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.
Follow the action from Twickenham with our blog below and you can find the latest rugby tips and betting offers here:
HT: South Africa 14-0 New Zealand
That, I think, is the first time New Zealand have been nilled in a first half since England’s 2019 World Cup semi-final win. And, as expert rugby statistician Stu Farmer notes...
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HT: South Africa 14-0 New Zealand
And that lack of discipline has cost the All Blacks, with Scott Barrett sent off for a second yellow card just before half-time. It was a silly, no arms challenge from Barrett with Malcolm Marx already out of the ruck picture and trying to vacate the space - the only thing that may save the lock from a ban that could potentially rule him out of a significant portion of the World Cup pool stages is that it appears his initial contact might have been with Marx’s shoulder. Still, the incident is officialy on review in the TMO bunker - we will soon find out if the FPRO deems it worthy of a straight red.
HT: South Africa 14-0 New Zealand
Phew. It took more than an hour to complete a first half chock full of incident, with South Africa heading down the tunnel with a merited lead. The Springboks squandered plenty of chances as New Zealand struggled for discipline but Siya Kolisi’s rumble beneath the posts and Kurt-Lee Arendse’s opportunistic score give Jacques Nienaber’s side a 14-point advantage.
HALF TIME! SOUTH AFRICA 14-0 NEW ZEALAND
South Africa 14-0 New Zealand, 42 minutes
And another error deep in South African territory seals the rarest of beasts - a scoreless half from the All Blacks!
No try! South Africa 14-0 New Zealand, 42 minutes
There is! Sam Cane is perplexed but it looks like Mark Telea had just fumbled with his fingertips on the floor while trying to gather a loose ball.
New Zealand do have a penalty to play with, but the try is chalked off!
TRY! South Africa 14-5 NEW ZEALAND (Will Jordan try, 42 minutes)
That’s what the All Blacks can do!
And who else but Will Jordan? New Zealand’s arch finisher adds another test try to his tally, salvaging somewhat a disaster of a half for his side, ghosting between a couple of defenders.
Or has he? There might have been a knock on in the build-up!
South Africa 14-0 New Zealand, 41 minutes
The All Blacks play on, hoping to find something before the interval. Mark Telea shimmies and shakes free of a couple before Beauden Barrett combines with brother Jordie.
Sam Cane can’t quite connect with the end-man on the line but still the All Blacks come...
South Africa 14-0 New Zealand, 40 minutes
New Zealand reinforce their second row, sacrificing their six. Tupou Vaa’i replaces Luke Jacobson with halftime near.
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