The boot of first five-eighth Carlos Spencer proved to be the difference as New Zealand clinched the 2003 Tri-Nations title with a 19-11 win over the Springboks at Carisbrook in Dunedin. The teams ended the game with one try each.
In the end it was a conversion and four penalties by Spencer, who produced a 100 percent kicking record, which beat an erratic Louis Koen's two penalties.
For a change there were far more positives coming out of a game involving South Africa than the negatives. It was a traditional hard scrap between New Zealand and South Africa, with the Springboks showing that pride and passion which have been so inconspicuous in other matches this year as they managed to keep the Kiwis in check with some solid defending, another aspect which was badly lacking in most of their games this year.
The one question which has to be asked, and deserves an honest non-sugar coated answer, is why do the Springboks only play like this when they are under pressure after weeks of shocking execution?
This is a game that will certainly provide some answers to the Boks, even though a couple of key questions remain. It is also a result which will ensure that they keep their feet firmly on he ground.
As for the Kiwis, they showed that their game is better suited to the dry grounds of South Africa, as opposed to a night game in the cool and windy evening air of Dunedin, where the night-time dew affects the handling.
The Springboks also put the Kiwis under pressure, from the outset, and contested every facet with the ferocity one would expect from the men in Green and Gold.
In fact, from the moment Bok prop Lawrence Sephaka and his All Black counterpart Kees Meeuws came into contact during the Haka, it was clear this was a game in which the Boks would not back off.
And by half-time, with the score at 13-11, in favour of the Kiwis, the Springboks had enjoyed a significant advantage in both territory and possession. They held the ball for 57 percent of the time and took it through 51 phases (rucks and mauls).
At that stage the All Blacks managed just 26 rucks and mauls, as they attempted to spread it wide and stretch the big Bok pack.
But after the break the Kiwis picked up the pace and when the final whistle went they had secured a massive advantage in both territory and possession, with the visitors reduced mainly to a defensive role.
The All Blacks had enjoyed an overall advantage in the possession stakes of 54 percent, having taken the ball through 68 phases after the break, which saw them spend most of the second half in the Boks' territory. In return, the Boks managed to take the ball through 45 phases only.
The Boks used their big forwards to take the ball up the middle and close to the rucks, where the All Blacks traditionally have fewer defenders. This worked for most part, but South Africa's finishing let them down.
The All Blacks, with Spencer in control as usual, varied their options better, but found the Boks' defence much harder to break down this time. As a result, they were forced into kicking more often than they normally would have.
The big difference is that their kicking was far more purposeful, effective and not as erratic as some of the South African punts were.
For the All Blacks the big question is still how they will react when their forwards are really under pressure. At times, with the Bok pack in full cry, they did look vulnerable. An England pack at their best could make life very unpleasant for this All Black team.
The Springboks will be concerned about their scrumming, with the All Blacks again putting them under pressure and even managing to hook once against the head.
Then there is their decision-making at scrum-half and fly-half, which certainly contributed to some of their problems on Saturday.
Man of the match: When games get this close the difference is usually one moment of brilliance from one player. All Black first five-eighth Carlos Spencer is not known for his kicking, but on the day he produced a 100 percent goal-kicking performance -- the difference on the board in the end -- and his overall kicking out of hand was also far more effective.
Moment of the Match: It is a simple choice -- Richard Bands' try in the 16th minute. There was a ruck just inside the All Blacks' half and the burly tighthead prop came charging up. Scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen popped the ball to him as he charged into a gap. 30 metres downfield Carlos Spencer made a brave attempt to stop the rampaging Bok, but was brushed aside and Bands dropped over for his first Test try and one of the best forward tries you will ever see.
Villain of the Match: Springbok fly-half Louis Koen and scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen both qualify for this award. Van der Westhuizen for some of the shocking passes he flung in the general direction of his backline and Koen for trying to kick three drop-goals, with good quality ball, and all three were shockers. He kicked far too many up and unders -- which may have been under instruction -- but his execution left a lot to be desired. And his goal-kicking, the real reason why he is in the side, also left a lot to be desired.
The Teams:
New Zealand: 1 David Hewett, 2 Mark Hammett, 3 Kees Meeuws, 4 Brad Thorn, 5 Ali Williams, 6 Marty Holah, 7 Reuben Thorne (c), 8 Jerry Collins, 9 Justin Marshall, 10 Carlos Spencer, 11 Doug Howlett, 12 Aaron Mauger, 13 Tana Umaga, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 15 Mils Muliaina
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville
Unused: Daniel Carter, Leon MacDonald, Rodney So'oialo, Byron Kelleher
South Africa: 1 Richard Bands, 2 Danie Coetzee, 3 Lawrence Sephaka, 4 Geo Cronje, 5 Victor Matfield, 6 Corne Krige (c), 7 Joe Van Niekerk, 8 Juan Smith, 9 Joost Van Der Westhuizen, 10 Louis Koen, 11 Ashwin Willemse, 12 Gcobani Bobo, 13 Jorrie Muller, 14 Stefan Terblanche, 15 Thinus Delport
Reserves: Lukas Van Biljon, Christo Bezuidenhout, Selborne Boome
Unused: De Wet Barry, Neil De Kock, Andre Pretorius, Pedrie Wannenburg
Attendance: 30200
Referee: Marshall p.
Points Scorers:
New Zealand
Tries: Rokocoko J. 1
Conv: Spencer C.J. 1
Pen K.: Spencer C.J. 4
South Africa
Tries: Bands R.E. 1
Pen K.: Koen L.J. 2
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