New Zealand retained the Rugby Championship Saturday with a five-try 38-27 triumph over greatest rivals South Africa at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
The clinical world champions led 21-15 at half-time and overcame second-half yellow cards to forwards Liam Messam and Ben Franks to finish nine points ahead of the Springboks in the table.
A much-anticipated showdown between the top two teams on the world rankings, the match had everything, including a typing error.
When referee Nigel Owens queried the introduction of replacement All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu — a last-minute change — the New Zealand manager went on the field and blamed a “typing error”.
He did not explain how the spelling of Mealamu could be confused with Dane Coles, the original reserve hooker, but Springboks skipper Jean de Villiers was happy for play to continue.
New Zealand and South Africa enjoyed early spells of territorial dominance before fly-half Morne Steyn broke the deadlock with a close-range penalty on 10 minutes.
But the lead before a 64,000 crowd did not last long as right-wing Ben Smith went over for his eighth Championship try this season.
No.8 Kieran Read made the hard yards after the Springboks surrendered possession in midfield and Smith cut in and held off Steyn to dot down.
Fly-half Aaron Cruden converted and the All Blacks were 7-3 ahead as silence enveloped the sell-out crowd at the spiritual home of Springbok rugby.
But they had plenty to cheer five minutes later as left-wing Bryan Habana grabbed his first try after a brilliant break from No.8 Duane Vermeulen.
The giant forward surged between several New Zealand defenders before passing to Habana, who stormed over for a try Steyn converted.
It got even better for the home side just two minutes later with a forward again the architect and Habana again the try scorer.
As the men in green and gold went wide, flanker Francois Louw delivered a superb off-load, Habana kicked ahead and easily won a race to the line with Ben Smith.
Steyn watched his conversion drift wide of the far post, but South Africa had a 15-7 advantage midway through the opening half.
However, the Springboks were dealt a cruel blow on 22 minutes with Habana was forced to retire because of a hamstring injury.
A see-saw struggle took another turn when scrum-half Aaron Smith was held just short, but flanker Messam grabbed the ball and dived over for Cruden to convert.
South Africa held that one-point lead for 13 minutes in a titanic struggle with neither side gaining a clear edge in any area.
However, the opening half ended disastrously for the Springboks as they lost flanker Willem Alberts to injury and allowed Messam score a soft try.
The All Blacks ran patiently forward and across the field after the siren sounded and Messam punished several weak tackles, Cruden converted and New Zealand had a 21-15 half-time lead.
Messam was yellow carded early in the second half as the referee lost patience with the constantly infringing All Blacks pack.
And the resulting tap penalty produced a third South African try with the ball sent along the line for right wing Willie le Roux to go over and Steyn converted.
All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu was foiled by a superb tackle from replacement flank Siya Kolisi on 55 minutes, but substitute fly-half Beauden Barrett kicked a penalty for a 24-22 edge.
De Villiers and Barrett then exchanged tries with the New Zealand score crucial as it sealed a bonus point and the title.
Steyn missed his conversion while Barrett was successful from a much easier position, leaving the visitors four points ahead with 20 minutes left.
Read, who scored two tries in a 29-15 home win last month, scored a fifth New Zealand try after good blindside work and Barrett converted.
allan
Guest
When it comes to admirable captains Mccaw stands head and shoulders above everybody.JDV certainly not in his class.I wont even consider picking him in my best 15.He should stop moaning to the refs.He wont make it to the next world cup.And why does Nick Mallet thinks that Fourie du Preez is one of the best scrumhalves in the world.What a joke..
allan
Guest
When it comes to admirable captains Mccaw stands head and shoulders above everybody.JDV certainly not in his class.I wont even consider picking him in my best 15.He should stop moaning to the refs.He wont make it to the next world cup.
JimmyB
Guest
I got what you meant mate, no worries. Still not sure that you can say that there was a talent void as such, but we weren't as good as we had been certainly.
Blackheart
Guest
My point razor.... I posted elsewhere, where was Meyers pulled the titanic Bismark off the paddock when he was opening up the game for the Boks... Rewatching the game I could see a significant change of up front approach to the go forward game... I was gobsmacked at the change as I watched the big man loiter at the touch line only to be told by the touch judge to retreat to the team bench.... Damn shame!
RyzrShrp
Guest
Quick question for you clever buggers - why is it that these players in the modern area struggle to play the full 80? They aren't doing anything more on the park than they were 10 years ago! I mean think about it, the coaches select their "A" team to start each test, but land up with thier "B" team on the field for the last 20. Why? Why take players off (Bismark classic example, he was clearly fit enough to stay on) when things are flowing so well?? I just don't get it and hope that you aficionados can educate me...
Colin N
Guest
"Sorry Jimmy but I’ve got to Jimmy." Sorry, should say 'disagree' obviously. Had a shocker there.
Colin N
Guest
If you'd have watched the Premiership in the opening rounds, you would see that Wade has been pretty anonymous, apart from a close range try against Exeter and a good surge against Saracens at the weekend. Ashton's been prominent so far this season. Personally, I would like to see Wade get a run, but if we're going on form...
JimmyB
Guest
You actually put SH, when you obviously meant NH.
