The All Blacks maintained their cherished 31-year record without defeat at Eden Park in Auckland as two tries conceded by the Springboks in the first 17 minutes were the difference between the teams in another fierce contest in wet and greasy conditions.
The home side got their noses and heads well in front in that first quarter and were able to withstand a steadily improving Springbok performance – powered by the bench – to claim a 24-17 victory (halftime 14-3) in a Castle Lager Rugby Championship match on Saturday.
The Springboks ‘won’ the last hour 17-10 but left themselves too much to do after suffering the worst possible start as the All Blacks took a 14-0 lead after striking twice from lineout possession – having profited from turnover possession in their own half.
It was a bitter result for the Springboks, but they were their own worst enemies in the opening quarter with dropped passes and a misfiring lineout and although they increasingly found their intensity and power their slow start was too much of a handicap.
Late in the match, the Boks had field position to threaten the All Black line but twice the home side forced turnovers at the ruck to seal another victory at Fortress Eden Park.
Scorers:
New Zealand 24 (14) – Tries: Emoni Narawa, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea. Conversions: Jordie Barrett, Damian McKenzie (2). Penalty goal: McKenzie.
Springboks 17 (3) – Tries: Malcolm Marx, Cobus Reinach. Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2). Penalty goal: Handre Pollard.
Courtesy of the Springboks.
