By Lucky Vince Pienaar
➤ As the time approaches for kick-off, the idea that the All Blacks are going to roll over and play dead is disappearing faster than the misty and cold weather that greeted visitors to Johannesburg this morning. The clouds are gone, the field is fast and dry. Emirates Ellis Park is in perfect shape for the biggest match since the World Cup.
➤ Experts and general spectators all think that Springboks are going to beat the All Blacks, but arrogance is the poison that could cost the Boks a historic victory. Stay humble, Boks! The All Blacks are here to win just as much as the Springboks are looking for victory.
➤ It is not known how hard the Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie worked behind the scenes, but it is a fact that he promised some weeks ago that rugby is the game for all the people – and the fact is the SABC TV will broadcast the match live. History has been made.
➤ Make no mistake, when those brilliant All Blacks backline players start striking out towards the tryline, the Boks will be tested to the limit.
➤ First half: The All Blacks immediately say, no thank you, to a very kickable penalty. They will persist with that, won’t they. But they do get within metres of the tryline. A full two minutes of life and death defence by the Boks, results in a lineout for the Boks.
Once again, desperate defence is required by the Boks – and Fassi is yellow-carded for cynical play. The ABs take the lineout, the maul try is inevitable. (SA 0-7 AB 7minutes)
TJ Perenara kicks a perfect 50-22 but the Boks win a penalty from the lineout when Perenara shouts at referee Andrew Brace.
Kurt-Lee Arendse comes within metres of scoring after a kick forward – but it does look like a momentum shift when the Springbok forwards test the ABs defence.
Then comes Bongi. The man who missed out on the World Cup final, scores the first South African try. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu runs out of time for the conversion. Both the try and the conversion are contentious. (SA 5-7 AB 17m)
The Boks are showing positive intent, but so far tiny handling errors are resulting in lost opportunities.
A huge roar greets Eben Etzebeth as he comes on (at 25 minutes) to replace Ruan Nortje who has a cut over his eye.
Sacha goes for a 60 metre penalty . . . that he gets. Magnificent! (SA 8-7 AB 29m)
The minor errors continue as the Boks keep handing the ABs the advantage – and Caleb Clarke scores after slick backline passing. (SA 8-12 AB 34m)
Sacha scores a penalty (SA 11-12 AB 34m) and, guess what?! It’s a one-point game going into halftime.
➤ Second half: It takes just one minute for Jordie Barrett to intercept a pass to Siya Kolisi and score under the posts. (SA 11-19 AB 41m)
Let’s face it, the Boks are on the backfoot. Rassie Erasmus immediately pulls the trigger on the bomb squad.
Sacha scores a penalty but McKenzie also replies in kind. (SA 14-22 AB 44m)
Kurt-Lee Arendse leaves the field for an HIA test and Handré Pollard comes on. Right now, the Boks need a ball carrier, not another kicker. (SA 17-22 AB 49m)
Again the AB backline is smooth and sure. Caleb Clarke scores his second try unopposed. (SA 17-27 AB 53m)
While there is still 25 minutes to play, the Boks are looking just a little frantic. Their attacks show promise, but mistakes cost them possession and opportunities.
While the individual Springbok players are doing the right things, the team is not coming together.
With 15 minutes to go, there is still time for the Boks to do the job – provided they get their act together.
As predicted, the Boks forwards rumble in. Etezebeth close, Malcolm Marx close, Kwagga Smith, try! (SA 24-27 AB 69m)
Again the forwards forwards set piece sets up the scoring opportunity and Grant Williams goes into the gap. (SA 31-27 AB 75m)
The final whistle goes. The Boks left it late, but they got in, in time.
South Africa (3 tries) 31-27 (4 tries) New Zealand
Springboks tries: Bongi Mbonambi, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams
New Zealand tries: Codie Taylor, Caleb Clarke (2), Jordie Barrett
Pictured above: Bongi Mbonambi gets his try
Source: SA Rugby
Full Story Source: Not pretty – but check the scoreboard!
