RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Luck had nothing to do with spirited Springbok win
Every inch was earned and every All Black mistake was forced through relentless Bok pressure
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said luck played its part in his side’s historic win over the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday‚ but luck had very little to do with it. If anything the Boks were unlucky on their way to a 36-34 win that shook the rugby firmament’s foundations and saved the Rugby Championship from another year of procession and coronation for the All Blacks. “We are No6 or 7 in the world. We still have to catch up to New Zealand‚ Australia and England‚” Erasmus said. “There are so many teams ahead of us‚ there is no way we can get ahead of ourselves. This is one win against the world’s best team‚ with a bit of luck.” Seldom‚ if ever‚ have the All Blacks gone into a Test against the Boks as such overwhelming favourites. Nothing pointed to a Springbok win. Yet the Boks prevailed for only the fourth time in New Zealand in the professional era at the 24th time of asking. They scored a record 36 points, more than any side in history has managed in a single game against t...
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