All Blacks win thrilling encounter at Ellis Park

The world number one, showed that they are playing rugby on a higher level when they beat the Springboks, who are currently the second ranked team in the world rugby, 38-27. The Springboks however was well on their way to turn the tables, but they were their own enemies not having a sound defence structure to combat the All Blacks.

The other disappointing factor was that All Black players were yellow carded, thus 14 players were defending the All Blacks pride, scoring in one of those instances while the Springboks could not capitalize. Yellow cards were handed to Liam Messam – 43rd and Ben Franks – 63rd.

Even though the Springboks lost, this was one of the best rugby matches played between these two rivals and according to both coaches the teams played their hearts out. “This is one of the best because it was such a special game,” said All Black coach Steve Hansen.
The All Blacks won the first time in 16 years at Ellis Park. “I watched the All Black lost to the Springboks in the 1995 World Cup when I was 14-years old, this is a very special win for me at Ellis Park,” said Richie McCaw, All Black captain. All Black captain who never played at Ellis Park before.

Answering on the question of having Keven Mealamu on the player’s sheet. “Jean was brilliant when he said that it didn’t matter and that they can play on,” said All Black coach Steve Hansen. Mealamu was the replacement hooker, but Dane Coles came on after Andrew Hore went off causing some confusion for a couple of minutes on the field.

“We can’t accept this result and we are very disappointed,” said captain Jean de Villiers. “Though we lost two of our main players, Brian Habana, who scored two tries and Willem Alberts, who is the player providing momentum and breaking the attacking team’s momentum, we can only blame ourselves for not winning.”

Springbok coach said: “We are shattered, and wanted to win for the nation, but I still think that the team played in one of their best games. This team is also a very special team and we know how we can improve and go further from here.”

“I think the turning point came when they scored just before break to be 21-15 up. We gave everything on attack, but our defence let us down.

“The All Blacks are very good in capitalising on errors and this is what happened on the field, but at the end we have won four out of six games, but this is not good enough,” said Brian Habana, “ I think we let ourselves down.”

The Springbok players will now go back to play for the franchises in the Currie Cup encounters and then they will leave for the year end tour