Bok forwards held sway

RUDOLPH JACOBS

BLOEMFONTEIN – Character and the strong performance by the tight five paved the way for one of the most convincing victories by the Springboks over the All Blacks in recent years.

Leading 14-3 at the break, the Boks scored two tries to one but their 28-19 Tri-Nations victory flatters the All Blacks as South Africa were far better than the nine-point final differential suggests.

“We in SA are spoiled for choice,” Bok coach Peter de Villiers remarked after the game.

He, for one, should get credit for the emphatic win, which steered him to 12 wins out of 17 since taking over as coach last year.

“We have just come out on top in a tough series against the British and Irish Lions and now we have beaten the All Blacks,” De Villiers said.

“It was a close game and for 80 minutes the All Blacks put us under pressure, but the character of the team showed to close the game out when it was necessary.”

After All Black flyhalf Stephen Donald provided the early 3-0 lead for the visitors, two penalties by Bok fullback Frans Steyn, one by flyhalf Ruan Pienaar and an unconverted try by Pienaar gave the Boks a healthy 11-point lead at halftime.

While flank Heinrich Brussow kept Richie McCaw on his toes throughout the game, lock Bakkies Botha and hooker Bismarck du Plessis made big inroads in the All Black forward challenge, while at the back nobody was better than scrumhalf Fourie du Preez.

And while anybody who still wants to criticise Victor Matfield for the work he does outside the scrums and lineouts, must look at the game again to see how many tackles he executes in a game.

Another 14 points in the second half from replacement Bok flyhalf Morne Steyn’s three penalties and Jaque Fourie’s 72nd minute try, compared to the All Blacks’ 16 points through a Conrad Smith try and 11 more points from Donald, ensured that the Boks were never in a comfort zone.

The All Blacks fought back twice in the second half – to 13-17 and 16-20 – to create uncertainty in Bok hearts but superb workrate by flank Juan Smith and No 8 Pierre Spies ensured the visitors could never break the defensive lines close to the rucks, while they were also valuable in breaking down any continuity in the dangerous All Black backline.

“I think it was up to the big boys and for us it’s about the 22 in the squad and not 15,” John Smit said.