New Zealand faced their most significant defeat ever in rugby history, losing 43-10 to South Africa at Wellington in the Rugby Championship. The Springboks, current world champions, demonstrated an electrifying performance, rebounding strongly after a loss to New Zealand the previous week. Their triumph included six tries and an overwhelming 36 unanswered second-half points. Previously, New Zealand’s heaviest defeat was by 35-7 against the Springboks at Twickenham in 2023.
This match significantly impacted the Rugby Championship standings. Australia currently leads the championship with 11 points, one point ahead of South Africa and New Zealand, while Argentina trails by two points.
After the victory, South Africa’s captain Siya Kolisi praised his team and coach Rassie Erasmus for their fearless play, highlighting their self-belief as a key factor in their performance. The match saw South Africa begin with intensity, nearly scoring before Jordie Barrett’s defensive brilliance denied them. Although New Zealand’s Leroy Carter, on his debut, closed the gap with a well-executed try, South Africa quickly leveled the score thanks to Cheslin Kolbe’s interception.
Damian McKenzie’s penalty briefly put New Zealand ahead, but thereafter, South Africa dominated. Kolbe’s second try, followed by a series of tries from Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, and Andre Esterhuizen, extended their lead. New Zealand’s captain Scott Barrett acknowledged the Springboks’ dramatic improvement and recognized areas for his team to improve.
The next two rounds of the Rugby Championship will see South Africa face Argentina and New Zealand confront Australia. Kolisi emphasized the importance of the upcoming matches, noting that the championship title remains within reach for the Springboks.
This recent result has added further intensity to the ongoing Rugby Championship, with teams showing significant strategic improvements and demonstrating resilience after previous outcomes. South Africa’s ability to bounce back and maintain a competitive stance in the tournament highlights their tenacity and strategic prowess, positioning them as strong contenders for the championship title.
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