Dan Carter overtook Jonny Wilkinson as the world’s leading points scorer once again as the All Blacks piled more agony on the reigning World Cup champions South Africa just over a month before they launch their title defence.
Carter weighed in with 10 points in a run-away 40-7 triumph in Wellington that left the makeshift Springboks in even deeper trouble following their heavy defeat in Australia the previous weekend.
The margin of the home side’s six try triumph allowed them to go to the top of the Tri-Nations table, while John Smit’s Boks are anchored to the bottom with no points from their two outings.
“Even though they have 21 players back home this can’t be doing them any good. It’s bound to be doing them some harm because confidence plays such a big part in sport,” said former All Blacks legend Justin Marshall.
South African coach Peter de Villiers controversially left the majority of his top team at home to get ready for the World Cup campaign. But after seeing his side concede 11 tries, and lose 39-20 to the Wallabies and 40-7 to the All Blacks, the pressure will be on him to reintegrate his stars for the return games on home soil.
Inspirational skipper Smit made it two tries in two weeks with his first-half touchdown, but at the break the Boks were 18-7 adrift. They failed to add to their tally in the second half while the rampant Kiwis added a further three tries.
Flying wings Cory Jane and Zac Guildford each scored two tries and there were others for Wyatt Crockett and Colin Slade. The All Blacks now meet the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup final venue, Auckland’s Eden Park, next weekend.
