Springboks too good for All Blacks in third Test
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The Sprinboks have beaten the All Blacks 29-24 to win the third Test in Soweto's FNB Stadium and take a 2-1 series lead with one match remaining
The All Backs can still Share the series after the final Test in Baltimore, next weekend although they will have to do it without captain, and two-try scorer, Ardie Savea
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Savea sustained a shoulder injury after having taken Malcolm Marx’s head to the shoulder at a breakdown. He left the field and was replaced by Wallace Sititi.
Coach Dave Rennie confirmed after the game that Savea will not travel to the USA.
Scores were locked at 12-12 at halftime but the Springboks’ scrum and lineout maul rampaged through the vital stages of the second half to reach a 29-17 lead and push the All Blacks into a pressure-laden catch-up game, which increased risks and saw close decisions go South Africa’s way.
It was the most dominant South African performance of the series, with their power play taking the sting out of the All Blacks, never more than in the triumphant rolling maul that yielded a try for hooker Malcolm Marx 15 minutes from the end.
Marx, No8 Jasper Wiese, lock Ruan Nortje, flankers Peter-Steph du Toit and Siya Kolisi were ever-present around the ball and increased the competitiveness of the breakdown.
New Zealand did have a last-minute comeback when replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho scored after a tap penalty move. While it drew them within five points, it could not hide South Africa’s dominant performance in key moments.
Will Jordan was the other try scorer for the All Blacks dotting down in the second half.
Springboks 29 (Kurt-Lee Arendse penalty try, Jesse Krie, Malcolm Marx tiesn; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu pen, 3 cons), All Blacks 24 (Ardie Savea 2, Will Jordan, Samisoni Taukei’aho tries Ruben Love con, Damian McKenzie con), HT: 12-12.
