Rassie’s Late Front-Row Gamble Pays Off As Kolbe Boot Downs All Blacks To Level The Series

The Springboks bounced back in fine style to draw level in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry with a tense 33-26 victory over the All Blacks, delivering the kind of efficiency that eluded them last week and handing New Zealand their first defeat on tour in front of a euphoric crowd at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

With the All Blacks once again outscoring the Springboks on the try count, it was Cheslin Kolbe’s impeccable boot, which yielded 18 points, that proved the telling difference.

Never one to shy away from mind games, Rassie Erasmus — an expert in the art — sprang a surprise an hour before kick-off by changing his entire starting front row, throwing a spanner into the works. The move saw Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp and Thomas du Toit replace Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche and Wilco Louw, leaving the rugby world bewildered.

But this was a game of dare-to-do or die at the peril of defeat.

And the Boks dared.

They dared to rip up their entire front row an hour before kick-off, dared to score tries, and dared to put the All Blacks to the sword.

The Springboks came flying out of the blocks, scoring inside two minutes with their first venture into the All Blacks’ 22.

From an attacking lineout, the Boks set up the rolling maul before Cobus Reinach delivered with trademark crispness. Jesse Kriel burst through on the inside of Will Jordan and powered over next to the posts.

Kolbe made no mistake from the tee to give South Africa a 7-0 lead.

The All Blacks responded with intent, beginning to punch holes through the Bok midfield. Damian McKenzie provided the early warning with a mesmerising run that had the Cape Town crowd holding its breath as the visitors threatened to hit back.

And eventually, the pressure told.

The All Blacks’ growing territorial advantage exposed familiar cracks in the Springboks’ defence. Quick hands opened up space for the explosive Will Jordan, who danced past two defenders before slipping the ball to Cam Roigard on his inside. Roigard crossed untouched under the posts.

Love converted and, after 17 minutes, the scores were level.

After Kolbe converted a penalty, South Africa began to rediscover their ruthless efficiency inside the opposition 22.

Another Springbok entry into the red zone produced a formidable rolling maul. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu carried strongly, powering over the advantage line before Damian de Allende took matters into his own hands.

Making his 101st Test appearance, de Allende powered through with sheer strength — an Ox-like charge that sent the Cape Town crowd into raptures.

Kolbe was perfect from the tee once again, stretching the lead to 17-7.

But the All Blacks refused to buckle.

They worked their way back up the field before Ardie Savea exploded into space, dancing through would-be tacklers and tearing the Bok defence apart. His break created just enough room for the visitors, and McKenzie finished the move in the far corner.

Love added an excellent conversion, cutting the deficit to just three points at 17-14 after 31 minutes.

Then, just before the break, the Springboks landed another telling blow.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu produced a superb cross-field kick that turned the All Blacks’ defence inside out. Kolbe chased down Leroy Carter, forcing the pressure that ultimately resulted in a penalty.

From the ensuing scrum, South Africa patiently worked through the phases before turning to their returning captain.

Siya Kolisi took a perfectly weighted flat pass from Reinach and powered over for the Boks’ third try of the half.

Kolbe’s boot remained immaculate, and the Springboks marched into the sheds 24-14 ahead.

HALF-TIME: SOUTH AFRICA 24-14 NEW ZEALAND

Two penalties from Kolbe increased the lead to 30-14, leaving the All Blacks with all the work to do.

The next score came in the 66th minute, after a half in which the All Blacks’ attack had repeatedly crashed against an impregnable wall. But this time, that wall was breached.

With the Boks committing numbers to a ruck, the visitors moved the ball swiftly, exploiting gaps in the defence before Carter sprinted through with a ferocious gusto to score a wonderful try.

Love missed the conversion, meaning the All Blacks trailed by 11 points with 13 minutes to play.

The Springboks continued to keep the scoreboard ticking, with Kolbe slotting another penalty to stretch their lead to 33-19.

Savea crossed for a late try, duly converted by Love, but the Springboks held their nerve to withstand the final onslaught and secure a vital victory.

For centurion Pieter-Steph du Toit, the victory was all the sweeter. He banished a personal curse by becoming the first Springbok to reach the milestone of 100 caps against New Zealand — and, at long last, having a win to show for it.