Here’s Rob Kitson’s report from Twickenham. New Zealand were ill-disciplined, as Rob says, but they were made to look ordinary by a sublime Boks outfit.
With that I’ll sign off. Thanks for sticking with me.
Til next time…
Denis O’Brien is full of praise for Manie Libbok’s goal kicking. Remember, there were doubts over the Boks 10 when it came to his work off the tee. Right you are Denis. He silenced a few naysayers tonight.
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Finally, New Zealand’s captain, Sam Cane:
Look mate, we were very excited to play here in Twickenham. There is no denying, we’re really disappointed with the way we played. But credit to the Boks. They were dominant in all facets. Their ability to dominate scrum, maul, line-out made it hard for us to get anything going. It stings. It hurts. It’s a game we have to learn a lot from. But I’d much rather we have it now than in a few weeks.
It hurst to lose a Test match the way we did tonight. The only good that cam come out of it is if we have a good hard review. As a pack we have a lot of work to do. Next week will be important in terms of preparation.
And now skipper Siya Kolisi who can’t get a word in as the crowd are cheering so loud for him:
I’m honoured to be back. It’s been an amazing journey for the group. To see so many beautiful South Africans here, I can’t tell you how proud I am. We thank you, we appreciate you, we do it for you. Keep backing us.
We worked hard. We knew what happened the last time we played them. We said we were going to give it everything. We had to work over and over even though they had less men.
We knew we had to start up front with the forwards. Our backs are special. We had to concentrate hard. Proud of the boys but we know the hard work starts now. We have to go and defend the World Cup in France.
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Here’s the player of the match, Damian Willemse:
The loss in Auckland hurt us a bit and we got some good lessons from that.
We definitely thought we;d be ahead by more than 14 points [after their strong start]. Credit to the forwards.
Full-Time! South Africa 35-7 New Zealand
The game fizzles out and the Springboks land a telling blow on the eve of the World Cup. A pulsating game that had just about everything. Willemse earns the official player of the match award but it could have gone to any number of men in green. They simply dismantled their old foes. The forwards were immense and a slew of backline players sparkled with front foot ball. Write these Boks off at your own peril. A record victory against New Zealand has sent a loud warning to the rest of the world.
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78th min: New Zealand won’t lie down. They’re hammering the Springboks line. Lienert-Brown makes a dart. Jordan too. Savea busts through a tackle but is hauled back.
76th min: New Zealand buck the trend of losing their own line-out but they can’t keep the Boks at bay as Esterhuizen comes up with the ball. He beats a tackler, dummies and off-loads to Libbok. Arendse is tearing up field and delays the pass to Willemse who can’t hold on. So New Zealand, through Roigard, counter. Both Barretts are chasing but the ball won’t stay in field and it’ll be a scrum for South Africa inside their own 22. Hectic! As the Saffas say.
75th min: Another penalty on the ground conceded by the Boks. So New Zealand go to the corner again.
74th min: It’s become a bit of a basketball game. One attack is answered by another as the ball goes left and then right and then left again. Eventually South Africa concede a penalty and New Zealand will have the line-out feed inside SA’s 22. Too bad they can’t win it. Snyman gets high to steal it away.
TRY! South Africa 35-7 New Zealand (Roigard, 71)
That’s more like it. A counter ruck from New Zealand sees them win the ball. They retain possession and Roigard from a mile away – inside his own half – gathers a loose ball and runs about 70 metres to register the All Blacks’ first points of the game. Mo’unga converts from right in front.
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70th min: New Zealand build but yet again they have the ball ripped away from them. They’re bereft of ideas or spark (but let’s remember, they’re also playing with a man down). Du Toit carries up the middle as South Africa launch a move.
TRY! South Africa 35-0 New Zealand (Smith, 67)
Ruthless. This is the All Blacks and the Springboks are making them look like, well, the regular inhabitants of this stadium. They go to the tail of the line-out to Du Toit who hands down for Smith. One step and then another and Smith is over. Libbok slots another one. Who said this man can’t kick at poles?
