His destructive pace and power changed the game for ever, but behind the fame and ineffable exterior of this gentle giant was a life of chaos and emotional discordThere’s an inevitable air of melancholy overhanging this profile of New Zealand rugby star Jonah Lomu; we all know how the story ended for this magnificent human specimen, who died in 2015 aged 40 as a result of a longterm kidney disorder. Lomu, of course, became a legend of the game after breaking into the All Blacks side – the ferociously high-achieving New Zealand national team, for anyone outside the rugby-appreciating universe – at the scarcely believable age of 19; his special combination of a tank-like physique, electric pace and ability to slalom at high speed gave him an almost unstoppable force in what is arguably the toughest contact sport of all. Lomu had the bulk and power of a forward (I liked the detail that he was sometimes drafted into the back of the scrum when they needed “more power”) but he was set loose on the wing, where he was twice the speed and three times the size of everyone else, and where his destructive instincts could wreak havoc.Well, modern rugby appears to have learned the Lomu lesson; everyone has bulked up – so its arguable whether he would have the same impact today. But as this film underlines, there was a lot more to Lomu’s story than steamrolling the hapless English backline; he had a complicated relationship both with his Tongan heritage and his superstar status, the combination of which seemed to overwhelm him. Interestingly, this film (directed by Gavin Fitzgerald and Vea Mafile’o) initially appears to push the by-now customary idea that Lomu’s Indigenous heritage was an ineffable source of strength, wisdom and insight; however it soon becomes clear that this wasn’t entirely the case. Continue reading...

Late changes to South Africa’s team smacked of mind games, but reinvigorated New Zealand remain in the huntThe margins are slim in South Africa this past fortnight and not just on the scoreboard. According to aviation experts, one of the two planes flying over the stadium in Cape Town just before kick-off on Saturday came within 12 to 14 metres of hitting the top of the stand which, depending on your perspective, either ranks as highly-skilled piloting or the most gratuitous of matchday stunts.Something similar could be said, as it happens, about Rassie Erasmus’s ongoing selectorial high jinks. His initial starting XV announced for the second Test bore about as much resemblance to the one that ultimately took the field as Erasmus did to the late, great Dolly Parton, with no fewer than six of the original lineup missing. It had the desired result in terms of South Africa levelling up the four-Test series at 1-1 but was yet another example of Erasmus toying with the game’s supposed conventions. Continue reading...

Cape Town stunt sparks major debate over safety risksAirlink insist flyby conducted according to regulationsA pre-game stunt involving two passenger jets flying dramatically low over a stadium in South Africa drew huge cheers from the estimated crowd of around 56,000 people, but also sparked a major debate over safety risks.The flyby by two Embraer jets, operated by local airline Airlink, happened on Saturday before the second rugby union Test between South Africa and New Zealand in Cape Town. Continue reading...

Powerhouse Springbok prop Ox Nche admitted his frustration with the lack of completed scrums over the first two Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tests, after the Boks bounced back from their first Test loss to win the second Test in Cape Town on Saturday. The 33-26 win was the perfect way to celebrate Nche making his 50th appearance for the Boks, on the same day that Pieter-Steph du Toit became the 11th South African centurion. But asked after the match about the All Blacks’ claims that the Boks are “walking around” in the scrum to get an advantage, Nche rubbished them, while also saying it was a pity that they were unable to have a proper contest due to all the scrum resets. “Through the years, our scrum has always tried to go right through the pack. He (All Blacks coach Dave Rennie) probably sees it differently, or builds a perception about our pack, but that’s why there are rugby laws, and not like actual laws where there is only one way of doing things. “We have laws and they are open for interpretation, and the man in the middle is always right, and we have to adapt. It’s open to interpretation. “We tried our best to make the scrum a contest. But we had way too many resets, and spent too much time actually resetting, and the onus is on us to be better. “I feel like you have to have your break foot, hookers left of the mark, and we tried to do that, and we didn’t get it right as we had hoped. It’s just one of those things; going into the next game, we have to adapt.” Would’ve been nice to start 50th Test Nche said his landmark game was a special occasion, even though he was unable to start after a late switch which saw the original starting front row switched to the bench, and vice versa, but it still made him recall all the people that had helped him get to where he is. “Obviously, being my 50th, it would have been great to start, but then came the late change. I trust the coaches, I believe in the system, and understand I’m here because of the team, and to invest and believe in the plan, and we keep going forward,” explained Nche. “All I was thinking about was the people who believed in me from the beginning, the primary school coaches that said, ‘come play rugby’. “The high school coaches that took time out of their holidays to open the gym for us. People that believed in me when nobody really did. I’m just grateful, thankful for the chance. And I hope I make them proud every single game that I play.”

