Who was the Kings on defence for the Springboks?
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South Africa claimed a 29 24 victory over New Zealand in the third Test of rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour. The match was tightly contested, with the scores level at 12 12 at half time.
Let’s take a look at the players who stood out on defence.
Jordie Barrett led the tackle count for New Zealand with 14 tackles, while Ruan Nortje was South Africa’s leading tackler with 12. Cobus Wiese, Siya Kolisi and Damian de Allende all made 11 tackles.
Barrett also made three dominant tackles, the most in the match. Pieter Steph du Toit, George Bower and Ox Nche each made two dominant tackles.
New Zealand had four players make try saving tackles, with Damian McKenzie, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard and Sam Darry each making one.
Eben Etzebeth, Pieter Steph du Toit, Morne van den Berg and Manie Libbok each allowed two offloads in their tackles.
Nortje was particularly busy in New Zealand’s half, making six tackles. Damian de Allende and Jasper Wiese made five each, while Jesse Kriel, Ethan Hooker, Ox Nche and Jordie Barrett all made four.
In their own 22, Jordan, Ruben Love and Peter Lakai each made four tackles.
Barrett once again led the way for tackles in his own half with 10. Siya Kolisi and Peter Lakai made eight each, while Reihana and Pieter Steph du Toit finished with seven apiece.
As a team, South Africa completed 118 of their 150 tackle attempts for a 79 percent success rate. New Zealand completed 85 of 106 tackles at an 80 percent success rate.
South Africa now have the chance to make it three wins to one when the teams meet in America. Can the Springboks extend their advantage, or will the All Blacks level the series?
