South Africa turned history upside down and affirmed their world rugby champion credentials with a breathtaking 30-28 Tri-Nations defeat of the All Blacks here last night.
The Springboks snatched victory with a brilliant solo try to Ricky Januarie four minutes from the end when they were down to 14 men and it was fitting that the feisty halfback should kick the ball into touch in the final act as he was the game’s standout player.
He was hugged by his adjacent reserve bench teammates, all fully aware of what they had achieved.
Defeat means the All Blacks’ world record run of home victories comes to an end at 30 while the South Africans end a decade of losses in New Zealand.
It was also their first win at Carisbrook in eight visits.
A much more hardened Springboks pack shaded the forward battle and they deserved to win after showing vast improvement from last week’s 8-19 loss at Wellington.
As with that game, it appeared the deadly goalkicking boot of All Blacks five-eighth Dan Carter would prove the difference but Januarie’s effort gave them a two-try-to-one advantage.
His team trailing 23-28, he darted from a ruck 40m out and chipped past replacement fullback Leon MacDonald, regathered and swan dived over. A calm replacement centre Francois Steyn slotted the conversion to hit the front.
The visitors then defended with resilience, watching one dropped goal attempt from Daniel Carter sail wide and charging down the other.
Carter could hardly be blamed for the defeat, having another controlled display and scoring 23 points via seven from seven goal kicks and a dropped goal.
Both teams tried to play with pace but the match was largely dominated by the whistle of Australian referee Matt Goddard, who was hard on anything that resembled foul play and kept an eagle eye on the breakdown.
The Springboks led 17-15 at halftime but it seemed it may not be enough after playing into the wind.
Human dynamo Schalk Burger was at the forefront of another vigorous forward effort, making countless heavy tackles.
The Springboks lineout operated like clockwork, their scrum was much improved from last week and their better kicking game allowed them to play with more structure.
Carter had the All Blacks 6-0 up inside 10 minutes with two penalties.
It kick-started a penalty goal duel, with Springboks fullback Montgomery kicking one, Carter one, Montgomery two and Carter one to have the hosts 12-9 up.
Williams’ departure seemed to lift the Springboks who scored their first try to recalled right winger JP Pietersen from a stable 5m scrum which allowed No.8 Joe van Niekerk ample room to put his winger over.
Five-eighth Butch James landed a dropped goal before Carter landed a sideline penalty on the stroke of halftime to reduce the margin to two.
After 15min camped on attack, the All Blacks finally broke through in the second half through reserve No.8 Sione Lauaki, who charged 15m to score with just his second touch.
James narrowed the margin with a penalties either side of a wobbly Carter dropped goal, just the second in his Test career, to leave the score at 25-23 with 12 minutes to play.
A decisive moment appeared to come soon afterwards when Victor Matfield was sinbinned for a high tackle on Lauaki, from which Carter landed a penalty.
However, Januarie’s brilliant try and conversion by Steyn turned history on its head.
South Africa inside centre Jean de Villiers said the team were over the moon at having carved out tonight’s historic win.
“It took us a 100 years (to win in Dunedin) and it might take us another 100 years to win another one but we’re ecstatic.
“The guys have been working hard on what we did wrong last week (in the first match) and we seemed to get it right today,” said de Villiers who filled in as captain while Matfield was sinbinned.
“When we scored that (Januarie’s) try we told ourselves three years ago we were in the same position and let it slip so we stuck to our guns today.”
All Blacks skipper Rodney So’oialo said South Africa had played right to the end and stole the game away.
“Obviously the territory wasn’t that good for us — we played at the wrong side of the field and got punished.
“The second half was a lot better than the first, unfortunately we couldn’t put it away.”
All Blacks coach Graham Henry said while he could not speak highly enough of his young team, he was disappointed to have lost.
“We showed lot of skill in the second half and we just didn’t get enough points in the finish. It was a marvellous game of rugby (but) disappointing result.”
jools-usa
Guest
A great, great game, the most intense in months. Stuff, AND the NZ commentators did not like OZ ref blowing up so much but he was spot-on with penalites for "off the ball" nonsense, & high tackles, even though Matfield's was the tamest one. Considering the furious game I feel he subdued them enough so the 2nd half was crackling rugby. Just hope some European fans saw the game.................yeah, I know...........rugby leaque style! Had Januarie picked as MVP before his match-winner. What is it about small & bald scrum halves? Jules-USA
Jerry
Guest
Ben - I seem to recall the ref had already warned the Boks about their tackling previously (I think after Burger put one on Carter) but then again, he'd basically warned both teams about every bloody law in the book, so it's hard to keep track. As I've said in a previous thread if the AB's had to lose, I'm glad it was to a piece of great play from the Boks rather than a pedantic call from Goddart that decided the game. I thought the card call was harsh considering the severity of the tackle and how late in the game it was.
