Super Sarries shock Boks at Wembley
SARACENS (24) vs. SOUTH AFRICA (23)
PREMIERSHIP leaders Saracens staged a thrilling comeback to stun world champions South Africa in front of a roaring crowd of over 46,000 at Wembley last night.
Former Springbok fly-half Derick Hougaard kicked 14 points to help Sarries claw their way back from 18-6 down and subject the tourists to a third straight defeat.
Looking to bounce back from defeats against Leicester and then France lastFriday, the newly-crowned Tri Nations champions started the stronger and opened up a 12-point lead at the break courtesy of tries from Juan de Jongh and Jongi Nokwe.
But Sarries, who fielded no fewer than seven South African players, hit back with tries from No8 Ernst Joubert and Durban-born England Saxons centre Brad Barritt.
Back came South Africa, however, with the brilliant Nokwe going over for his second try of the match but Sarries weren’t to be denied with Hougaard sending Wembley into raptures six minutes from time with the match-winning drop goal.
“This victory is massively up there with previous great Saracens performances,” Saracens lock Hugh Vyvyan said afterwards.
“To beat South Africa at Wembley is just fantastic. It’s great for some of us here because we don’t often get the chance to play the great players like these.”
But, despite the result, it wasn’t the most profitable of nights for the unbeaten Sarries. One member of the crowd successfully hit the crossbar in a half-time kicking competition, forcing chairman Nigel Wray to write out a cheque for £250,000.
South Africa now take on Italy on Saturday while Sarries host Wasps in the Premiership on Sunday.