South Africa lay down marker ahead of World Cup defence by thrashing New Zealand
South Africa laid down a marker ahead of their World Cup title defence by hammering New Zealand 35-7 in a warm-up conflict at Twickenham.
The reigning world champions dominated from the primary whistle on a chastening evening for World Cup favourites New Zealand, who had Scott Barrett despatched off within the first half, leaving his match participation doubtful.
South Africa hammered Wales 52-16 in Cardiff final weekend and began in the identical useless, with relentless early stress resulting in a Thirteenth-minute sin-binning for Barrett – who paid the value for repeated New Zealand infringements.
Prop Tyrel Lomax was then pressured off with what seemed to be a critical knee harm earlier than skipper Sam Kane was additionally proven a yellow card in a disastrous first quarter-hour for the All Blacks.
Kwagga Smith of South Africa scores the crew’s fifth strive as they dismantled New Zealand at Twickenham
(Getty Pictures)
New Zealand, who had been imperious in securing the 2023 Rugby Championship title final month, defended resolutely however Siya Kolisi pressured his means over for the opening strive after 18 minutes.
Richie Mo’unga hit the publish with a easy penalty and Kurt-Lee Arendse ran in South Africa’s second strive from an interception to make it 14-0.
Issues went from dangerous to worse for the All Blacks as Barrett was proven a second yellow and despatched off simply earlier than half-time for dangerously flying right into a clearout – that means he’s more likely to miss their World Cup opener in opposition to France on September 8.
The Springboks hit the bottom working once more after half-time as Malcolm Marx scored following a line-out.
Pieter-Steph Du Toit was sin-binned for a harmful deal with however a contemporary ahead pack, after seven substitutions, powered over for a fourth Springboks strive as Bongi Mbonambi touched down.
New Zealand had no reply to South Africa as Kwagga Smith added a fifth, with Manie Libbok flawless with the boot, earlier than Cam Roigard’s first Check strive supplied New Zealand’s solely second of pleasure.
