Springboks lead All Blacks 13-12 in thrilling Ellis Park first Test

The Springboks lead New Zealand 13-12 in a fiercely contested opening Test of the Greatest Rivalry Series at Ellis Park, with Cheslin Kolbe kicking his third penalty after the All Blacks had twice crossed for tries.

Kolbe has converted all three of his attempts at goal. His latest came in the 27th minute after South Africa won the first scrum penalty of the match, with the hosts choosing to take the points rather than kick for the corner.

New Zealand had moved ahead moments earlier when Josh Moorby finished a flowing attack in the corner. Tupou Vaa’i produced excellent hands to create the opening for the winger, although the Springboks will be disappointed with their defensive work. The try was converted, putting the All Blacks 12-10 ahead before Kolbe’s response.

New Zealand have looked to use the boot regularly. One kick went too far, allowing Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to take a mark, while another poor box kick from Grant Williams was dealt with by the All Blacks, who retained possession on halfway. When New Zealand sent the ball into the air again, Damian Willemse did brilliantly to claim it under pressure.

The All Blacks also threatened through a maul before moving the ball wide to Will Jordan, but Kolbe dealt with the danger. South Africa were then awarded a penalty for a neck roll and cleared their lines.

New Zealand’s scrum came under pressure but they managed to move the ball to their backs and win a ruck penalty. Ruben Love chose to kick for the line and set up an attacking lineout. A subsequent scrum collapsed and had to be reset.

An All Blacks player received treatment during the period, prompting Jesse Kriel to suggest that New Zealand might not want to restart quickly. Referee Matt Carley reprimanded the South Africa centre, telling him: “I’m aware of the story line.”

Earlier, Cam Roigard kicked ahead towards Willemse, who collected the ball despite being surrounded by two All Blacks defenders. South Africa later knocked on, leading to the first scrum of the match.

The Springboks had briefly regained the lead in the 14th minute when Andre Esterhuizen powered through Josh Moorby after receiving the ball in the back play. The centre brushed off the winger and scored with apparent ease, with Kolbe adding the conversion to make it 10-5.

South Africa had been awarded a penalty two minutes earlier after Josh Lord entered a lineout too soon in an attempt to prevent the maul forming. Ruan Nortje had not yet reached the ground, and the Springboks opted for an attacking lineout.

New Zealand handled the restart before Roigard cleared to around 30 metres from their own line. Kurt-Lee Arendse then left the field for a head injury assessment, with Esterhuizen coming on.

The All Blacks had opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Roigard fired a sharp pass to Jordan, who beat Grant Williams and finished in the right-hand corner. The conversion was missed.

New Zealand’s maul had made several metres before Roigard broke away and was stopped just short of the line. South Africa then conceded another penalty for a high tackle, allowing the All Blacks to set up a lineout around 18 metres from the Springboks’ line.

South Africa scored first through Kolbe’s penalty in the fifth minute after New Zealand had conceded a series of early penalties. The Springboks had won the ball through Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese before Codie Taylor prevented them from using it quickly, earning a further penalty and an additional 10 metres.

The opening exchanges also saw Malcolm Marx win a turnover on the ground, only for New Zealand to steal possession back when South Africa lacked support. Eben Etzebeth charged down a clearance but was penalised for being offside.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicked off for South Africa, who began the match attacking from left to right. Fans streamed into Ellis Park as anticipation built following a week of intense discussion around the rivalry.

South Africa’s starting XV is Damian Willemse, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Grant Williams, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Paul de Villiers, Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche.

Their replacements are Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen, Cobus Wiese, Andre Esterhuizen, Marco van Staden, Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok.

New Zealand began with Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Tupou Vaa’i, Fabian Holland, Josh Lord, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor and Ethan de Groot.

The All Blacks’ bench consists of Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Simon Parker, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown and Leroy Carter.