WELLINGTON, New Zealand – The Springboks delivered a performance for the ages at Sky Stadium on Saturday, crushing the All Blacks 43-10 in what will go down as one of the most dominant displays in Rugby Championship history.
In a stunning second-half demolition, South Africa scored an incredible 36 points without reply to transform a closely-fought contest into New Zealand’s heaviest home defeat ever. The victory ensures the Springboks retain the coveted Freedom Cup in emphatic fashion.
The match began as a typical trans-Tasman thriller, with both sides trading early blows. New Zealand struck first through debutant Leroy Carter, with Damian McKenzie’s conversion putting the hosts 7-0 ahead after 19 minutes.
The Springboks responded in spectacular fashion when Cheslin Kolbe intercepted a pass and sprinted 75 meters to score a breathtaking try. Manie Libbok, who had replaced the injured Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf, slotted the conversion to level the scores at 7-7.
McKenzie’s penalty goal with 10 minutes remaining in the first half gave New Zealand a slender 10-7 advantage at the break, but what followed was nothing short of a rugby masterclass from the world champions.
The second half belonged entirely to South Africa. The Boks unleashed a relentless attacking display that left the All Blacks shell-shocked and their home crowd stunned into silence.
Kolbe grabbed his second try of the match before Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, and Andre Esterhuizen all crossed the whitewash as the Springboks ran rampant through Wellington.
The 33-point margin of victory surpasses any previous defeat inflicted on the All Blacks, making this result a historic milestone for South African rugby. To achieve such a comprehensive victory on New Zealand soil – traditionally a fortress for the home side – makes the accomplishment even more remarkable.
The match was not without its early drama for the Springboks. RG Snyman, who came on as an early replacement for the injured Lood de Jager, thought he had scored the opening try, only for it to be disallowed due to a knock-on earlier in the move.
However, any frustration from that decision was quickly forgotten as the Boks demonstrated why they remain the world’s number one ranked team. Their ability to adapt tactically, combined with clinical finishing and defensive intensity, proved too much for an All Blacks side that simply had no answers to South Africa’s second-half onslaught.
The Springboks’ next Rugby Championship fixture is against Argentina on 27 September.
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