All 18 points: Morne Steyn
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Morné Steyn kicked all of South Africa's points as they beat New Zealand 18-5 in Saturday's Tri-Nations clash in Port Elizabeth.
The All Blacks scored the only try of the game, but were outmuscled up front by their hosts. The whole Bok team tackled their hearts out and Steyn's strong tactical kicking, especially in the second half, allowed them to keep the visitors pinned back.
As has become the norm in clashes between these sides, the All Blacks looked the more dangerous side with ball in hand, but the Springboks can count themselves deserved winners and will take encouragement from their improvement in defence and at scrum time in their final game before the World Cup.
It was South Africa's best performance of the year - by some margin - but the Springbok management will continue to be concerned by their team's inability to cross the try line. (Peter de Villiers' team have scored just three tries this year - all by hookers John Smit and Chiliboy Ralepelle.)
By contrast, Graham Henry's task of picking his backs for the World Cup was made no easier by strong performances by Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava and Hosea Gear. However Adam Thomson's hopes of making the starting XV on September 9 took a step backwards as his overeagerness cost his side a number of penalties.
Just how much can be read into this result is debatable as it would be overly harsh to judge New Zealand on the performance of a make-shift side.
New Zealand did most of the playing in the first quarter but it was the hosts who held a 12-0 lead after half-an-hour as their charged-up pack forced the All Blacks to infringe at the rucks and at scrum time.
Steyn moved the Boks further ahead with a neat drop-goal but it was the men in black who would cross the whitewash for the game's only try, courtesy of Richard Kahui, who muscled his way past three defenders after Gear had cut through the Boks' defensive curtain with a searing run.
South Africa led 15-5 at half time with Steyn's fifth penalty the only points of the second period.
Man of the match: The home side's cover defence saved their bacon on a number of occasions with Jaque Fourie coming to the rescue two or three times. But we'll go for Morné Steyn who not only scored all the hosts' points, but generally controlled the game.
Moment of the match: With the All Blacks trailing by ten points, Jimmy Cowan's disallowed try will be subject of debate for a long time to come. Dagg's final pass was certainly forward... and television match official Johann Meuwesen made sure referee George Clancy knew about it.
Villain of the match: It wasn't tiddlywinks but no one deserves a mention.
The scorers:
For South Africa:
Pens: Steyn 5
Drop: Steyn
For New Zealand:
Try: Kahui
South Africa: 15 Pat Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 John Smit, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 CJ van der Linde, 19 Danie Rossouw, 20 Ashley Johnson, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Butch James.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Isaia Toeava, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Adam Thomson, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (capt) 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Cory Jane.
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Comments
KiwiLad says...
Justice_4_All I hope the pint or 5 down at St James Gate was enjoyale..
Spent a week or 2 in Dublin 2001, had St Patricks day there, still can feel the hangover.
Enjoy
The RWC just got a lot more interesting...
Posted 08:10 21st August 2011
ruggafan says...
OMG!!! NZ is so used to getting away with breaking the laws that you AB supporters are now stooping to blame the ref. Must be really desperate, wanting that try allowed after about 3 forward passes being missed in the build-up. Very bad looses!!!
Posted 07:44 21st August 2011
runnrugby says...
I dont think the Boks defence was that good as it was mostly scrambling defence and the ABs managed to break the line time and time again. The ABs created a lot of try scoring opportunities but lacked the finishing touch. This was the first time this backline had ever played together too. I actually thought the ABs defensive line was better and the Boks never really looked like crossing the line.
Steyn had a great game with the boot but there was one part of the game when he tried creating something by running it and was shut down. It just looked pretty awkward and his team mates looked a bit confused like "what are you doing?".
Posted 07:36 21st August 2011
Kappelange says...
How about Piri Weepu for backup flyhalf. He was impressive when he came on and is a decent goal kicker. He has the experience at test level that Slade lacks, but are the three wise men willing to take that risk.
Posted 07:13 21st August 2011
jonesy2 says...
hahaha boks fans you lot are hilerious. bearly win against an allblacks second XV after getting belted by NZ and aus not a few weeks ago, the amount of crap im reading is unbelievable. cant wait for the WC semi (if the boks can make it that far).
Posted 07:11 21st August 2011
undecided says...
A lot of people harping on about how the SA backline never looked like scoring....it's effectively their second game together remember! This backline will get enough chances to hone their game in the pool matches, come finals time, I think they'll have some tried tactics...and more confidence. A win before the world cup is what matters most to these guys, taking the points instead of trying to look good was the right decision. Bring on the RWC.
Posted 06:35 21st August 2011
alexisonfire says...