Batdown
Guest
I have tried to look on numerous rugga websites to see if there was any stats concerning back to back wins by northern hemispheres test sides on home turf against the ABs and have come up empty.
JimmyB
Guest
Maybe never? I don't doubt that the ABs will win, but they do say that pride comes before a fall. ;)
JimmyB
Guest
Colin Ashton is playing ok, but nothing like he was 2 years ago and he's playing in the strongest looking side ATM. Wade is playing pretty well in a poor team.
Greenbok
Guest
Congrats to the AB's - and their supporters. Fantastic win. I was at a wedding, unfortunately, and so missed the 2nd half. But followed things on the mobile. Still have to watch the game complete. And to be honest, I wasn't intending to, either. I was so massively disappointed that we lost at home. I accepted that AB's would take the RC - they are simply too good NOT to be able to pick-up one BP somewhere - but figured we would be in with a shout at at least winning the game, AT HOME! So I was very dejected. However, after reading all the comments here - I have decided to make a plan, and record and watch the 60 minute HL package, at the very least. I have been, quite frankly, gobsmacked by the positive feedback out here about how well the Bokke played. Which says so much about how brilliant the ABs currently are, if there are so many SB fans who are willing to sweeten the bitter pill of a loss, with the justification of a great game being played. I cannot recall the last time that happened. So - once again, huge congrats to the ABs. I for one am still devastated we lost - and I'm even more devastated at the apparent acceptance thereof. I can only hope HM and the boys will use this as the learning curve it potentially can be - possibly take away that they have no reason to fear playing the expansive game - now they only need to temper it with a more balanced approach... At the risk of being slayed for my next point - I cannot but help mention a lingering thought... With the stats being shown of how the ABs have kicked more ball than the SB's in this year's competition (and if I recall correctly, this was also suggested in last year's competition) - there appears to be method to the madness of using a kicking-game approach in certain areas of the field, building up pressure, and then striking with the silky skills of a backline that knows how to convert opportunities provided by errors from the opposition, to points... Is it a bridge too far to say it reminds me of how Jake White's Springboks were trying to play the game at the height of their powers... AB's appear to have stepped it up, and improved the execution of that formula - but I still find the similarities to be there, were one not adverse to seeing it...
Colin N
Guest
Sorry Jimmy but I've got to Jimmy. "England do have the players, believe it or not, they always have really." There was a talent void (if you like) between 2003 and 2008. We've always managed to produce decent forwards which could at least be competitive at the top level (shown in the 2007 World Cup) but there wasn't a number of top quality players coming through. You had Geraghty, Cipriani etc, but they haven't proved themselves to be 'Test match animals.' The latter was unfortunate with his injury which, I believe, he struggled with for a while after he returned. And as for the former, I don't think it's a coincidence that he's struggled to get starts for a poor London Irish side. Allen and Tait were thrown in too early, probably because we didn't have those exciting talents coming through. Re: Simpson-Daniel, he was blooded very early and played extremely well but injuries took over. You only have to look at his Wikipedia page to see his 'luck' when playing for England or being involved in England training squads. Even when he's been called up to the England squad over the last five years, it seems like every time he had to pull out for one reason or another. "Lancaster was no doubt watching the game yesterday and he’s left with a simple choice IMO. He can either follow his natural instincts which revolve around being “solid” in attack but primarily in defence, where taking the points (penalty goals) is the smart play or he can embrace the generation of talented players at his disposal and tell them to go out and play, play what’s in front of them, play 15 man rugby and play without the fear of failure." Interestingly, if you look back to the New Zealand win, that was based on the forwards physically overpowering the All Blacks. New Zealand didn't play any differently to how they do normally (including the weekend's game, which was fantastic btw) but they were up against a solid defence and a forward unit which clicked. However, what is particularly promising is the amount of young English guys making the first teams of their clubs. It's a shame that Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie are currently injured, though, as I was looking forward to seeing what they would early in the season for Exeter.
Colin N
Guest
If you're going on form, you could hardly say Wade is playing great at the moment Jimmy! Whereas Ashton's been playing well and scoring tries. Take what you're about Twelvetrees but in a crap side he actually showed some invention against Exeter and had the bottle to kick the winning penalty against Northampton. But yeah Wilson will be on the bench, as Stevens had retired from international duty and the England coaches also want to develop Henry Thomas.
Batdown
Guest
The ABs will beat England in the EOYT Jimmy its just a matter of how much! ;) BTW, when was the last time any SH team won back to back games on their turf against the ABs?
Garth
Guest
Considering how bad our cricket team usually is, it would have to our softball team in ours.
JimmyB
Guest
Youngs in for Hartley, Wade in for Ashton. Twelve trees is playing like a drain ATM. Stevens has retired from England duties, David Wilson will be on the bench as will Morgan probably.
Garth
Guest
I don't know why the AB's bother reporting illness within the team PRIOR to a test match. Seeing as how nobody pays any real attention to the reports until AFTER the game and then it's all "Oh, here it comes. The 'ole we were sick excuse!'".
Garth
Guest
And Owen's only real concern was that the number of Kiwi players was correct.
Patches
Guest
Well written report