South Africa 32 – New Zealand 25
by “Bardon”
The second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand was a repeat of their earlier pool game which the Saffers won 34-23.
South Africa had confidence from that victory. In contrast New Zealand had a point to prove and were determined to grasp the second chance gifted to them by France’s surprise defeat to Wales.
First half
New Zealand started with a high tempo. After a raking Baby Boks’ kick took play into New Zealand’s half the Kiwis made their attacking intent clear.
A good break and some smooth handling across the back line saw a sweeping move put Faiva away in the corner. He showed good pace to finish and nifty footwork as replays showed his foot was very close to the line. Mo’unga missed the conversion from out wide but New Zealand took the early lead 5-0.
From the restart New Zealand kept up the tempo and the pressure on the South Africans who had a hard time getting their hands on the ball. When they did get it their tactic was to kick; which suited the Baby Blacks. McKenzie was very secure under the high ball and they just kept running it back, pegging South Africa in their own half.
Damian McKenzie – secure under the high ball
When South Africa’s scrum attacked from a New Zealand feed they made the Kiwi’s ball scrappy. They spread the play wide anyway but flyhalf Pollard shot out of the line and intercepted. He had a clear run to the line and scored under the sticks. He then converted his own try; 7-5 to South Africa against the run of play with 15 minutes gone.
Then came a strong period of New Zealand play. Once McKenzie, a strong candidate for player of the tournament, sliced through the Saffer defence. It looked like he was going to score but an excellent cover tackle from Gelant forced a knock-on.
Another time they pressured the South African feed near their line and earned a five metre scrum. They forced their way over under the post but South Africa managed to hold them up.
Later a good run from Li got his team back to within five metres of the try line. New Zealand then recycled and were camped under the posts, but Koloamatangi knocked-on as he was about to score.
South Africa were able to clear and temporarily relieve the pressure. 27 minutes gone and South Africa still lead 7-5; but New Zealand still had all the play.
Esterhuizen received a yellow card for a tackle on Mo’unga on the advice of the TMO. McKenzie stepped up and slotted the penalty to put New Zealand back in the lead 8-7.
Handré Pollard – intercepted for try
South Africa went on attack from the restart but Cridge managed to turn the ball over. McKenzie was again involved as New Zealand ran the ball. Greef was pulled down seven metres short of the line but quick ball saw them spread it wide for Li to dive over in the corner.
McKenzie added the extras from the touchline to make it 15-7. It was all New Zealand and South Africa looked to be in trouble.
The waves of New Zealand attacks kept coming but as the half neared its end South Africa finally got into the New Zealand 22. They kept the ball tight with forwards running around the fringes and forced a penalty. Pollard slotted the goal to make it 15-10 and keep his team within touching distance.
The first half was dominated by New Zealand. The high tempo from their pack and incisive runs from their backs kept South Africa pinned in their own half for much of the first 40. South Africa were completely outplayed; but crucially they hung on and didn’t let New Zealand build too big of a lead.
In the set piece New Zealand were very aggressive on South Africa’s put in. Both lineouts went well with a good contest. At the breakdown New Zealand were very efficient and ensured they got quick ball to keep the fast pace they wanted.
South Africa’s tactic of kicking away possession didn’t do they much good with McKenzie imperious under the high ball. They made better progress when they kept it tight and drove through their forwards.
Second half
If South Africa were looking for an immediate response at the start of the second half they didn’t get it. Their kick return from the kick off saw a number of South African runners pinged for offside. Up stepped McKenzie and stroked over the penalty; 18-10 New Zealand.
On 51 minutes after South Africa had some good phases one of their high balls paid off. McKenzie wasn’t able to get there to claim it and the bouncing ball, fortuitously, ended up in the hands of Petersen who had a clear run to the line. Pollard converted to make it a one point game at 18-17.
South Africa’s luck was changing and they were right back in it.
Warrick Gelant – forced an important knock on
Kiwi errors allowed South Africa to get back into New Zealand’s half and keep the pressure on. They were rewarded when Pollard kicked a penalty from almost 50 metres to make it 20-18 to South Africa.
Pollard missed a drop goal for South Africa but his team was on top—then he missed a long range penalty goal.
But the Kiwis had been kept in their own half for much of the the third quarter of the game when Finau put a well-judged kick in behind the Saffers for a lineout in their 22.
Moli gratefully accepted a lineout overthrow and New Zealand spread the ball quickly to the opposite wing where they had numbers; Tavae-Aso finishing it off in the corner. McKenzie converted from out wide and his team lead 25-20 with 13 minutes remaining.
South Africa kept at it; using their pick and drive that had been so effective in the second half. They got their reward as Esterhuizen broke two tackles, including one from McKenzie, to barge over in the corner. Pollard missed the conversion but they’d tied the game up at 25-25 with ten minutes to go.
Game on.
As the clock ticked down sloppy play from New Zealand allowed South Africa to kick through. New Zealand was forced to carry the ball over their try line but replays showed South Africa knocked on in the scramble beforehand.
New Zealand scrum then. But with a couple of big specimens on in the front row in Mellow and Cadwallader South Africa applied a lot of pressure and New Zealand had to rush a poor clearance.
South Africa had a lineout about eight metres out.
The South African pack were too powerful. A smooth catch and an organised drive lead to the South African juggernaut pushing over the line; Els the scorer. Pollard added the extras from the touchline making it 32-25.
That was to prove to be the winning score as South Africa collected the restart and kicked out to end the game.
Corniel Els – scored winning try
The Wrap up
New Zealand were shattered at the final whistle. They had given it their all. Their good play was rewarded in the first half; however their poor game management in the second 40 ultimately cost them.
South Africa struggled in the first half but once their got their power game going after the break there was an inevitability to their win as they strangled the life out of a gutsy New Zealand team.
The game was a fantastic struggle between two quality sides; which wouldn’t have looked out of place in the senior test match arena.
New Zealand have uncovered another future star of the world game in McKenzie; while South Africa have shown there’s plenty coming through on their production line too.
New Zealand will go on to Friday’s 3rd/4th place play off as strong favourites against Ireland. If they repeat their 1st half performance they should win comfortable. The quality across their backline should see them exploit Ireland’s timid defence.
It should be an immense final when the two monster packs of England and South Africa meet in Friday’s final. It may come down to whose backs are more accurate and on the evidence of today the nod has to go to South Africa.
A word of caution to South Africa though; if they persist with the tactic of kicking ball away England have some elusive runners who could do damage.
