Rugby World title defenders All Blacks advertised their merit for the world best position with a hard-fought 23-13 victory against first rival South Africa in a blockbuster World Cup first appearance in Yokohama on Saturday.
All Blacks cut the Springboks to ribbons during a five-minute period of dominance in the first half that brought them two converted tries, and then ushered in a more tactical and determined second-half to register the vital Pool B triumph.
ALSO READ: Eben Etzebeth Still Part Of Springbok Squad Despite Allegations
In the presence of a population of about 64,000 fans who went all out to see the game live in Yokohama’s International Stadium, the All Blacks set the match alight with the sensational scoring spree which was against the early run of play when the Springboks led.
Meanwhile, the Springboks of South Africa had enjoyed a better territorial advantage, though couldn’t cross the line and had to rely on an early Handre Pollard penalty for their only points in the first half. In a more reinforced second half, they came within one try of regaining the lead before late penalties made the game safe for New Zealand.
“We can’t moan about this performance. They really played well, I think the referee was good. And we just have to work really hard,” said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.
Despite losing to All Blacks, Springboks look forward to qualifying from a group that also includes Italy, Namibia and Canada but are been forced to hope for second finish in the pool after Saturday’s defeat.
“It was a heck of a test match. It was a full 80 minutes right to the end there that we had to work,” said the skipper, who said the conditions were “tough,” said All Black captain Kieran Read.
South Africa’s reputed staunch defence was exposed by 26 missed tackles in the first half as the All Blacks’ pace proved too much.
After Springboks backrower Duane Vermeulen was given the honour in his 50th Test to lead the teams on to the field, Pollard quickly had the South Africans on the board with a handy penalty.
With the deft kicking of Faf de Klerk backed by the muscle of the South African pack, the All Blacks were pinned deep in their own half for most of the first quarter until a Richie Mo’unga breakout brought them into the game for the first time.
Though Springboks saved that try, Mo’unga landed the penalty to equal the scores and almost immediately put up the next scoring move, as a chip kick to right wing Sevu Reece launched a 60-metre move that finished with a try for left wing George Bridge.
Influential centre Anton Lienert-Brown sparked New Zealand’s next long-range counter-attack which brought lock Scott Barrett pop up in support for the try.
It took the South African team eighth minute of the second half to put-in a goal for their first try when Pieter-Steph du Toit brushed aside Aaron Smith to score near the posts.
Pollard further narrowed the gap with a 40-metre drop goal to have the Springboks a try away from taking the lead. Though late penalties by Mo’unga and man-of-the-match Beauden Barrett gave the All Blacks a 10-point advantage.
“Today was a big game for both sides and fortunately for us, we came out on top. It was another titanic struggle between New Zealand and South Africa and hopefully the people watching here today enjoyed it and got excited by it,” said All Black coach Steve Hansen.
