Well, it's over, triumph for the All Blacks as they demolished the Springboks 57 - 15 (And well in all of a sudden, that was New Zealand's biggest winning margin over South Africa at home, surpassing the previous 36 point-margin set in 2003 & of course, last but not least, the 57 points scored were the most conceded by South Africa ever.) in a rousing 2nd half performance (Well I only watched the 1st half but I did not watch the 2nd half because I might fear that they are gonna lose that game but Dad told me that we have won the game because we're not livid at all) at Growthpoint Kings Park (Home of the Sharks Super Rugby & Currie Cup sides) in Durban during the final round of the 2016 Rugby Championship because the Rugby Championship is over for another year as the AB's for the 1st time in 2013, 6 out of 6 victories so far (Well I labelled the current New Zealand side in 1 word: dominating because they are closing in for most straight wins by a tier 1 nation & they have claimed another big scalp as South Africa had fallen victim again in the so called #Blackout of 2016 along with Argentina, Australia (Let's hope that the Wallabies join the Welsh 3 times just like they did) & Wales because the All Blacks were on fire during the 2016 Rugby Championship campaign since we regained our honours from Australia because they won it last year) but hey...we are just friends for so here's the full match commentary straight outta Durban (Not Compton in Los Angeles, California):
Kings Park in Durban is the scene for the Rugby Championship clash between South Africa and New Zealand.
There is a massive crowd in attendance for this clash and the atmosphere is electric - the formalities are complete and we are just moments away from kick off.
Conditions are perfect for fast, running rugby however there is a strong breeze blowing which could make it tricky under the high ball - the All Blacks have the breeze at their back in the first half.
1ST MINUTE, 1ST HALF: Morne Steyn kicks off for the Springboks and we are underway!
1 MINUTE LATER: An awkward pass for Waisake Naholo - the winger spills the ball on the half volley and the Springboks have the first scrum feed of the match, just inside All Blacks' territory.
1 MINUTE LATER: Matt Todd is off his feet at the breakdown and the Springboks have the first penalty of the match, right on the half way line.
2 MINUTES LATER, PENALTY GOAL: A wonderful strike from Steyn from 50m out into the teeth of the breeze and, with both flags raised, the Springboks take an early 3-0 lead.
2 MINUTES LATER, PENALTY MISS: A chance for Beauden Barrett to level the scores but he has left his kick away to the right and the flags stay down.
1 MINUTE LATER: A wayward pass from Kieran Read lands into the waiting arms of Juan de Jongh who effects the intercept before, despite having plenty open space ahead of him, electing to boot the ball down field.
3 MINUTES LATER: Naholo, under plenty of pressure inside the in-goal area, does well to scramble his clearing kick into touch beyond the All Blacks' 22m line.
4 MINUTES LATER: A rare error from the All Blacks at the line out will give the Springboks a chance to clear the danger area with a long kick up toward the half way line.
2 MINUTES LATER: A break in play with Damian de Allende receiving treatment - he gets to his feet eventually but his left arm, which is heavily strapped, is obviously giving him some discomfort.
2 MINUTES LATER, PENALTY GOAL: Steyn, from much closer in this time, drives home his second penalty goal of the match to give the Springboks a 6-0 lead.
The All Blacks have had the best of territory and possession in the early stages but it is the Springboks who have converted their opportunities into points on the scoreboard.
1 MINUTE LATER: The All Blacks are just 5m out from the Springboks' line - Samuel Whitelock fumbles the pass initially but manages to hang on as the visitors continue to attack the line.
1 MINUTE LATER, TRY: A brilliant team try from the All Blacks! Wonderful ball retention from the visitors eventually wears down the Springboks' defence with an overlap created out wide for Israel Dagg who strolls over.
3 MINUTES LATER, CONVERSION MISS: Barrett struggling to come to terms with the breeze in this first half - his conversion attempt slams into the woodwork. In an absorbing contest, the Springboks lead by 6-5.
2 MINUTES LATER, PENALTY GOAL: Steyn keeps the scoreboard ticking over for the home side with his 3rd penalty goal from 3 attempts - the Springboks extend their lead to 9-5.
1 MINUTE LATER: The All Blacks are once again on the front foot deep inside Springboks' territory with Brodie Retallick crashing his way through the South African defence.
1 MINUTE LATER: The Springboks' defence has been outstanding so far but the big question is how long are they able to keep up this work rate - the home side currently leads the tackle count by 44-14.
