Paulse praises Stormers’ ‘gutsy’ display despite All Blacks victory

Springbok great Breyton Paulse says the Stormers produced a “gutsy performance” in their 38-21 defeat by the All Blacks, while acknowledging that several refereeing decisions left the South African side feeling frustrated.

The match at Cape Town Stadium on Friday night opened the Greatest Rivalry Tour, with 47,000 supporters attending the contest in Cape Town.

Although New Zealand secured a convincing final score, the Stormers remained competitive for long periods and matched the All Blacks in a lively opening encounter. Their performance also exposed areas New Zealand will need to address before facing the Springboks in the first Test in Johannesburg on 22 August.

Stormers coach John Dobson questioned a number of decisions during the match, including one scrum in which he believed his team had driven the All Blacks backwards without receiving the reward he expected. He also referred to a shoulder challenge on centre Jonathan Roche in the build-up to one of New Zealand’s tries.

“I think that scrum call where we were running with them, it went against us, and that ended up in a try back there,” Dobson told reporters at his post-match press conference.

Paulse agreed that the Stormers had grounds to feel aggrieved by some of the calls, although he accepted that officiating decisions can favour either team over the course of a match.

“What a gutsy performance by the Stormers. The game could have gone anywhere in the last 15-20 minutes,” Paulse told KickOff Rugby.

“There’s definitely a few strange calls [but] you know, overall, sometimes calls are going to go against you, and calls are going to go for you.”

The former Springbok winger also focused on the wider significance of the occasion, describing the opening fixture as a memorable spectacle for those inside the stadium.

The atmosphere provided a striking backdrop to the contest, with a large crowd turning out despite the result ultimately going in the All Blacks’ favour. Paulse said the event had delivered the kind of experience expected from the start of the tour.

“What a start to the tour. I think everybody loved it,” Paulse said.

“Great crowd, great weather in Cape Town.

“Take away the calls and all the drama. It really was a spectacle. I think everybody who went there, fans and stuff, the experience must have been great.”

The Stormers’ competitiveness will offer encouragement despite the defeat, while New Zealand can take confidence from beginning the tour with a win. The All Blacks will now have the issues identified during the match to consider ahead of their first Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg.