Rugby Championship: Richie McCaw scores late try as All Blacks beat Springboks
NEW Zealand came from behind to beat South Africa in The Rugby Championship, laying down a big marker for its World Cup defence.
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NEW Zealand came from behind to beat South Africa 27-20 in The Rugby Championship on Sunday morning, laying down a big marker for its World Cup defence in two months’ time.
The top-ranked All Blacks lifted themselves to overcome their closest rivals in the rankings at the Springboks’ favourite ground, and they did it with a significant possession deficit and their backs pinned to the wall for much of the game.
New Zealand still scored three tries to South Africa’s two at Ellis Park, with captain Richie McCaw marking his last test on South African soil with the game-clincher with seven minutes to go, and after the All Blacks endured waves of attacks.
“You’ve got to keep hanging in there,” McCaw said.
“That comes down to a bit of belief, and I guess guys holding their nerve.”
South Africa had tries through fullback Willie le Roux and centre Jesse Kriel to open leads in each half.
New Zealand replied both times through wing Ben Smith and hooker Dane Coles, before McCaw put them ahead for good with a set move from a lineout, and the try that knocked the stuffing out of the Springboks.
Debutant fly half Lima Sopoaga added a penalty on the full-time hooter for good measure.
“They showed tonight why they are so tough to beat,” South Africa captain Schalk Burger said.
McCaw’s try came after the Springboks camped on the All Blacks’ line for ages, attacking the tryline repeatedly and being stopped each time.
Clear favourite for the Rugby World Cup in England, the All Blacks showed guts and composure in defence, and a typically lethal cutting edge in attack when it counted.
Coach Steve Hansen paid tribute to that unrelenting defence.
“If they had scored there it would have been very hard to come back,” Hansen said.
The victory over a desperate Springboks team also gained some important revenge for the loss New Zealand had at the same ground in Johannesburg last October, still the All Blacks’ only defeat in the last three years.
South Africa has lost back-to-back games to Australia and the All Blacks after being ahead, and on top heading into the final 10 minutes.
Le Roux’s try in the 10th minute put the Springboks ahead, cutting in off an inside pass by Kriel.
New Zealand was at 10-10 when Sopoaga, on Test debut and standing in for Dan Carter at No 10, sliced 40 meters down the middle just before half-time and released Smith with a high, looping pass.
Kriel dived over near the posts in the 45th to raise South African hopes again with his second test try in two tests.
Coles dashed the home hopes again by bursting through off a short pass for an immediate reply.
South Africa applied grinding pressure with its forward pack, and New Zealand — even with 14 men at one point after replacement lock Sam Whitelock was yellow-carded — soaked it up.
South African lock Lood de Jager was stopped inches from the line in that period in the closest of a series of drives.
The All Blacks survived, and when McCaw scored from a lineout move in the 73rd minute reminiscent of their 2011 World Cup final try, they were in front for the first time in an hour of play.
The world champions were still in front when it counted: At the end.
“It’s about the opportunities you get and taking them,” McCaw said.
“We’ve been in that situation before.”
Originally published as Rugby Championship: Richie McCaw scores late try as All Blacks beat Springboks
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