Classic clashes: Beauden breaks Bok hearts in Ellis Park epic

With the Springboks and All Blacks set to clash next week in the 2022 Rugby Championship, here’s a look back to 2013 when Beauden Barrett helped New Zealand win a 65-point thriller in Johannesburg.

The Springboks went into the final fixture of the tournament needing a bonus-point victory, while also denying New Zealand any points, in order to claim the Rugby Championship title. In an ominous start to the match, Ben Smith scored his record eighth try of the tournament, but the Boks hit back through Bryan Habana’s brace before Liam Messam’s double gave New Zealand a 21-15 lead at the break.

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South Africa edged ahead at the start of the second half through wing Willie le Roux’s converted try and captain Jean de Villiers flattened Barrett on his way to the tryline to get the bonus point and give the Boks a glimmer of hope. However, Barrett got his revenge as he stepped his way through the backline to all but seal the title for New Zealand, before Kieran Read went over to assure the All Blacks of victory.

Springboks – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Gurthro Steenkamp, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Jan Serfontein.

CLASSIC CLASHES: Jean delivers the goods for Boks

All Blacks – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Steven Luatua, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Charles Piutau.

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