The world champions inflicted a record defeat on New Zealand in a remarkable second-half in Wellington
Damian Willemse celebrates scoring against the All Blacks in Wellington(Image: Getty Images)
New Zealand players, coaches and commentators were left stunned as the Springboks inflicted a record defeat on the All Blacks with a remarkable second-half rout in Wellington on Saturday.
The back-to-back world champions were flawless in the second 40 minutes of the Rugby Championship clash at Sky Sports, scoring an unanswered 36 points to condemn New Zealand to their biggest ever defeat in Test history. The All Blacks had led 10-7 at the break thanks to debutant Leroy Carter.
However, the second-half was a grim watch for the home fans – as Rassie Erasmus’ side comprehensively hammered the All Blacks with a complete performance that combined set-piece power with clinical attacking play.
Cheslin Kolbe crossed for two tries, with Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman and Andre Esterhuizen completing the rout.
Sky Sports NZ commentator Grant Nisbett called it “one of the great Springbok performances of all time”, adding that the All Blacks had “no answers to an onslaught”. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
“36 to nil in the second-half,” added Nisbett. “They’ve done it all.
“They have completely embarrassed the All Blacks at Sky Stadium with a magnificent performance. A record-breaking 43 points to 10.”
Afterwards, the cameras showed All Black players stood on the pitch looking shocked, while Scott Robertson and the rest of his ticket were captured sitting in the coaches’ box in silence.
Former All Black and Ospreys scrum-half Justin Marshall added: “What a performance by the Springboks.
“The accuracy, the intent to play. No one can argue about their game plan, the way they wanted to play.
“They have shown the ability that they are not just a team that plays territory, they have some strike power in their backline and they can play with pace and tempo that can put a score on like that against the All Blacks at home.
“Quite incredible.”
Marshall added that Erasmus and captain Siya Kolisi would be thinking after that performance that “Man, we can be dangerous if we can be like this every week.”
One of Sky Sports’ other commentators chimed in that he could not “remember a better 40 minutes of rugby for a long, long time”, adding that the Wellington crowd had been treated to something special.
The performance came after the Springboks had been beaten at Eden Park in the last round of the Rugby Championship, leading to criticism of the team and Erasmus.
The occasion was made all the more emotional following the death of former Springbok full-back Bevin Fortuin this week at the age of 46.
“This performance was for Bevin Fortuin,” said player of the match Damian Willemse afterwards. “A close friend of mine.
“Also our coach, coach Erasmus, who has been taking a lot of shots and been backing us as a team.”