Morné du Plessis had to be mad. Every time the All Blacks were penalized, and God knows that was often, he called Robbie Blair to take the kick. Every time Blair missed. Once, from only 16 meters and directly in front, he only managed to strike an upright.
So the time dragged on and with 19 minutes to play the All Blacks led 11-0. Not a change now, for Western Province to repeat that glorious deed against Maurice Brownlie's All Blacks of 1928 when, in the week before the final international, the famous "Umbrella test" at Newlands, they won decisively by 10 to 3.
Even after a most dubious penalty call against Stewart had been turned into a try by Bossie Clarke and Blair goaled, the game still seemed set for the All Blacks. After all, didn't Blair next miss a 43 m attempt at goal, his eight penalty for the game, and so leave the All Blacks sitting on a five-point lead with seven minutes to play?
Dawie Snyman, not quite the lightning genius of his reputation, picked-up a ball missed by Grant Batty, in the 79th minute and side stepped up the right hand touch line. When he was checked, du Plessis, a huge, towering figure, moved down the field like a runaway Eifel Tower. The All Blacks' defence was in agony. First-line and cover-defenders rushed across field. At the right moment, Du Plessis unloaded; and Pope, sniffing the tryline ahead, crashed over it by the corner-flag as 46 000 spectators went mad.
The moment, now, of truth, gospel truth for Robbie Blair. Certainly, because he was left-footed, this kick from the right flank naturally favoured his left-to-right flight. Still, hadn't he missed all those kicks beforehand? Hadn't he shown out a shaky nerve for all to see? By the law of averages, no change, now, for the All Blacks to lose.
But the moment the ball was struck, you knew it was a goal. Up in the air, sky-high, sky-high, the kick soared. The ball cleaved the uprights dead centre. Province were ahead, 12 to 11.
