Level at one apiece in the series and back to what they do best. Blending power and directness, blood and thunder, to edge far enough ahead of New Zealand and withstand a gutsy comeback from the All Blacks. Throw in some brazen mischief from Rassie Erasmus, who swapped his entire front-row just an hour before kick-off, and this was much closer to a trademark Springboks performance after they were unrecognisable a week ago.
South Africa were far from flawless but constantly ferocious and while the All Blacks – particularly given how they finished the match – will head back for the third Test still confident they remain in the series it was some counterpunch after last week’s humbling. The third Test is scheduled for Johannesburg but they may consider relocating to Manila. Erasmus had been up to his usual games all week.
Naming his team on Monday, swapping his fly-halves 24 hours before kick-off by recalling Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and then coming up with his front-row switcheroo, starting with Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit and relegating Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw to the bench. Nché and Marx were introduced on 36 minutes and promptly won two penalties to set up Siya Kolisi for a crucial try and stretch their half-time lead to 10 points. Marx was inspired thereafter.
Whether Erasmus was even allowed to switch his front row so soon before kick-off ultimately depends on the fine print of the tour agreement between the two unions. That he would not have been able to without medically justifying the decisions in the World Cup demonstrates how close to the wind the head coach is sailing. What is not up for debate is just what a savage intensity this Test was played at.
The All Blacks were braced for the Bok-lash but could do little to stop South Africa’s opening score inside two minutes. Jordie Barrett did not get enough distance on his clearance after New Zealand received the kick-off and from the resulting lineout, the Springboks’ maul went into overdrive. Jesse Kriel was soon over.
Statement of intent made. For all that South Africa were fired up the All Blacks were not to be cowed. They demonstrated last week how slick they can be and on 16 minutes produced a delightful try, showcasing their ability to use the rapier in response to the bludgeon.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
