Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn dominated a kicking contest as South Africa earned a 31-19 victory over New Zealand in the Tri-Nations Test at the Absa Stadium, Durban on Saturday — the first time the Boks have won successive Tests against the All Blacks at home in 33 years.
Steyn, who replaced injured Ruan Pienaar in the starting XV, single-handedly stole the advantage from the All Blacks shortly before half-time and the hosts never relinquished it as they stretched their early lead at the top of the Tri-Nations log with two wins from as many games.
The 25-year-old had given South Africa the early lead with a penalty in the fifth minute, but his counterpart, Stephen Donald, gradually put New Zealand ahead. The tourists stayed in front until three minutes before the half-time whistle.
In the 12th minute All Black lock Isaac Ross dotted over on the left wing and, despite Steyn’s efforts which included the first of four missed drop kicks, Donald gave New Zealand the edge as they took a 13-12 lead eight minutes before the break.
But Steyn, who set a Tri-Nations record by scoring all 31 of the Boks’ points, was phenomenal in the wet conditions early on — it dried up as the match progressed — taking just a few minutes to turn the game on its head.
Receiving the ball in South Africa’s quarter, he booted it to within five metres of the All Blacks try-line. A lineout and two scrums later, Steyn was back in the middle of the action when he dotted over with less than three minutes on the halftime clock.
He successfully converted his try and in the final phase of the half added three more from a penalty kick to give the hosts a 22-13 lead at the break.
New Zealand fought back hard but Steyn’s superb kicking kept the hosts ahead throughout the second half as they secured a second successive victory and another bonus point. – Sapa