We need to take a look at how both teans decided to go into this game. The AB's decided to send a B team with individuals who had a final chance to impress, as predicted they didnt play like a team but like individuals trying to impress the coaches to make the WC squad. On the other hand you have a Springbok team under immense pressure to get a win and gain some momentum for the world cup. Springboks played like the team I used to remember, amazing, ruthless defence and great set pieces. Clearly deserved the win, but a question for all Springbok fans, do you really believe that based on that performance the Springboks are capable of being world champions. I thought they played well but was not overly impressed, wasnt impressed with the All Blacks either, who are usually clinical. I'll be honest though, next week is going to nerve wrecking. Cant wait until next week, I really do hope Zac Guildford starts.
Posted 06:22 21st August 2011
bloemboy says...
There is much being said about this being an AB B team. Its only a B team when your starting 22 are all out. This was an A team with a few players being rested as has been Henry's policy for years. If the AB's have reached the point where they rely so heavily on 2 players in Carter and McCaw, its a sad day.
Fact of the matter is Carter is good, but I have seen him look very ordinary in some games (Crusaders vs Cheetahs foe example where Ebershon made him look like a schoolboy)
McCaw will need to up his game by about 20% just to try keep up with Brussouw.
Everybody is moaning about the AB's looking rusty and needing some games to gel, which is exactly where the Boks are.
I think that there are only 3 teams that can win the RWC this year, and it is sad that these 2 are destined to meet in the Semi's because it would do justice if these 2 met in the final.
Congrats to the Boks and fair effort from both teams.
Posted 06:18 21st August 2011
Oddbounce says...
SA definitely deserved the win. The ABs failed to execute their early opportunities and paid for it when the Boks pulled through that storm.
The concerning thing with the unruly TMO is not that the ABs didn't score a match-changing try as a result (it would have been a sour moment to be sure), but that the TMO took it upon himself to rule on something outside of his authority. It's a question of degree - the rule is there for the reason that the referee and touch-judges have control of the game.
Where do we draw the line if TMOs have open slather to re-examine every action leading up to a try - do we rewind one phase, two phases, ten phases? When does it end? Rightly or wrongly, the lawmakers have drawn the line at the point of grounding, placing faiith in the three men on the ground to take care of the rest. On this occasion, the TMO overstepped the boundary - in a court, that's called inadmissible evidence. So much for the rule of law, huh.
Posted 05:27 21st August 2011
usaBok says...
@justice_4_all....
You are right. Usually, the Kiwi commentary is very good. But, in this game, they were very biased...probably because it's a rare loss for the ABs.
As a South African, I can agree that our own commentators are very passionate and forget that non-Bok fans are watching. Stransky is probably the most unbiased. But, other ex-players like Skinstad are typically biased. So, good call. Aussie commentators are pretty annoying to listen to.
Posted 05:25 21st August 2011
Ramage says...
Congratulations to the Springboks on their win it was well deserved and the way the team played showed their rehabilitation from injury is now in place. In fact the other week I took a fall and cracked my petalla, is their any chance I too could get the same rehab in South Africa as it certainly works. South Africa were passionate in defence. To me the man of the match was Brussouw and just goes to show that when you lack such a player in the modern game you are far from a complete team. To me the Boks were never put under the cosh at the breakdowns and NZ were beaten in this area. When you put a backline on the field that hasnt played together those combinations are not going to work. We saw the problems last week with the Boks as well as being short of match play. What a difference a week makes. This time it was the NZ team who showed this lack of combinations. The inexperience cost NZ dearly not taking anything away from SA defence. It is interesting to read some of the posts on this site from Bok supporters. A few weeks ago I remember congratulating a writer on here for being a loyalist and cheering on the Boks despite their coach. Now a win against an inexperienced NZ team suddenly all these supporters who were bagging their coach and preaching disaster now feel they are world beaters and will come away with the RWC. They may well do but remember this experienced team has not been able to score one try against both Oz and NZ in the last two tests their game plan is to try and outmuscle the other team and force them into mistakes but what happens when this doesnt work and the other team is able to outmuscle them and also have the skills to rip them apart. These are questions that need to be asked and no doubt that is what we will see in the RWC in NZ. However I do not deny the Bok supporters their chance to brag as their team delivered and a win is a win.
Posted 04:08 21st August 2011
hayj05 says...
Yes the Boks were deserved winners but how many times did the AB's break out only to get stopped by desperate Bok defence on the line? The Backs opened them up with ease & on another day the AB's could of won by 30, it was so frustrating to watch but I've got to hand it to the Boks D.
Thought Dagg was amazing, didn't make a mistake all night. Huge punts & great counter attack, there is no way he's going to miss that WC 30.
Umm.. Springbok supporters you didn't like us going on about beating your 2nd string team, there were 12 changes in the AB's starting line up from the Wallabies test, it will be almost a completely different line up come WC time.
I'm a hardcore AB's fan but I always prefer the right call, so I was ok with the TMO ruling on the foward pass. But imagine if they'd been able to do that for the 07 quarterfinal vs France.
