Magic Moment: Moodie soars in Sydney

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In celebrating the best rugby moments of 2022, DYLAN JACK looks back on Canan Moodie’s memorable Test debut in a historic victory for the Springboks in Australia.

The Boks went into the Rugby Championship round 4 clash against the Wallabies in Sydney on the back of successive losses, after starting their campaign with a memorable win over the All Blacks in Nelspruit.

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History also counted against the tourists. South Africa had not beaten the Wallabies in Australia since the Willie le Roux-inspired victory in 2013. Adding to their woes, the Boks were without Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am, Cheslin Kolbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit due to injuries, while Kurt-Lee Arendse was suspended.

This prompted Jacques Nienaber to give a surprise call to Moodie. Then just 19 years old, the winger had only made his senior debut for the Vodacom Bulls in January and had a handful of caps in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

South Africa made a bright start to the Test in Sydney when Damian de Allende powered over in the ninth minute. However, despite dominating possession and territory, the visitors were repelled by a dogged Wallabies defence. It appeared that the Boks would have to settle for a four-point lead at the break.

That was until Moodie got in on the action. Chasing Jaden Hendrikse’s contestable kick, the teenager soared like an eagle and grasped the ball out of the air, sprinting clear to score his first Test try.

That moment provided the much-needed breakthrough for the South Africans, who would carry the momentum into the second half and claim a 24-8 victory, ending their nine-year drought.

Photo: Twitter/@Springboks

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Dylan Jack