Ethan Hooker, one of the star performers in the Springboks’ 33-26 win against the All Blacks in Cape Town on Saturday, says he still can’t quite believe he is playing in a team with many of his childhood heroes, who he watched win the World Cup in Japan in 2019. The 23-year-old former Westville Boys High pupil was in grade 10 in 2019 when the Boks beat England in the World Cup final to win the title in Yokohama. He is now a Bok squad regular and a team-mate of many from the class of 2019, including Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende, Handre Pollard, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth and Malcolm Marx, among others. “It’s unreal. I was in grade 10 watching the World Cup in Japan, and now I’m greeting a lot of those guys in the morning, and playing with them in afternoon,” said Hooker this week. “But, I think I’m over that phase now. Now they’re my mates, but it’s still hard to believe.” Hooker, who suffered a major injury earlier this year, was back in the starting team for the Boks on Saturday, playing on the wing and showing again why he is so highly rated. He was strong under the high ball and showed with the limited opportunities he got with ball in hand that he’s an attacking threat out wide. Few rugby fans know that at school Hooker once played No 8, but it is in midfield and on the wing where he is most comfortable. “I’m easy. I’ll play wherever I’m needed, even prop, whatever helps the team reach their goal,” said Hooker this week. “I played mostly at 12 at school and now I like to think I’m versatile and can play wing and centre.“But, I’ve found my feet at wing. I like the fact though I can play multiple positions.” Regarding the Boks’ kicking game, which involves plenty up-and-unders, Hooker said it is something he didn’t enjoy, but now “loves”. “It’s no secret the kicking game is a big part of our system,” he says about one of the Boks’ major tactics. “It’s there to generate momentum. In defence, there are like 15 guys standing in a line and the only space is behind, and the only way to get there is to kick the ball there. “So, we take it seriously, the aerial skills. I pride myself on it, I think it’s important to be good at it. I used to hate it, but now that I’ve found my feet on the wing, I enjoy it now.” Saturday’s Test was Hooker’s first in a long time after he hurt his shoulder earlier in the year and required surgery. He said it was a tough period to get through. “The biggest thing with an injury like that is the mental side … you ask yourself how many games you’re going to miss, that’s the first thing,” said Hooker. “Once you’re over that you can start fixing yourself. It’s rehab, and taking things one day at a time, it’s about getting stronger, and then building confidence. “Initially you’re scared and you try protect the shoulder … but now the injured shoulder is stronger than the other one, just because of the way it’s healed. You have to back it and with more contact the confidence comes back … now I don’t even think about it.”

