Share

McCaw hails All Black spirit

Johannesburg - Captain Richie McCaw has conceded the All Blacks had to "dig deep" in their frenzied 38-27 victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday that saw them retain the Rugby Championship title.

The All Blacks scored five tries on their way to the bonus point win in a game where the lead changed hands with regularity and had to play for 20 minutes with 14 men following yellow cards for Liam Messam and Ben Franks.

The showing was all the more impressive in that the All Blacks arrived in Johannesburg on Monday from Argentina, acclimatising quickly and showing no adverse effects from the altitude at which they were playing.

"We had to dig deep, both teams came here willing to play," McCaw told reporters.

"We had 20 minutes with 14 men, add into that a bit of travel, it was a very satisfying win.

"Going behind we could easily have got flustered, but the guys hung in there.

"We took our chances really well and there were times when we were under a lot of pressure and then got a critical turnover."

McCaw believed Messam's try after the siren at the end of the first half that took the All Blacks into the break 21-15 up was the crucial moment in the game, a point reiterated by Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer.

"The try on half-time was critical, I'm sure it changed their halftime talk," McCaw said.

"But credit to the Boks, they came out in the second half and scored again quickly, though we were able to keep ourselves ahead in the game."

The All Blacks skipper felt there was not much to choose between the two sides and praised the home side for keeping coming at them.

"There is very little between these teams and they put us under a hell of a lot of pressure.

"It's the same every game I have played against the Boks, if you don't get it 100% right you are in trouble."

McCaw, who hoisted aloft the World Cup trophy in 2011, ranked Saturday's win among his best in an international career spanning 120 matches given it was achieved at what New Zealand considers South African rugby's spiritual home.

"These are ones you want to play in, this is why you play the game of rugby.

"Growing up there are places you want to play and to get a chance today and to get a win here is pretty special, I remember watching the 1995 World Cup final (South Africa beat New Zealand 15-12) and thinking that one day it would be awesome to play there."

New Zealand's next assignment is their final Bledisloe Cup match against Australia in Dunedin on October 19, though they have already retained that title from last year as well.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE