They have played 76, New Zealand have won 40 and South Africa clawed one back to go to 33 with three draws. There isn’t much to add to that after last nights Tri-Nations match as I doubt many will remember this game in a week, let alone a decades time. It wasn’t exactly a classic.
Not a citing in sight either. No yellows and not a single red card even though many Bok fans are fuming after their view of the alleged Richie McCaw eye-gouging that saw Bismarck du Plessis leave the ground with a severe eye gash.
No mention has been made of this being referred to the citing commission – all three of the officials missed it, as did the citing commissioner. Many feel New Zealand continue their ‘lucky’ run as far as yellow, reds, bans and citings go.
The citing and penalty count still is heavily against the South Africans. Since the introduction of the card system in Rugby Union in 2000, the totals stand at: SA on 60, NZ on 25 and Australia on 25.
A puzzling equation!
To many it’s no surprise that Alain Rolland was the referee who gave New Zealand their record 52 point victory over South Africa in 2003 and these Bok fans feel he’s continuing his pro-All Black career streak, this time letting New Zealand off when they should have a match ban or at least an extra red card on their stats book.
The 28-19 win for South Africa was enough for Bok supporters to forgive and forget and to put South Africa up a notch on the IRB’s world rankings.
For the first time since the introduction of the William Webb Ellis Trophy and the IRB World Rankings, the two titles are unified.
South Africa are the World Champions and the IRB World Number One team.
The match wasn’t beautiful but South Africa undoubtedly left the park as the more powerful team while New Zealand weren’t allowed to play their trademark expansive style.
With 2011 in their sights and with arguably the best outfit in the sport, South Africa will no doubt have these goals in mind:
Short-term – Tri Nations 2009.
Medium-term – Retain the William Web Ellis Trophy.
Long-term – Head-to-head count against New Zealand, equal then surpassing them [Current standing: 76 played, NZ 40, SA 33, 3 drawn]
I imagine South Africa will be keen to bask in the two titles they have, for now – World Champions and the IRB World Number One Ranking.
And for New Zealand? Will they consider editing their All Black Wikipedia page which reads: “New Zealand are the most successful international rugby union team ever and one of the most successful teams in world sport.”
Eh? One World Cup & IRB number two’s ?
van der Merwe
Guest
du Plessis received the mark around his eye via an accidental boot. Greg, if you want to bark up the eye gouging tree, there's a suspicious incident about 73 minutes in involving Mr. Woodcock and Burger's dwarfish replacement.
Knives Out
Roar Guru
It must be a full moon.
Ben J
Guest
To be honest, South Africa has had pretty dismal years results wise in the Tri Nations so although I am very happy for the win on Saturday it is only one in a very tough competition. I want consistency from the Boks and not oneoff victories which gives it's supporters euphoric but often shortlived bouts of hysteria. Come on Boks, show us that you can dio it 2 in a row before I break out the champers.
sheek
Guest
It's interesting that from 1937 when the Boks beat the ABs in NZ to go up 5 wins to 4 with one draw; until 1996 when the ABs drew level at 22 wins apiece with 3 draws - the Boks had a positive record against every other rugby nation, making them the premier rugby nation on earth for well on nigh 60 years. After the disastrous, protest-riddled tour of NZ in 1981, the Boks slid into isolation until 1992. Although they continued to play tests against South American Jaguars in 1982; England in 1984; NZ Cavaliers in 1986 & a World team in 1989. What South Africans failed to appreciate is that a lack of overseas tours between 1981 & 92 adversely affected the high standard of their rugby. When they returned to international rugby in 1992, it took them quite some time to find their feet, even allowing for their world cup victory in 1995. The ABs now enjoy the reputation of having a positive record against all other nations. Not only that, but they are universally loved for the often attractive manner in which they play their rugby. This sport of rugby union must be one of the few places left where the good guys actually wear black! What will happen in the future? Will the Boks regain their pre-eminence? Will the Wallabies regress back into also rans? Big in heart & running rugby, but critically small where it counts - up front? The Boks learnt little humility during their isolation decade. I'm not in any hurry to see them win much of anything. So we're going to have to hope our Tasman cousins can hold the line, because when it comes to rugby union, we Aussies don't really have much idea!
