413th All Black Test
1134th All Black Game

11 September 2010

New Zealand vs South Africa at Royal Bafokeng Stadium
Rustenberg, South Africa
Saturday, 2 September 2006

Reserves:

New Zealand:

South Africa:

 16 A. D. Oliver (sub 61 min)
 17 N. S. Tialata (sub 64 min)
 18 J. J. Eaton (sub 57 min)
 19 M. R. Holah (temp sub McCaw 48-51 min)
 20 B. T. Kelleher (sub 61 min)
 21 C. L. McAlister
 22 R. L. Gear (sub 61 min)

 16 M. Ralepelle
 17 L. D. Sephaka (temp sub du Randt 23-29 min, sub 73 min)
 18 P. A. van den Berg
 19 J. Cronjé
 20 R. Pienaar (sub 53 min)
 21 A. D. James
 22 B. J. Paulse (sub 50 min)

Scorers

New Zealand

South Africa

Tries:
D. W. Carter,
J. T. Rokocoko
Conversions:
D. W. Carter (2)
Penalty Goals:
D. W. Carter (2)

Tries:
B. G. Habana,
P. J. Wannenburg
Conversions:
A. S. Pretorius
Penalty Goals:
A. S. Pretorius (3)

Match Report:

South Africa came back from the dead to end the All Blacks 15-Test run of success with a 21-20 victory in their final Philips Tri Nations Test at Rustenburg. It took a 78th minute penalty goal by first five-eighths Andre Pretorius to secure the long-awaited home victory after All Blacks No.8 Rodney So'oialo was penalised for pushing Springbok combatant Victor Matfield as he was standing off a maul. So'oialo was also involved in an obstruction ruling which prevented a vital try near the end of the first half for hooker Andrew Hore. On the say-so of the television match official, So'oialo was ruled to have taken out a South African defender. Coming at such a crucial stage of the game with South Africa ahead 13-10 it was to prove significant in the final outcome. As time wore on, and Springbok confidence grew, not even another fierce demonstration of defensive intent from captain Richie McCaw revived a sagging All Blacks effort. Time after time, it was McCaw putting the kibosh on South African attacks with scything tackles and quick recovery of tackled ball. And when the Springboks wouldn't release the ball, the penalties were forthcoming to relieve ground. But with lineout woes returning there was no guarantee that the All Blacks could secure the ball. An infusion of halfback Byron Kelleher, hooker Anton Oliver and wing Rico Gear also boosted the All Blacks intensity. Of those replaced halfback Jimmy Cowan had an impressive first start with some accurate clearance off the ground and strong runs while Hore was typically industrious in breaking the advantage line. South Africa started with a hiss and a roar, attempting to move the ball at speed, but initially provided few chances for try scoring against a determined New Zealand defence. When a try did come it was as a result of the All Blacks attempting to move the ball deep in its own half, So'oialo being the culprit when attempting to throw a pass to second five-eighths Aaron Mauger, only to have rugby pickpocket wing Bryan Habana seize on yet another intercept. It followed, almost immediately, the All Blacks' first try. From a maul blindside flanker Jerry Collins linked with lock Chris Jack and then fed the following first five-eighths Dan Carter over for the try. Collins was superb with some of his running play and he was unlucky that one break late in the half resulted in the disallowed try for Hore. However, Carter was able to kick a penalty goal right on the half-time break for the teams to go to the dressing room tied at 13-13. South Africa enjoyed some early territorial advantage but the ground was lost when Jack pulled off his own interception but the Springbok cover pulled him in. However, New Zealand's lineout problems cost them when lost ball in the 53rd minute resulted in a try to No.8 Pedrie Wannenburg who also benefited from an injection of thrust by blindside flanker Pierre Spies. The mid-half infusion of bench players had the desired effect with Kelleher putting in a strong blindside break that resulted in more ground made by So'oialo and Collins before centre Mils Muliaina slipped a grubber kick through for wing Joe Rokocoko to run through to the shortened in-goal area to win the touchdown. Carter's conversion from wide out gave New Zealand a 20-18 lead. Pretorius produced some outstanding tactical kicking but then marred his effort by three times taking attempts at dropped goals when other options might have been more beneficial. Of a more committed home forward pack none was more outstanding than prop Os du Randt who twice had to leave the field to have cuts to his head repaired. With the last Tri Nations match against Australia next weekend, South Africa has a chance to gain another significant boost to aid its rugby recovery.

Note:
Positions displayed show the current player numbering system.
The past has seen players wear letters, Props wearing the Number 15 through to Fullbacks wearing Number 1.