The competition was far more intense in last Sunday’s Rugby World Cup final, where South Africa edged past New Zealand 12-11 at the Stade de France in Saint-Dennis.
In Pune on Wednesday, the South Africans made sure it was completely a one-sided affair as they blew the New Zealanders away by 190 runs.
The architects of yet another massive win for the Proteas were centurions Quinton de Kock (114), who’s in the form of his life, and Rassie van der Dussen (133) along with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (4/46) as they bundled the Black Caps out for 167
after posting 357/4 on being put to bat.
New Zealand, who lost the game with 87 balls to spare, have plenty to ponder over now. Though by net run rate, they are still above Pakistan, back-to-back defeats have brought them down to No.4 in the standings.
Quinton de Kock (right) completes his century — his fourth ton in this World Cup — against New Zealand in Pune on Wednesday as fellow centurion Rassie van der Dussen congratulates him. The pair stitched a 200-run partnership, their second 200-plus stand in this edition of the World Cup. PTI photo
With no surety on the return of regular captain Kane Williamson, pacer Matt Henry’s right hamstring and all-rounder Jimmy Neesham hurting his right wrist, while attempting a return catch of Van der Dussen, are fresh concerns for the team.
Henry could bowl just 5.3 overs, while Neesham getting hurt affected his bowling badly as he conceded 69 off his 5.3 overs. Even the highly experienced Tim Southee — in his first appearance in this World Cup since his return from injury — was expensive.
New Zealand, unlike themselves, even dropped some catches.
Regaining the top spot, South Africa are certainly having an ideal preparation ahead of the clash against a so-far unbeaten India at the Eden on Sunday.
