Football. New Zealand beat South Africa
Nothing is going right for the All Blacks who have just lost for the third time in a row, losing to South Africa 26-10 on Saturday in Nelspruit in the inaugural Rugby Championship.
The South Africans put tremendous pressure in defence, frustrating the passing game that is often the strength of the All Blacks, who were placed at the back. The Springboks scored a half-time try from Kurt-Lee Arendse (8th), and flyhalf Handré Pollard scored all the other points for the locals.
South Africa reigns supreme
The All Blacks, to whom South Africa left only crumbs in the first period, can consider themselves lucky because they were trailing by just seven points at half time (10-3), as they were dominated by the Local XV, undermining their team. Forward and fierce defense.
Completely outclassed, the All Blacks only responded with a penalty from Jordie Barrett just before half-time and a late-in-the-match try by Shannon Frizell as South Africa were reduced to 14 after Kurt-Lee Arendse was sent off for dangerous play. But even in numerical inferiority it was the South Africans who took the point home by inflicting a humiliating final try on the All Blacks by Willie Le Roux, exploiting another mistake to level it between the posts.
Australia beat Argentina
Australia made an impressive debut in the Rugby Championship by defeating Argentina 41-26. This was no small feat though as the Australians trailed for almost the entire match.
Pablo Matera opened the scoring for the Argentines and joined them in the 65th minute with a penalty kick from Reece Hodge (27-26), while Australia was shorthand. The Wallabies then scored their fifth try, synonymous with an offensive bonus point, by Ikitau in overtime (80+5).
New Zealand suffered two consecutive losses to Ireland in July. While the Springboks remain masters at home against the All Blacks: 26 wins, New Zealand’s 24.
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