New Zealand hammer South Africa at Loftus

New Zealand’s Tri-nations domination continued on Saturday as they humiliated the Springboks at home in Pretoria. South Africa took an early lead but NZ came back and led 11 – 16 at the break.

The final score of 26- 45 did not reflect how poor the Springboks were and the only positive for South Africa was two late tries from Jaque Fourie but that was little consolation for a team that lacked any structure.

Scrumhalf Fourie de Preez also scored a try when he took advantage of a Kiwi error at the breakdown to run 15 metres and cross in the corner. The Springboks were then rocked in the second half when the All Blacks scored three unanswered tries.

Daniel Carter, Jerry Collins and Mils Muliaina were inspirational for the New Zealanders but the New Zealanders did pick up a number of injuries.

Leon Macdonald and Greg Somerville, while number eight Chris Masoe and flanker Reuben Thorne are also doubts for next week’s game against the Springboks in Rustenburg.

“Greg has torn his Achilles tendon, which has a huge recovery time of about six months and is very disappointing,” said NZ Coach Henry after the match.

“Chris (ankle) and Leon (hip) both have serious injuries, too, and will be out for at least two to three weeks. We think Reuben Thorne has broken his thumb.”

South Africa had not lost at home to the Kiwis since their 52-16 defeat in 2003 and with 25 minutes to go the home crowd started booing their side.

With ten minutes to go many home fans gave up and started leaving.

John Smit lost his cool and lacked leadership but Jake White kept him on even though the game had been lost. Jake White continues to run his players into the ground keeping Smit on until two minutes to go.

The next two weeks will be tough times for South Africa as they still have to play New Zealand again and then Australia who will be well rested.

Scorers.

South Africa 26 (11)
Tries: De Preez, Fourie (2)
Cons: Pretorius
Pens: Montgomery (2), James

New Zealand 45 (16)
Tries: Tialata, McAlister, Sivivatu, Muliaina, Gear
Cons: Carter (4)
Pens: Carter (4)

South Africa: Montgomery, Ndungane, Fourie, de Villiers, Habana; James, du Preez; du Randt, Smit (captain), van der Linde, Muller, Matfield, Tyibilika, Cronje.
Replacements: Olivier, Pretorius, Pienaar, van den Berg, Ralepelle, Botha, Spies.

New Zealand: MacDonald; Gear, Muliaina, McAlister, Sivivatu, Carter, Weepu; Tialata, Oliver, Somerville; Rawlinson, Williams, Thorne, McCaw (capt), Masoe.
Replacements: Mealamu, Woodcock, Jack, Collins, Cowan, Tuitupou, Toeava.