Boks the undisputed best
12 Sep 2009
A hard-fought 32-29 victory in Hamilton allowed John Smit’s Springboks to add the Tri-Nations crown to their impressive list of achievements.
The Kiwis whinged after the 2007 World Cup win. They believed the Boks weren’t the best in the world and thus undeserving of the world title. By weight of 2008 results, they had a point as the All Blacks retained the Tri-Nations.
At the Waikato Stadium this Saturday, however, their superiority was confirmed.
This All Blacks have been average to mediocre for some time, and even superboy Dan Carter failed to lift their performance. The result marks New Zealand’s third defeat to South Africa in 2009. There should be no question about whom has the wood on whom.
The two changes to the Springbok side made a world of difference. Awarded a penalty 65m out, Smit handed the ball to a supremely confident Frans Steyn. It seemed an impossible task, but the young fullback’s outrageous attempt cleared the crossbar by millimetres.
Steyn proved this was no fluke when he sunk another from inside his own half to claim a 6-3 lead for the Boks, and a further 53-m monster after 26 minutes when the visitors shot to a 19-9 advantage.
Schalk Burger, in for Juan Smith after the blindside failed a late fitness test, worked hard in tandem with Heinrich Brussow. The Boks effected a number of turnovers when the All Blacks were on attack, a massive improvement on their showing in Brisbane. Although the Boks conceded a few penalties of their own, they clearly emerged victors in this department.
The scrum continues to be a worry and Smit struggled in his one-on-one with loosehead Tony Woodcock. Fortunately the All Blacks’ eight rarely applied pressure as a unit.
The hosts were hopeless at the lineout, Andrew Hore having a nightmare with his feeds. Victor Matfield pinched three of the All Blacks’ throws, one which led to the try of Fourie du Preez.
Du Preez was back to his best, those little probes and big high-bombs always finding their mark. It was the garryowen following Matfield’s steal that created sufficient pressure on recipient Joe Rokocoko.
Du Preez chased his own kick to force the error, and in providing support, Mils Muliaina only succeeded in knocking the ball towards Bakkies Botha. The big lock surged before being brought to turf, and in the next phase, Du Preez sniped and scored.
Halfback partner Morne Steyn also had a memorable night, slotting a great drop goal and converting each penalty and conversion opportunity. His line kicking was equally superb, and he made good on his promise to clear even when his pack were under pressure.
Opposite number Carter battled behind a losing pack. He kicked all seven goalable opportunities to surpass 900 points in Tests, but never made the desired impact whether kicking for territory or feeding the backs. He was better in the second half, but by then, the hosts were playing catch up.
The Boks started the second half well while the All Blacks grew more desperate. They attempted to shift the ball after a rare lineout win, but Jean de Villiers read the play beautifully to intercept and score under the posts.
The hosts cancelled this score seven minutes later when replacement Isaia Toeava stepped the Bok defence and freed up Sitiveni Sivivatu. Carter kicked the conversion to leave the All Blacks just 10 points shy with 23 minutes to play.
South Africa began to show signs of fatigue in the latter stages, and fortunately for the visitors the All Blacks’ botched several opportunities. Carter threw a forward pass to an unmarked support player and Ma’a Nonu knocked on from a subsequent attack.
The Boks also turned over a prime opportunity for the All Blacks when Smit won a penalty at the scrum. Richie McCaw’s decision to pass up a kick for goal had backfired.
Carter was handed another chance to close the gap and this time McCaw pointed to the posts. Somehow the All Blacks had fought back to see the score at 29-22.
Burger left the field with what looked a serious shoulder injury, but the defence continued to scramble madly. When South Africa did receive possession they hacked the ball deep into New Zealand territory, and eventually this pressure produced a kickable penalty.
Morne Steyn kept his cool and bisected the posts from a difficult angle. In the remaining eight minutes, the hosts threw everything they had at the Bok defence, and a cross-kick by Carter found McCaw unmarked. The All Blacks’ flyhalf slotted the conversion to make for a dramatic final minute of play.
Carter attempted another cross-kick after the hosts had done well to play themselves into a favourable position. The ball drifted into touch and the visitors held on to secure their third Tri-Nations title and second win in New Zealand in 11 years.
By Jon Cardinelli
136 Comments
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12 Sep 2009, 11:20 am
Boknaai!!!