Andystath
Guest
That Justice protest was just ridiculous!I initially though that Metallica had finally reach RSA and the Boks had taken them on a sleeve sponsor.'IRB DENIES BIAS AGAINST ‘DIRTY CHEATING GUILTY SAFFAS’ honestly Tossmaster there's no bias!
reds fan
Guest
an eye-guoge?? really?? surely not sour grapes over Burgers ban....
Derm
Roar Guru
Trophymaster - are you related to Geg SMITH in some way? Your writing style is uncannily like his. As are your assertions re Sud Africa's predominance and being picked upon all the time in equal measure. It's very sweet.
Derm
Roar Guru
Thanks Jerry G. I never knew that. Must have been just a lucky guess on my part.
trophymaster
Guest
IRB DENIES BIAS AGAINST 'DIRTY CHEATING GUILTY SAFFAS' PS - has anyone picked up that next Tuesday the IRB is 1. Picking the 2015 World Cup hosts (England - and obviously NOT South Africa) 2. Punishing South Africa for the 'Justice' protest ha, ha... so sweet... it has a poetic ring !
Andystath
Guest
Dear Tossmaster very interested in your quote"The citing and penalty count still is heavily against the South Africans. Since the introduction of the card system in Rugby Union in 2000, the totals stand at: SA on 60, NZ on 25 and Australia on 25."and "A puzzling equation!"Whats puzzling about it?Your a nation that resorts to dirty and underhanded tactics!Whats Bakkies Botha's personal count?
trophymaster
Guest
bozo - I see that 'punishment' count as confirmation, not as an indictment ... Oz & NZ are a little light, it's time to start dishing out 'catch up' ... I see a decade of South African domination putting the Springboks back on their pre-apartheid perch... way above the rest !
bozo
Guest
Trophymaster - now that you have got that off your chest, I hope your tummy is feeling better. One response only..that the South African players have received three times as many yellow cards as the other teams may indicate a problem with the attitude of the team rather than the referees..just a thought. But then again, thinking...
trophymaster
Guest
If the NUMBER 1 ranked, World Champions can't win in New Zealand, then my 100 year analysis of New Zealand and it's home spun victories will be confirmed beyond a shadow of doubt ! You're right, South Africa won't win in Hamilton and Wellington... nobody but New Zealand does !
Hemjay
Guest
Hardly a convincing win considering the All Blacks were on a 6 day turnaround and had to play at altitude. I'm picking the Australians to pick up a win in the republic while I also think the Kiwis will take it this weekend. For a team fresh from a so called great Lions series they were in my view very average. Had the AB's not made such silly mistakes the game may have gone the other way. I think when the Boks hit the southern climes they will be in for a rude awakening and we will see some big scorelines
MarkH
Guest
Dont get too carrried way. Theres along way to go yet.
Stash
Guest
I have no problem with the Boks borrowing the number 1 spot for a week.
JamesB
Guest
Springboks on top of the Rugby World - didn't the Boks finish in last place in the past three Tri-Nations tournaments?
Wally James
Roar Guru
trophymaster An unwarranted attack on a very good ref. "Honi soit qui mal y pense" appears to be an appropriate riposte. As for the number of yellow cards for each country being a puzzling equation, surely you jest. The puzzle is why there are repeated unfringements from one country vastly in excess of the others. One might think that the Bok players would have learnt by now that the sort of behaviour which has been detected 60 times should stop. A team as talented as the Boks need not resort to those sort of things. Don't blame the ref when they are caught. Cheers Wally
katzilla
Roar Guru
Lol due to the double points situation of wins at world cups every winner has been number one following a world cup win, and that would have been the same for previous world cups before the rankings system. Its not even South Africas first 'Unification' in this tenure as World Champs. They were number until their wooden spoon effort last year. Funny that you came along Trophymaster just as your countryman who is well known for this kind of self serving hypebole, stopped posting? Are the two of you on a rotation?
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
knives, you are in rare form, a la humour.