3 MINUTES LATER: A penalty for the All Blacks who elect to kick for touch - Barrett finds the line right on the Springboks' 22.
1 MINUTE LATER, TMO: TJ Perenara drives low and hard for the try line - the TMO will review the video but it initially appears as though he lost control of the ball short of the paint.
TRY: Controversy at Kings Park! The TMO rules that, although control appeared to have been lost, there was no separation between ball and hand and so the try to TJ Perenara has been awarded.
2 MINUTES LATER, CONVERSION: Barrett converts the try from virtually right in front of the posts and the All Blacks are into the lead for the first time - the visitors lead by 12-9.
2 MINUTES LATER: A loose pass from Perenara but Naholo is able to gather the bouncing ball and secure possession for the All Blacks.
1 MINUTE LATER: PENALTY MISS: Steyn drops into the pocket and attempts an ambitious drop goal attempt however his kick falls well short of the target.
2 MINUTES LATER: The All Blacks are once again piling the pressure on the Springboks' defence - they come up with a penalty and Barrett will put the ball into the corner.
1 MINUTE LATER, TMO: Brodie Retallick breaks from the rolling maul and dives over - the ref wants to have a look to see if there was any separation in the build up which would result in the All Blacks being off-side.
NO TRY: After a lengthy review, the ref rules that there was separation and so the try is disallowed - that will be the last action of the 1st half.
HALF TIME: The All Blacks head into the break with a 12-9 lead over the Springboks - only 3 points separate the two sides but the story of the first half is New Zealand's dominance of possession and territory.
40TH MINUTE, 2ND HALF: Barrett kicks off for New Zealand and the 2nd half is underway.
2 MINUTES LATER: A familiar pattern emerges in the opening minute of the second half with the All Blacks attacking from deep inside the Springboks' 22.
1 MINUTE LATER: A loose pass has Dagg retreating but he gathers the bouncing ball as the All Blacks look to set up another assault on the Springboks' defence.
1 MINUTE LATER, TRY: After an incredible 20 phases, weight of numbers eventually proves too much for the Springboks' defence with Barrett offloading to Dagg who touches down.
2 MINUTES LATER, CONVERSION MISS: Barrett hasn't had his best game from the tee - he has pushed this conversion attempt wide as well but the All Blacks hold an ominous 17-9 lead early in the 2nd half.
2 MINUTES LATER: From the outset, the Springboks have been happy to kick the ball away but it is a tactic that hasn't paid dividends - the home side has not yet had possession inside the All Blacks' 22.
2 MINUTES LATER, PENALTY GOAL: Steyn adds his 4th penalty goal to keep the Springboks in touch - the home side trails by 17-12.
3 MINUTES LATER: The difference in tactics between the two sides are once again in stark contrast - the All Blacks win a penalty well within kicking distance but they look to go on the front foot with Barrett kicking for touch.
2 MINUTES LATER, TRY: The attempted clearing kick from Pat Lambie is charged down by Anton Lienert-Brown who is quick to toe the loose ball forward for the run of Barrett who dots down for the All Blacks' 2nd try of the second half.
4 MINUTES LATER, CONVERSION MISS: Barrett continues to struggle from the tee but it matters little given the All Blacks' dominance of general play - the visitors lead by 22-12.
1 MINUTE LATER, PENALTY GOAL: Steyn gives the home side some hope with his 5th penalty goal - it is the All Blacks ahead by 22-15.
1 MINUTE LATER, TRY: More brilliance from the All Blacks from the restart - Dagg hands off to Dane Coles who with strength manages to get away the offload to TJ Perenara and the scrum half scrambles over.
3 MINUTES LATER, CONVERSION: A much better strike from Barrett - the flags are up and the extra two points has the All Blacks ahead by 29-15.
3 MINUTES LATER: An injection of pace for the Springboks with Willie le Roux onto the field and he has an immediate impact by breaking the All Blacks' defensive line for one of the rare occasions this evening - he flings a hopeful pass out wide but it is chopped off by Dagg.
2 MINUTES LATER: A penalty at scrum time for the All Blacks and it will be Lima Sopoaga, fresh onto the field, who will kick for touch up toward the visitors' 10m line.
2 MINUTES LATER, TMO: Barrett scoots away from the defence before rounding the last man to dot down under the posts - the ref wants to have a look to see if there was a knock on in the lead up.
TRY: After the review, the try to Barrett stands and he will line up the conversion from right in front of the posts.
