Springboks pull off win for the ages in All Blacks boilover

[Nergal]

 

THE Springboks have pulled off a win for the ages, taking down the world champion All Blacks on home soil.

After taking a 24-17 lead into halftime — the most points the All Blacks have ever conceded in a first half at home — the Springboks then hung on for a famous 36-34 win at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

Rated $8 outsiders heading into the Rugby Championship clash, the upset was arguably the biggest in Test rugby since Eddie Jones’ Japan beat the Springboks in their opening match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

The victory snapped a six match Boks losing streak against the All Blacks dating back to 2014.

Making the victory all the more incredible was that the All Blacks had won 56 of their previous 57 home Tests, with the only previous loss during that run at the hands of the British and Irish Lions at the same venue last year.

“I’m very happy for the effort today,” emotional Springboks captain Siya Kolisi said.

“It’s been a tough couple of weeks for the boys, and the way we carried ourselves this week and the way we worked hard and believed in ourselves... I have no words.”

The victory eased the pressure on coach Rassie Erasmus, who had shocked reporters earlier in the week by claiming that his position was under threat despite only taking the job six months ago and claiming a series win over England in June.

“We’ve let ourselves down in the first couple of games,” Kolisi said.

“I think we showed a little bit of what we can do (tonight).

“Obviously we haven’t achieved much yet.