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Blog: 11 October 2016 (SA's woeful record against New Zealand in rugby from 2000)
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We take a look at something a little different today, while at the same time providing some statistics. We take a look the South African rugby's woeful performance against New Zealand from the year 2000 to their most recent clash in October 2016. Why we looking at Rugby numbers? Well rugby (as most sports in SA) brings in big money.
Lets assume around 5million people (about 10% of South Africa's population) spend R300 to buy food and drinks (be it to braai at home or spent at a bar or restuarant or at the stadium) on a day when a big rugby game is on. That equates to spending of over R1.5billion. So therefore this is no small past time and big money is spent on rugby related activities. South Africans would like to see some joy coming out of this. But in recent times there has been little to be chearful about. Take a look below. |
The ugly truth...
Since the year 2000, South Africa and New Zealand has clashed 39 times. Of the 39 meetings, South Africa came out on top in 10 of them, while New Zealand celebrated victory in 29 of them. As the pie chart above shows that gives New Zealand a win percentage against South Africa since 2000 of just under 75% and a win percentage for South Africa of just over 25%. Essentially South Africa has won only one in four encounters against New Zealand since 2000.
Now when we compare how these teams scored points against one another it is clear that New Zealand is far more effective in scoring tries against South Africa than South Africa is in scoring tries against them. In the 39 games since 2000, New Zealand have scored 116 tries and converted 80, while South Africa scored only 60 tries and converted 44.
Penalties are very similar with South Africa scoring 106 penalties against New Zealand and New Zealand scoring 113 against South Africa. Drop goals are even closer with South Africa scoring 9 compared to New Zealand's 8. The big difference between the two teams then is in their ability to score tries. The graphic below looks at the average number of points scored per game by each team since 2000.
From the above graphic it shows that on average (since 2000), New Zealand scores roughly 10 points per game more against South Africa than what South Africa scores against them. From 2000 to current, New Zealand has scored 370 more points against South Africa than what South Africa has scored against New Zealand. If there was every any doubt as to who the best rugby nation on earth is, these numbers puts that to rest. New Zealand is and probably will be the best rugby playing nation for years to come.