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said the team’s surprise sudden front row switch wasn’t planned in advance, after the Boks levelled Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series with a 33-26 win over the All Blacks at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. On Monday Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw were named as the starting front row, but 45 minutes before the game on Saturday when the team sheet was released, it showed the bench front row of Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit all of a sudden starting. It seemed to pay off well, as they performed well in the lineouts, while the scrums were solid in the first half, with the Boks taking a 24-14 lead into the halftime break and after the game Erasmus explained that the change came late due to the change in weather conditions. “We thought it was going to be wet. That’s why we picked the front row we did. The predictions the whole week were that it was going to be wet and we thought we would need our heavier front row for the first half of the game,” explained Erasmus. “We were always going to use two front rows. But then closer to the game the weather dried up, so we decided to make a change and put our lighter front row on, who would be better on the dry field.” Early changes Steenekamp and Fourie, who were both decent, were replaced in the 36th minute by Nche and Marx, who promptly won a scrum penalty with Du Toit, who played on until the 57th minute when he came off for Louw. “Deon Fourie is 39 years old, he’s played 65 minutes (for the Stormers) against the All Blacks in six weeks, so he was going to get tired. You could see he even missed a tackle in the lead up to one of their tries. But he was wonderful and brought so much to the team. “Then we have Ox, who prior to the previous game (first Test), had only played eight minutes this season. We gave him 45 minutes (at Ellis Park), and we wanted to give him similar time because he didn’t start and get to 55 minutes which is what we wanted. “So this wasn’t decided beforehand. If the guys stay productive on the field and kept doing their jobs, then we pull it back and we do it (replace them) when they are not productive in our opinion anymore.” With the series now locked at one-all the Boks and All Blacks head back to Joburg for the third Test, followed by the fourth and final match in the USA.

Recent claims that the Springbok pack has been engaging in illegal scrumming by “walking around” to gain an advantage were lambasted by Bok boss Rassie Erasmus after their 33-26 win over the All Blacks at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night. The Boks bounced back from their first Test loss at Ellis Park a week earlier to level Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at one-all, with two matches to go, in Joburg and the USA. But after the first match, and in the lead up to the second, the All Blacks had questioned the Boks’ scrum dominance and claimed that they were “walking around” to gain an advantage, while coach Dave Rennie said he had spoken to World Rugby about it. Erasmus was not impressed with the noise around it. Never walked around “We have been playing as a pack with these guys together (for a long time) and this is the first time in history that people are talking about us walking around. So why would we all of a sudden start walking around?” asked Erasmus. “The first six scrums that New Zealand had (on their ball) every single one collapsed. And it was constant resets. So why is it only on their ball that the scrum collapses. So people mustn’t come with that nonsense and say we are walking around, and put those things out in the week. “The last lineout (of the match on the All Blacks throw) was skew, and we contested. I am not going to moan my arse off about that (ref not making the call). So if people want to start moaning about stuff like that then they are under pressure.” Erasmus added: “Last week we didn’t moan about there being clear head contact many times. And in this game in the first 40 there were four head contacts and nothing got done about it. Then Lood (de Jager) gets the first one (yellow card for head contact). “Don’t try and convince people in the media. Because that is what happened in the first week. They tried to convince people in the media that we are slowing the game down, and we are not. And if the referees get caught up by that then it’s obviously a plan (to influence them). “We are not going to stay quiet and just say ‘ya you’re right we are walking around,’ we are not fucking walking around, we are scrumming through. We have never been accused of walking around, so I don’t understand it.” High ball tactics Erasmus conversely praised the All Blacks efforts to negate the Boks’ threat under the high ball, with a tactic designed to give themselves a better chance of retaining the contestable kicks. “Their plan when they’re running back (to catch the contestable) is awesome. They worked out a thing where their fullback isn’t catching the ball, but their wing runs back and takes up the space (to secure the ball). Now we obviously had to make some plans to get around that and we did. “But the first 35 minutes, we call it scraps when the ball is slapped back, and every single time that bounced into their hands, so that’s why we were under the pump so much. “Then in the second half when they tried to slap it back, or Ethan (Hooker) or Cheslin (Kolbe) caught it, we got the ball, then we got some momentum. So it’s a great coaching tactic. “That’s why I am saying I would never criticise things that are brilliant, but they mustn’t talk about things about us that aren’t bad and try have a false narrative around it. It’s wonderful work that they do with the guy running back and catching the ball and not the fullback coming up. We just found a way around it today, and they will fix it and next week we will have to make a new plan.”

