As we wait for the opening clash of the 2022 Rugby Championship between the Springboks and All Blacks, look back to 2009 when a trademark Jean de Villiers intercept try set up the Springboks for a third Tri-Nations crown in Hamilton.

Requiring just a point to claim the title – the first since 2004 – the Boks left nothing to chance as they raced into a 22-12 half-time lead at Waikato Stadium, thanks to a Fourie du Preez touchdown and the combined kicking exploits of Morne Steyn and Frans Steyn.

The margin was extended 10 minutes into the second half following the opportunistic heroics from De Villiers, before the All Blacks produced a stirring fightback, but the Boks would prevail 32-29 to lift the trophy on enemy soil.

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All Blacks – 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Ma’a Nonu, 12 Stephen Donald, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 John Afoa, 18 Adam Thomson, 19 Rodney So’oialo, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Isaia Toeava, 22 Cory Jane.

Springboks – 15 Frans Steyn, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Adrian Jacobs, 22 Ruan Pienaar.

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Photo: Tertius Pickard/Getty Images