Just as the Springboks have not had it hard enough, they now face their sternest threat of the season yet, when they play the World Champion All Blacks in the AMI Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Saturday morning (SA time).
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Springboks winger Bryan Habana scored his 66th test try, three short of the world record of Japan’s Daisuke Ohata, while flyhalf Elton Jantjies added a conversion and two penalties for the touring side.
The Springboks, who have also lost two of their first three games in the Rugby Championship, play the undefeated All Blacks away later on Sunday.
The All Blacks are rated overwhelming favourites to extend their winning streak, which now stands at 14, with the misfiring Springboks under attack for their woeful return of one win from three matches.
Ardie Savea then celebrated his first start in a test with a try as New Zealand outscored South Africa 26-3 in the second half.
But despite the unbeaten All Blacks’ fearsome form, they have history with South Africa and coaches Steve Hansen and Allister Coetzee said recent results would mean little in Christchurch. The game will be played at AMI Stadium in Christchurch, with kick off scheduled for 5.35pm AEST (7.30pm local).
An early Beauden Barrett penalty put the home side ahead, but the Springboks scored the game’s first try in the 20th minute as Habana came from deep close to the line to collect Warren Whiteley’s pass and touch down.
The response from New Zealand was nearly instant as they capitalised on a handling error from Jantjies and Dagg crossed the line.
Replacement scrumhalf Perenara capped the scoring from an attacking scrum.
Ben Smith made up rapid ground with a quick spurt up the middle, and a kind roll of the ball allowed Aaron Smith to break forward and set up Ardie Savea to cross on his starting debut, with the try awarded despite what looked a blatant block in the build-up.
The last try of the match went to Perenara when the Springboks’ scrum disintegrated under pressure near the goalline.
“We certainly had to work for it”.
“We don’t really want to be focusing too much on them but if we can get a start in terms of our physicality and a bit of intensity in our own play then the scoreboard does amusing things to teams”, Read said Friday as the All Blacks wrapped up training.
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“History tells us, regardless of what either nation’s been doing prior to a test match between each other, the game is always tight and tough, and both teams have got a heck of a lot of pride”, Hansen said.
