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South Africa have put in a masterclass of forward power to thrash New Zealand 35-7 in their Rugby World Cup warm-up at neutral Twickenham, the biggest-ever loss for the All Blacks in their 102-year Test history.
It was a performance that serves as a warning to the Springboks’ rivals as they prepare to defend their World Cup title in France. The rampant champions scored five tries through captain Siya Kolisi, wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, hookers Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi and flanker Kwagga Smith.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster was concerned but not reaching for the panic button despite the mauling.
“We got squeezed and exposed. But if we could choose one trophy not to have in our cabinet at the end of the year, it would be this one. You couldn’t help but be impressed with what they did, they really got stuck into us,” said Foster.
“Their physicality and their set-piece was superb and they had a massive game at scrum and line-out time. That was a big difference.
“I think both teams needed that game, we certainly did. We lost the cohesion when we were put under pressure but I thought our defence in the first 20 minutes was outstanding and if we had more discipline in key areas we could have counter-punched.”
But New Zealand played the entire second half with 14 players after lock Scott Barrett received a second yellow card, equating to a red, as they had no answer to the Springboks’ intensity and set-piece domination.
Replacement back Cam Roigard scored a late consolation try for New Zealand but coach Ian Foster will be alarmed at how his first-choice selection were second best in every facet of the game ahead of their World Cup opener with France in Paris on September 8.
South Africa dominated from the first whistle on a chastening night for World Cup favourites New Zealand.
The Boks had hammered Wales 52-16 in Cardiff last weekend and started in the same vain, with relentless early pressure leading to a 13th-minute sin-binning for Barrett – who paid the price for repeated New Zealand infringements.
Prop Tyrel Lomax was then forced off with what appeared to be a deep gash to his leg before skipper Sam Cane was also shown a yellow card in a disastrous first 15 minutes for the All Blacks.
“They were dominant in all facets,” Cane said. “It stings. It hurts. It’s a game we have to learn a lot from. But I’d much rather we have it now than in a few weeks.
“It hurts to lose a Test the way we did. The only good that can come out of it is if we have a good hard review. As a pack we have a lot of work to do. Next week will be important in terms of preparation.”
Lomax’s availability for the Cup is in major doubt.
”He has quite a nasty cut, at the bottom of his thigh,’’ Foster said. “It is the second cut we have had this year, with sharp plastic sprigs on boots, so we are going to have a good look at. It is very significant, so we are going to have to wait and see and cross our fingers on that.’’
New Zealand, who were imperious in securing the 2023 Rugby Championship title last month, defended resolutely but Kolisi forced his way over for the opening try after 18 minutes.
Richie Mo’unga hit the post with a simple penalty and Arendse ran in South Africa’s second try from an interception to make it 14-0.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Things went from bad to worse for the All Blacks as Barrett was shown a second yellow and sent off just before halftime for dangerously flying into a clearout – meaning he is likely to miss their World Cup opener against France on September 8.
The Springboks hit the ground running again after the break as Marx scored following a line-out.
Pieter-Steph Du Toit was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle but a fresh forward pack, after seven substitutions, powered over for a fourth Springboks try as Mbonambi touched down.
New Zealand had no answer to South Africa as Smith added a fifth, with Manie Libbok flawless with the boot, before Roigard’s first Test try offered New Zealand’s only moment of joy.
with AAP
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