Best Boks v New Zealand: Hooker Reaches New Heights

The Springboks took a 2-1 lead over the All Blacks in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series courtesy of a thrilling 29-24 win in the third Test at FNB Stadium on Saturday, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

These Boks, Rassie Erasmus’ dynasty, are among the greatest big-match teams of all time. They proved it by winning back-to-back world championships and by beating the British and Irish Lions in 2021, when they rallied after losing the opening Test to win the series 2-1.

With the Greatest Rivalry series level at 1-1, Siya Kolisi and company came up clutch once again, overcoming adversity and tons of pressure before taking control of the match and coming away with an epic win in front of a crowd of 85,976 people.

As the largest stadium on the African continent, the Calabash was a cathedral befitting the occasion. The sea of spectators added to the spectacle, complete with a Mexican tsunami rather than a Mexican wave.

The victory wasn’t just vital in the context of the series but also historically significant, as it was Kolisi’s 55th win as skipper, moving him past John Smit as the most successful Bok captain of all time.

The Kiwis brought a storm to Soweto and put the hosts under the pump for most of the first half. South Africa had to do serious problem-solving, especially after suffering a double blow in the 10th minute that saw Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu yellow-carded for a deliberate knockdown and Cheslin Kolbe go off for an HIA, which he ended up failing.

As a result, Manie Libbok was thrust into the action at flyhalf, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu moving to fullback after serving his 10 minutes in the bin. New Zealand immediately capitalised on their numerical advantage through captain Ardie Savea, but the Boks hung tough to see out the remainder of the period.

Almost as soon as Feinberg-Mngomezulu returned, the Boks made their third 22 entry count with Damian de Allende setting up Kurt-Lee Arendse for a try in the 22nd minute. Savea scored his second after Libbok failed to find touch, but the teams headed into half-time at 12-all after the Boks’ scrum dominance earned them a penalty try.

Given that the All Blacks ‘won’ the second half in both of the first two Tests and that the Boks would have to play the final 40 into the wind, South African supporters remained on the edge of their seats, and their nerves flared up when Will Jordan went over for an unconverted try in the 56th minute.

The Boks, however, hit straight back through Jesse Kriel, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s conversion gave the men in Green and Gold the lead for the first time with 22 minutes left on the clock. South Africa stayed strong and stretched their lead to 29-17 after Malcolm Marx scored a seven-pointer from the back of a rumbling driving maul and Feinberg-Mngomezulu slotted a penalty goal. 

Samisoni Taukei’aho forced his way over in the 82nd minute, but it was too little, too late for the All Blacks, whose hopes of a series win died on the Highveld. 

It was a top-class team performance by the Boks, so all 23 players deserve credit, but we always select a podium of star performers. With that in mind, our top three Springbok standouts were:

Ethan Hooker

No disrespect to magicians, but if you think of one, you don’t picture a six-foot-four physical specimen. But that’s exactly what Hooker was – a magician who conjured up one crucial play after the other.

The hulking left winger stood tall in just about every one of his involvements. He takes the Boks’ aerial game, already one of their advantages over their old foes, to another level with his size, speed, work rate, and contesting, all of which were on display.

Then there was the textbook breakdown penalty he won in the 25th minute, and the intercept quickly followed by a clever grubber that almost netted the Boks a try.

The 23-year-old was absolutely magnificent and came away not only with the Man of the Match award but also as South Africa’s newly established No. 1 No. 11.

Malcolm Marx

A man whose legend continues to grow, Marx was once again immense.

Few players are irreplaceable, especially in the current Bok squad, which boasts greater depth than any before it, but Marx is truly irreplaceable. The leading role he’s played in this series has only underpinned that.

What makes him one of the all-time great Boks, the reigning World Player of the Year and the central figure in the Green and Gold machine, is the fact that he’s the total package.

I’ve long called him “The Complete Colossus” – giving the Boks an added dimension on top of being the most clinical hooker in the game as far as fundamentals are concerned, as the Boks’ set pieces are at their peak with him in the No. 2 jersey.

Ferocious and relentless, he dominates collisions on both sides of the ball, and he’s remarkable in the rucks. Jackals, like the one he delivered in the 61st minute, are what make the highlight reel, but he’s also massive when it comes to cleaning out.

It was one of his power cleans that unfortunately cut Savea’s night short and added to an awesome all-round effort capped off by a crucial try in the 67th minute. 

Morne van den Berg

Several players could just as well have made it onto our podium.

Ox Nche, who showcased his exceptional hands in addition to drilling the All Blacks at scrum time, his powerhouse prop partner Wilco Louw, and the hard-charging Jasper Wiese.

In the backline, you had Libbok, whose assuredness settled the nerves after the loss of Kolbe, and both centres, Damian de Allende – a try-creator and ball-poacher – and Jesse Kriel, whose display of strength saw him score the try that shifted the series as a whole. 

In the end, we went with Van den Berg, who was a human Energizer bunny off the bench. Introduced in the 44th minute, he made an immediate impact with a vital tackle on Jordan that resulted in a turnover, the start of a defensive masterclass for the ages.

He looked like Faf de Klerk 2.0, a giant-slayer supreme, and kicked exceptionally well to boot.