Well done super Peter De Villiers, well done super John Smit & well done super Springboks

While enjoying the rest of the weekend I couldn’t help to smile every time I was reflecting back on that “epic” game as captain John Smit described it. Not only did the Springboks lift the Tri Nations Trophy when they won the All Blacks 32-29, they also confirmed their superiority in world rugby by beating the All Blacks 3 times in a year. Something they last did in 1949.

It was a collective effort that made the No.1 team in the world, hold off a late second half come back from the All Blacks to lift the trophy for the first time since 2004. Today all the players, reserves and coaching staff is my heroes.

Morne Steyn and Francois Steyn combined to score 22 points from kicks. Full back Francois Steyn, dubbed “rocket launcher” by Smit kicked three first-half penalties, from 62, 58 and 54 meters, to lift the Springboks to a 22-12 lead at half-time. Fly half Morne Steyn kicked the conversion of a first-half try by Fourie Du Preez (now surely the best half back in the world) and added two penalties and a dropped goal.

Jean de Villiers, who is joining Munster in a few weeks, scored an intercept try in the 52 th minute to clinch the win. Take away the scorers & you have the other heroes- John Smit had most probably his best test match this year. The captain played the majority of the match with a bloody nose & his tight five dominated in the scrums, won 10 line outs from the All Blacks & the loose trio eliminated Richie McCaw & his men. The backline played their part in defending ferociously & attacking when the opportunity presented itself.

There I go again…smiling. I could tell you all about how the All Blacks almost came back, how we showed signs of fatigue at the end or how the referee once again played a bigger part in the game than he should have, but I am not going to. I can’t stop smiling.

Thanks super Springboks, enjoy the silverware – you deserve it!