Australia impress in Bledisloe 1, Boks claim series win against Lions and thrills aplenty in the Currie Cup. Shaun Goosen looks back on this weekend's rugby action.
Steyn boots Boks to series win… again
Morné Steyn slotted a late penalty to guide the Springboks to a 19-16 win in the decisive third Test match against the British & Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. The Bulls flyhalf, who kicked the last-gasp penalty that sealed the 2009 series for South Africa, joins an illustrious group of players to have won more than one series as a non-tourist. The win wrapped up proceedings 2-1 in the World Champions’ favour, as Siya Kolisi and his charges now turn their attention to the Rugby Championship which kicks off against Argentina in Port Elizabeth this weekend.
The Boks trailed 6-10 at the interval but produced a better second-half to come away with the spoils in the end. Cheslin Kolbe’s try in that period, set up by the ever-present Lukhanyo Am and the classy Willie le Roux, was something very special indeed and will live long in the memories of South African supporters.
Currie Cup close shaves
The weekend saw a round of some extremely tight Currie Cup matches, with the Sharks now top of the standings. The Durbanites beat the Bulls 35-28 at Kings Park on Friday after the Golden Lions had narrowly seen off the Griquas 45-42 at Tafel Lager Park. On Saturday, Western Province squeaked past the Cheetahs 40-39 in Cape Town in another topsy-turvy affair.
The weekend’s results mean the Bulls (29-points) now occupy second, a point off the Sharks (30), with the Griquas (26) three points back in third. One-point separates fourth-placed WP (22) from the Lions (21) in fifth and the Pumas (20) are one further back still. The Cheetahs (16) bring up the rear.
Bledisloe 1 win for the All Blacks
New Zealand beat Australia 33-25 at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in the Bledisloe Cup. Unbeaten at the venue since 1994, the All Blacks scored four tries in total, and three in a devastating 13-minute spell, to sink the Wallabies. Dave Rennie’s men did manage to score three late tries to make the scoreline somewhat more flattering, but the damage was already done and it will be another tall order for Australia to reclaim the elusive Bledisloe from here.
Things, of course, may have panned out differently had Noah Lolesio been more accurate off the kicking tee. The Brumbies pivot left 12 points out there, missing a number a pretty simple kicks at this level. The Test match, Aaron Smith’s 100th, will give the ABs some momentum heading into the rematch at the same venue this weekend.
