A clueless Springbok team was outplayed 35-20 by the All Blacks on Saturday in Auckland after leading 20-03 at the end of the first half. Although the Springboks were a lot better during the second half it was simply too little and too late.
It took the All Blacks only five minutes to score their first points following several aimless kicks and halfhearted defensive efforts by the Springboks to lead 07-00. The All Blacks continued to put pressure on the Springboks' defence and added a converted penalty four minutes after their try to lead 10-00 and seemingly in control of the match in the early stages of the match.
The All Blacks' second try was once again the result of a half-hearted defence by the Springbok with Willie le Roux blowing kisses to the All Blacks on their way to score to extend their lead to 17-00. The Springboks clawed their way back into the game and following several failed attempts to breach the All Blacks rock solid defence the Springboks converted a penalty to open their account after 35 minutes of play in the first half, however, the All Blacks immediately replied with a converted penalty to go into the halftime break leading 20-03.
The Springboks had a much better start to the second half and scored their first try from the back of a 5m lineout maul after 12 minutes of play in the second half. A converted penalty by the All Blacks and them leading 23-10 going into the final quarter of the match.
A great Willie le Roux pass put Kolbe in space to score in the corner, however, a Beauden Barett kick-pass was controlled by Will Jordan who scored in the corner to extend the All Blacks' lead to fifteen points and ten minutes to play in the second half. This was followed by an easy try by Richie Mo’unga to extend their lead to 35-15. A late try by Kwagga Smith made the score look a bit more respectable to end the embarrassment with a 35-20 loss to a dominant All Blacks side.
Scorers:
All Blacks: Tries: Aaron Smith, Shannon Frizell, Richie Mo’unga, Will Jordan. Conversions: Richie Mo’unga (3). Penalties: Richie Mo’unga (3).
Springboks: Tries: Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe, Kwagga Smith. Conversion: Cheslin Kolbe . Penalty: Faf de Klerk
Teams:
All Blacks: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot. Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Dalton Papali’i, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Braydon Ennor, 23 Caleb Clarke.
Springboks: 15 Willem le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mampimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Albertus Smith, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Rudolf Snyman, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21 Daniel Johannes Vermeulen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Immanuel Libbok