‘I was nervous, but it worked in our favour,’ says Savea about big referee call

It proved to be a big decision in the context of the match, with it not even being a penalty, meaning that Marco van Staden’s indiscretion at a ruck in the red zone just a few moves later, saw him yellow carded.

Speaking during the post match press conference, Savea said he was pleased the decision went in his favour, and was happy with the composure shown by his team throughout a tough match.

All Blacks captain Ardie Savea admitted he had been very anxious, after an upright tackle on Jasper Wiese late in the match against the Springboks almost proved costly, before his team cruised to a comfortable win in their Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test opener at Ellis Park.