12 Sep 2009, 11:21 am
I’ll take that
12 Sep 2009, 11:21 am
even Mr MCcaw said he had no empathy for Smit.Mr MCcaw was given a lesson on being a captain
12 Sep 2009, 11:23 am
yay yay yay, damn good game too. abs were much better at the breakdown, i thought our scrums were good in the second half.
12 Sep 2009, 11:24 am
Frans Steyn, John Smit & Schalk Burger take a bow … you have proved many a so-called expert on this site WRONG!!!!
Dear Tackler and all the other South Africans so vociferously always supporting the All Blacks … sorry guys that’s the world cup, tri-nations, super 14 and 7′s.
12 Sep 2009, 11:25 am
#4 Knersboy: just have to find a negative
12 Sep 2009, 11:26 am
Anyone seen Tackler yet? hahah.
12 Sep 2009, 11:27 am
My nerves are shot but well played boks
12 Sep 2009, 11:27 am
Well done sir john smit! Wat a legend, and he’s still getting better!
The ref kept them in the game, and if it wasnt for dan superhuman carter we would have hammered them!
12 Sep 2009, 11:30 am
ALL HAIL PDV’S BOKKETEAS:
- IRB Player of the Year: Fourie Du Preez
- IRB Team of the Year: Bokketeas
- IRB Coach of the Year: PdV
Well done!
12 Sep 2009, 11:31 am
Well done Boks and supporters.
Consecutive WC, 3N, sevens and S14 champs and all well deserved.
Hands down, you’re the best in the world!
I hope we can meet your challenge better next year.
Enjoy and congratulations.
12 Sep 2009, 11:32 am
“250. saffa_guy :
May 30th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
#240 Hurricane:
Me prediction for this year:
Barring significant injury this will be a golden year for the Bokketeas and South African rugby overall:
1. Super 14 title
2. 7’s World Series Title
3. Lions series win
4. Trinations outright win
5. Successfull EOYT tour
6. Overall at least 70% win ratio for the Bokketeas”
Yep, we on track. World’s #1 rugby nation
Our finest era ever!
12 Sep 2009, 11:34 am
“The scrum continues to be a worry and Smit struggled in his one-on-one with loosehead Tony Woodcock.”
JC, did you write this match report before or after the match?
12 Sep 2009, 11:34 am
#6 kevin w: far from it, i am complimenting the abs who were worthy opponents.
12 Sep 2009, 11:34 am
Oh yes brother II !!!!!!!!!!!!
12 Sep 2009, 11:35 am
#13 Thucydides: yeah my thoughts exactly, i thought our scrum was better than theirs in the second half.
12 Sep 2009, 11:35 am
#7 Esoteric: tackler’s off down to the lake to feed the ducks, at least they’ll be glad to see him
12 Sep 2009, 11:36 am
The all blacks is Pieter de Villiers *****
12 Sep 2009, 11:36 am
Consecutive=simultaneous.
But you get my point.
Well done again.
First time beating us three tests in one year since 1949.
12 Sep 2009, 11:38 am
#11 Another Kiwi in Oz: Gracious of you thanks!
Pity that ex-Saffa will pitch soon and sour everything…
Congrads to the boys and for those of you not stuck at work please go and celebrate. HARD!
12 Sep 2009, 11:38 am
Steyn and De Villiers are going to be huge loss for the Boks!
12 Sep 2009, 11:39 am
pdv stats for games played in nz. played 3, won 2. not too damn shabby eh.
12 Sep 2009, 11:39 am
JC give the All blacks their due respect tehy very nealry beat us !!!1
but nonetheless WELL DONE BOKKKKE!!!!!!!!!!
p.s JDv intercept king
12 Sep 2009, 11:40 am
My blood is green!
12 Sep 2009, 11:40 am
#17 Big Hit: Hahahah, funny ******* :p
12 Sep 2009, 11:40 am
#19 Another Kiwi in Oz: thanks … but you forgot that we have the 7′s series title as well.
12 Sep 2009, 11:41 am
“The scrum continues to be a worry and Smit struggled in his one-on-one with loosehead Tony Woodcock. Fortunately the All Blacks’ eight rarely applied pressure as a unit.”
What?
12 Sep 2009, 11:41 am
BIG HIT: How do you see the two teams South Africa and New Zealand placed for RWC 2011? Of course there is a couple of years to go but SA and NZ both have worries about key positions that they need to fill before that tournament.
12 Sep 2009, 11:41 am
#26 kevin w: my mistake, sorry
12 Sep 2009, 11:42 am
Im proud of Graham Henry today (tonight their time!)