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66th min: South Africa’s scrum monsters the All Blacks. It’s one way traffic now. De Klerk zips a delicious ball for Reinach. A wriggle and a jink, some strong carries but no room to find. They come back for the penalty. Libbok shapes to kick into the corner.
64th min: It just hasn’t worked for New Zealand tonight. Another promising attack builds only for a sloppy knock-on. Is that a combination of intense defence from South Africa or have the mighty All Blacks been off their game? Bit of both I think.
63rd min: Reinach comes on for Mapimpi on the wing. Lienert-Brown and Papali’i on for the All Blacks.
61st min: A breathless few minutes ends with a New Zealand knock-on. The All Blacks were building an attack but had their pocket picked. Nyakane came away with it before handing to Snyman who ran as if he was holding a cricket ball in his hand. He attempted a spinning pass for Arendse but Telea intercepted. New Zealand counter but sustained defensive efforts from the Boks rips the ball away.
TRY! South Africa 28-0 New Zealand (Mbonambi, 58)
Simple as. Line-out, accurate throw, brought down by Snyman, formidable maul, Mbonambi on the rumble at the back and the Boks are over. And Libbok slots the conversion. He’s been perfect from the tee.
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57th min: Du Toit takes a deep sigh of relief as his yellow card stays a yellow card. Meanwhile the Springboks have a line-out on NZ’s five metre line after the All Blacks give up a penalty.
56th min: De Klerk’s decision to kick from the middle after Mo’unga’s kick is charged down is the right one, he just catches too much of it. It bounces and bounces and goes straight over the dead ball line.
55th min: This scrum is taking an age. We’ve already tried once with both teams spinning round. I thought New Zealand did enough to have the ball but the whistle sounds for a re-set. Second time lucky. De Klerk spins it out to Libbok who feeds Willemse who kicks it into NZ’s space.
54th min: Scrum for South Africa inside their 22. It’s 14 versus 14 for now. Replays of Du Toit’s yellow card show that it was actually the swinging arm on Cane’s face. Cane was being tackled and he was stooping. That might save Du Toit from a red card on review.
53rd min: New Zealand go to the corner. They can’t stitch together a cohesive move and it' gets messy real quick. They eventually knock-on as the mass of bodies swarm over the ball.
Yellow card! South Africa (Du Toit, 52)
Du Toit’s shoulder makes contact with Cane’s head. There was a small attempt to wrap but not enough. It’s the right decision. Can have no complaints there.
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52nd min: Could be trouble here for Du Toit. His shoulder has clattered into the head of an All Black.
51st min: Some changes for NZ. Lord and Williams both enter the scene. De Groot’s night is over. Let’s hope that gammy knee isn’t too serious.
49th min: A chaotic period ends with New Zealand giving away a scrum penalty. Mapimpi and then Esterguizen make room before Du Toit wriggles up field. But not far enough so it’ll be a penalty which Libbok kicks into touch.
48 min: Seven, I repeat, seven changes to the Boks pack. Talk about a Bomb Squad!
The whole front row is changed. So has the second row. Van Staden is on for Kolisi and Smith is on for Vermeulen.
Try disallowed! South Africa 21-0 New Zealand
OH NO! No try! Moodie’s first intervention while New Zealand counter-rucked was deemed off-side. I think it’s a dodgy call myself. He had a hand on Mapimpi and was therefore part of the ruck. Anyway, that’s not how the referees have seen it.
TRY! South Africa 26-0 New Zealand (Moodie, 45)
Outrageous! Stupendous! I don’t know what else to say. There are no words for this one. S Barrett kicks high and Willemse fields. New Zealand counter ruck and win the ball bakc but Moodie is off his line, puts pressure on the ball carrier, kicks it from the turf, gathers, steps one, steps another, rounds the last man and dives over the line. Just sensational. This kid is different.
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43rd min: De Klerk box kicks and Mo’unga can;t bring it down and it ends with a Boks line-out inside their own half. Mostert brings it down. He’s been a totem tonight.
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TRY! South Africa 21-0 New Zealand (Marx, 41)
So easy! South Africa’s line-out is ticking along perfectly. Mostert brings it down, it shifts swiftly to the blindside from the maul and Marx is on hand to dive over in the corner after collecting a delicious pass from Kolisi. Tough shot here for Libbok on the right and he nails it!
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41st min: That is not a smart kick from S Barrett. He hoofs it right out of touch inside his 22 so SA have a line-out within striking distance.
Half time switch: Taukei’aho replaces Coles.
The players are out of the tunnel. That was breathless. What more do they have in the tank?
Is this a poem from Matt in NZ?
“What an absolute F’ing Shit Shower
Bugger this I’m going to work
Then the AB’s score
& then they don’t
Not that I’m bitter”
Half-Time: South Africa 14-0 New Zealand
That’ll be that. A chaotic, messy, captivating 40 minutes of rugby. It’s had two converted tries, one disallowed try, two yellow cards and one red. It hasn’t been brilliant, but I’ve loved it. Speak in a bit.
Try disallowed! South Africa 14-0 New Zealand
Scenes! There’s a knock-on by Telea in the build up under pressure from Moodie and it’s no try! Incredible! Telea knocked on under no pressure and so his team will head into the break scoreless.
TRY! South Africa 14-5 New Zealand (Jordan, 40)
It’s that man again. Jordan just scores tries and this one is a consequence of sustained pressure. It began with the remaining Barrett brothers causing havoc down the right before the ball shifted back down the line. Cane was wrapped up in midfield but the ball is recycled under a penalty advantage. On the overlap, Jordan dives over in the corner for this 24th Test try.
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40th min: New Zealand make a change as they bring on Vaa’i for Jacobson to make it eight versus eight in the pack. South Africa make a mistake at the line-out so NZ have a scrum inside SA territory as the clock ticks down on this half.
Red Card! New Zealand (S Barrett, 39)
A second yellow for Scott Barrett and he’s been shown a red card! That’s why Marx was unhappy. Barrett has come flying in from the side of the ruck and clattered Marx – who was not involved at all – in the head. It’s reckless and wild and it’s nothing more than the All Black lock deserves.
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39th min: SA cough up a penalty for diving over ruck. But something has happened over the ball. Marx is asking Kolisi to speak to the referee.
38th min: Coles missing his jumpers but J Barrett cleans up in midfield. Cane carries. Then De Groot. J Barrett once more. Marx almost steals in but is cleaned out. B Barrett has two carries with Smith zipping but not finding a gap. They persist down the short side. Newell carries. Probing but nothing doing. Still they have the ball.
37th min: Mo’unga shows some dazzling feet to step a couple of defenders. NZ win a penalty after Kitshoff doesn’t roll way after making a tackle. NZ go to the corner.
36th min: Telea grabs the restart with one hand and launches an attack immediately. But Vermeulen gets over the ball and wins a penalty on the ground. Good rugby from both sides.
TRY! South Africa 14-0 New Zealand (Arendse, 35)
A try from nothing. This might look fortuitous but it’s the result of relentless pressure on defence. The South Africans are quick off their line and even though J Barrett makes a half break in midfield, Arendse steals in to intercept from the off-load and scampers home under the poles. Libbok has another easy conversion.
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33rd min: That’s a huge scrum penalty win for New Zealand right on their own line. Kitshoff penalised.
32nd min: After a delay NZ win their line-out and Mo’unga clears. SA counter and there’s a little kick battle. Eventually De Klerk nudges a box-kick round the corner and times it perfectly, placing it just inside the line in the All Blacks’ corner. Mapimpi makes some ground in the opposite corner after Etzebeth makes a steal off a NZ throw. Moodie is on hand in the tram but Mapimpi can’t quite feed him from the off-load.
30th min: Canan Moodie has just caused 80,000 plus people make an involuntary sound. NZ finally show some slick hands as they pass down the line, Jacobson’s delivery was slick but Moodie was slicker as he intercepted the inside offload from Savea, wriggled round the tackler and fed Willemse. Willemse might have cantered up field but instead kicked. It’ll be a NZ line-out on their own 22 but that was all about Moodie. De Groot is down and receiving strapping. Let’s hope he’s OK.
