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'Boks break All Blacks' streak

Three metal staples are visible on the face of New Zealand captain Richie Mc Caw during the Tri-Nations rugby game between South Africa and New Zealand at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa, on Saturday. PHOTO: EPA

The All Blacks' 15 match winning streak was ended by the Springboks in this platinum mining town in the North West province on Saturday when Jake White's charges hit a last-gasp penalty to triumph 21-20.

It was the home team's first win in the southern hemisphere competition this season, while the New Zealanders suffered their first defeat since August last year.

Graham Henry's champions -- effectively their second team -- defeated the 'Boks 45-26 in Pretoria last week, but came up against a more determined and better organized 'Bok team on Saturday. Henry, as well as captain Richie McCaw, lauded the 'Boks and emphatically stated the home team were "hungrier than us."

"The Springboks were desperate for a win and they capitalized on our mistakes," McCaw said.

Henry said South Africa fully deserved their win.

"They deserve a big pat on the back. Well done to them. They were up against it coming into this game and they did the business," he said.

"When you've won 15 in a row human nature ensures you're just not as hungry as a team like the Springboks were today. We weren't on the edge of the edge ... they were," he said.

South African captain John Smit passes the ball under pressure during the Tri-Nations rugby game between South Africa and New Zealand at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa, on Saturday. PHOTO: EPA

The teams were level at 13-all at the half-time break after tries to Dan Carter and Bryan Habana and each side added another in the second period. Pedrie Wannenburg went over for the 'Boks, while Joe Rokocoko scored for the All Blacks.

With neither side gaining the ascendancy it came down to the boot of Carter and Andre Pretorius and, of course, whose defense stood strongest.

In the end it was the home side who found themselves in the right part of the field and when referee Chris White blew up Rodney So'oialo at the breakdown, Pretorius made no mistake with the 77th minute penalty.

"He [Pretorius] just smiled at me when we were awarded that chance," Smit said. "I knew he'd knock it over."

If there was one area where the 'Boks dominated it was the lineouts where Victor Matfield again stole plenty of ball from the visitors.

"The lineout is a concern but when you're up against the best in the world -- Matfield and his friends -- you've got to expect it to be tough," Henry said.

All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen said there was no need for the alarm bells to start ringing.

"There is no need to panic. It's something we simply have to work on. South Africa are just very good defensively in the lineout," Hansen said.

The All Blacks were never given the space or time to get the most out of their exciting backs, while the 'Boks, with Pretorius playing a magnificent role at flyhalf having replaced the dropped Butch James, were better in all departments than at any other stage this season.

"I knew it [the losing streak] had to turn," an ecstatic 'Bok coach Jake White said. "Considering where we've come from this season it was a very big win. Probably the biggest since I've been coach."

While White didn't single out specific players he heaped praise on his entire squad, including the management for sticking to their guns during the last few weeks.

"It was a team performance and all the guys deserve credit. We worked hard in the week to fix our defense and it was just about perfect today," he said. "We also executed better than at any stage this year so there were plenty of positives to take from the game."

The 'Boks play the Wallabies -- who thrashed South Africa 49-0 at the beginning of the tournament -- at Ellis Park this coming Saturday to wrap up the extended competition.

"We're going out to finish on a high note. But we know the Wallabies will ask a new set of questions than the New Zealanders did," White said.
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