NZ 28 - 30 SA

So, SA broke their Carrisbroke duck and their 10 year losing streak, although it was really close and relied on a moment of sheer brilliance from RIcky Januarie and a couple of missed drop goals from Dan Carter.

But, that isn't really the story of the match. The referee was incredibly pedantic, and yet missed a couple of really blatant penalties, probably one each way, although the playing off the ball committed on Thompson was in a really kickable position. Whilst thinking of the referee, I'm not sure that I like the idea of "high tackle credit being used up" which is pretty much what he said. It wasn't a particularly dirty game, and whilst there were a few high tackles none of them were reckless and deserving of a yellow card in and of themselves, none of them were obvious cynical and so deserving of a yellow on that basis. Matfield missed the last 8 minutes because the ref wanted to be seen to be doing, as he had all match, and really it was purely because the ref wanted to be involved. Perhaps he (the referee that is) should get man of the match.

In the first half the tactics were a little odd... or perhaps off from the ABs. The Boks reliably and routinely isolated a player near the touchline and deep in AB territory with kicks from kick-off and from open play. The ABs responded by kicking badly (particularly Ellis) and giving the Boks territory. In the second half the ABs moved the ball around much more and looked much better for it. Saying that Smith's name wasn't mentioned in the first half is not to criticise him (he had a pretty superb second half), it reflected the fact that the Boks kicked to the wingers, and the ABs either kicked from 9 or 10, or gave the ball to Nonu to drive up to get a better position for the kick on the next phase.

The loss of Ali Williams (after a completely legal but very uncomfortable looking clash of heads with Burger left him dazed) left the AB pack looking incredibly light in experience - a total of 3 caps in the second row against Matfield and Botha - ouch! That said, the AB pack looked OK in the tight and not obviously weak at line out either (there were a couple of line outs won by the Bok off the AB throw, but it wasn't a disaster area), but no Williams and no Thorn left a hole in ball carrying and defensive alignments too.

There's also an issue at the 8-9 axis for the ABs. Kaino didn't have a great game, and Ellis didn't have one behind him either. The thing that was interesting is that when Kaino went off and Lauaki came on, Ellis looked a lot better. Perhaps a bit more training and playing together will sort out the issues between Kaino and Ellis, but if that doesn't work Henry might have to make a choice - does he want Kaino or Ellis more? Mind you, it's not clear who he would have as the new #9 if he does decide to stay with Kaino. Lauaki also had a much better game than Kaino this week, so maybe in a fortnight's time he'll get the start. No axe to grind here, I think they're both really good players, and perhaps when McCaw is fit again there will be a real tussle for the #8 shirt between the three of them -Thompson seems like a shoe in at 6 at the moment - and I don't know who would win. Perhaps keeping Lauaki as an impact player is a hint for So'oialo and Lauaki as the pair to swap with Thompson, McCaw and So'oialo as the starting lose trio?

Congratulations to the Boks. I still think they didn't deserve to win with their team selection - and they looked much more threatening when Steyn and Jantijes came on, and they didn't look weaker in defence. However, on the night, they played well enough to keep it close and that flash of inspiration gave them a win that it's hard to begrudge.