Well, the All Blacks ended our Rugby Championship campaign undefeated for the 2nd year in a row & for only the 4th time since it began in 2012 after a close but narrow victory by a single point against the rampant & brave Springboks at DHL Newlands in Cape Town in one of their greatest tests of all time compared to the Dunedin test against the Wallabies for the Bledisloe Cup so here is the match commentary:
It's a very warm welcome to Newlands in Cape Town where the Rugby Championship enters the final week with the heavyweight clash between South Africa and New Zealand.
We are very close to a start with both sides making their way out onto the field and lining up for the singing of the national anthem.
The formalities are complete and so that all remains is for kick off to get us underway on a perfect Saturday afternoon in Cape Town.
1ST MINUTE, 1ST HALF: Beauden Barrett sends the ball deep for the All Blacks and we are underway in the first half!
There is plenty of feeling out there in the middle of Newlands - the Springboks are still very much hurting from the pounding they received at the hands of the All Blacks just three weeks ago.
3RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The two packs will set up for the all important first scrum of the match - it is South Africa with the feed right on their 10m line.
4TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): A huge victory for the Springboks' pack! The home side have been awarded the first penalty of the match after the All Blacks went down at scrum time.
5TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): So close for the All Blacks! Brilliant counter-attacking rugby from the visitors turns defence into attack in the blink of an eye however Aaron Smith, who had a look at the line, has been shut down short of the paint.
7TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): There is no doubt that the Springboks are here to play this afternoon - all of the elements that let them down so badly in Albany appear to be working well for the home side.
10TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY GOAL!: South Africa (Elton Jantjies) 3-0 South Africa
It's first points to South Africa! lLton Jantjies, from as good as straight in front, strikes truly from the tee to give the Springboks an early advantage.
12TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY GOAL!: New Zealand (Beauden Barrett) 3-3
A quick response from the All Blacks! Beauden Barrett sweetly strikes his penalty goal attempt to put the All Blacks on the scoreboard.
13TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Terrific ball retention from the All Blacks under enormous pressure - the visitors have recycled the ball through several phases and edged their way inside the Springboks' 22.
14TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Outstanding defence from the Springboks! Under fierce pressure, the home side have held on and are rewarded with a penalty on the last line of defence.
16TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Try or no try?!?! Rieko Ioane makes a desperate lunge for the line after a brilliant dash down the touch line but did he get the ball to ground - referee Jérôme Garcès refers the decision upstairs.
17TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), NO TRY!: The video replay shows that the ball was dislodged from the hand of Rieko Ioane as he reached out in his attempt to score - a huge let off there for the Springboks.
19TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The All Blacks are on the verge once again however some outstanding work at the breakdown from Malcolm Marx has won the home side a timely penalty.
20TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Beauden Barrett flies high under the kick however the ball bounces off his chest and straight into the arms of Steven Kitshoff.
22ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The intensity that this match is being played at is absolutely incredible - there's no doubt these two sides are leaving nothing out there in this first half!
23RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): We have a break in play whilst Malcolm Marx receives treatment in back play - a chance for everyone to catch their breathe after an action packed opening to this test match!
24TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): A penalty has been awarded to the Springboks and so Elton Jantjies will line up from just a slight angle.
26TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), MISS!: The penalty goal attempt from Elton Jantjies looks ok off the boot however fades away to the left and the flags stay down - scores remain tied up with 15 minutes left until half time.
27TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Penalty to the All Blacks! A chance for New Zealand to relieve some pressure inside their own half after the South African pack were penalised at scrum time.
29TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Malcolm Marx has been outstanding at the breakdown in this opening stanza! The Springboks' hooker has won his side an important penalty just short of the half hour mark in this test match.
31ST MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Beauden Barrett somehow manages to find some space out to the right however he has mistimed the pass to Nehe Milner-Skudder with the ball crossing the line and into touch.
32ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): We are going upstairs! Ryan Crotty makes a desperate lunge for the ball which is bouncing loose inside the in-goal area - did he ground it cleanly? The final decision is referred to the TMO.
TRY!: New Zealand (Ryan Crotty) 8-3 New Zealand
33RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), MISS!: With Beauden Barrett off the field for a Head Injury Assessment, Damian McKenzie steps up to the tee however his conversion attempt swings away to the left.
34TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Controversy at Newlands! After a lengthy review of the tape by the TMO, the try is awarded to Ryan Crotty although the replay shows it could be claimed that he had knocked the ball forward. It's New Zealand ahead deep in this first half.
36TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Scrum feed to South Africa - the two sets of forwards will pack down virtually on the half way line in the shadows of half time.
37TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): A bulldozing run from skipper Eben Etzebeth has the Springboks on the front foot approaching the All Blacks' 10m line.
39TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): News from the All Blacks' bench is that Beauden Barrett has passed his HIA however, with half time not far away, the visitors are taking no chances and he will be reassessed during the break.
40TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): We are inside the last minute of the first half and the Springboks have the scrum feed in what will be the last play before the break.
40TH MINUTE + 5TH MINUTE (5 MINUTES LATER): After a gut wrenching passage of play after the half time siren has sounded, the Springboks are rewarded with a penalty for some outstanding defence - the resultant kick for touch from Elton Jantjies finds the touch line right on half way.
40TH MINUTE + 6TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): We have played nearly six minutes of additional time with neither side prepared to take a backward step - incredible stuff from Newlands in what has been an absorbing first half!
40TH MINUTE + 9TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): A massive blow for the All Blacks! Nehe Milner-Skudder crashes to the ground heavily after being tackled by Courtnall Skosan and the winger will leave the field clutching at his right shoulder.
40TH MINUTE + 10TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): We have had almost ten minutes of additional time played in this first half and the Springboks are hammering away at the All Blacks' defence.
HALF TIME: The first half, which had everything including an additional ten minutes, finally draws to a close with Lima Sopoaga sending the ball into touch. There was very little between the two sides in the opening stanza and it is only a controversial try to Ryan Crotty that separates the two sides at half time. Don't go too far away - at the break, it is New Zealand leading South Africa by 8-3.
40TH MINUTE, 2ND HALF: Elton Jantjies kicks off to get the second half under way - if the first half is any indication, we are set for a grandstand finish in Cape Town!
41ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Some bad news from the New Zealand rooms during the break with confirmation that neither Nehe Milner-Skudder or Beauden Barrett will be returning to the field in this second half.
43RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): A brilliant start to this second half from the Springboks! The home side is hot on attack deep inside the All Blacks' 22 - the New Zealand defence is hanging on but only just.
44TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY!: South Africa (Ross Cronje) 8-8
45TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION!: South Africa (Elton Jantjies) 10-8 South Africa
46TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The Springboks have taken the lead! Brilliant continuity from South Africa who recycled the ball through 18 phases to have the All Blacks on the back foot right on their own line - Ross Cronje picks and drives from close range to find the paint and send the home crowd into a frenzy.
47TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The All Blacks, looking for fresh legs, swing a number of changes including a completely new front row - New Zealand are under the sort of pressure at the moment that they haven't felt in a very long time!
50TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): An important penalty at scrum time is awarded to the All Blacks and so it will be Lima Sopoaga to line up the posts from 45m out to try and put the visitors back into the lead.
52ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), MISS!: The penalty goal attempt from the boot of Lima Sopoaga has faded out to the right and the flags stay down.
53RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): A net territorial gain for the All Blacks - Elton Jantjies has time at the back but very little angle to work with and his kick for touch only just reaches the South African 22m line.
54TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The All Blacks win a crucial turnover and the visitors will look to launch a counter attack from right on half way.
57TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Excellent defence from South Africa prevents the All Blacks from forming a ruck from the maul and so the scrum feed will be awarded to the home side.
58TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Jan Serfontein looks to be away down the right after a delightful step however he is brilliantly chased down from behind by Scott Barrett - a try saving tackle from the All Blacks' lock!
60TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY!: New Zealand (Rieko Ioane) 13-10 New Zealand
61ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION!: New Zealand (Lima Sopoaga) 15-10 New Zealand
62ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The All Blacks have taken the lead! The loose ball falls into the arms of Rieko Ioane - with just open space between him and the try line, the winger puts his foot down and explodes 70m downfield leaving the defence in his wake on his way to scoring a crucial five-pointer.
64TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The ball is well and truly back in the Springboks' court. The home side have been superb in this test match but will that try to Rieko Ioane take the wind out of their sails?
66TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY!: South Africa (Jean-Luc du Preez) 15-15
67TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY!: South Africa (Handré Pollard) 17-15 South Africa
68TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): What a test match and what a try! Handré Pollard, fresh onto the field, releases Malcolm Marx who has been superb for the home side from start to finish - the Springboks' hooker in turn shifts the ball to Jean-Luc du Preez and the replacement goes all the way to bring the crowd to its feet. The conversion from Handré Pollard has South Africa back into the lead.
70TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY!: New Zealand (Damian McKenzie) 20-17 New Zealand
71ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION!: New Zealand (Lima Sopoaga) 22-17 New Zealand
73RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Just when you thought this test match could not get any better, it somehow goes to another level! Damian McKenzie has just a fraction of space to work with but that is all the All Blacks' full back needs - with unbelievable acceleration, he slices through the defence on his way to the try line. The conversion from Lima Sopoaga never looked like missing and New Zealand have put their noses ahead with just under 8 minutes left on the clock.
74TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The All Blacks are in possession and are at the right end of the field inside the Springboks' 22.
75TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), MISS!: Lima Sopoaga drops back into the pocket before unloading a drop goal attempt - he has struck the kick well but the ball lands out to the left hand side.
76TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): We have a lengthy break in play with Eben Etzebeth leaving the field due to injury and with the referee wanting to look at the replay of the Lima Sopoaga drop goal attempt - the All Blacks' first five-eighth was felled after the ball had left his boot.
77TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), RED CARD!: A sensation at Newlands with the referee pulling out the red card for Damian de Allende for an elbow to the face of Lima Sopoaga - just as importantly, the All Blacks' first five-eighth will line up for a penalty goal from directly in front of the posts.
78TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL!: New Zealand (Lima Sopoaga) 25-17 New Zealand
79TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The flags are up! Lima Sopoaga drives his penalty goal attempt right through the middle to stretch the visitors' lead beyond a converted try with just on two minutes left on the clock.
TRY!: South Africa (Malcolm Marx) 25-22 New Zealand
80TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION!: South Africa (Elton Jantjies) 25-24 New Zealand
It's game on at Newlands! Malcolm Marx who has played the test match of his life breathes life back into the contest with a try right at the death - the resultant conversion drags the Springboks within a point with under a minute left to play.
FULL TIME: What an incredible test match - players from both sides are out on their feet as the final whistle sounds to end a pulsating, action-packed 80 minutes! A chance for everyone to catch their breath and reflect on one of the truly great contests. The match went right down to the wire but in the end it was New Zealand who have got to the line with a thrilling 25-24 victory over a gallant South Africa.
And what do I think of the game? It was tight but intense close game compared to that tough game in Albany in which we trashed the Boks by 57 points but the not so moment of the game goes to Ryan Crotty's opening but highly controversial try in which he knocked the ball on in the in goal area but the referee thinks that he scored so the try was given because Crotty's body managed to ground the ball but Dad told me that it went back. And it looked like all 3 All Black backs have scored a try such as Crotty, Rieko Ioane off a brilliant intercept & Damian McKenzie off a beautiful pass from David Havili who just came on to replace the injured Nehe Milner-Skudder who damaged his shoulder (His season looks to be far from over) after a front on tackle made by Springboks outside back Courtnall Skosan. But what about the Boks especially their 1st choice hooker Malcolm Marx who was probably their star of the game (He was the hero for South Africa & possibly man of the match/player of the game (Although McKenzie was actually player of the game according to Wikipedia) because he made several turnovers (He was an additional back rower or should I say a loose forward because he used to play that position during his 1st XV school days), set up a try scored by reserve flanker Jean-Luc du Preez & even perhaps, scored a single try off a rolling maul (The Springboks main strengths compared to Argentina's scrum) with several minutes left on the clock (Although Springbok halfback Ross Cronje was the only back to score a try in that game). But the villain of the match had to be Springbok reserve back Damian de Allende (Who had to come on to replace second five-eighth Jan Serfontein), because he was red carded by the French referee Jerome Garces (The man who sent off Sonny Bill Williams, who is about to send off Damian de Allende) for that unacceptable challenge on Lima Sopoaga (And yes it was thoroughly deserved to be a cheap shot (Although de Allende flattened Sopoaga with a elbow to the face whilst Sopoaga attempted a drop goal just like Stephen Perofeta did for Taranaki during the Ranfurly Shield game against Canterbury) just like SBW did on Anthony Watson with a shoulder charge to the head during the 2nd Lions series test in Wellington but World Rugby (The sport's governing body), is laying down the law on head high tackles/high shots in an effort to reduce concussion throughout the players head & neck area since the current laws was already introduced (Or should I say being in effect) from the 3rd of January this year) but he managed to escape suspension just like Bismarck du Plessis did 4 years ago because that cheap shot was worthy of a yellow card (Well he should've & could've been sent to the bin for 10 minutes rather or instead of than getting sent off the field in disgrace).
And the Wallabies finished runner up ahead of the Boks in the 2017 Rugby Championship standings after a 17 point win against the hapless/luckless Argentinians over in Mendoza with a news report:
Australia secured second spot in the Rugby Championship as they beat Argentina 37-20 at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas on Saturday.
Tries from Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge (2), Bernard Foley and Will Genia saw them to the five points as they finish one point ahead of the Springboks and 13 behind champions New Zealand, who ended with five wins from five.
The Pumas are bottom of the pile as despite a spirited performance that saw Matias Alemanno and Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias score, it was loss number five for them, ending another dismal campaign in the southern hemisphere.