28th min: Mostert steals at the line-out. Libbok hoists a high kick off his left boot but it’s too long. Mapimpi had no chance with the chase. NZ building but struggling for continuity.
27th min: Both sinned AB’s are back. They help win a maul penalty after Du Toit enters from the side. A chance to get back into the game.
26th min: Smith boots it long. Willemse finds Arendse after a step but Arendse’s kick goes straight out.
25th min: It’s getting a little scrappy. Esterhuizen is being used as a blunt instrument. It’s working though. Moodie kicks a bouncing ball ahead but it goes out of touch. So Mo’unga drops it deep from the restart.
24th min: Esterhuizen makes a break through midfield – he’s been mighty this half. Libbok is also pulling some slick passes but this is all Esterhuizen who runs upfield. He then canters over Mo’unga but is brought down. Malherbe carries and Vermeulen carries. Libbok kicks to Moodie in the corner but Telea intercepts. He’s got nothing but space ahead of him but just stepped out as he gathered the ball. SA line-out.
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23rd min: De Klerk is scampering up field off the back of the scrum. Libbok and then Moodie but the All Blacks stray and there’s a penalty. They’ve been poor with their discipline. The ball goes left down the line but the pass to Mapimpi is forward. So they’re back for the penalty. Libbok kickspast halfway.
21st min: Mo’unga has missed a sitter! Bang in front of the poles he scuffs the ball onto the upright. A let off for the Boks. The ball bounces back and there’s an All Blacks knock on. SA scrum in their 22.
20th min: Sloppt from the Boks. Seconds after gathering the restart Etzebeth closes off the ruck illegally by losing his feet as he shepherds Kitshoff into contact.
TRY! South Africa 7-0 New Zealand (Kolisi, 18)
Scratch that! Kolisi has scored! Turns out that second carry was grounded. He’s wriggled past the tacklers and got the ball down. There was almost no reaction from the Boks players so I thought it was no good. It was momentum that carried him over and South Africa have the lead they deserve. Libbok slots the easy extras under the poles.
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18th min: This is incredible defensive work from New Zealand. Kolisi makes two thundering carries to the line but is held back. Marx can’t break the line, nor can Du Toit. De Klerk is moving it left and right but even with two men down there is no way through.
17th min: Yup, held up. Mo’unga pulled off a judo move to tackle Marx and keep the ball away from the ground. So B Barrett drops out. South Africa have another penalty in front of the poles about 35 metres back. Libbok could slot this but instead punts it to the corner. Makes sense with their two man advantage in the forwards.
16 mins: Mostert brings it down. Esterhuizen joins the maul to add some heft. They’re over the line but there are too many bodies to ground the ball. They’re checking but the on field decision is no try.
Yellow card - New Zealand (Cane, 16)
And another! New Zealand lose their captain. They’re two forwards down. South Africa are loading up another maul.
15 min: South Africa go to the corner and set up the maul. They drive close but not close enough so De Klerk has to recycle it. Esterhuizen toes it forward and Smith has to dive back to recover. Another penalty at the maul for a side entry – Cane the guilty party – so Libbok kicks to the corner again.
14 min: Lomax is in trouble. He’s not got back up from a knock he’s picked up and, I hate to say it, we could be talking about a World Cup threatening injury. Knee I think. Will provide more as I hear it. Newell comes on.
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Yellow card - New Zealand (S Barrett, 14)
It’s more of a team card than a personal one. Barrett got his timing wrong at the ruck and strayed off side. He’s shown yellow.
13 min: NZ steal the ball at the line-out and can clear even further. Willemse launches a jinking counter attack from inside his own half. It’s messy from the Boks as they try to string a backline move together but they’re gifted a penalty as S Barrett strays off side at the ruck.
