Springboks rue 'poor discipline' after 35-20 defeat to All Blacks

New Zealand beat South Africa 35-20 in Saturday’s Rugby Championship fixture in Auckland.

The All Blacks led 20-3 at half-time.

Aaron Smith, Shannon Frizell, Will Jordan and Richie Mounga scored a try each for New Zealand.

Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe and Kwagga Smith scored a try each for the Springboks.

What Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber said

“The start wasn’t ideal for us,” said head coach Jacques Nienaber, after South Africa conceded 17 points in the opening 15 minutes.

“I felt we struggled to get into the game because of poor discipline – four consecutive penalties – and a lot of mistakes compounded by four or five missed tackles and against a quality side like New Zealand they will capitalise on that.

“They did that, and we played catch-up for the rest of the time. We can’t start like that with penalties and errors, probably some of them unforced and some from the pressure exerted on us, and if you’re going to play catch-up it’s going to be tough to get a foothold.

“I don’t think it’s a thing that we regularly start badly – no-one goes out to have a poor start. Sometimes it happens, sometimes you make a mistake or two and are on the back foot. We knew what was coming we just didn’t handle it.”