New Zealand's First Full-scale Tour of South Africa in 30 Years Began With an Underwhelming 38-21 Win Over the Stormers

The makeshift Stormers - in pre-season mode - rallied twice to tie the score, which was knotted at 14-14 until 13 minutes to go. When the Stormers lost their second scrum-half and had no more reserve backs, the patched-up backline was ruthlessly exposed by New Zealand, who scored three tries in the last eight minutes. The FIRST try of Castle Double Malt Rugby's Greatest Rivalry 🙌🏽 But the result only papered over a performance that was blighted by ill-discipline, three yellow cards, and a struggling set-piece.

They overcame those with six tries to three by the Stormers in front of a 47,130 crowd. The good news for the All Blacks was they appeared to finish with no major injuries, seven players made their first appearance in the black jersey this year, and two more made their debuts off the bench; prop Siale Lauaki and inside back Josh Jacomb. Choose the sports notifications you want.

But the most impressive players in the stadium were Stormers fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed, who looked comfortably cool in his first-class debut at age 20, and flanker Deon Fourie, the dynamo who will be 40 next month. Friday August 7: Stormers 21-38 New Zealand, Cape Town. Tuesday August 11: Sharks vs New Zealand, Durban (6pm BST).

Saturday August 15: Bulls vs New Zealand, Pretoria (6pm BST). Saturday August 22: South Africa vs New Zealand (FIRST TEST), Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg (4.10pm BST). Tuesday August 25: Lions vs New Zealand, Johannesburg (6pm BST). Saturday August 29: South Africa vs New Zealand (SECOND TEST), Cape Town (4.10pm BST).