Posted 03:24 21st August 2011
kiwi79 says...
well done SA ,played to there strengths ,clearly the better team on the day .Thought the video ref got it right ,but should be stood down ,or perhaps change the laws ,so he can rule on the forward pass.Anyway really enjoyed the game .Bring on the world cup,game on .
Posted 02:20 21st August 2011
sprogrugby says...
As an ex-hooker, pom in Oz my normal stance is to support the All Blacks as probably the most consistent, forward thinking and talent rich team over time...I'm impressed by the Bok supporters who called a ~ 10 point win to them and it looked like they deserved to win...outstanding defence, generally dominant forwards, Brussouw on fire. The game plan was certainly limited and the danger with that is that when an AB side at full strength nullifies that, what's your plan B ? My concern for the Boks is what PDV takes from this - where is his skill as a coach to come up with an alternative for the day they're left wanting - as some say, WC in NZ against a full strength AB side...it may not be pretty. ABs learnt some valuable lessons here about combinations, people who can handle pressure (it's not positive to write Slade off so quickly - it really was a baptism of fire and he has proven himself to be a gifted footballer - he still made some moves that beat the Boks). They would also take some positives that also highlighted Bok negatives - the times early on the ABs cut the Boks open ? It all makes it interesting come the WC, although in NZ, with ABs at full strength, PDV in charge of Boks and still compromising Bok performance thru Smit substitution, Spies in the team...I think common sense says ABs, with a possible Oz hiccup along the way
Posted 02:00 21st August 2011
Bron62 says...
Once again overwhelming evidence that the IRB needs to conduct an immediate review of the match official selections for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Posted 01:43 21st August 2011
safehands says...
There are suddenly a whole lot of Saffas on here getting very cocky after 1 win in how many games? At home you are expected to win, even against the AB's and especially an understrength AB outfit. SA deserved to win this game and that is that. Don't count on the AB's being so naive next time.
To the game......George Clancy is a buffoon......the TMO is a shocker and for those of you bleating on about the laws of the game....well the laws state that the TMO is NOT allowed to comment on anything other than what happened over the try line. The fact that he volunteered the information clearly shows bias....why isn't the TMO from a neutral country? The correct decision was given technically, but the manner in which it was given will leave a very sour taste for many.
I don't believe in ifs and buts, SA deserved to win just because of the sheer passion/desperation showed. In a strange way, I'm glad we lost....bit of a wake up call is always good.....
Posted 01:17 21st August 2011
Sasquatch says...
Ooooh!!! This is all just so delicious! A Bok team still getting it together (it's now two matches with this lot), and I'm sorry folks, but still playing ordinary rugby and yet beating an AB team who clearly had the running in them. I don't want to hear any more of this B team nonsense, this was no B team. Any of those guys could play "A" team. They haven't had time together but any AB team that takes the field is capable of beating any team in world rugby, period.
The Boks lost by 5 to a full strength Wallaby outfit who had 3 games under the belt together; and they played terribly (the Boks that is), and have now shifted up another gear and are looking far better. What if something happens to Carter AB fans? Is Slade up to it? And Kiwi's please, that sourness is'nt appropriate when you're trying to make a good humble pie! It's a rugby game for crying out loud. Don't take it so personally, you're still the favourites for the cup.
By the way, with this whole abstinance circus going on there, I read a classic quip from a guy on another site; apparently a company is manufacturing black condoms with the All Black logo on it, this guy writes: "but won't the Kiwi women choke on it!!!" Sorry Kiwis, I had to put that in!
18 days and counting, I feel like a little boy at Christmas. Good luck to all the teams and let's hope that games aren't decided by forward passes...(ring a bell Kiwis?)
Posted 01:09 21st August 2011
rugby_phile says...
A few observations.
Did anybody see Henry's short interview with TJ at the final whisle? I swear that if I just switched the TV on at that stage I would have assumed that the ABs won, so I guess he had his answers and probably felt a wake up call was needed.
For the Boks a win is a win and I am sure if the ABs could have taken it, they would have done. Makes next week interesting. Good win but sorry, can't see their style winning this WC, it will take them a fair way though.
However I feel the RWC is there for the ABs to lose rather than for others to win it, but eh, they are perfectly cabable of doing that. Somehow I don't think the'll botch it this time.
Finally the dissallowed legal/illegal try. Justice might have been done but as somebode once said what has justice got to do with law, or the laws in this case? The refs are unpredictable enough without allowing theem to blatantly disregard directions. Sorry guys that try should have stood although it would have been a travesty if the boks lost because of it. You want to allow what the video ref did, then change the laws. For the record I think they should.
But good win Boks, you wanted it more this time.
Posted 00:50 21st August 2011
Danrich says...
Hmmmm ok it was a nz b team but yet again with out their main 5 or 6 players they struggle for a plan b or c and if carter gets injured in world cup they will choke again lol !
Posted 00:30 21st August 2011
mana says...
well done SA for beating ABs 'B' team..........seemed like a struggle though.
Posted 00:12 21st August 2011