Boks beat All Blacks in 43-10 thriller in Wellington

What a game from the Springboks on Saturday morning (SA time) as they redeemed themselves in a 43-10 thriller against the All Blacks in Wellington. The Boks retain the Freedom Cup.

After last week's crushing defeat to New Zealand last week, the South African national rugby team played with their hearts from the blow of the whistle signalling the start of the match. 

In a statement, SA Rugby said the Boks started very well, but could not capitalise and when RG Snyman, an early replacement for Lood de Jager, finally went over, the try was cancelled for a knock-on earlier in the move.

"Instead, the All Blacks hit back with a try by Leroy Carter, on debut, with Damian McKenzie’s conversion making it 7-0 in the 19th minute.

"Cheslin Kolbe’s intercept try from 75m out and Manie Libbok, who replaced Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf, made it 7-7 after 25 minutes," the statement read. 

Meanwhile, McKenzie landed a penalty goal with 10 minutes left in the half and after that, Cobus Reinach and Aphelele Fassi also left the field, with Grant Williams and Andre Esterhuizen coming on," the statement read.

There was only one team on the field in the second half though, as the Boks added five tries to their tally after the break, through Kolbe, Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, and Andre Esterhuizen as they ran rampant at Sky Stadium.

Speaking after the match, Siya Kolisi thanked all the South Africans who supported the team on Saturday. 

"You came through. We saw you at the hotel. I had goosebumps seeing everyone at the hotel," he said. 

Kolisi further thanked his team for the success of Saturday's match. 

"Well done to our boys, we didn't give up. It's a squad effort. Everyone asked how to give a young team experience; you give them a chance to play.

"We took our opportunities where we got them. Teams don't often get opportunities against New Zealand. We played fearless," he added. 

Scorers:

New Zealand 10 (10) – Try: Leroy Carter. Conversion: Damian McKenzie. Penalty goal: McKenzie.

Springboks 43 (7) – Tries: Cheslin Kolbe (2), Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Andre Esterhuizen. Conversions: Manie Libbok (5). Penalty goal: Libbok.

IOL