Boks rule as comeback kings

There were some good moments, and moments that the world champions should’ve capitalised on to put the game beyond their opponents.

Independent Newspapers looks at some talking points from the clash at Ellis Park ahead of the second Test this weekend in Cape Town..

Fine kicking Feinberg-Mngomezulu

That penalty goal from over 60 meters showed that the newbie Bok flyhalf has ice in his veins and a kicking distance and accuracy that will be envied by opponents for years to come. There was no doubt in the 22-year-old’s mind when he was tasked to kick that all-important three points in the 30th minute.

His 16 points off the boot proved the difference while the All Blacks outscored the Springboks four tries to three.

No defusing the Bomb Squad

There is just no stopping South Africa’s impact players. It doesn’t matter if they are sent on in the 45th minute or the 60th minute of a Test.

They know how to turn the game on its head when the chips are not falling for their side.

The impact of the substitutes proved the undoing of the New Zealanders late in the game, when the team trailed 17-27 and it looked like the All Blacks were going to cause another upset at Ellis Park.

Ellis Park remains a Bok fortress

After last year’s loss to the Kiwis in Jozi and the scare of going down on Saturday, the Springboks reinforced their domination at Fort Ellis Park, and long may it continue.

The crowd they played in front of, the ability to outlast opposition teams at altitude and knowing that they can’t let South Africa down at the stadium where the Boks won their first World Cup post-unity, will remain big driving factors to stay unbeaten in Johannesburg.

Defence wins you World Cups and Rugby Championship titles

Yes, the people probably wanted to see more things on the attack from the Boks, and for them to outscore the All Blacks when it comes to tries. But that did not happen on the day, and it didn’t matter.

The way the South Africans defended was enough to clinch the win and take advantage going into the final of the two Tests in Cape Town on Saturday. The defensive work rate of every single Springbok can’t be praised enough after condemning the Kiwis to a second loss in the tournament and getting them to the brink of claiming the title.

Let’s not watch the replay!

The Springboks’ first try would probably be counted as a lucky one after it looked as if hooker Bongi Mbonambi lost the ball backward after it was knocked out of his hands.

There are arguments that he knocked it on, and those who believe that it was not a knock-on. That was a crucial first score for the Boks after going down. Or Sam Cane’s head-high hit on captain Siya Kolisi, or Kiwi fullback Beauden Barrett targeting the knee of Bok hardman Jasper Wiese at a ruck in the 32nd minute.