Springboks rally late to beat All Blacks 31-27 for third straight time

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa cracked New Zealand late to win a gripping contest 31-27 at Ellis Park on Saturday and stay on course to win a first Rugby Championship since 2019.

The All Blacks led for almost the entire back-and-forth match, and by 10 points going into the last quarter. But they caved under relentless pressure from the Springboks, who were forcing all of the play in the last half-hour.

After All Blacks replacement prop Ofa Tu’ungfasi was yellow-carded for collapsing a maul in the 67th minute, the Springboks used the man advantage to score two converted tries in six minutes to power from 27-17 behind to 31-27 ahead with five minutes to go.

For the match-winning try, the Springboks turned down a penalty shot to force an attacking lineout, where replacement scrumhalf Grant Williams stepped through a gaping hole to score in the 74th.

“Whenever we are behind, we never panic,” Springboks captain Siya Kolisi said. “We have been in far worse positions before.

“We have so many cool heads and leaders; if I’m not talking, Eben’s (Etzebeth) talking or if it’s not him it’s Pieter-Steph (du Toit) or even the young guys with just a couple of caps. Rugby knowledge isn’t measured by the number of caps you have — if you see something, say it. And that’s the great thing about this team today; we never panicked.”

The first contest between them since the Rugby World Cup final in Paris in October — 13 survivors each — lived up to the hype, but while New Zealand scored four tries to three, indiscipline let it down again. Irish referee Andrew Brace, tired of the All Blacks’ indiscretions, put them on warning with half an hour to go.

The world champion Springboks have beaten New Zealand three straight times for the first time in 15 years. The teams meet again in Cape Town next Saturday. The Springboks haven’t won four straight since 1949.

They lead the Rugby Championship unbeaten after three rounds, while New Zealand, champion of the last four tournaments, has a 1-2 record.

“Our indiscipline fed them,” New Zealand captain Scott Barrett said. “Frustrating to have that lead at 60-odd minutes and let them in like that.”

Within five minutes of kickoff, South Africa was a man down, after fullback Aphelele Fassi’s professional foul earned him a yellow card, his second of the test season, and fourth this year. The All Blacks set up a corner lineout and drove hooker Codie Taylor over for the opening try, converted by Damian McKenzie.

The Boks were still dangerous without Fassi, and eventually hooker Bongi Mbonambi barged over from the back of a ruck. But Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu failed to make the conversion in time.

Perhaps eager to make up, he teed a penalty from 60 meters out and slotted it with room to spare at altitude. The Boks led 8-7 after 30 minutes.

But New Zealand went back in front with quick thinking; a quick throw-in lit up the backline, and Beauden Barrett and Will Jordan helped left wing Caleb Clarke score in the right corner.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s second penalty had South Africa only 12-11 behind, and he narrowly missed a drop goal attempt on halftime.

The new half was only moments old when All Blacks midfielder Jordie Barrett intercepted and scooted 50 meters to the tryline. McKenzie’s extras made it 19-11.

McKenzie and opposite Feinberg-Mngomezulu traded penalties issued from breakdowns when New Zealand pulled off a brilliant set-piece try. From a scrum tight against the left touchline, Beauden Barrett broke into space, drew the last man, and sent Clarke over for his second try.

At 27-17 ahead with 30 minutes to go, New Zealand was under warning and emptied its bench after South Africa had.

The Springboks kept killing their momentum through knock-ons, penalties or set-piece miscues, and Kolisi left for a head injury check and suspected broken cheekbone.

The All Blacks, who had won five of their last six tests in the republic, tried to bury the Springboks in the 62nd when they turned down a penalty shot. But they were turned over in the lineout.

Then Tu’ungafasi was sin-binned and South Africa pounced.

A minute later, replacement flanker Kwagga Smith drove over between the posts, then Williams followed and the sell-out crowd of 62,000 roared. Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted both tries and was six of eight off the tee in a brilliant first game against their greatest foe.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Fassi, Ben-Jason Dixon and Ruan Nortje — all playing New Zealand for the first time — were praised by coach Rassie Erasmus.

“To play New Zealand is big; to beat New Zealand is big,” Erasmus said. “For players to step up against tier one nations like Ireland and against an amazing New Zealand team is really good for our long-term plans.”

___

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby