South Africa v New Zealand LIVE: Rugby result and reaction after Springboks thrash All Blacks
The Springboks and All Blacks square off in their final Rugby World Cup warm-up match at Twickenham
South Africa laid down a marker ahead of the Rugby World Cup with a record win over New Zealand at Twickenham.
In the final warm-up fixture for both southern hemisphere sides before the tournament in France, the Springboks were close to irresistable, capitalising on the All Blacks’ indiscipline to produce a statement 35-7 thrashing.
First half tries from Siya Kolisi and Kurt-Lee Arendse were followed by scores from Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi and Kwagga Smith after the interval as the world champions flexed their muscles ahead of the defence of their crown in front of a close-to-capacity crowd in London.
Cam Roigard’s spectacular late consolation was all that New Zealand could muster on a disastrous evening for head coach Ian Foster, with Scott Barrett sent off as thee All Blacks suffered their biggest ever defeat.
The lock was shown a second yellow card after dropping a shoulder into Marx’s head and will face a disciplinary hearing, while starting tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax was also carted off with a serious-looking leg injury.
The All Blacks open the World Cup against hosts France in Paris on Friday 8 September, while South Africa begin their campaign against Scotland in Marseille two days later.
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South Africa lay down marker ahead of World Cup defence by thrashing New Zealand
South Africa laid down a marker ahead of their World Cup title defence by hammering New Zealand 35-7 in a warm-up clash at Twickenham.
The reigning world champions dominated from the first whistle on a chastening night for World Cup favourites New Zealand, who had Scott Barrett sent off in the first half, leaving his tournament participation in doubt.
South Africa hammered Wales 52-16 in Cardiff last weekend and started in the same vain, with relentless early pressure leading to a 13th-minute sin-binning for Barrett – who paid the price for repeated New Zealand infringements.
South Africa lay down marker ahead of World Cup defence by thrashing New Zealand
The reigning world champions dominated from the first whistle on a chastening night for World Cup favourites New Zealand.
Ian Foster continues...
“I think rugby is quite a simple game. You have got to get your platforms right and we didn’t, in attack and defence. Defensively, we were over anxious, over keen. Good lessons. In the second half, we made a lot of changes and it was a young pack. You could see them trying hard but we lost our cohesion.
“Tyrel is pretty bad, actually. He’s got quite a bad cut through to his muscle in his thigh. We’ll have to check which boot that came from. He’s not in a great way. I would doubt [he’s out of the World Cup].”
Foster intimated there that New Zealand are concerned about some of the plastic studs used by players, and suggested the All Blacks would be investigating.
“We’ve had pretty significant cuts. There is no question it is accidental but we’ve got to make sure we look after our player.”
Ian Foster speaks after New Zealand’s defeat
“We came second tonight. South Africa played magnificent, a really physical game, started strong and put us under a lot of pressure. Congratulations to them.
“As we go into a World Cup, it’s a really clear reminder about the importance of set piece and maintaining your discipline. I thought the first 20 minutes our defence was actually outstanding, we kept hanging in there, but we kept giving them another shot. A great performance from them and one we will take a lot of lessons from.
“We’ve got a lot of confidence with how we’ve been tracking but we can’t deny it wasn’t a good performance from us. We’ve got a couple of weeks to get that right.”
Siya Kolisi reacts to South Africa’s win
“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.”
FT: South Africa 35-7 New Zealand
Statement made. A Springboks demolition job, aided by some All Blacks ill discipline but more than worth their 28-point winning margin to give themselves the perfect launching pad into their World Cup defence.
New Zealand weren’t even close to where they needed to be to match South Africa today. Scott Barrett’s sending off, as well as Tyrel Lomax’s injury, will leave Ian Foster with plenty to worry about with just a fortnight until that Pool A opener against France in Paris.
FULL TIME! SOUTH AFRICA 35-7 NEW ZEALAND
South Africa 35-7 New Zealand, 81 minutes
It comes to nothing. That will be that.
South Africa 35-7 New Zealand, 80 minutes
A penalty to the All Blacks gives them one last go. Ardie Savea taps it quickly but meets his match in Kwagga Smith. Cam Roigard keeps things ticking with Rieko Ioane almost wriggling free.
South Africa stay secure, but infringe. Mark Telea readies to tap in the shadow of the posts as the hooter sounds.
South Africa 35-7 New Zealand, 77 minutes
New Zealand reply in kind, grooving away on their own extravagant dance. Cam Roigard sends the Barrett brothers off in pursuit of a left-footed kick but a subsequent toe ahead is much too meaty. South Africa opt for a scrum 15 metres from their own line as the Springboks fans inside Twickenham launch into a celebratory wave.
South Africa 35-7 New Zealand, 76 minutes
South Africa almost go coast-to-coast! Andre Esterhuizen gets hands on ball on the edge of his own 22 and the Springboks can play audaciously, caution and ball tossed to the wind given the size of their advantage.
The hands are magnificent to free Kurt-Lee Arendse, who looks to have the beating of all bar Mark Telea. Arendse waits slightly too long, though, allowing Telea’s support to arrive. When the wing does finally release his offload, it’s short of puff and Damian Willemse can’t gather at his ankles.
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