Dwyer's View

In 1949 the Springboks defeated the All Blacks 3-0 in South Africa.  Yesterday they went one better to record another 3-0 whitewash but this time with the additional difficulty of an away win in Hamilton, New Zealand.

During the week, I was asked by a South African journalist to comment on my rating of this Springbok team compared with the other great Bok sides of the professional era.  My response was that true greatness needs the sternest examination of longevity, but I felt that this side had more strings to its bow than either the 1995 or 2007 World Cup champion teams.  I added that I thought New Zealand would win in Hamilton.  How wrong I was.  

For my money, the 29-32 scoreline flattered the home team, despite a spirited and heroic fightback by the All Blacks in the last quarter.  South Africa led by 10 points at half time but should have been well clear, such was their dominance.  New Zealand had managed only one line out win from their five throws in the first half making it virtually impossible for them to maintain any pressure on the Springbok defence.  

New Zealand had conceded a number of clear penalties, generally for non-release at the tackle contest,  and phenomenal kicking by Francois Steyn converted three of these to keep the Boks in front.  (Surely this must be the first time in international Rugby that three goals have been kicked from well inside the kicker’s half, at sea level). 

New Zealand kicked their penalties also to stay in touch, but, by contrast, the referee seemed to find the most obscure and somewhat meaningless reasons for penalising South Africa.  South Africa were penalised from the kick-off at the ball receipt.  Every week there is ample opportunity for penalties in this phase of the game.  This one was so innocuous that the penalty seemed premeditated.  Then there was another, penalising a number of South African players advancing slowly in front of the kick, even though they were 40 to 50 metres behind the ball.  Once again, this happens every week and, although it is definitely illegal, maybe we should penalise it all the time.  On a third occasion, even the New Zealand commentary team, not always the most balanced, questioned the harshness of an “in from the side” ruling. These three penalties kept New Zealand in touch.  A 22-3 half time scoreline would not have been nearly as easily confronted.

I actually thought that the referee was just as tough on South Africa in the second half.
 
An early penalty against South Africa for going over  the ball destroyed a most promising attacking opportunity five metres out from the All Black line.  The players who went to ground had driven beyond the ball and the ball was already clearly available for the Springbok scrum half.  I can’t see this as a penalty.  No opportunity had been denied to the All Black side.  Later on in the half, Carter added another three points for an “entering from the side” ruling after Keiran Read  had gone to ground and sealed off the ball from arriving Springbok players.  Grant Fox, in the commentary team, conceded that the Springbok team had fair reason to be aggrieved.  

None of this, however, should detract from the spirited and courageous fightback from the All Black team.  As the Springbok team tired – noticeably I thought – New Zealand  were able to maintain continued pressure on their defensive line and this eventually brought them to within striking distance of an unlikely victory.  Nonu, who, despite a couple of handling blemishes, had been threatening throughout, ran wonderfully well and Sivivatu got their first try.  They continued their up tempo approach, with the ball in hand for the most part, and two truly great players, Carter and McCaw, combined for their second try with time running out. No need to worry that Corey Jane was well in front of an earlier kick which initiated the real pressure on the Springbok defence.

No wonder it is so hard to win away from home!  

South Africa dominated the touch line.  Their kicking game was light years ahead of their opponent’s.  Their kick chase was first class with the fabulous Bryan Habana well to the fore.  They held their own in the scrum and at the tackle contest .  Their “scrambling back”, both in defence and in support of a kick receipt, was an example to the rest of us.  They had energy, enthusiasm and enterprise – as shown by Fourie du Preez’ early try – until they appeared to tire in the last quarter.

(Incidentally, we’ve seen them tire in previous matches. This gives hope to the rest of us.)  

They deservedly won the match.  

I thought that it was a great game.  It was unbelievably tough and played at an enormous pace.  There was unrelenting pressure where any small mistake would prove costly.  To the All Blacks credit, they never once conceded defeat and could have indeed won.  The way I saw it though, the right team won the game.