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Danie Gerber
vs the All Blacks
Written by Lucas in 2003 for Amabokke |
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Great Springbok Tries: Danie Gerber vs. the All Blacks, Ellis
Park 15 August 1992
The visit of Sean Fitzpatrick’s sixth All Blacks in South Africa was
the direct result of monumental events in the calamitous year of
1992. After many years of sporting isolation Springbok supporters
welcomed their fiercest foes to Ellis Park for a once off test.
Doc Craven, past his 80th year, wrote in the match programme, ‘after
the long and trying time we suffered, we are now meeting the might
of New Zealand. It is such an important encounter that winning or
losing is less important than the encounter itself.’
The All Blacks was a powerful and experienced side with legendary
players like Zinzan Brooke, Michael Jones, Grant Fox and John Kirwan
in their midst. After excellent preparations against provincial
teams, notably a superb victory over Currie Cup champions-elect
Natal, they were strong favourites to beat the inexperienced
Springboks.
The Springboks was captained by Naas Botha, the legendary rugby
genius nearing the end of an illustrious career and included one of
world rugby’s greatest centres of all time – the mercurial Danie
Gerber. Many rugby supporters selected Gerber for their all time
World XV including one of the game’s legendary commentators, Bill
McLaren. Strong, fast and elusive, Gerber was a prodigious
try-scorer for the Springboks.
The Springboks struggled in the first half with lifting in the
lineouts (not allowed at the time) and playing the ball on the
ground but contained the All Blacks for 30 minutes. Zinzan Brooke
scored the first try through a quick tap penalty near the Springbok
line, a Botha penalty followed with a near Gerber try and the score
was 10-3 to the All Blacks when the players took naartjies.
In the second half the Springboks shed their conservative playing
style and the willing backs sparkled with more ball but two
try-scoring opportunities went begging. The All Blacks, predictably
moved up a gear and after a scintillating break from Frank Bunce,
Kirwan scored a magnificent try to extend the lead, 17-3.
The Springboks threw caution to the wind and with wonderful
recycling worked the ball to whom else but Gerber? With his powerful
hips the Springbok try scoring record holder crashed through the
defence for a wonderful try. The game livened and the All Blacks
replied with a brilliant try through slick handling and great pace
from John Timu. With 20 minutes left the score was 27-10.
It looked all over for the Springboks however with great “gees” the
fight back begun and relentless attacks stretched the All Black
defence. James Small was stopped short on occasion but Pieter Muller
managed to crash over for his first test try. It was not over yet,
brimming with confidence the Springboks executed a wonderful flowing
movement and again Gerber, “the Darling of Despatch’ shed the years
to showcase his silky skills when he dummied his way past the New
Zealand three-quarter line for his second try. All Blacks 27
Springboks 24.
The deficit proved too much and even with several minutes of
overtime the Springboks could not win the match. The All Blacks may
have become complacent but the Springboks comeback again showed why
this rivalry is regarded as the greatest in rugby. |
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