11th min: SA drop the ball five metres out from the line. Another strong scrum has De Klerk fizzing it right from the left. Esterhuizen has a go before Etzebteh charges. Then Marx. NZ hold and force the knock-on. NZ just about get the ball away from their scrum and clear to the 22.
10th min: Penalty advantage from the scrum for SA. Esterhuizen carries but gets nowhere. Marx does likewise. They don’t go anywhere so they’ll come back for a penalty. SA scrum again.
8th min: A poor clearance kick gives the ball back to the Boks. Marx with a strong carry and a smart grubber and chase from Willemse forces Mo’unga into some scrambled recovery work. Then an error- it’s started raining and the ball looks slippery – means the Boks have a scrum inside NZ’s 22. South Africa have to score from here.
7th min: Clean ball from the All Blacks allows them to exit with a strong carry down the blindside. Savea and then Telea carry it past their 22. But swift cover defence has them bundled into touch.
6th min: This time New Zealand get their timing right on their maul defence and hold the Boks at bay before wrapping up the ball carrier and winning the scum feed on their own line. They’ll be delighted to still be level.
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5th min: A slick backline move has Willemse in space thanks to a swift pass from Libbok. Willemse delays his pass and eventually feeds Mapimpi who has little room on the left flank. He strays out of touch just before diving for the corner. But there’s another penalty for an infringement at the maul from New Zealand. How long until a card is show?
4th min: Another penalty from the maul. Mostert again at the line-out. Du Toit almost reaches thew line but is held up. All Springboks but they can’t get there. Libbok goes to the corner.
3rd min: Mostert brings it down. They move it to the blindside but there’s no way through. They take it back to the midfield with a strong carry from Etzebeth and a cute nudge off the toe from De Klerk can’t quite find Arendse running round the wing. They had the advantage so go to the corner again.
2nd min: Scrum penalty to South Africa. De Klerk was clapping and calling for the referee’s attention as Smith put the ball in. Libbok punts it to the corner. Boks line-out 10m out.
1st min: De Klerk launches a box kick that is eventually secured by New Zealand. B Barrett runs it back and is met with resistance. Vermeulen goes in for a tackle and stays on the ground holding his head. Looks like he copped a blow to someone’s thigh. He’s fine. All Blacks scrum on half way.
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Away we go! All Blacks to kick-off with Beauden Barrett hoofing it long.
It’s the throat slitter! Sound the alarms, ring the bells, the All Blacks mean business.
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Goosebumps. I’ve been to Twickenham many times but I’ve never seen it like this.
Now for the Haka.
The teams are out and the anthems are about to get underway. First South Africa’s ‘Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika’. Folks, let me tell you, it was spectacular.
Not that New Zealand’s ‘God Defend New Zealand wasn’t well received. That’s a hell of a start.
It’s a melding of cultures out there.
On my left (your right if you’re watching on the TV), a group of dancers in colourful garb are putting on a show to the beat of traditional African drums.
Waiting their turn on my right your left are some Kiwis ready to bust a move to a Maori rhythm.
I’m sold. Let these two teams play everywhere around the world forever.
I almost didn’t publish this email from Michael Garvey.
“RE your comments on hoping no-one picks up an injury, as an Irish supporter I beg to disagree with that sentiment. I am hoping they batter each other, share a out 8 red cards with eight week suspensions and have to call people up from the beach to complete their squads..be nice if it was a good match too”
Careful, mate. The rugby gods are fickle. That sort of talk could see one of your lads land up in an awkward position .
It’s buzzing here in London the East Rand.
Definite whiff of "lekker oakes hey" at Twickenham today. Benoni has turned up. #RSAvsNZL pic.twitter.com/Rzx2FCqCQh
— Not Will Young (@notwillyoung86) August 25, 2023
Ardie Savea gets the loudest reception when the All Blacks team is called out. The No. 8 is among the best in the world and key to the dynamic style of rugby that Ian Foster wants them to play. If Vermeulen and the rest of the Boks back three can keep him quiet they’ll have a shot at winning this thing.