Rob Valetini filled in for captain Harry Wilson at No 8 but Fraser McReight’s performance will give Australia coach Les Kiss just as much food for thoughtRob Valetini bulldozed, barged through and brought the hammer down on home hopes in San Salvador de Jujuy during the Wallabies’ 27-21 win over Argentina, Australia’s fourth victory on the trot.It was a rare start for Valetini, filling in for captain Harry Wilson in the gold No 8. The man they call Bobby V turns 28 this week and looks to be building towards his peak just in time for next year’s home World Cup. The person Valetini may have damaged more than anyone with his brutal performance, however, was the rested captain. Continue reading...

Argentina 21-27 AustraliaRob Valetini leads heroic Wallabies effortThe Wallabies have landed a major blow in their redemption story under Les Kiss, defeating Argentina 27-21 in a thrilling showdown in San Salvador de Jujuy. The hard-fought victory gives Australia their first four-match winning streak since 2021 and means Kiss remains unbeaten in his three Tests in charge.That winning run has come against Italy and Japan, teams ranked No 11 and No 12 in the world. Punching up against Los Pumas, the world No 7, was always going to be tougher. But despite a yellow card and repeat errors in the second half, the Wallabies defied a hostile home crowd and showed enough flair and fight to grind to a gritty triumph. Continue reading...

In the news today, applications by the MK party and United Africans Transformation (UAT) to appeal an interim order that halted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala impeachment inquiry was dismissed by the Western Cape High Court. Then, the Gauteng government tried to explain why 41 ambulances in Johannesburg have been sitting idle for six years. Meanwhile, the Springboks levelled the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series 1-1 after beating the All Blacks at Cape Town Stadium. Weather tomorrow: 30 August 2026 The weather service forecast cool to warm conditions across parts of South Africa for Sunday, with fire warnings issued for parts of the Northern Cape. Get the full weather forecast here. Appeal against Ramaphosa interdict won’t resolve main dispute, says high court Judges Matthew Francis, André le Grange and Diane Davis at the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town on 15 July 2026. Picture: Gallo Images/ER Lombard The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and United Africans Transformation (UAT) have failed in their attempt to appeal an interim order that halted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala impeachment inquiry. The Western Cape High Court in Cape Town dismissed their application for leave to appeal on Friday, 28 August 2026. The two political parties had approached the court seeking permission to challenge its earlier ruling, which granted Ramaphosa an interim interdict preventing the impeachment committee from proceeding with public hearings. CONTINUE READING: Appeal against Ramaphosa interdict won’t resolve main dispute, says high court Gauteng government on why 41 ambulances have been sitting idle in Joburg A provincial service ambulance outside the Nasrec quarantine and isolation site on July 03, 2020 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo by Gallo Images/Dino Lloyd The Gauteng government has responded to reports that 41 ambulances in Johannesburg have been sitting idle for six years for bureaucratic reasons. The City of Johannesburg bought the ambulances for R1 million each in 2019 but has not deployed them because it lacked the necessary approval to use them. The provincial government on Saturday said it had no role in procuring or funding them. CONTINUE READING: Gauteng government on why 41 ambulances have been sitting idle in Joburg Springboks down All Blacks in Cape Town classic: Three takeaways Springbok captain Siya Kolisi celebrates scoring a try against the All Blacks in the second Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images The Springboks produced a clinical performance to down the All Blacks 33-26 in a classic encounter in front of a sold out Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening. The result levels Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series 1-1, after the hosts lost the opener 33-16 at Ellis Park a week earlier. They move up to Joburg for the third Test next weekend followed by the fourth in the USA. Here are three takeaways from a thrilling encounter. CONTINUE READING: Three takeaways as Springboks down All Blacks PAC president warns Joburg’s residents not to vote for Zille The PAC launched its manifesto in Soweto on Saturday ahead of the local government elections in November. Picture: X/@MyPAConline PAC) leader Mzwanele Nyhontso has warned Johannesburg’s residents not to vote for the DA’s Helen Zille as mayor. He said this in Soweto on Saturday as the PAC launched its manifesto ahead of the local government elections in November. Zille will be running for Joburg mayor for the DA. But Nyhontso warned that she’ll only bring change for white people. CONTINUE READING: PAC president warns Joburg’s residents not to vote for Zille ANC wants two councillors removed in Cape Town after they defected to other parties ANC flags at the Nasrec Expo Centre. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen The ANC in the Western Cape has asked for two councillors to be removed from its party list in the City of Cape Town after they defected to other political parties. It accused the councillors of joining other parties without resigning from the ANC. The two councillors are Lindile Sonyoka, who joined the Patriotic Alliance (PA), and Thembinkosi Mjuza, who joined the DA. CONTINUE READING: ANC wants two councillors removed in Cape Town after they defected to other parties Yesterday’s News recap READ HERE: Morero’s sh*tty moment | Masemola asks NPA to withdraw charges | Mkhwanazi remains in custody

