The relentless All Blacks machine purred into action after half time again, and eased away from the Springboks to a 41-13 – and 15th straight – victory.
Outstanding performances came from Dane Coles and Aaron Smith, who both redeemed themselves after error-ridden games against Argentina.
But, how did the players on both sides rate?
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All Blacks
Ben Smith: 7.5
A quiet first half as the officious Wayne Barnes-like referee did not allow the game to flow beyond first phase ball.
Smith came much more into the game in the second half and made four clean breaks, combining beautifully with his Highlanders teammate Aaron Smith with a neat wraparound try.
Most metres gained (55) out of all players in this test.
Israel Dagg: 7
Consistent with a very low error rate, Dagg scored another try and looked after the physical threat of Francois Hougaard well. A classy no-look pass near the end of the game showed the flair is still there.
Malakai Fekitoa: 5.5
Solid in a match where the two midfields largely cancelled each other out and were outshone by a multi-skilled hooker.
A bright beginning and again well-organised defensively, but Fekitoa hasn’t shown the tackle-busting attacking form of two seasons ago yet.
Ryan Crotty: 5
A quiet test where he was more involved in the stolid first half, but struggled for fluency.
Julian Savea: 6.5
A well-taken try and a few strong runs, but not quite the same impact as last week against the Pumas.
Beauden Barrett: 7
His speed created space for those in wider channels but the cramped and start-stop nature of the game didn’t allow him to add his magic to the highlight reels.
One chip kick ahead resulted in him shockingly not getting the bounce of the ball, which pretty much summed up his night. Barrett had a better game from the kicking tee, with five from seven and also punted accurately and long.
Aaron Smith: 9
South Africa seemed intent on squashing the threat of Barrett and Smith took full advantage, with sniping runs, bullet passes and accurate kicking. His combinations with Coles were breathtaking at times.
Kieran Read: 7
The main go-to guy in lineouts and receiving kick-offs, some solid runs but without the World Player of the Year magic touches of old. Perhaps he has outsourced those plays to Coles this season.
Ardie Savea: 7
Savea was the highest tackler for the All Blacks (10) and will look back on his first starting test with mixed feelings. Like many players, he struggled to find rhythm in the first half, and was penalised a couple of times for over-exuberance in the breakdown area.
Became far more prominent in the second half, making two big plays in one try, and scoring one of his own – albeit a trifle contentiously. Possibly not done enough to dislodge Cane from the starting No. 7 and more suited to the more open play of the second half.
Jerome Kaino: 7
Kaino suffered a worrying AC joint injury in the second half. Before that, his usual brutal contribution and one bullocking clean break.
Sam Whitelock: 6
Flopped over for a rare try in the second half and made reasonable contributions around the field.
Brodie Retallick: 6
Less involvement than last week but one strong run in the second half.
Owen Franks: 6.5
Proud(ish) owner of the world record number of games without a try (84). Franks was the cornerstone of a scrum which edged the Boks during the game.
Dane Coles: 10
It seems almost strange to rate him in his allocated position because he was a fly-half, a midfielder and I guess, at times a hooker in this match.
Coles set up three tries with extraordinary passing and intelligent use of space. He was also perfect in his core lineout duties after a few wobbles last week.
Joe Moody: 6
Made one potentially try-scoring tackle on Juan de Jongh in the first half and otherwise was solidly anonymous or anonymously solid.
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South Africa
Johan Goosen: 4
Goosen showed some real zip when collecting the ball but then usually dropped it.
Bryan Habana: 6.5
Criminally underutilised in the test as he showed in scoring in his one real opportunity with a classy angled finish. Second to Adam Ashley Cooper in tries against the All Blacks.
Jess Kriel: 4
For a player who had such promise two or three seasons ago, this anonymous outing raises questions.
Juan de Jongh: 5
Showed a few sparks of talent and pace and was solid defensively, but nothing influential.
Francois Hougaard: 6
Hougaard showed his power by making a few metres particularly in the first half, but played more like a roving loose forward than a pacy winger.
Elton Jantjies: 4.5
Not a great night for the talented youngster. The lack of time and space resulted in two disastrous mistakes at kick-offs. His electric running game never got going but he did some brave tackling and negated the running threat of Barrett.
Faf de Klerk: 5
In a game made for short, sharp influential plays from halfbacks, De Klerk did not inspire and was completely outplayed by his opposite.
Warren Whiteley: 8
Probably the Springboks’ most impressive player in Christchurch, Whiteley was the leading tackler in the match (11), and was in the thick of the action in South Africa’s respectable showing in the first half. A bit swamped thereafter.
Oupa Mahoje: 4
Three tackles, two carries. Not much bang for Bok buck.
Francois Louw: 4
Four tackles, one run. See above.
Pieter-Steph du Toit: 7.5
Du Toit will be locked in a starting position after this performance. A try-saving turnover after Ben Smith bust in the second half and the highest metres gained (a very low 26) out of all the Boks.
Eben Etzebeth: 6.5
A strong presence in the game with good lineout work, Etzebeth made seven tackles without showing the world-class touches of previous seasons.
Vincent Koch: 6.5
Koch had some strong continuity work in the first half but became less involved as the game opened out in second.
Adriaan Strauss: 7
Strauss had his team in touch with a good amount of self-belief before suffering an injury.
Tendai Mtawarira: 6
Was he playing? Five tackles and four runs says yes – but none were ‘Beast’ material.
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Kaal Kaczmarek, Pundit Arena
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Read More About: 2016 Rugby Championship, aaron smith, All Blacks, beauden barrett, Ben Smith, israel dagg, New Zealand player ratings, Rugby Championship player ratings, sam whitelock, southern hemisphere rugby, springboks
