Rugby Union - Rugby Championship - South Africa v New Zealand - Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa - August 31, 2024 New Zealand's Caleb Clarke in action with South Africa's Jesse Kriel REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa kept their cool when they needed it most to arm wrestle their way to victory over New Zealand in the Rugby Championship on Saturday inspired by two of their young guns.
South Africa were 10 points adrift with 11 minutes left but fought back with a brutal display of forward power to win 31-27 at Ellis Park and take command of the southern hemisphere championship standings.
"We knew they could have a fast start, but we believe in ourselves, and we didn't panic, and we just went on and did what we wanted to do," said captain Siya Kolisi, with his face visibly swollen after a head knock forced him off in the second half.
"They were catching us on the exit. We couldn't exit well, but the main thing about this game is just don't give up. We've been here before. We've been behind, we've been in front, so we can draw from those experiences."
South Africa face New Zealand again next Saturday in Cape Town.
"We respect the All Blacks," Kolisi said. "No matter what people say about them, what situation they’re in, when it's time to turn up, they turn up. We knew it was going to be hard."
New Zealand, who have won 10 of last 12 Rugby Championships, have now lost two of three matches at the halfway stage of this year’s competition.
Captain Scott Barrett said they lost momentum near the end.
"I think there were two key moments after kickoffs, and we couldn't quite get out of our half, and they punished us repeatedly. We had infringements down there and we found ourselves a man down, and eventually they got over.
"It was a huge effort, I’m certainly proud of the boys, but, yeah, not quite enough tonight."
South Africa fielded inexperienced players in key positions with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf, instead of World Cup hero Handre Pollard, and Aphelele Fassi at fullback ahead of the experienced Willie le Roux.
"That’s how you learn what a guy is made of. I think Fassi was fantastic. Willie helped him during the week, while Handre helped Sacha," said South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus.
"We will lose some matches, but as long as we keep showing this character against a team like New Zealand, I’m happy."
(Writing by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Ed Osmond)