In an entertaining opening 40 minutes there was nothing to separate the sides as they went into the break locked up at 13 points apiece.
Argentina were chasing their first win of the Rugby Championship campaign while Australia only had one themselves, plus two draws.
Foley put his side in front on 15 minutes after the home side infringed in front of their posts, but he was off-target soon after with a sitter.
Fortunately for the Wallabies they made amends in perfect style a minute later when Koroibete finished well down the left from 30 metres out. Again though Foley couldn't add points to the tally although this was a much more difficult attempt from the touchline. Australia were 8-0 up.
On 25 minutes the Pumas suddenly clicked and a series of strong carries led to Alemanno barging his way over near the uprights for seven. Argentina looked confident at this point and edged in front with a Nicolas Sanchez penalty, after Michael Hooper went off his feet at a ruck.
However, the hosts switched off on 34 minutes to allow Hodge to have a simple run in from eight metres out that put Australia 13-10 up.
Sanchez would level matters off the tee four minutes later before team-mate Joaquin Tuculet rightly had his try chalked off for a knock-on. That meant the teams went into their respective dressing room with honours even on the scoreboard which was a fair reflection of the half.
Foley's night didn't improve from the tee upon his return as he missed another attempt on 45 minutes, this time following a scrum offence.
The Wallabies were now desperately hunting a try as their next form of score, proved by their decision to snub three points from in front in favour of a scrum. It paid off with Foley throwing a dummy and slicing through to make it 20-13 for a try he thoroughly enjoyed of course.
But the lead was shortlived as a solid Pumas scrum set-piece led to Iglesias cutting back inside to go in near the posts to level matters.
Australia though just seemed the more likely to cut loose in the final quarter and so it proved with a slick move off the back of a lineout seeing Hodge bust through near halfway before finding Genia on his shoulder. The Wallabies were looking strong with a bonus-point in sight.
However they couldn't shake off the Pumas, who were denied a try from Juan Martin Hernandez because of an earlier forward pass. That was compounded soon after when Marcos Kremer was yellow carded for a tip tackle that meant they'd end the game down to 14 players.
Foley also added to Argentina's woes by extending the lead to 10 points following Kremer's indiscretion, leaving them with plenty to do. And it proved far too much with the Wallabies in fact putting the seal on an impressive victory with a bonus-point try coming from Hodge on the left.
And here is the review of round 8 in the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup season:
In a perfect scenario interest in the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership and Championship races will continue until the last act of the final round of play at the weekend.
In the Premiership, Ranfurly Shield holder Taranaki, who beat Canterbury 55-43 in one of the great Shield challenges, and defending champion Canterbury are tied at the top of the table on 36 points with North Harbour and Tasman clear holders of third and fourth place.
However, Taranaki have their double schedule of games to get through which if they were successful in both could see them qualify in first place.
They defend the shield against Manawatu on Wednesday and then play North Harbour in Albany on Sunday afternoon.
North Harbour made life difficult for Waikato when claiming a 13-11 win in Hamilton. While lifting North Harbour to third, it left Waikato needing to beat Bay of Plenty at Tauranga on Saturday to decide the relegation race.
Auckland, who lost to Tasman 18-31 on Sunday, play host to Canterbury on Friday and will need a win to send Waikato to relegation even before they meet Bay of Plenty. However, if Auckland can't win the pressure goes on Waikato.
Counties Manukau are eight points behind fourth-placed Tasman after their 29-24 win over Manawatu and fifth place is the best they can hope for when playing Tasman on Saturday.
In the Championship, Wellington, who thrashed Southland 61-12 are clear front runners when they face what will be an interesting contest with second-placed Northland. The Northland side beat Hawke's Bay 34-7.
Just who will reach the top four with Wellington will depend on Manawatu who face two games, Taranaki on Wednesday and Hawke's Bay on Sunday. Manawatu warmed up for their tough week with a 29-24 loss to Counties Manukau.
Bay of Plenty will have plenty to play for when meeting Waikato because their own hopes of making the top four could depend on a win.
Otago are sitting in fifth place, after their 28-36 loss to Bay of Plenty in Dunedin but only four points separate second from fifth.
And finally championship leader Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes has won the Japanese Grand Prix after successfully starting on pole as he finishes ahead of Red Bull's young 20 year old driver Max Verstappen who has finished in 2nd & Verstappen's Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo rounding out the podium in 3rd but Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel's form is deteriorating as he retires from the race due to a spark plug problem but 1 more race win for Hamilton at the next Grand Prix at Austin, Texas in America will guarantee the title (Just like 2 years ago in 2015 when he last did it at Circuit Of The Americas).
So that is my 151st blog of the year 2017 (MMXVII) & my 71st this year (Only 49 blogs left til I reach the double hundred).
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