New Zealand were deserved winners, scoring five tries to South Africa’s one to take the advantage in the four-Test series. The result came in the 50th meeting between the sides on South African soil, and it is one the back-to-back world champions will need to reflect on deeply and use as a reminder that rugby is, ultimately, a team sport.

For the Springboks, the defeat will be particularly frustrating given the pressure they created, especially in the second half. They spent lengthy periods inside the All Blacks’ 22 but repeatedly failed to turn their dominance into points.

Cheslin Kolbe. Photo: SA Rugby

South Africa opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Cheslin Kolbe converted a penalty after New Zealand were penalised for playing the ball away following a knock-on. The lead lasted just five minutes.

The All Blacks struck from their second visit to the Springbok 22. After several close-range drives were repelled, scrumhalf Cam Roigard sent a flat pass to Will Jordan, who squeezed over in the corner.

The hosts were dealt another setback when Kurt-Lee Arendse took a heavy blow while making a tackle. The wing was withdrawn for a head injury assessment and did not return, forcing Jesse Kriel to move to the wing and replacement Andre Esterhuizen into midfield.

Esterhuizen made an immediate impact.

Following a lineout inside the All Blacks’ 22, the powerful centre carried through the third phase, broke a tackle and crashed over for South Africa’s only try. Kolbe converted, and the Springboks regained the lead.

New Zealand responded through Josh Moorby. Blindside flanker Tupou Vaa’i found space and offloaded to Moorby, who raced through from around 30 metres to score untouched.

Ruben Love converted, but Kolbe added another penalty in the 25th minute after Roigard was penalised for delaying the scrum feed, putting South Africa 13-12 ahead.

André Esterhuizen. Photo: SA Rugby

The Springboks then enjoyed their best spell of the first half. Their scrum began to cause serious problems, while a powerful lineout drive appeared certain to produce a try, only for Malcolm Marx to lose control of the ball as he crossed the line.

South Africa went into the break leading 13-12, but the momentum changed early in the second half.

Kolbe added another penalty following a scrum infringement, but New Zealand hit back almost immediately. Fabian Holland pressured a South African clearance, and the ball bounced kindly for the lock to gather and score. Love converted to put the visitors 19-16 in front.

From a scrum five metres from the South African line, the initial pick-and-go was stopped, but Luke Jacobson crossed from the next phase as the All Blacks shifted play towards the right. Love converted to extend the lead.

Jordan then added his second try, putting further daylight between the teams and leaving the Springboks with a mountain to climb.

The closing stages became increasingly difficult for the hosts. Replacement Marco van Staden was yellow-carded for playing the halfback, before replacement scrumhalf Cobus Reinach also received a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.

André Esterhuizen scored the Springboks only try. Photo: SA Rugby

That reduced South Africa to 13 men and effectively ended their hopes of a late comeback.

The Springboks will now have to regroup quickly. Their ability to create pressure was encouraging, but their failure to convert opportunities, combined with New Zealand’s clinical finishing, ultimately decided the contest.

For the All Blacks, the victory provides an early psychological advantage and plenty of confidence heading into the second Test.

Scorers:

Springboks: Try - André Esterhuizen Conv. - Cheslin Kolbe Pen. - Kolbe 3

All Blacks: Tries - Will Jordan 2, Josh Moorby, Fabian Holland, Luke Jacobson Conv. - Ruben Love 4

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg