South Africa v New Zealand LIVE: Rugby result and reaction after Springboks thrash All Blacks

South Africa laid down a marker ahead of their World Cup title defence by hammering New Zealand 35-7 in a warm-up clash at Twickenham.

The reigning world champions dominated from the first whistle on a chastening night for World Cup favourites New Zealand, who had Scott Barrett sent off in the first half, leaving his tournament participation in doubt.

South Africa hammered Wales 52-16 in Cardiff last weekend and started in the same vain, with relentless early pressure leading to a 13th-minute sin-binning for Barrett – who paid the price for repeated New Zealand infringements.

“I think rugby is quite a simple game. You have got to get your platforms right and we didn’t, in attack and defence. Defensively, we were over anxious, over keen. Good lessons. In the second half, we made a lot of changes and it was a young pack. You could see them trying hard but we lost our cohesion.

“Tyrel is pretty bad, actually. He’s got quite a bad cut through to his muscle in his thigh. We’ll have to check which boot that came from. He’s not in a great way. I would doubt [he’s out of the World Cup].”

Foster intimated there that New Zealand are concerned about some of the plastic studs used by players, and suggested the All Blacks would be investigating.

“We’ve had pretty significant cuts. There is no question it is accidental but we’ve got to make sure we look after our player.”

“We came second tonight. South Africa played magnificent, a really physical game, started strong and put us under a lot of pressure. Congratulations to them.

“As we go into a World Cup, it’s a really clear reminder about the importance of set piece and maintaining your discipline. I thought the first 20 minutes our defence was actually outstanding, we kept hanging in there, but we kept giving them another shot. A great performance from them and one we will take a lot of lessons from.

“We’ve got a lot of confidence with how we’ve been tracking but we can’t deny it wasn’t a good performance from us. We’ve got a couple of weeks to get that right.”

“I’m honoured to be back. It’s been an amazing journey for the group. To see so many beautiful South Africans here, I can’t tell you how proud I am. We thank you, we appreciate you, we do it for you. Keep backing us.

“We worked hard. We knew what happened the last time we played them. We said we were going to give it everything. We had to work over and over even though they had less men.

“We knew we had to start up front with the forwards. Our backs are special. We had to concentrate hard. Proud of the boys but we know the hard work starts now. We have to go and defend the World Cup in France.”

Statement made. A Springboks demolition job, aided by some All Blacks ill discipline but more than worth their 28-point winning margin to give themselves the perfect launching pad into their World Cup defence.

New Zealand weren’t even close to where they needed to be to match South Africa today. Scott Barrett’s sending off, as well as Tyrel Lomax’s injury, will leave Ian Foster with plenty to worry about with just a fortnight until that Pool A opener against France in Paris.

It comes to nothing. That will be that.

A penalty to the All Blacks gives them one last go. Ardie Savea taps it quickly but meets his match in Kwagga Smith. Cam Roigard keeps things ticking with Rieko Ioane almost wriggling free.

South Africa stay secure, but infringe. Mark Telea readies to tap in the shadow of the posts as the hooter sounds.

New Zealand reply in kind, grooving away on their own extravagant dance. Cam Roigard sends the Barrett brothers off in pursuit of a left-footed kick but a subsequent toe ahead is much too meaty. South Africa opt for a scrum 15 metres from their own line as the Springboks fans inside Twickenham launch into a celebratory wave.

South Africa almost go coast-to-coast! Andre Esterhuizen gets hands on ball on the edge of his own 22 and the Springboks can play audaciously, caution and ball tossed to the wind given the size of their advantage.

The hands are magnificent to free Kurt-Lee Arendse, who looks to have the beating of all bar Mark Telea. Arendse waits slightly too long, though, allowing Telea’s support to arrive. When the wing does finally release his offload, it’s short of puff and Damian Willemse can’t gather at his ankles.