Published: Mar 23, 2015, 08:47 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 23, 2015, 08:47 AM (IST)
Auckland: Auckland’s Eden Park, where New Zealand and South Africa meet in a Cricket World Cup semi-final on Tuesday, has also played host to some memorable rugby union clashes between the two countries, with the All Blacks and Springboks long the two major powers in the 15-man code. SCORECARD: New Zealand (NZ) vs South Africa (SA) in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 semi-final 1
AFP Sport looks at some memorable New Zealand-South Africa matches in both sports at Eden Park:
RUGBY UNION
1937: New Zealand 6 South Africa 17
By running in five tries to nil the Springboks, given the scoring system then in use, inflicted New Zealand’s heaviest defeat on home soil as they clinched a 2-1 series victory in stunning style. South Africa’s win led to the old joke that the “best team ever to leave New Zealand were the 1937 Springboks”. New Zealand, South Africa rule out sledging in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 semi-final 1
1981: New Zealand 25 South Africa 22
A match that became known as the ‘Flour Bomb Test’ after a light aircraft flying above Eden Park dropped paper flour bombs on the ground, one of which hit New Zealand prop Gary Knight directly on the head, as part of an anti-apartheid protest. The All Blacks eventually won an extraordinary match, and the series, thanks to Allan Hewson’s injury-time penalty from 35 metres out after Springbok wing Ray Mordt scored a hat-trick of tries. Martin Guptill’s 200 and related records: World Cup quarter-final against West Indies
1994: New Zealand 18 South Africa 18
Gavin Johnson and Brendan Venter both scored tries for the Springboks, with Johnson also kicking two penalties and a conversion. But New Zealand full-back Shane Howarth landed six penalties as the match finished all square. It was the last time New Zealand failed to win a rugby international at Eden Park, since when they’ve posted 33 consecutive victories at their Auckland stronghold.
CRICKET
1992, World Cup: New Zealand won by 7 wkts
South Africa’s first match in Auckland for nearly 28 years saw them become one of several teams at the 1992 World Cup perplexed by New Zealand opening the bowling with off-spinner Dipak Patel. Andrew Hudson was bowled by Patel at the top of the order and it needed veteran Peter Kirsten’s 90 to help South Africa to a modest 190 for seven. Mark Greatbatch (68) and Rod Latham (60) put on 103 for the first wicket as New Zealand enjoyed a comfortable victory.
1995, Only Test: South Africa won by by 93 runs
South Africa spoilt New Zealand’s celebrations for their cricket centenary with a come from behind win. Hansie Cronje’s declaration just before lunch on the fifth day, after he made 101 himself, left New Zealand needing 275 to win in 63 overs. But seamer Fanie de Villiers (four for 42) took wickets throughout the innings and New Zealand were dismissed for 181.
2004, 2nd Test: New Zealand won by 9 wkts
New Zealand seamer Chris Martin took match figures of 11 for 180 to help set up an impressive victory. Scott Styris (170) and Chris Cairns (158) both scored centuries in a large New Zealand first innings of 595 and not even Jacques Rudolph’s second-innings 154 not out could spare South Africa defeat.
