The All Blacks scored a memorable win at Ellis Park this morning. We take a look at some of the reaction in the media and on Twitter.
The problem for the Boks is it felt like a return to 2013 or 2018 where the Boks tried to play too much and got caught in an NBA style shootout.
Ian Foster is the big winner. What does that mean? He probably won himself a place in the box in France in 2023.
Jacques Nienaber out-thought himself. Keep Marx in the No 2 jersey, a wing on the wing, and a fit No 8 at the base. Maybe it’s a narrow win.
Welcome back, All Blacks!
The Springboks were not as clinical as they had been in the 26-10 victory over the visitors the previous week as they scored tries through sublime centre Lukhanyo Am and winger Makazole Mapimpi, but faced opponents who were vastly improved.
Whether the victory is enough to save Foster’s job will become clear in the coming days, as New Zealand prepare to host Argentina in their next Rugby Championship clash on Aug. 27, while the Boks travel to play Australia on the same day.
But a much-improved All Blacks side turned things around on Saturday in an exciting match in which world champions South Africa led by two points with six minutes remaining before conceding two converted tries.
The All Blacks had lost five of their last six tests going into the contest at a raucous Ellis Park, including a biggest defeat by the Springboks in 94 years the week before as they lost 26-10 in Nelspruit.
But there was much more edge to the team second time round, as they showed greater desire to match the physicality of the home side and were vastly improved in the scrum and breakdown, which allowed them to unleash their dangerous backs.
In an absolutely remarkable turnaround of fortune, New Zealand beat South Africa to retain the Freedom Cup in front of 62,000 at Ellis Park in a match they simply couldn’t afford to lose.
With tries from Sam Cane, Samisoni Taukei’aho, David Havili and Scott Barrett, supported by 15 points off the tee from the outstanding Richie Mo’unga, the All Blacks played with pace, intellect and purpose against an unusually inaccurate and ponderous Springbok side.
The first eight minutes underlined the intent of the All Blacks, with only poor execution hampering their try-scoring ambitions. Crucially, they edged the battle of the set-pieces and breakdown, a remarkable feat considering their deficiencies last weekend.
Huge improvement in energy and discipline from the All Blacks. Still think there are a couple of positional changes to make. Those props need to stay there and I’d still like to see Ioane back on the wing – but he played well.
— Samuel Hill (@SamuelHillNZ) August 13, 2022
FT | The Freedom Cup is coming back to Aotearoa.
Awesome series @Springboks! See you next year.#RSAvNZL ???????????????? #TRC2022 pic.twitter.com/jvZCQHLQst
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 13, 2022
How about that from the boys ????
???? @skysportnz#RSAvNZL ???????????????? #TRC2022 pic.twitter.com/8U7b92iyxt
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 13, 2022
The @AllBlacks get back to winning ways.#RSAvNZL pic.twitter.com/sHYogYHreA
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) August 13, 2022
What a test match! ????
A crucial victory for the @AllBlacks at the Emirates Airlines Park! ????????#RSAvNZL pic.twitter.com/xr0DjrfNRo
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) August 13, 2022
The All Blacks ended their three-match losing streak with a hard-fought 35-23 victory over the Springboks ⬛#RSAvNZL
— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) August 13, 2022
Not the results we wanted, congrats to All Blacks and hard luck to the Boks!!
Great seriesakk round ???? #RSAvNZL pic.twitter.com/EY4IbwjRZC
— TK_Nala (@NalaThokozane) August 13, 2022
South Africa 23-35 New Zealand: All Blacks hit back to claim revenge as pressure on Ian Foster easedhttps://t.co/tcSf1xtizt pic.twitter.com/0Z1NrQKybZ
— WalesOnline Rugby (@WalesRugby) August 13, 2022
