Video: All Blacks sink Springboks in Ellis Park opener
New Zealand capitalise on late yellow cards to pull away in Johannesburg after trailing at the break.
Will Jordan scored two tries as New Zealand secured a 33-16 victory over South Africa in the opening test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series tonight, SA Rugby Magazine reports.
André Esterhuizen barged over for the hosts’ only try after replacing Kurt-Lee Arendse, who left the field following a failed head injury assessment. Cheslin Kolbe added eight points from the tee to give the home side a 13-12 lead at the break, but late yellow cards to substitutes Marco van Staden and Cobus Reinach left the Boks short-handed in the closing stages.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie made a late change to his bench, with Simon Parker replacing Anton Segner due to an ankle injury. Damian de Allende earned his 100th test cap for South Africa, walking out before kick-off accompanied by his family.
Kolbe opened the scoring with an early penalty before Jordan finished off a pass from Cam Roigard to give the visitors the lead. Following Esterhuizen’s try, Josh Moorby scored his first test try to put the All Blacks back in front, though Kolbe’s second penalty restored a narrow half-time lead for the hosts.
A third Kolbe penalty extended the advantage after the restart, but Fabian Holland charged down a kick to score less than a minute later. Luke Jacobsen then barged over from close range to stretch the visitors’ advantage. With Van Staden and Reinach in the sin bin, Jordan crossed for his second try to lock up the win.
The visitors face the Lions at Ellis Park on Tuesday before both teams meet in the second test at Cape Town Stadium next Saturday.
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
