Few rivalries in world sport can match the history, intensity and sheer quality of South Africa vs New Zealand. The Springboks and All Blacks have been battling for more than a century, producing everything from brutal defensive encounters to extraordinary displays of attacking rugby.
During these classic matches, a number of truly spectacular tries have been scored by players from both teams.
From forwards charging through defenders to wingers displaying breathtaking pace, here are some of the greatest tries scored in matches between the Springboks and All Blacks.
Richard Bands – 2003 Tri-Nations
It's not every day that a prop forward scores a try that becomes one of the most replayed moments in a rivalry. Tighthead prop Richard Bands changed all
that in Dunedin in 2003.
With South Africa under pressure against the All Blacks, Bands received the ball around halfway and decided to run. Rather than simply charging into contact, the Springbok prop showed remarkable pace and footwork, shrugging off Carlos Spencer before continuing towards the line.
The commentary — “He's gonna have a go at Spencer! Get outta the road!” — became almost as famous as the try itself. Bands' extraordinary run was subsequently recognised as the 2003 SuperSport Try of the Year.
Joe Rokocoko – 2003 Rugby World Cup
The immense flair that the All Blacks are renowned for resulted in a moment of pure attacking genius from mercurial flyhalf Carlos Spencer against South Africa in the 2003 World Cup quarter-final.
Spencer produced a piece of skill that perfectly summed up his unpredictable style. Close to the Springbok line, the All-Blacks flyhalf received the ball, turned towards his own forwards and somehow threw a backwards pass between his legs.
Joe Rokocoko was waiting behind him and had the simplest of finishes in the corner. It was not just the execution that made the try special — it was the audacity to even attempt the pass. Rugby World later highlighted the score as one of the greatest tries of the 2000s.
Ricky Januarie – 2008 Tri-Nations
The match-winning try from scrumhalf Ricky Januarie against the All Blacks in 2008 at Carisbrook wasn’t just one of the most important Bok tries against the All Blacks; it was also one of the best, capturing the drama of the Springboks' rivalry with New Zealand
South Africa had never won at the Dunedin venue, and with the Boks trailing 28–23 with 7 minutes remaining and down to 14 men after a Victor Matfield yellow card, defeat appeared almost inevitable.
Then Januarie produced something extraordinary- he spotted an opening from a ruck, burst through, chipped the ball over the defensive line and gathered it himself before diving over. Francois Steyn converted, giving South Africa a remarkable 30–28 victory.
It was more than a spectacular try. It was a match-winning moment that finally ended South Africa's long wait for a victory in Dunedin.
Israel Dagg – 2010 Tri-Nations
All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg's first try against South Africa in Wellington in 2010 was a spectacular introduction to Test rugby's biggest stage, producing a piece of individual brilliance on a wet and windy evening at Westpac Stadium.
In the 65th minute, 2 minutes after coming on as a replacement for Rene Ranger, Dagg received the ball just outside the Springbok 22-metre line, and initially ran laterally across the field, facing a wall of South African defenders. With several forwards outside him, the obvious option appeared to be to pass. Instead, Dagg used a goose-step and a dummy to wrong-foot the defence before suddenly accelerating through a gap.
He continued to weave his way through several more Springbok defenders, as he sprinted over in the corner to complete one of the most memorable tries of his early All Blacks career.
The try effectively put the result beyond South Africa's reach. New Zealand went on to win 31–17, with Dagg's score giving the All Blacks their fourth try and the bonus point. It was also his first Test try, making the occasion even more significant.
Bryan Habana – 2012 2013 Rugby Championship
Bryan Habana scored plenty of memorable tries during his illustrious Springbok career, with a record-setting 67 tries, but his effort against New Zealand in Dunedin in 2012 is arguably the most spectacular of the lot.
Habana took a crash ball, immediately recognised the space behind the All Blacks defence and chipped the ball over the covering players. He then accelerated after it, collected his own kick and finished in the corner.
It was an extraordinary combination of power, pace, anticipation and skill from one of the fastest players in Springbok history. The try was subsequently named the 2012 IRB Try of the Year, while News24 also ranked it as one of the greatest Springbok tries.
Bryan Habana – 2013 Rugby Championship
The 2013 meeting at Ellis Park was one of the most extraordinary matches in the rivalry's history, with New Zealand eventually winning 38–27. Bryan Habana scored 2 spectacular tries during the match, with the 2nd try being arguably the best.
Flanker Francois Louw managed to get his arms through the tackle to release Habana on the left wing. Habana proceeded to chip over the fullback, collect the ball and score yet another spectacular try for South Africa. The match featured 9 tries in total and remains one of the classic attacking encounters between the two nations.
Get Your Game On
The Greatest Rivalry Tour has produced plenty more spectacular tries, and this trend will undoubtedly continue in future matches between rugby’s greatest rivals. Visit www.gbets.co.za and Bet Now on a variety of rugby matches.