South Africa are Tri Nations Champions 2009
The Springboks Beat the All Blacks to Be Southern Hemisphere's Best
Sep 12, 2009
South Africa, survived a late onslaught by the All Blacks to win their third Tri Nations championship and their first since 2004 The Springboks, only needed a bonus point in their final game to win the Tri Nations after winning their first four games, but they went one better and beat New Zealand for the third time this season.
South Africa Dominate Kiwi Lineout
All Black captain Richie McCaw unusually led the New Zealand Haka, but it would be another 79 minutes before he made another meaningful contribution as the Springboks dominated the first half. Their game plan was based on performing the basics well. They overwhelmed the Kiwi lineout to the point where it was three minutes from half time before the All Blacks won a single ball. This, coupled with a pinpoint kicking game meant that the Kiwis struggled to get into the game and trailed by 12-22 at half time.
The early exchanges came from the kickers, a 6-9 scoreline from two routine penalties from Kiwi outside half Dan Carter against three prodigious efforts from Sprinbok full back Francois Steyn. Steyn punished the Kiwis with three kicks from his side of the half way line, including one monster of 62 metres.
Du Preez, Best Scrum Half in the World
The only try of the first half came from the Springboks. Scrum half Fourie du Preez, who had a match which cemented his position as probably the best no. 9 in world rugby, chased his own high kick, and when it bounced of Rococoko’s head, the Springboks drove to three metres from the Springbok line. When it was recycled, du Preez’s slight hesitation was enough to split the Kiwi defence and he squeezed over.
Jean de Villiers Interception Try
The match looked to be over on the fifty minute mark when an All Blacks move in the backs was intercepted by centre Jean de Villiers who cantered unopposed under the posts. The conversion from Morne Steyn gave South Africa a seemingly insurmountable 29-12 lead.
New Zealand had other ideas and with the lineout functioning better as they experimented with a shortened format, they came roaring back. A quick penalty taken by scrum half Kaino led to a break by replacement centre Toeava, who fed Sivivatu to score in the corner. This got the All Blacks back into the game, with Carter adding the conversion to move the All Blacks to within 10 points.
The last quarter saw the All Blacks throw the kitchen sink at the South Africans as they even turned down an easy kick to take a scrum in the Springbok 22. This backfired though as the much maligned Springbok scrum pushed them off it and it was the Springboks who moved upfield, got another penalty and opened the gap again.
Still the All Blacks pressed, but pragmatism came to the fore when Bakkies Botha gave away a penalty on 64 minutes. Carter knocked the 38 metre kick over and then turned the match upside down he created a try for New Zealand. The play moved left to within a few metres of the South African line and when it was recycled, Carter’s pinpoint cross kick was fielded by captain Richie McCaw who showed good skill to stay in play as he dotted it down. Carter again nailed a difficult kick to move the All Blacks to 32-29 with a minute left.
The Kiwis came flying back at South Africa in a desperate attempt to win the game even if the Tri Nations had gone. They secured the restart and moved 80m downfield with a multi phase attack, which which only ended when Carter tried to repeat his crosskick, but with two All Black forwards waiting, it was just too high and was deflected into touch.
South Africa, Best Rugby Team in the World
Referee Nigel Owens blew the final whistle and the Springboks could add the Tri Nations to the rugby world cup, a series win over the British and Irish Lions and the number one spot in the IRB rankings.
