Jantjies strikes to silence Bok critics
SOUTH Africa secured a dramatic 31-29 win with an Elton Jantjies penalty after the final hooter to silence their critics and bring down the curtain on the Rugby Championship with a crescendo.
The Springboks had rightly copped a lot of grief for their plodding, unimaginative gameplay this year, but against the best team on the planet they combined style with substance as they gained revenge for the reverse last week in a contest for the ages.
The opening try of this breathless 101st meeting between the sides was a thing of beauty. After leading a rush defence in New Zealand’s 22 that resulted in a turnover, Lukhanyo Am produced a no-look, behind-the-back pass to Sbu Nkosi on his right. The winger then shifted it to Damian de Allende who scored from close range.
Jordie Barrett and Handre Pollard traded penalties before Willie le Roux – a target of high kicks throughout the match – knocked on from the restart. The All Blacks punish mistakes better than any other side and they duly did this time.
Beauden Barrett’s crosskick found Sevu Reece on the right wing and he rode the challenge of Duane Vermeulen to score in the corner on 13 minutes.
The Boks showed a previously absent willingness to run the ball, utilising big carriers such as Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi to punch holes in the defence. The latter came close to scoring after a rampaging run, but was centimetres short in his attempt to reach and place the ball.
That proved costly as a trademark first phase try from the All Blacks off a lineout was finished by Ardie Savea. Breaks from Rieko Ioane and Beauden Barrett followed, as well as another score from Brad
Weber off a stolen lineout 5m from the Bok line to put New Zealand 20-11 ahead.
Pollard’s penalty on the interval reduced the deficit and they had the lead ten minutes into the second half. Pollard’s penalty was supplemented by a Makozole Mapimpi try in the left corner. A strong maul on the opposite end set the platform as the ball was worked methodically down the line. Faf de Klerk marshalled his troops along the way and played the final pass.
Replacement Elton Jantjies took over goal kicking duties and stretched that lead to five with just over 20 minutes remaining, but Barrett’s own three pointer brought it back to two shortly after.
When Frans Steyn was adjudged to have held on too long in his tackle of Damien McKenzie, Jordie Barrett had the chance to nudge over a penalty. That looked to be that but a Jantjies drop-goal once again gave South Africa the lead.
Barrett’s penalty on 78 minutes looked to have broken South African hearts for the second successive week, but a penalty won in front of the posts after the 80 gave Jantjies the honours of completing a remarkable comeback.