The Springboks hosted the All Blacks in the first Rugby Championship match of the 2022 season and secured the result in the first thirty minutes of the match to win 26-10.
A pulsating first forty minutes of test rugby was played with the Springboks dominating for the first thirty minutes of the half. However, the All Blacks showed when they were given an opportunity to attack they found gaps in the defence of the Springboks and gain some valuable meters. At that stage, the match was still up for grabs at that stage with the Springboks in need of a player that can actually test the All Blacks' defence. The Springboks deservedly led 10-03 at the end of the first half.
The second half was dominated by the All Blacks who played a controlled and structured game, even outmuscling the Springboks in the forward battle. Fortunately for the Springboks, the All Blacks conceded critical penalties which were converted by Handre Pollard who had a 100% record with the boot. Two late tries by the Springboks and All Blacks ended the match in an exciting manner.
00:40 The match set off at a furious pace with Faf de Klerk being injured after just forty seconds on the clock to be replaced by Jaden Hendrikse.
07:50 The Springboks dominated the first seven minutes of the match and after a mistake by the All Blacks from a high kick by the Boks, Kurt-lee Arendse managed to control a bouncing ball to score the Springboks' first try of the match (07-00)
20:00 Once again after 20 minutes of domination, the Springboks had only seven points to show for their effort against an All Black team that absorbed the pressure applied by the Springboks. A passionate performance by the home team at that stage.
21:56 Handre Pollard converted a penalty. (10-00)
35:30 Jordie Barrett converted a penalty to open the All Blacks' account after almost 40 minutes of play. (10-03)
40:00 A pulsating first forty minutes of test rugby was played with the Springboks dominating for the first thirty minutes of the half. However, the All Blacks showed that when they were given an opportunity to attack, they found gaps in the Springboks' defence and gained some valuable meters. The match was still up for grabs at that stage with the Springboks in need of a player that can actually test the All Blacks defence.
50:24 Handre Pollard converted his second penalty for the Springboks to restore the Springboks ten points lead of earlier. (13-03)
57:49 Hande Pollard converted a drop goal. (16-03)
60:00 The All Blacks have slowly but surely taken control of the match with the Springsboks' defence struggling to contain their hard-running visitors.
72:12 Handre Pollard converted his third penalty for the Springboks. (19-03)
74:18 Kurt-lee Arendse (Springboks) was sent off with a yellow card.
78:11 Shannon Frizell scored the All Blacks' first try after the Springboks' defence opened up like the Red Sea. (19-10)
80:21 Willie le Roux was the Springboks' answer to the Fritzell try to seal a comprehensive 26-10 win.
Scorers:
Springboks: Try: Kurt-lee Arendse, Willie le Roux. Conversion: Handre Pollard (2). Penalty: Handre Pollard (3). Drop goal: Handre Pollard.
All Blacks: Trie: Shannon Frizell. Conversion: Jordie Barrett. Penalty: Jordie Barrett.
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-lee Arendse, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Francois De Klerk , 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Trevor Nyakane. Replacements: 16 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Franco Mostert, 21 Albertus Smith, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Willie le Roux.
New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 David Havili, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Samson Taukei’aho, 1 George Bower. Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ethan de Groot, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Quinn Tupaea.