The Springboks celebrated a 33-26 win over the All Blacks to level the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series in Cape Town on Saturday, but said the third Test in Soweto next week will be “massive”. The Springboks elevated their defence, breakdown contest and lineout performances after their 33-16 defeat at Ellis Park last week. They also won while scoring fewer tries than their opponents (three tries to four) because they took more opportunities to kick penalties – something that cost them last week. The All Blacks fought from 30-14 down with two tries in the final quarter, and with just seven points separating the sides when Lood de Jager was shown a yellow card, were still very much in the game at the end. However, Springbok replacement Cameron Hanekom effected a turnover that sealed the win. ‘Next week is going to be big’ “That’s Test match rugby, you need to take every point that is given to you. Last week we didn’t capitalise on that,” said Kolbe in a TV interview upon receiving his man of the match award for slotting all seven of his kicks, and proving solid in attack and defence. “To turn it around tonight, credit to the boys for sticking to the plan and taking the points on offer.” The winger said the two remaining games in the series would be “massive”. “It’s never easy against the All Blacks. That’s why they call it the greatest rivalry, for occasions like this. Two more to go, we’ll continue to keep our feet on the ground, continue to learn and come back better next week.” Bok captain Siya Kolisi said the All Blacks played well, as they had at Ellis Park. But the coaching staff came up with plans to remedy the areas they needed to, while having faith in much the same team that lost in Johannesburg. “We didn’t take our opportunities last week, but this week we did… Next week is going to be big too. “Some of us will be playing for the first time in Soweto. So it will be really special.” All Blacks vow to fight All Blacks captain Ardie Savea said they were chasing the game from the start, allowing the Springboks to get a second-minute try through Jesse Kriel. “But I’m very proud of the boys. We stuck in there, we fought, but we came up short,” Savea said. “It’s a tough pill to swallow, but we just need to regroup and go again on Saturday.” He said inaccuracy and ill-discipline hurt the New Zealanders while the Springboks had “punished us” at the breakdown. “So we need to sort that out… “We lost the battle tonight but we haven’t lost the war. We’ll get back on the horse on Monday and go again.” Pieter-Steph du Toit poses with Siya Kolisi after the Springboks beat the All Blacks 33-26 in Cape Town, where Du Toit played his 100th Test for the Boks. Picture: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images Kolisi, Savea praise milestone Springboks Savea also praised Springbok flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit and Prop Ox Nché, who earned their 100th and 50th caps for South Africa, respectively. “It’s always a privilege going against them,” Savea said. Kolisi added, “I’m so happy for Ox. I remember watching his highlights when he was running 50m. “You see so many people’s potential, and they never get to their best. He’s fought over and over, and he’s become one of the best players in the world. “And Pieter-Steph came back from two ACLs. I remember visiting him in hospital with his leg cut open. Look where he is today,” the Bok captain said of the double World Rugby Player of the Year. “He is a player we love to have in the team. He leaves everything on the field. I’m so happy to do that [win] for him. Kolisi added he was “really proud” of Deon Fourie, who they call “grandpa” in the changeroom, after the 39-year-old became the oldest Springbok. “We are really happy for him as a group. It shows that age is just a number. He’s got the hunger and fight in him, and the guys believe in him.”

