Next 1) Habana had a day to forget This was not the end to a glittering World Cup career that Bryan Habana would have hoped for. The joint-top try scorer in World Cup history started the match dreaming of solely owning the record and a second World Cup final, but he finished it ruing a poor individual performance. Having been at fault for the first All Black try, stepping out of the line at a crucial time allowing Dan Carter to throw a wide pass in the build-up to Kaino scoring. His initial error just brought about a desperation to make amends. Things continually went wrong as Habana tried to force matters. He mistimed a charge down of a Carter penalty, gifting the All Black fly-half another chance which he duly took. Then a promising kick chase came to an abrupt end when he was penalised for pushing Nehe Milner-Skudder in the back. In probably his worst misdemeanor, he saw yellow for a cynical offence, as he brainlessly knocked the ball out of the hands of Aaron Smith in the build-up to Barrett’s try. 2019 will be a step too far for Habana but next week will bring a chance to gain third place and the try-scoring record. His desire is not in doubt, but such desperation could see him falter.

Previous Next 2) All Blacks struggle with discipline Conceding nine penalties in a match is normally a par figure for the stingy All Black in a match. Conceding nine in the first half alone is definitely out of the ordinary. Steve Hansen would have been tearing his hair out as the All Blacks gifted South Africa a 12-7 lead at the break as time and time again, New Zealand were penalised. Much of this was down to the influence of Francois Louw and Schalk Burger at the breakdown, but a lot of the infringements were self-inflicted. The worst of the bunch was when Jerome Kaino was sent to the sin-bin after kicking the ball away from a lazy run in an offside position. You sense that a hairdryer was in full use at halftime as the All Blacks used their game management to keep the Springboks at bay and the penalties to a minimum in the second half.

Previous Next 3) South Africa are a mixed bag in the aerial battle It was a case of two steps forward, one step back in the kicking battle for the Springboks on Saturday. Willie Le Roux was targeted under the high ball but excelled as he managed to survive and actually thrive in the barrage. South Africa even managed to turn the aerial assault on its head as Habana claimed two kicks from Nehe Milner-Skudder. Under the high ball, the Springboks were on top. The problem however was in their clearance kicking. Too often, the Springboks failed to find touch – allowing the All Black to return the ball without a reprieve for the tiring South Africa forwards. Even when they found touch, the ball was still near enough to the touch-line for New Zealand to take the quick line-out and pile the pressure back on.

Previous Next 4) All Blacks always find a way to win When Patrick Lambie put South Africa just two points behind with 12 minutes remaining, you could be forgiven for thinking the All Blacks might be just a little tense as the prospect of a first final on foreign soil since 1995 looked in doubt. New Zealand had been struggling with discipline, invariable giving away a penalty every time the Springboks moved into their half. But, just many were beginning to doubt this All Blacks side, they showed just why they are feared worldwide. They proceeded to keep South Africa in their own half in a virtuoso display of temperament and game management. Aaron Smith kept the forwards moving the ball forward gradually while Carter sat in the pocket marshalling his team – and even though they did not get the drop goal, they ticked down the clock to ensure victory.