New Zealand made a big statement in a World Cup year following their 35-20 win over South Africa in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday.
Two months before the Rugby World Cup starts, Aaron Smith and Shannon Frizell gave the All Blacks an early lead with tries.
In the second half, Malcolm Marx and Cheslin Kolbe scored tries as the Springboks came back, but Will Jordan and Richie Mo’unga scored late tries for New Zealand.
Just before the end of the game, Springboks flanker Kwagga Smith scored the third try for the visitors.
Now that there are only three rounds, the All Blacks are likely to keep the title. They are on top of the table and beat Argentina 41-12 in their first game.
New Zealand got off to a great start and led 20–3 at the half because Jordan was so good.
After just five minutes, he made the first try by quickly getting up after being tackled, cutting through the defence, and putting Smith over for a converted try.
With a penalty, Mo’unga added to New Zealand’s lead.
In the first quarter of an hour, the Springboks barely saw the ball because the All Blacks had more than 90% possession.
Again, Jordan made progress up the middle and passed the ball to Frizzell, who ran over South Africa’s fullback Willie le Roux to score their second try.
After a fight in the air out wide between Kolbe and Beauden Barrett, South Africa thought Kolbe had scored, but the referee said the ball had been knocked on.
Scrum-half Faf de Klerk made a penalty kick, and it took the Springboks 35 minutes to get their first point. Just before halftime, Mo’unga made a second penalty kick.
Sam Cane, the captain of New Zealand, was hurt and couldn’t start the second half. He was replaced by Dalton Papali’i, and No. 8 Ardie Savea took over as captain.
Early in the second half, it looked like De Klerk had hurt his knee and had to leave the game.
South Africa got their first try when replacement hooker Marx was pushed over by his pack after 53 minutes. This happened right after the front row was changed.
South Africa’s second try came from Kolbe, who dove over in the corner after Le Roux’s great long pass got past several defenders.
Jordan then scored his 22nd try in as many Tests when he juggled the ball after Barrett kicked it. He did this in the corner.
Before Smith’s late try for South Africa, Mo’unga sneaked through the defence from a scrum to score the All Blacks’ fourth try.
In two weeks, New Zealand will play Australia away in their final championship game. That will be the same weekend that South Africa plays Argentina at home.
In a friendly before the Rugby World Cup on August 25, New Zealand and South Africa will meet again at Twickenham.