1 MINUTE LATER, CONVERSION: Barrett converts his own try for a commanding 36-15 lead.
1 MINUTE LATER, TRY: The All Blacks are in again - the rolling maul rumbles forward virtually unimpeded and at the back of the pack it is Codie Taylor who comes up with the 5-pointer.
2 MINUTES LATER, CONVERSION: The scoreboard continues to tick over with Lima Sopoaga nailing his first kick of the match - the All Blacks are steaming to victory, ahead by 43-15.
1 MINUTE LATER, TRY: Unbelievable rugby from the All Blacks! Barrett has the try line at his mercy but he unselfishly pops up the pass to Ben Smith who adds his name to the growing list of try scorers.
3 MINUTES LATER, CONVERSION: Sopoaga converts as the All Blacks reach the half century mark - it is New Zealand ahead by 50-15.
1 MINUTE LATER: A penalty for South Africa and, for one of the rare occasions, the home side turns down a shot at goal with Lambie kicking for the touch line.
YELLOW CARD: A loose tackle from Codie Taylor catches Patrick Lambie high around the neck and the ref produces a yellow card.
1 MINUTE LATER, TRY: Time is up on the clock but the All Blacks are not done yet! Ben Smith brilliantly releases the offload from the ground to Liam Squire who scrambles over in the corner.
CONVERSION: A brilliant conversion from Sopoaga from out wide near the touch line increases the All Blacks' lead to a record breaking 57-15.
FULL TIME: A breathtakingly ruthless display from the All Blacks who, somehow, continue to grow from strength to strength. A record breaking night on several counts for New Zealand who have equalled the record of 17 consecutive Test wins with a crushing 57-15 victory over South Africa.
And finally in this blog, the Wallabies travelled to Twickenham in London to take on Argentina in this epic encounter in a rematch of the Rugby World Cup semifinal last year when the 2 sides met in a 1st ever test match in Tri Nations/Rugby Championship history being played in the Northern Hemisphere:
Australia ended the Rugby Championship with a victory as they overcame Argentina 33-21 at Twickenham, London to finish in second spot.
48,515 fans were in attendance for a fixture that the Pumas will have nightmares over as they lost a game they probably should have won.
Early missed penalties from Santiago González Iglesias - in for the injured Nicolás Sánchez at first-five eighth - coupled by 2 Australia yellow cards and a contentious try will leave the Pumas wondering what might have been. Ultimately they finish with the Rugby Championship wooden spoon.
Australia, in contrast, will be thankful for Bernard Foley's boot while Adam Coleman, Samu Kerevi (2) and Dean Mumm picked up tries.
It was a nightmare 1st 10 minutes for Argentina as they had a try chalked off due to offside against Iglesias and then the TMO, Rowan Kitt, controversially allowed Wallaby second-row Coleman a try after Dane Haylett-Petty looked to have lost the ball in an earlier phase.
With Foley adding a penalty a minute later, Australia were in a good position at 10-0 to the good. The Pumas meanwhile were rightly upset.
Seeing flanker Michael Hooper sent to the bin for a high-tackle improved their mood on 17 minutes and when Matías Alemanno crashed over from close-range they were back in the game. Unfortunately Iglesias missed his second attempt at goal from the conversion so it remained 5-10.
Foley was having no such trouble off the tee as his second penalty moved Australia into a 13-5 lead before Hooper returned to the fray.
Iglesias' woes continued before the half-hour when another penalty kick went awry. One feared that not even a second yellow card for the Wallabies, this time going the way of Coleman for a high tackle, would result in Argentina winning if they didn't sort out their kicking.
Their next issue was the line-out and an overthrow from Agustín Creevy that led to Kerevi powerfully finishing off a try to make it 18-5. But fortunately for the Pumas Kerevi offended from the resulting restart, allowing Iglesias to fire over his first points before the break.
It was game on six minutes into the second-half as Martin Landajo's quick thinking from five metres out saw him tap before he sent De la Fuente over the whitewash. With Iglesias kicking the conversion suddenly the Pumas were right back in the game at just 15-18 behind.
But then came a moment that took the wind out of Argentina as a fumble in midfield led to Kerevi racing over for his brace on 49 minutes. Iglesias did hit back via a scrum penalty five minutes later but they were down by seven points, lamenting that earlier handling mistake.
It was perhaps fitting that a Pumas error led to the final score of the game as this time a loose pass was gobbled up by Mumm, who set off for the unconverted try that gave the Wallabies a bonus-point victory.
That is my 27th (XXVIIth) blog of the year 2016 (MMXVI), see you up front.
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