Biggest cheers for Siya Kolisi and Faf de Klerk as the Springboks side is announced over the loud speakers.
I’d guess Boks fans outnumber their All Blacks counterparts 20-1. Maybe it’s even more than that.
It feels as if every South African living in Europe has made their way to south west London.
Dark clouds are gathering overhead. It’s all starting to feel rather ominous, like the long intake of breath before a deep and cold plunge.
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So, it’s a 7-1 split on the bench of the Boks. Even for a South African side that changed the game with their Bomb Squad, that’s a bit much.
A caveat though. Kwagga Smith has experience on the sevens circuit so, despite his transformation as a livewire loose forward, he can slot in most places in the back line.
Still, seven changes to the pack could be fun.
Unrelenting All Blacks seek to confirm dominance
Only one side has a better win-loss record against the Springboks and this All Blacks side is clearly out to reestablish their dominance.
Once an Achilles heel of sorts, they have two of the mightiest scrummagers in their front row and with Will Jordan out wide their production line of try machines is clearly working as it should.
New Zealand: B Barrett; Jordan, Ioane, J Barrett, Telea; Mo’unga, Smith; De Groot, Coles, Lomax, Whitelock, S Barrett, Jacobson, Cane (c), Savea.
Replacements: Taukei’aho, Williams, Newell, Lord, Vaa’i, Papali’i, Roigard, Lienert-Brown.
Your 23 to take the field at Twickenham 🖤
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 23, 2023
📺 Watch live on @skysportnz from 6:30am NZT#RSAvNZL pic.twitter.com/ayawmmmvSt
Springboks pair new-look back line with traditional pack
Canan Moodie plays his first Test with 13 in his back with Manie Libbok running the show from 10. With two lightning-heeled wingers and Damian Willemse pulling strings at fullback this might be the most exciting backline Nienaber has named.
Don’t fret, traditionalists. The pack is stacked with household names as the world champs will look to hit the ground running.
There is a late change to the line-up as Willie le Roux, originally named on the bench, has been replaced by Kwagga Smith. Usually a loose forward for the Boks, Smith is a sevens veteran so will be no slouch when he enters the scene.
South Africa: Willemse; Arendse, Moodie, Esterhuizen, Mapimpi; Libbok, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Marx, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (c), Du Toit, Vermeulen
Replacements: Mbonambi, Nche, Nyakane, Kleyn, Snyman, Van Staden, Reinach, Le Roux
Preamble
It’s the greatest rivalry between the two most successful sides contested at the Home of Rugby. Honestly, what more do I need to say to get you hyped for this one?
Both the Springboks and All Blacks have named powerful starting XVs with formidable replacements on the bench. This may be a largely meaningless game with more to lose than to gain, but that’s clearly not the message from both camps. They’re out to win, and win big. Perhaps in doing so the victor can carry momentum into the World Cup and gain a psychological edge in what could be a quarterfinal clash in a few weeks’ time.
Last month New Zealand breezed to a 35-20 win in Auckland thanks to an early blitz that caught the Boks cold and saw them race to a 17-0 lead inside the first quarter of the match. Jacques Nienaber and his team have promised they won’t make the same mistake and will explode out of the blocks at Twickenham.
It’s a sell-out game as England’s HQ will be stormed by an army of southern hemisphere expats who regard both these sides as more than just rugby teams. These are 46 ambassadors. The Springboks and All Blacks are ideals. They represent the best of each nation and are arguably their best cultural exports.
There’s just one nagging concern that is hard to shake from the back of one’s mind. Whatever deity you believe in, please remember to cast a sincere word up the rugby gods and pray that no one picks up an injury that would deny them a place at the World Cup. No matter your allegiance, it would be a crying shame to lose a giant in black or green.
My name is Dan and I’m genuinely thrilled to be at the wheel on this one. I’ve loved this rivalry since Jonah Lomu haunted my nightmares as a child and it retains a special place in my heart. I’m at the ground but I’m going to sneak off quickly and see if I can find a boerewors roll. I can smell them cooking so I know they can’t be too far.
Back in a few…
