ALL BLACKS BLOW SPRINGBOKS AWAY AT ELLIS PARK WITH FIERY SECOND-HALF BLITZ

 

All Blacks lock Fabian Holland charges down Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams' kick.

Image: Backpagepix

The All Blacks produced a fantastic second-half performance to smash the Springboks 33-16 in the first Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The All Blacks found themselves on the ropes towards the end of the first half, with their scrum under pressure and the penalties piling up. However, after going into half-time 13–12 in arrears, they outplayed the Boks to take first blood in the four-match series.

Cheslin Kolbe, who was given the kicking duties on the night, gave the Springboks the lead in the fifth minute from a penalty.

The Springboks’ rush defence put the All Blacks under massive pressure early, but the visitors managed to get into the Springboks’ 22 after some ill-discipline from the South Africans.

The home side conceded a plethora of penalties and ended up with an All Blacks lineout on their own 22. Wing Will Jordan went over from close range to give the Kiwis the lead.

However, the Springboks hit back straight away when replacement back André Esterhuizen thundered his way over the line shortly after replacing wing Kurt-Lee Arendse.

Josh Moorby scored the All Blacks’ second try, before Kolbe gave the Boks back the lead.

The South Africans camped out in the All Blacks’ 22 towards the end of the half, but the visitors survived to go into the break unscathed.

Kolbe kicked another penalty to stretch the Springboks’ lead to four points. But, while the Boks had scrum dominance at the start of the second half, they couldn’t convert their dominance.

The All Blacks then started to get parity in the scrum after the Boks replaced Ox Nché. The All Blacks then scored three second-half tries to blow the Boks away, who ended the game with 13 players on the field.

Fabian Holland, Luke Jacobson and Jordan all went over in the second half to kill off the Boks, who now have their work cut out for them to get back in the series next week in Cape Town.

Point-scorers:

Springboks — Tries: André Esterhuizen. Conversions: Cheslin Kolbe. Penalties: Kolbe (2).

All Blacks — Tries: Will Jordan (2), Josh Moorby, Fabian Holland, Luke Jacobson. Conversions: Ruben Love (4).

- IOL