New Zealander apologises to South Africans after ‘dominant’ display

Former Maori All Blacks scrum-half Bryn Hall admitted that he did not see the Springboks’ large victory over Australia coming.

South Africa began their Rugby Championship campaign with a stunning 43-12 win over the Wallabies in Pretoria.

Despite not fielding their first choice outfit, the Boks managed to overcome Australia comfortably and will go into their crunch game against New Zealand full of confidence.

Variety

“I probably actually want to apologise to our South African viewers,” Hall said on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. “For me personally, I didn’t think they were going to be that dominant.

“The variety of the way they scored is something that I enjoyed. We know that they are going to be able to go to set-piece dominance, they got a lineout maul try which is going to be their stock-standard play. They did the front peel which is something that’s obviously a bit of variety.

“And I think even [Kurt-Lee] Arendse’s third try, they just folded around the corner, quick ball and then they saw an opportunity, a two on one, [Lukhanyo] Am puts him away.

“Then I think it was in the 75th minute, [Pieter-Steph] Du Toit’s try. That was just kind of a statement for me, they just beat them into submission.

“They just went around the corner, in the 22 area, big men, going in low, going around the corner and Du Toit just pops it over, just like that.”

If they didn’t already, New Zealanders now know the threat that will face them in the potential Rugby Championship title decider on Saturday.

Ian Foster’s men were also impressive in their competition opener, thrashing Argentina 41-12 in Mendoza, but this will be another level up.

Scary

The manner of the Springboks’ triumph particularly stood out for former All Blacks hooker James Parsons, who called their display “kind of scary.”

“I don’t want to use the word ‘B team’, but it was guys getting an opportunity,” said Parsons.

“Maybe it is because they are not in Super Rugby, I am not watching these players regularly as I once was, but man they have got some depth.

“Last week, we were sort of waxing lyrical about France and Ireland, but they [Boks] put out a side full of opportunity and you are giving your big dogs a week over here.”

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