Steyn kicks Boks past All Blacks
Source: Agencies |
August 22, 2011, Monday
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MORNE Steyn kicked all of South Africa's points in a pressure-releasing 18-5 win for the under-fire world champion over New Zealand in the Tri-Nations in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on Saturday.
Steyn landed five penalties and a drop goal on his return to flyhalf for the Springboks, giving them a much-needed win in their last game before next month's World Cup.
Center Richard Kahui crossed for the All Blacks' only score five minutes before halftime, but New Zealand never came close to threatening South Africa's lead - on the scoreboard at least - after Steyn kicked the Boks 15-0 ahead after 32 minutes.
The hard-fought victory over fierce rival and No. 1-ranked New Zealand, which was resting eight frontline players, was South Africa's first of the season and avoided the team's first-ever winless Tri-Nations campaign.
The Boks' 100-test veterans John Smit and Victor Matfield also got to enjoy a win in their final test at home, while New Zealand lost its first game this year ahead of a Tri-Nations decider against Australia this weekend.
"It's awesome," said Matfield, captain in place of regular skipper Smit, who played off the bench. "We haven't been good the last three weeks. We wanted to show our fans we can go to the World Cup and defend it.
"I think we're ready. You don't beat the All Blacks if you're not ready for the World Cup. It's not our best yet. I think we can still improve."
Under pressure to show form ahead of its title defense at rugby's showpiece tournament in New Zealand, South Africa's victory at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was built on Steyn's accurate kicking - he landed five from five penalties - a big forward effort and solid defense.
The All Blacks missed golden opportunities to score and had a try by scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan disallowed for a forward pass early in the second half, when the visitors dominated territory and possession but couldn't break through a stubborn and at times desperate South African defensive effort.
A 60th-minute penalty by the on-form Steyn was the only points of the second half, and South Africa kept its unbeaten record against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth - which had not hosted a Springboks-All Blacks test in 41 years.
Meanwhile, props Sylvain Marconnet and Thomas Domingo were dropped yesterday from France's 30-man squad for the World Cup.
The 35-year-old Marconnet, who has 85 caps, played in the 2003 World Cup but missed out in 2007 because of a leg injury.
Domingo was deemed not fit enough after undergoing knee surgery in April. The 26-year-old prop did not feature in the two warmup matches France played against Ireland this month.
Coach Marc Lievremont justified Marconnet's exclusion by strong performances from props Jean-Baptiste Poux and Luc Decalcon. The 31-year-old Poux played in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups while Ducalcon, who has only eight caps, will participate in his first tournament.
Steyn landed five penalties and a drop goal on his return to flyhalf for the Springboks, giving them a much-needed win in their last game before next month's World Cup.
Center Richard Kahui crossed for the All Blacks' only score five minutes before halftime, but New Zealand never came close to threatening South Africa's lead - on the scoreboard at least - after Steyn kicked the Boks 15-0 ahead after 32 minutes.
The hard-fought victory over fierce rival and No. 1-ranked New Zealand, which was resting eight frontline players, was South Africa's first of the season and avoided the team's first-ever winless Tri-Nations campaign.
The Boks' 100-test veterans John Smit and Victor Matfield also got to enjoy a win in their final test at home, while New Zealand lost its first game this year ahead of a Tri-Nations decider against Australia this weekend.
"It's awesome," said Matfield, captain in place of regular skipper Smit, who played off the bench. "We haven't been good the last three weeks. We wanted to show our fans we can go to the World Cup and defend it.
"I think we're ready. You don't beat the All Blacks if you're not ready for the World Cup. It's not our best yet. I think we can still improve."
Under pressure to show form ahead of its title defense at rugby's showpiece tournament in New Zealand, South Africa's victory at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was built on Steyn's accurate kicking - he landed five from five penalties - a big forward effort and solid defense.
The All Blacks missed golden opportunities to score and had a try by scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan disallowed for a forward pass early in the second half, when the visitors dominated territory and possession but couldn't break through a stubborn and at times desperate South African defensive effort.
A 60th-minute penalty by the on-form Steyn was the only points of the second half, and South Africa kept its unbeaten record against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth - which had not hosted a Springboks-All Blacks test in 41 years.
Meanwhile, props Sylvain Marconnet and Thomas Domingo were dropped yesterday from France's 30-man squad for the World Cup.
The 35-year-old Marconnet, who has 85 caps, played in the 2003 World Cup but missed out in 2007 because of a leg injury.
Domingo was deemed not fit enough after undergoing knee surgery in April. The 26-year-old prop did not feature in the two warmup matches France played against Ireland this month.
Coach Marc Lievremont justified Marconnet's exclusion by strong performances from props Jean-Baptiste Poux and Luc Decalcon. The 31-year-old Poux played in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups while Ducalcon, who has only eight caps, will participate in his first tournament.
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