New Zealand and South Africa square off in Auckland in a game that could well decide the destination of this year’s shortened Rugby Championship and set the tone for the upcoming World Cup.
Both sides secured convincing victories in their opening Rugby Championship clashes, as the All Blacks demolished Argentina 41-12 away from home and the Springboks obliterated Eddie Jones’s Australia 43-12 on home turf. With only one more round of games following this weekend’s action, the winner here is odds-on to lift the trophy.
There is also the prospect of a potential quarter-final clash between the sides at the World Cup in France this autumn hanging over the contest and both teams will be keen to lay down a marker. The All Blacks are perhaps marginal favourites due to home advantage, especially with South Africa not having won in Auckland since 1937, but the Springboks have claimed victory in two of the last three fixtures between the sides, while their previous two visits to New Zealand ended in a win and a draw.
Eben Etzebeth sadly lost his father, Harry, to cancer this week but the hulking second-rower has decided to play in the match and captains the Springboks, undoubtedly keen to do his late dad proud.
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New Zealand 17-0 South Africa, 23 minutes
All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan is regarded as just about the best maul defence schemer in the world, and his unit holds firm as South Africa try to get their lineout drive moving. Brodie Retallick then delivers a tonking, exposing the ball as Codie Taylor rushes through to scoop off his shoelaces. The hooker can’t quite get his paws around it, though – a knock-on allows the Springboks another opportunity to creating a scoring chance.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2023 08:33
New Zealand 17-0 South Africa, 21 minutes
Finally concerted possession for South Africa, building from a turnover near halfway. Cheslin Kolbe twice involves himself, ending up in Brodie Retallick’s constricting limbs as he chooses the wrong exit while sweeping along a ring road.
An All Blacks ruck infringement earns the Springboks a penalty. No thought of the three – prodded into the left corner to try a more muscular answer.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2023 08:31
New Zealand 17-0 South Africa, 20 minutes
But Frizell makes amends! South Africa play too laterally off the top of a lineout, leaving themselves short of clearing numbers on the right. Frizell’s pilfering hands take advantage, earning a penalty for holding on.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2023 08:29
New Zealand 17-0 South Africa, 18 minutes
South Africa are all over the place. Jasper Wiese lifts his eyes, picking out his target as he prepares to charge back on kick return, but shells a simple pass to him before he can build up a head of steam.
That is a stroke of luck for the Springboks, though – Wiese runs into the chasing All Blacks line anyway and draws a foolish high contact from Shannon Frizell, who should really have just let him go. Penalty to the visitors.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2023 08:28
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 17-0 South Africa (Shannon Frizell try, 16 minutes)
This is some first 15 minutes from the All Blacks. It’s another sensational score, Will Jordan again at the heart of things, stepping at first receiver to shimmy free and make a half-break. His toss to the left is perfectly placed, allowing Codie Taylor to hurry on to it and put Shannon Frizell away up the touchline. Three Springboks rush across to try to take down the rampaging flanker but fail in their task, Frizell steamrolling over the top of Willie le Roux to get over in the corner. Richie Mo’unga adds the extra two from the touchline – crikey!
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2023 08:23
New Zealand 10-0 South Africa, 15 minutes
The breeze is causing the South Africa backfield all sorts of problems. A Richie Mo’unga kick hangs inthe air and is tapped back by Mark Telea, earning the All Blacks possession again inside the Sppringboks half.
More brilliance with the boot – Beauden Barrett finds Will Jordan with a cross-kick before chipping and collecting himself!
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2023 08:23
New Zealand 10-0 South Africa, 13 minutes
Nearly plucked from the skies! An inelegant variation from the All Blacks, the big old up-and-under hoisted with Will Jordan in pursuit. He leaps above Willemse but can’t quite cling on to the ball with the try line five metres in front of him. Another warning sign for South Africa, though, who really can’t get to grips with their opponents’ intensity so far.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2023 08:21
New Zealand 10-0 South Africa, 12 minutes
And that will cause South Africa to fret – scrum penalty number one to New Zealand. Tyrel Lomax and Ethan de Groot each get the better of Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe, drawing Mathieu Raynal’s whistle for a knee on the floor. Malherbe turns quizzically to the French referee before retreating back for the resultant lineout as New Zealand again advance.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2023 08:20
New Zealand 10-0 South Africa, 11 minutes
A little bit scratchy from South Africa since the concession of that try. A high ball should be claimed easily enough by a leaping Damian Willemse with Will Jordan electing not to get off the ground, but the South Africa fly-half misjudges the flight and fumbles it forward.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2023 08:17
PENALTY! NEW ZEALAND 10-0 South Africa (Richie Mo’unga penalty, 10 minutes)
Straight and true from Mo’unga.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2023 08:17