Very gracious in defeat!
Could have gone either way, but happy we’re on the right side of a close game!
What a special moment for SA Rugby today, 12 Sep 2009!!!!
12 Sep 2009, 11:43 am
#28 Esoteric:The Aussies seem to be building a really good young team and could be the team to beat by then.
12 Sep 2009, 11:43 am
Jon smit was awesome
12 Sep 2009, 11:43 am
JC , you and a few of your fellow journo’s need to seriously go ask for your school fees back
John Smit struggled?? good god you must be the only moron that thought this.
seriously dude . your knowledge of what happens ion the scrums is a round F*ing ZERO
12 Sep 2009, 11:44 am
#30 Sheriff:
We’re in a special era for SA rugby
Stronger than ever
12 Sep 2009, 11:44 am
Hats off to the Kiwi’s, fracking close!
Now go beat those convicts into the ground! Next week I’m behind the Blacks 110%!
12 Sep 2009, 11:44 am
#28 Esoteric: depends on retirements for SA and NH players returning for both sides I think.
12 Sep 2009, 11:44 am
The Boks thoroughly deserved the win — on NZ soil too — and their third 3N title. No doubt about it. Congratulations all round.
12 Sep 2009, 11:45 am
Bismark was fantastic
Those steals are unbelievable
12 Sep 2009, 11:45 am
#11 Another Kiwi in Oz: K thx bai,we are the rugby gods,nay, the term ‘gods’ is an insult to us. We are way more powerful. Simply unbeatable.
12 Sep 2009, 11:46 am
#33 sharks_lover: agree mate, as I said on the other thread, performance-wise this is John Smit’s finest hour. I actually wouldn’t blame him if he retired now and went out on the top.
12 Sep 2009, 11:47 am
John Smit = legend
Du Preez = best 9 in the world
Victor + Bakkies = Irreplacable
Schalk = showed why he needs to be in the starting 15
Jean = we going to miss him
Fourie = best defensive 13 in world rugby
Frans Steyn = made all the difference today
12 Sep 2009, 11:47 am
#37 TheTackler: Good on you Tackler
12 Sep 2009, 11:47 am
This week the AB’s were playing to end up first; next week they will be playing not to come last. Tough tournament this.
12 Sep 2009, 11:49 am
#29 kevin w:
I forgot Lions, huge year for you guys.
Now just enjoy it and don’t analyze away too much at future possibilities.
Sing, dance, drink whatever.
The record books are closed now for another year.
Makes next weeks game sort of lame now ‘for pride.’
12 Sep 2009, 11:50 am
#38 Saffa_Guy: President Of The PdV Supporters Club: Fully agreed … he was a machine … and I’m not a complete fan of him … today he was plain awesome AND controlled himself …
12 Sep 2009, 11:50 am
#31 kevin w: Kevin I’d be in firm agreement with you there – I think that NZ were, to a degree, fortunate to come away with their win over Aus a few weeks ago.
We will see what the next Au-NZ test holds. I think that the sky is the limit for Australia, they have a solid base which they can work off in the sense that they have a young team. Their scrum – much maligned in the past, is now a factor that cannot be ignored in world rugby.
Australia play very clever rugby – what they lack in physical ability (although they have picked up in this dept) they make up for in tactics, they are a very clever side.
The fact that they’ve won and were the first team to do so, two rugby world cups is testament to their ability – ignore them at your peril.
12 Sep 2009, 11:51 am
#37 TheTackler: well said tackles, heck of a game.
12 Sep 2009, 11:52 am
#13 Thucydides:
No kidding! Sometimes I wonder if JC watched the match at all. Terrible, terrible analysis, game in and game out.
Boks had the ascendancy at the breakdown? I don’t think so.
Smit struggled with Woodcock? I don’t think so.
Carter struggled behind a losing pack? I don’t think so.
These articles are embarrassing. We’re supposed to know our rugby in South Africa.
12 Sep 2009, 11:53 am
#39 BlueBlood: what a terrible comment.
12 Sep 2009, 11:53 am
how is saw it
15 steyn 9
14 odwa 7,5
13 JF 8
12 inter king 8
11 habs 8
10 MS 7,5
09 FD 8,5
08 spies 8
07 mighty hulk 8
06 brussouw 8
05 matfield 8,5
04 bakkies 8
03 capt courages 9
02 bismark 8,5
01 beast8
no reserve really polayed long enough for a rating , but kanko did look good for the time he was on
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