The Springboks beat the All Blacks 33-26 in the second Test in Cape Town on Saturday, to level the four-match series 1-1. The All Blacks won the first Test in Joburg 33-16, while the teams will meet again in Joburg next week, at FNB Stadium, and in Baltimore, USA. The All Blacks scored four tries on Saturday to the three by the Boks. This is how The Citizen rated the performance of the Springbok players on Saturday, out of 10. Damian Willemse 7: He only lasted the first half before leaving the action with an injury, but he was solid in everything he did. He got few attacking chances, but his positional play was good and he made a few crucial tackles. Cheslin Kolbe 8: An excellent performance from the winger. He kicked seven out of seven to keep the Boks in front throughout the game. He made a few nice runs, chased kicks, pulled off an intercept and pulled off a few big tackles. One poor clearance kick. Jesse Kriel 6: He did well to finish off with a try to get the Boks going, and put in a number of good tackles, but he also missed quite a few, one which led to an All Blacks try. He also gave away one or two penalties. Damian de Allende 7: He scored a try, after a powerful surge to the line, made some good carries and put in a number of important tackles but he, too, missed a tackle which led to a try. Put in a lot of work all over the field. Ethan Hooker 7: He put in a number of good chases and jumped well to catch high balls. He also put in some important tackles and made his touchline his own. Got few chances on attack, but when he did, he made good metres. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 7: It wasn’t perfect and it wasn’t flashy, but it was really good. He kicked well out of hand, made some important tackles, ran hard with the ball, but also made the odd blunder. He’s so keen, and remains dangerous in space. Cobus Reinach 6: His service was decent, while he made the odd run to keep the defenders honest. His out of hand kicking was okay. He made a few handline errors which were irritating. Jasper Wiese 6: Compared to the first Test, this was a much quieter outing. However, he still made a number of big carries, cleans and tackles and got stuck in in all departments. The action just didn’t go his way. Pieter-Steph du Toit 7: A steady performance from the man in his 100th Test. He made numerous carries and tackled his man throughout a busy outing. He also won the occasional lineout ball; an industrious day at the office. Siya Kolisi 8: He may only have played for 43 minutes, but the Boks looked more settled with him back leading them. He made his customary few big carries and tackles, one on his mate Ardie Savea, and he scored a crucial try. Ruan Nortjé 7: Another sound showing from the lock, who pulled off numerous tackles and led the lineouts well. He’s the new Franco Mostert when it comes to work rate. Made some strong carries and was strong in the kick-receipt. Eben Etzebeth 8: Simply superb from the veteran … he got involved in everything in a busy performance. He won his own lineout ball, stole the opposition’s ball in the lineouts, carried, cleaned, tackled … back to his best. Thomas du Toit 8: He played for an impressive 56 minutes after making a surprise start. While the Boks never got on top in the scrums, the home team’s set-piece was solid. He also carried well and pulled off a number of big tackles in open play. Deon Fourie 6: Like the other front-row men, he surprisingly started the game and did well enough at the age of 39. Found his target in the lineouts, but also missed a throw. He also missed a tackle in the buildup to Damian McKenzie’s try. Gerhard Steenekamp 6: He didn’t do anything wrong, but ensured a strong Bok scrum early on. Didn’t get much chance in general play, but made the odd tackle and carry. He left the action in the 35th minute. Bench: Malcolm Marx 8: One of the best Boks on the day, after entering the action in the 35th minute. He was sound with his throwing in at the lineouts, pulled off numerous tackles and won two breakdown penalties. A beast. Ox Nché 7: Also entered the action in the 35th minute, scrummed well and got stuck in. He made the odd carry and clean, made a few good tackles but also got dropped in a few tackles. Wilco Louw 7: He came on only in the 56th minute and did what he had to do … ensure a solid Bok scrum got on top. He was good in the set-piece, without really dominating, and also made a few tackles and carries. Lood de Jager 3: Unfortunately, the veteran lock was a bit over eager after only getting on in the 67th minute. He caught a kick off, but then got yellow-carded for a poor head on head hit on an opponent. André Esterhuizen 7: He came on as early as the 43rd minute, as an openside flanker and played well. He made a number of strong carries and was a presence in the forward exchanges. Cameron Hanekom 5: He was also keen to make a big impact when he came on with 13 minutes to go, but made a few blunders, turning over possession to the All Blacks. He did, however, win the late turnover to end the visitors’ push for a late try. Morné van den Berg 6: He got in in his first Test against the All Blacks in the 56th minute and delivered a solid performance. His out of hand kicking was decent and he looked calm with the ball in hand. He made a few good tackles. Manie Libbok 6: Took the place of Damian Willemse for the second half but played flyhalf. He didn’t do anything flashy, but looked to spark one attack by spreading the ball wide. He also made numerous good tackles and kicked well.

