The scoreline smashed South Africa’s previous biggest win over New Zealand, 17-0 in 1928. It also gave South Africa the No. 1 ranking, at least until Ireland plays Samoa on Saturday.
Both teams could potentially meet again in the World Cup quarterfinals, and if they do South Africa has the momentum after a massive marker.
New Zealand was left with a litany of concerns, notably for two frontline forwards. Tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax suffered a gashed right knee, and lock Scott Barrett faces the judiciary after being sent off for two yellow cards.
When Ethan de Groot lay on the turf needing his right knee strapped in the first half, the coaches were visibly worried.
Barrett was marched in the 39th minute when New Zealand was already trailing 14-0, the halftime score.
South Africa made the man advantage count on the scoreboard. More tries came from forwards Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi while Pieter-Steph du Toit was in the sin-bin, and Kwagga Smith, the seventh forward in the reserves.
All five Springboks tries were converted by Mannie Libbok, who silenced his critics with a perfect record on the night after making half of his goalkicks in his previous two tests.
The start of the test was a complete turnaround from Auckland in mid-July, when the All Blacks blasted to 17-0 in less than 20 minutes and took charge. This time, the Springboks brought all the pressure without the points. In the first five minutes, Du Toit was held up, and Makazole Mapimpi stepped in touch near the left corner.
- AP
