New Zealand coach Graham Henry praised his side after watching them clinch a last-gasp 29-22 victory over South Africa on Saturday to seal the 2010 Tri-Nations title.
Late tries from captain Richie McCaw and replacement Israel Dagg saw the All Blacks spoil the Springboks party at Soccer City before a sell-out 88,791 crowd.
“They do not get any bigger than that. It was a huge match played in front of an amazing crowd but I am so proud of my team,” said Henry as they completed a three-Test clean sweep of wins this year over the reigning world champions.
“They showed great character to stick together and these are the kind of players you would like to go to war with. It’s very special - to come from behind at altitude against the world champions made it even more memorable.”
Despite a fourth consecutive Tri-Nations defeat this season, Bok coach Peter de Villiers was pleased with the improvement his team showed as they picked up their first bonus point of the southern hemisphere campaign.
“We did not have any luck and that has been the case throughout the Tri-Nations. Well done to the All Blacks - they deserved it this year because they have played some good rugby.
“It’s a huge disappointment for us although we have made a hell of a step up from the first three matches. Now we don’t want to make losing a habit so we have to bounce back quickly.”
Of all the South Africans inside a stadium that hosted the football World Cup final last month, none was more disappointed than Bok skipper John Smit.
He became only the second Bok to win 100 caps but a missed tackle at 22-22 with less than one minute left allowed New Zealand to snatch victory - a memory Smit admitted he was keen to forget.
“I cannot think I have ever been so disappointed. This will hurt me for a long time,” he confessed.
“In the first half we had control of the game and played on our terms. The second half came and we were not so in control as little things like kicks not finding touch did not go our way.
“At 22-22, we planned to come back and have another go to try and win the game but then I missed a tackle and it was game over.”
Smit recognised the significance of playing in front of such a big crowd.
“We’ve got some good venues in rugby but this is one of the best,” he said. “I was struggling not to choke up as we ran out and standing 10 metres away from the Haka we could not hear a thing.”
Rival captain and flanker Richie McCaw was delighted with the outcome one year before his country host the Rugby World Cup with the All Blacks seeking a first title since winning the first tournament 23 years ago at home.
“The big thing was to keep believing and we kept going when we were up against it.
“We have not come from behind too often in recent matches, but to come out on the winning side shows how much character we have in our team.
“A week is a long time in rugby - let alone 12 months - and there is a long way to go until the World Cup.
“We feel we have room for improvement and that bodes well for next year.”
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