| New Zealand (0) 7 |
| Try: Roegard cons: to |
| South Africa (14) 35 |
| Try: Colesi, Arendsi, Marks, Mbonambi, Smith cons: eBook 5 |
New Zealand lock Scott Barrett was sent off as the All Blacks suffered their heaviest defeat in their history.
Barrett received two yellow cards, the second for the reckless evacuation of the head hooker Malcolm Marks who was relegated to the TMO ‘dugout’.
South Africa took the lead through Sia Kolisi and Kurt Lei Arendse, before Marks, Bungi Mbonambi and Kwaga Smith scored twice in the second half.
The previous record loss for the All Blacks was by 21 points in 1999 and 2019.
At a packed Twickenham, Barrett received his first yellow card after several team violations as the All Blacks struggled to contain the Springboks’ relentless power play.
He came back from the sin-box but just before half-time he hit the shoulder on Marks, who was close to the ground at the collapse, leaving referee Matthew Carley no decision but to send him off.
New Zealand already has it Lost lock experienced Brody Retallick For the opening World Cup match against France on 8 September due to injury, Barrett became the first black player to be sent off twice.
The World Cup featuring Tyrell Lomax may also be in jeopardy after the prop left the field early with a serious knee injury.
The world champions have won back to back victories after their victory 52-16 demolition of Wales in Cardiff Last weekend, Jack Nienapper’s side looked to be in top shape ahead of their World Cup opener against Scotland on 10 September.
The victory also ended New Zealand’s 11-match unbeaten run, with South Africa’s powerhouse game – hugely successful during the 2019 World Cup – proving too much for their 14-man rivals.
“You can’t help but admire what they did, they really stuck with us,” All Blacks coach Ian Foster said.
“Their fitness and set-pieces were fantastic and they put in a tremendous game when protesting and coming off. That was a huge difference.”
Springboks peak just in time
Twickenham has been an unusual venue for hosting two teams from the southern hemisphere, with their last meeting at the stadium being in the 2015 World Cup semi-final, which the All Blacks won. 20-18 Thanks to Beauden Barrett’s late try.
Since lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy in 2019, the Boks have shown glimpses of relentless power and a kicking game that Dominate England in the final.
During the opening period, that match returned, with the All Blacks unable to find any foothold in the contest, both Scott Barrett and captain Sam Keane losing to early sin boxes.
The pressure was finally revealed when Kolesi forced his way over the line with the help of massive locking frame Eben Etzith – in only the captain’s second game since. Knee surgery after ligament damage in April.
Wing Arendse then doubled the lead and intercepted a Jordy Barrett pass to run untouched.
Sharp play at the front of the line moved Marks to the Boks’ third place before launching the famous “Bomb Squad” of front row substitutes early in the second half.
They entered the game alongside three other substitutes at forwards, and the all-new line-up completely dismantled the All Blacks with further results resulting from the exits of Mbonambe and Smith.
Man of the match Damien Willemsey told Sky Sports: “It was a very good start for us, and a great team performance.”
“It will give us some momentum ahead of the Rugby World Cup. I am the man of the match, but thanks to the strikers, they have made a big change.”
It wasn’t just the forwards though, as the 20-year-old Kannan Modi – making his debut in midfield – produced some fine touches throughout the game, one of which was a solo effort disallowed.
The only positive for New Zealand was that substitute midfielder Cam Roeggaard scored a perfect goal – his first for his country – in the final 10 minutes.
Should Ireland fail to beat Samoa on Saturday, South Africa will head to France as the world’s number one ranked team.
New Zealand might have moved up to first place had they won by 15 points, which they did during the rugby tournament, but will instead reassess their game after an agonizing defeat.
“I think both teams needed that game, which we certainly did,” Foster added. “We lost our cohesion when we were under pressure, but I thought our defense in the first 20 minutes was great and if we had more discipline in key areas we could have countered.”
Profiles
New Zealand: P Barrett; Jordan, R. Ewan, c. Barrett, Telia; Monga, Smith. DeGroot, Coles, Lomax; S Barrett, Whitlock; Jacobson, Ken (Captain), Savia.
Substitutions: Tookiaho, Williams, Newell, Faye, Lord, Papale, Roegard, Leinert Brown.
South Africa: willems; Arendse, Moody, Esterhuizen, Mpembe; Lebbock, de Klerk; Ketchoff, Marx, Malherbe; Etzbeth, Mostert; Colesi (Captain), Du Toit, Vermeulen.
Substitutions: Mbonambi, Ntchi, Nyakani, Klein, Sneemann, van Staden, Reinach, Smith.
to rule: Matthew Carley (RFU)