few other options to choose from on the table.
Consistency
It has to be said that going into the next game (South Africa vs New Zealand) the Boks will need to raise their game even more. Consistency is crucial, and to beat the All Blacks they will need passion and character. Beyond the Tri-Nations, with their sights on the Rugby World Cup in September, the Boks will need to learn and maintain consistency with a few to developing momentum. The South Africans have now won 4 consecutive matches, but every successful team needs a strong foundation, and this means a stable management family.
In South African rugby, cricket, swimming and other sports, what undermines the performance of athletes and players is the background of squabbling officials, politics and overall pressure brought to bear directly on managers. Sprinbbok coach Jake White has had a difficult and distracting week, having recently had a scuffle with a pony newspaper journalist in a bar, aswell as the commotion involved in the on-again-off-again meeting with the President. This meeting never materialised thanks to the intervention of the South African Rugby Union (who felt White had not arranged the meeting through the proper channels).
Additional instability is created in South African sport when players are expected to accomodate protocols designed by outsiders, where officials expect the artificial insertion of players in teams to represent a preconceived racial composition. This is unsettling, and at a high level, can mean that small difference in confidence, consistency, self belief and coming through in the end to win.
In the end it was a gutsy win. Now the Boks have a week to regroup and advance along the steep gradient of their learning curve. They must learn from this game, because their opponents in the next crunching Tri-Nations encounter will be the mighty All Blacks.
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