The Springboks produced a clinical performance to down the All Blacks 33-26 in a classic encounter in front of a sold out Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening. The result levels Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series 1-1, after the hosts lost the opener 33-16 at Ellis Park a week earlier. They move up to Joburg for the third Test next weekend followed by the fourth in the USA. It was also the perfect way for the Boks to celebrate Pieter-Steph du Toit, playing in his 100th Test for the Boks, and Ox Nche who ran on for his 50th when he came on towards the end of the first half. Here are three takeaways from a thrilling encounter: Front row switcheroo Rassie Erasmus has been pushing the boundaries of what is allowed in rugby and he was at it again on Saturday as he pulled a front row switcheroo. When the Boks’ team list dropped 45 minutes before the match, the reserve bench that was named earlier in the week, of Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit, were suddenly the starting front row. Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw moved to the bench. It was a classic Rassie move, as it had never been seen in top flight international rugby before and seemed to pay off. Fourie, who almost exclusively plays as a loose forward outside of international rugby, hit his jumpers with his first two throws, the first of which led to a monster maul that got the Boks into the All Blacks 22m area, from where they went over for the opening try by centre Jesse Kriel. Another good lineout and maul led to Damian de Allende’s second try by the Boks. Better finishing, but costly early mistakes After their poor finishing in the first Test, the Boks had to be better in the second, and that they were. Their first three entries into the All Blacks’ 22m area earned them 17 points through two converted tries and a penalty. Although they understandably weren’t able to continue that 100% strike rate, a couple of entries later captain Siya Kolisi crashed over the whitewash for their third try of the first half. The Boks also took their points when on offer, kicking four penalties, two early in the second half that gave them a 30-14 lead in the 52nd minute, and their fourth in the 72nd that put them 33-19 up. In the first half some costly early mistakes from the Boks kept the All Blacks in the game. First it was poor defence that cost them, with Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende missing crucial tackles as Cam Roigard scored the opener, while the second try came after Cheslin Kolbe kicked a ball directly into touch, giving the All Blacks a lineout between the 10m and 22m, which saw them spread the ball quickly and force the overlap for Damian McKenzie to run in, making it 17-14 at the time. Early ‘bomb squad’ When the front row switcheroo was announced it was expected that Rassie Erasmus would be making some first half changes, and so it proved as Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx entered the fray in the 36th minute, with the Boks immediately winning a scrum penalty, while off the back of the second scrum the Boks went on to score their third try. Manie Libbok emerged at the start of the second half for Damian Willemse, after he took heavy contact in the first half. Hybrid star André Esterhuizen came on for Siya Kolisi in the 42nd minute, with him having put in a top shift on his return from injury. Wilco Louw finally emerged in the 57th minute, after a very good showing from Thomas du Toit, and Morné van den Berg replaced Cobus Reinach at the same time. The final bench replacements saw Lood de Jager and Cameron Hanekom on in the 66th minute. Of the subs Marx and Esterhuizen were immense and Nche and Van den Berg were solid.

Updates from the game at Estadio 23 de AgostoKick-off time in Jujuy is 4pm local/5am AESTAny thoughts? Get in touch with an emailEver been sat at the kid’s table at a wedding?This isn’t quite that, but there is a sense that this is off-Broadway as the Springboks and All Blacks busy themselves in their own personal tussle. Continue reading...