All Blacks: Resolute ABs give Springboks much to ponder

The All Blacks left the Springboks stunned. Photo / Getty Images

As Morne Steyn wakes on his 26th birthday this morning, he may pause to reflect on losing a rare record last night. In three tests last year, Steyn had not known what it was like to lose to the All Blacks. He does now.

Steyn is the perfect foil for this South African team - when they are going forward. He is a man of method, of meat and taties, a metronome. Not a Dan Carter. Flair is an unmentionable F word.

Such qualities appeared in his 15 previous tests. You don't slot the winning penalty in the final minute of a test against the Lions, as he did in his second test last year, without knowing the meaning of composure.

He has the honour of scoring the most points (31) by a Springbok in a test against the All Blacks from last August in Durban, which doubles as a record for a player scoring all the points in a test.

The Springbok tactic of playing the percentages suits him. Get field position and reap the points that come through penalties, the odd try and the prospect of slipping back into the pocket for drop goals.

Yes, Steyn meets all the fundamentals of first-five play - with the boot. His up-and-under is pinpoint, his placekicking sublime and he can pot goals with the best of them, save perhaps for his uber-boot namesake Francois.

However, last night Steyn was part of a team regularly back-pedalling. His game crumpled in places.

It was competent, but competent was not going to beat the All Blacks. His up-and-under option - while still accurate - was being defused by the likes of resurgent fullback Mils Muliaina. In the 28th minute, Steyn held on too long before passing to Bryan Habana, but looked more dangerous with quicker ball hitting the advantage line.

Elsewhere, when he looked to find space, he was met by a resolute All Blacks defence which offered few options. for creativity. That included one memorable occasion when All Blacks prop Owen Franks auditioned as a brick wall.

Then there was a mistake and fumble when he passed to no one in the 30th minute. Again, the All Blacks defence hustled him, exerting pressure that overflowed from winning the physical contest up front. Steyn also reverted to his trademark drop goal a couple of times but failed. Place kicks remained his core strength.

Steyn and the Springboks now head to Wellington contemplating the necessary changes that need to made for the second test.

He might be advised to utter that F word a couple of times and hope his forwards chant the S word ... solidity.