The Albany Gazette - Springboks and All Blacks seek series lead after war of words

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie lit the fuse last weekend after a 33-26 second Test loss in Cape Town, alleging the Springboks were using questionable scrumming tactics.

"I think (referee) Angus (Gardner) was pretty strong around setting a mark and then trying to keep the hookers in the same sort of spacing," he said.

Rival head coach Rassie Erasmus responded: "The first six scrums New Zealand had -- every one collapsed. It was reset, reset, reset, reset."

The war of words continued this week with South Africa scrum coach and former Springboks prop Daan Human entering the fray.

"We always try to do it (scrumming) 100 percent by the book. I am a farmer. I am a normal, straight guy. I never coach that (cheating)," he said.

Come the All Blacks team announcement and Rennie appeared to declare a truce in the scrums saga.

Quizzed about the legality of South African scrumming, Rennie replied: "Do I bother giving this any more air?."

Rennie told reporters the All Blacks and Springboks had raised undisclosed concerns through official channels.

"We shared stuff with the officials. The Springboks have done the same. It is now up to the referee and his support staff to react to what he sees."

Georgian Nika Amashukeli, replaced by Gardner for the Cape Town Test due to illness, will be in charge at the 92,000-seat Soccer City stadium on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

The venue has been a happy hunting ground for New Zealand. They have played two Tests there, defeating South Africa 29-22 in 2010 and 32-16 two seasons later.

As tensions rise before the third Test in 15 days between the top-ranked Springboks and second-ranked All Blacks, legends from both countries have joined the war of words.

- Kolbe stars -

John Kirwan, whose try helped New Zealand beat France in the inaugural Rugby World Cup final 39 years ago, says he does not like the Springboks' reliance on set pieces and box kicking.

Referring to the Cape Town Test, he said: "Sometimes the way (South Africa) play frustrates me. During a 15-minute stretch, they did almost nothing but launch box kicks."

Springboks 2007 World Cup-winning lock Victor Matfield countered: "In South Africa, we love a big scrum, going over guys. I mean, box kicks, winning it back, just hear the cheers."

Cheslin Kolbe, who has switched from the right wing to replace injured Damian Willemse at full-back, was not considered a likely first choice goal-kicker before the series.

But the double World Cup winner has excelled, succeeding with all 11 attempts to reap 29 points.

In six tour matches -- two Tests and four matches against franchises -- New Zealand have scored 242 points from 38 tries and 26 conversions. There have been no points from penalties.

The series, marketed as the "Greatest Rivalry", concludes in American city Baltimore on September 12. South African officials say financial reasons justify taking the match abroad.

Teams (15-1)

South Africa: Cheslin Kolbe; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt); Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth; Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche

Replacements: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg, Manie Libbok

Coach: Rassie Erasmus (RSA)

New Zealand: Damian McKenzie; Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Leroy Carter; Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; Ardie Savea (capt), Luke Jacobson, Peter Lakai; Sam Darry, Tupou Vaa'i; Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, George Bower

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Fabian Holland, Wallace Sititi, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Josh Moorby

Coach: Dave Rennie (NZL)

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GEO)

(R.White--TAG)