Ben from Pretoria
Guest
That was perhaps the most puzzling aspect of yesterdays game. How can Habana be tackled high by an AB and then the Boks get put on notice as well? Thompson was blown up at least 3 times for offside but no yellow card? Inconsistint reffing can account for the perception that the AB's get away with more most of the time. CJ van der Linde said afterwards that the "walking around" of the Blacks stopped completely since they had the meeting with Goddard hence the even result at scrumtime. Coincidence?
ohtani's jacket
Guest
That's an odd example considering both sides were offside the entire game. Thompson was a walking penalty, however. I assume he'll get dropped as soon as McCaw returns.
Bob Mc Gregor
Guest
Sorry to push a point but the Very good sides know and play to the Laws then current. The AB's infringe almost 100% of the time when the chasers of a kick are inevitably in front of the kicker. Referees could blow the whistle 100% of the time when the AB's kick and would be correct in doing so about 80% plus. The AB's No.6 was at least 5m infront of the kicker wide on the wing but stil chased and contested the high ball. Not once did he break stride as Boks winger Habana did when he started to chase a hack ahead, realised he was off side, slowed until put onside then participated. Shortly after, January made his deft kick, recovery and scored the winning try. Karma? Who knows.
matta
Guest
For the Record - Paul Honnis is, in my book, the worst test ref... thank god he just retired!
stuff happens
Guest
'What I suggest to most contributors is to spend a bit of time with the laws of the game' You must be joking! I have lost count of the number of times commentators, not just MM, admit they don't know the reason for a penalty.The laws of rugby are far too complicated and make life incredibly difficult for the players and the referees not to mention the spectators.They are a mess, and an impediment to the development of the game.Football by contrast is easy to understand and doesn't need to be endlessly stopped for boring penalties. To make matters worse rugby games are currently being played with at least two separate rules applying! I mean let's make life even more difficult. I have a great deal of sympathy with referees and often wonder why they take up the job. As for Goddard he seemed to blow his whistle endlessly, which of course with such complex laws you can if you want to.I actually thought at one point in the second half he was having difficulty keeping up with the pace of the game so just blew his whistle. Since referees are being 'continuously assessed' I look forward to seeing which Tri Nations test he is awarded next.
Bob Mc Gregor
Guest
Great Sth Afr win in what must be described as one of the most absorbing Test matches for some time. I thought the conditions in Wellington - if reversed in Duneiden - could see Boks play better and result reversed. Such was the case but no doubt the nay sayers will look for excuses such as the "critical" injuries during the course of the game. As critical as I am of the whistle blowers I thought Goddard had a VERY good game. Otherwise the spectacle would not have been there for all to see. What I suggest to most contributers is to spend a bit of time with the CURRENT laws of the Game - and that applies to Maxted as well. Rarely does he understand WHY such a decision was made. Also we have to understand the referees are being continuously assessed on their performance and unless the assessors thought so Goddard would not have been given such an assignment.
sheek
Guest
The intensity of the two ABs-Boks matches has impressed me, & left me a little worried. I don't think the Wallabies are up to this level yet, although they keep improving. But we will know soon enough. Agree Knuckles Connolly's prediction of a Wallas win in the 3N is highly speculative. I also wonder if Connolly is being mischievous with such a speculative prediction. Of course, I would love the Wallas to win the 3N, but building slowly & consolidation is more important at this time.
stuff happens
Guest
There is an unbelievably stupid comment in the Sun Herald ( Sydney) today by former Wallaby coach John Connelly:"Australia should account for them ('Boks) in Perth without too many problems." Leaving aside he may be playing to the gallery, how is it possible for someone like him to make such a comment when all the evidence points to a very difficult game for Australia especially, after last night's great win by the 'Boks? I have been embarrased enough by the performance of the Australian referees over the last two weeks and now we a former unsuccessful coach shooting the lip.
Harry
Guest
Great win to the Boks with a superb individual effort in the winning try. No doubt next week will be very tough for us but we don't have too many injuries (assuming Vickerman is fit) and it will be a real good chance to measure how we are going.
Blinky Bill - Bellingen
Guest
I tuned into watch the Christchurch test and once again was mightly impressed by the intensity of the Rugby from both teams. Great stuff and congratulations to South Africa on a good win. During the game I was asking myself "would the Wallabies have covered that play? Are we match hardened enough for Rugby at this level?" and so on. You know what? Eventually I just accepted that what is ....is. Let the games begin. For the Perth test, the Bokkes have the advantage of being battle hardened & at a 'friendly' ground (why does the ARU keep doing that?). On the down side they are without their Skipper & may well be carrying a few injuries after being battered about by the Kiwis. Our lads would have to be somewhat underdone in preparation but have the advantage of enthusiasm under their new coach AND have had the chance to watch how the Bokke play over 2 weeks will work in our favour. I am keen to see what the ARU does to offset the perceived lack of homeground advantage at Subiacco. No doubt Sth Africa have enjoyed playing there in the past and if the ARU could turn that on it's head then Australian teams would get a leg up.
stuff happens
Guest
'South Africa turned history upside down' ! How Nelson Mandela would love that turn of phrase; but, sometimes sadly, history is one thing we can't turn upside down. Great victory 'Boks