Springboks shock All Blacks in Gold Coast thriller
>>GOLD COAST: Elton Jantjies kicked a penalty after the final hooter as South Africa snapped a three-match losing streak in dramatic fashion with a 31-29 win over New Zealand in a thrilling final match of the Rugby Championship on Australia’s Gold Coast yesterday.
The Springboks showed much more adventure than they had in their previous three matches in Australia and scored tries through Damian de Allende and Makazole Mapimpi, battling back to overhaul a 20-14 half-time deficit, with the lead changing hands four times in a breathless final five minutes.
Sevu Reece, Ardie Savea and Brad Weber scored tries in the first half for New Zealand at Robina Stadium, and three Jordie Barrett penalties in the second half were not enough to maintain their 100 perfect record in 2021.
It was sweet revenge for the Springboks after a bitter last-gasp 19-17 defeat to New Zealand a week ago, which came on the back of two successive losses to Australia.
“It’s been a tough couple of weeks, thank you so much to South African fans for sticking with us,” said Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi. “We going to celebrate tonight.”
The All Blacks were already assured of the championship title after their victory over the Springboks last weekend, but the world champions will now move back above their great rivals to top the world rankings.
Wallabies down Pumas
Winger Andrew Kellaway grabbed a hat-trick of tries as Australia rounded out their campaign with a comfortable 32-17 win over Argentina yesterday.
Kellaway’s three tries took his season tally to eight, while Folau Fainga’a and Samu Kerevi also crossed to help the Wallabies rack up four successive wins for the first time in the southern hemisphere competition.
Prop Thomas Gallo scored two consolation tries for the Argentines in the final quarter, but the Pumas will return home without a win from their six matches in the championship.
The bonus-point victory ensured the Wallabies finish second in the championship.